White MDF or Oak skirting?

[GreyBird84]

Hi
We are completely renovating a property.
Planning on going for solid oak doors but I can't decide on skirting.

We have a young family & both work so we want the less maintenance option which I am imaging is oak?

We have pine in our current house so I have no experience of either.

If we go oak then we can have the entire house sprayed white paint but if we go for white MDF I imagine I will need to do the walls a different colour as white on white might look too white?

Any advice much welcome!

I would imagine mdf to be the less hassle option. If it gets scuffed, you just give it a lick of paint. If oak gets scuffed, you'll need to sand it down and re-finish.

I like the white on white look as it makes rooms look taller or it can give you a nice contract when you paint the wall another colour. Here's an example of white on white with wooden doors.

Thank you! Yes the white on White is nice actually!! Now thinking oak in hall & living areas then white in bathrooms & our bedroom
Instead of doing everything the same,

We have white gloss painted doors, door frames, skirtings etc. They have lots of chips out of the paint and look a mess. I'd go for oak, particularly if it is oiled rather than varnished, so just needs periodic oiling for maintenance.

I've just put in white mdf skirting and architrave with solid oak doors. Looks lovely and makes the doors more of a feature. Also a lot cheaper than oak skirting so was able to afford solid oak doors instead of veneered (they are wonderfully heavy and solid) Plus when the skirting gets marked or dented by the Hoover or the kids I can fill and paint it

Oak is a hardwood though - I'd go with oak and wax or oil it. You won't need to paint the woodwork when you decorate. Be aware that MDF will swell if it gets wet - if you have any hard floors you mop it may swell around those and it if you are ever unlucky enough to have a leak, it may need to be replaced.