If your skirting boards could do with a fresh lick of paint, then a touch-up can completely transform any room. The best skirting board paints must be long-lasting and durable to prevent general wear and tear over the years.
Although they may not be a focal point of your home, they are an integral part of your house's interior structure and deserve some TLC. They may seem like a minor detail in your home, but they are essential in creating a polished and cohesive look.
The best paint for skirting boards:
Choosing the right paint for skirting boards not only enhances your room’s aesthetics but also provides protection against wear and tear. To help you to make a decision on the best paint, we have picked out the best oil and water-based paints with a satin, gloss, matte and stained finish suitable for all skirting boards.
Best paint for skirting boards UK
Satin or satinwood paint
Best quick-drying oil-based gloss paint for skirting boards
Rut-OleumThis quick-drying oil-based paint from Rust-Oleum is durable and provides long-lasting protection from damage. It also works as a primer, is easy to apply, and produces a smooth finish. Oil-based paint usually takes a long time to dry, but this one is exceptional and dries in two hours. This paint is often used on boats to prevent rust, so you know that it will be very durable.
Customers like that it provides ample coverage, with one writing: "Really good coverage. I only used one coat, and the colour is so nice. Very fast drying time also".
Pros
- Fast drying paint
- Ample coverage from just one coat
Cons
- Users say that it has a strong smell
| Size: | 250ml or 750ml |
| Quick drying: | Yes |
| Multiple colours available: | Yes |
Best water-based satin paint for skirting boards
DuluxThis satinwood paint offers a durable, long-lasting finish with just one coat. It’s non-yellowing, wipeable and does not have a lingering strong scent. We love that this paint has good coverage and a satin finish; however, one thing to note is that it can take up to 16 hours to dry.
However, once it's dry, it looks shiny and smart. One customer has given this Dulux paint nothing but high praise: "I have tried three or four water-based gloss paints, and this is the best. Some never seem to fully dry and permanently feel somewhat tacky in damp conditions. This paint is excellent in that regard."
Pros
- Smooth finish thanks to the crack resistant formula
- No need to apply an undercoat
Cons
- Not fast drying (could take up to 16 hours)
| Size: | 750ml, 1.25L, 2.5L, 5L |
| Quick drying: | No |
| Multiple colours available: | Yes |
Best quick-drying water-based gloss paint for skirting boards
JohnstonesJohnstone’s Quick Dry Satin provides a mid-sheen finish for skirting boards but can also be used on doors, radiators and staircases. The water-based, low odour formulation is self-undercoating, non-yellowing, quick drying taking one to two hours. It also has a 12m² coverage per litre.
Pros
- Non-yellowing paint
- Very low odour, so shouldn't smell overpowering
Cons
- Only available in one tin size
| Size: | 2.5L |
| Quick drying: | Yes |
| Available in other colours: | No |
Best sustainable satin paint for skirting boards
CrownThis paint is almost entirely solvent-free (99 per cent) and is ideal for enclosed spaces and those with a sensitivity to strong scents and paint. It comes in 24 colours, is easy to apply, and dries in one hour, but it should be left six hours before applying a second coat.
Users like the product's drip resistance and drying time; however, they would like more paint in the tin for the price.
Pros
- 99% solvent-free formula, for easy breathing
- Stays white for a long time
Cons
- Small tin
| Size: | 0.75L |
| Quick drying: | Yes (second coat may take longer) |
| Multiple colours available: | No |
Gloss paint
Best water-based gloss paint for skirting boards
DuluxThis quick-drying, low-odour paint with a gloss finish dries in two hours and can be re-coated in around four to six hours. It has a high sheen, is non-yellowing, and provides good resistance to knocks. It’s also wipeable - making it particularly useful if you have young children or pets.
Customers are impressed that it's available in eggshell, gloss and satin and that it "goes on thin and easy in no time at all".
