Baseboard
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(March 2013) |
Inarchitecture,abaseboard(also calledskirting board,skirting,wainscoting,mopboard,trim,floor molding,orbase molding) is usuallywooden,MDForvinylboardcovering the lowest part of an interiorwall.Its purpose is to cover the joint between the wall surface and the floor. It covers the uneven edge of flooring next to the wall; protects the wall fromkicks,abrasion,and furniture; and can serve as a decorative molding.[1]
At its simplest, baseboard consists of a simple planknailed,screwedorgluedto the wall; however, particularly in older houses, it can be made up of a number ofmoldingsfor decoration. A baseboard differs from awainscot;a wainscot typically covers from the floor to around 1-1.5 metres (3' to 5') high (waist or chest height), whereas a baseboard is typically under 0.2 metres (8 ") high (ankle height).
Plastic baseboard comes in various plastic compounds, the most common of which isUPVC.It is usually available in white or a flexible version in several colors and is usually glued to the wall.[2]Vinyl baseboard is glued with adhesive and can be difficult to remove or to replace. It has a long lifespan, which can mean lower maintenance.[3]
Wooden baseboard can be available in untreated, lacquered or prepainted versions. Prepainted baseboards can be made from a single piece orfinger jointedwood, often softwoods, while hardwoods are either lacquered, or raw for staining and made from a single piece of wood.
MDF(medium-density fiberboard) is a common material used for baseboard trim andmolding.It is an engineeredwoodproduct manufactured from refined wood fibers combined withwaxandresin binders.MDF is denser and more rigid than standardparticle board.Compared to solid wood trim, MDF baseboard has the advantage of being consistent in thickness and profile. It resists warping, swelling, and shrinking that can occur with natural wood.[4]MDF provides a smooth, stable surface for painting that resists absorption of paint. It is also typically cheaper than solid wood alternatives.
Tiles can also be used as a baseboard.[5]
Heaters are sometimes installed in place of or in front of baseboards. These come inelectricalandradiatorvarieties, the latter relying on hot water as their heat source.[6]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"Wood Baseboard vs. Vinyl Baseboard | DoItYourself".Retrieved2015