Pros
- Affordable price
- Formula is odour blocking to keep smells out
Cons
- Likely to need an undercoat when going over old paint
| Size: | 750ml, 1.25L, 2.5L, 5L |
| Quick drying: | Yes |
| Multiple colours available: | No |
Best budget water-based skirting paint
RonsealIf you are on the hunt for no-nonsense gloss paint, then this non-drip and easy-to-clean paint from Ronseal is an excellent choice. The brand states that it is guaranteed to stay white for up to ten years and has an almost matte finish. Plus, at £21 per 2.5 litres, it is an affordable option. It also does not have a strong odour and is quick-drying.
Pros
- Easy to clean marks and dirt off of it (when it's dry)
- Formula is safe for pets and plants
Cons
- Quite bubbly and absorbent, so may need multiple coats
| Size: | 2.5L |
| Quick drying: | Yes |
| Multiple colours: | No |
Wood stain
Best natural wood stain paint for skirting boards
EverbuildAn alternative to painting the skirting boards with standard paint is to treat them with a natural stained finish. The Everbuild Wood Stain is touch dry in 30 minutes, providing long-lasting results for up to five years. The second coat can be applied after four hours and provides up to 20m² coverage per litre.
Pros
- Long-lasting paint formula
- Comes in small or large tubs - ideal for all sizes of jobs
Cons
- For wood only
| Size: | 250ml, 750ml or 2.5L |
| Quick drying: | Yes |
| Multiple colours availble: | No |
Matte Paint
Best high-end matt paint for skirting boards
Farrow and Ballwww.farrow-ball.com
If you are looking for a designer, high-end, and eco-friendly skirting paint, then Farrow & Ball paints will transform your home in a few strokes. With over 150 shades, there is a colour to fit every décor. It does not have a completely matte finish, as there’s a slight 40 per cent sheen. It is quick-drying and only takes two hours, with recoating possible in around four hours. It’s also washable and wipeable with little odour.
Customers say: "The F&B website makes it easy to order samples so you get a chance to see the colour working at home."
Pros
- 40 per cent sheen
- Samples are avialble
Cons
- Not the cheapest of paints
| Size: | 750ml to 5L |
| Quick drying: | Yes |
| Multiple colours available: | Yes |
FAQs
What is the difference between oil and water-based paint?
Oil-based paint is often seen as being the more durable of the two options. However, it takes longer to dry and has a stronger smell, which can linger for some time after. Although, a bonus is that it keeps its shine well. After you have finished painting, your brushes will need to be cleaned with a spirit-based product, so that’s something else to take into account. On the other hand, water-based gloss paint used to have a reputation for not yellowing as much as oil-based, but that is less of a problem nowadays. Water-based paint dries quite quickly and typically smell less poignant. When you are finished, brushes can be cleaned with warm, soapy water.
What sorts of paint finishes are there?
Gloss is the more traditional finish and is often associated with oil-based paints, but you can get water-based gloss paint as well. Satin or satinwood paint is a subtle, non-shiny and very popular option. A satin finish looks like something between a gloss and matte look. Sometimes this paint is called semi-gloss or satinwood. It comes in both oil-based and water-based formulas. Eggshell or matte finishes are becoming increasingly popular, and you don’t have to just use white. There are many different colours available - so you can match them with your walls. Lastly, the wood stain paint will keep your skirting boards looking like natural wood.
How do you prepare your skirting boards before painting?
Before starting the painting process, you mustn’t skimp out on time spent rubbing down and filling in small holes in the skirting boards. If you’re painting above any carpets that cannot be picked up, ensure you protect them with masking tape to prevent stains. And, of course, open windows to protect yourself from paint fumes. It is good to note that you need two coats of paint if you’re repainting existing skirting boards.
How to achieve the perfect finish with skirting board paint?
As far as these kinds of jobs go - the better the prep, the better the finish. Skirting boards do a lot of hard work that goes unacknowledged. To keep them scratch-free, you need the right combination of preparation and paint, especially with natural wood skirting boards. If you have MDF skirting boards, these generally come with a primer or an undercoat and is ready to paint. Nowadays, many paints suitable for skirting boards are self-priming, so you only need a couple of coats of paint, and the job is done. However, if you're painting natural wood, you might need a knot blocker to stop any sap from coming through. If you're painting over a dark colour with a lighter colour, it requires an undercoat to mask the darker colour, but make sure you don't need too many topcoats.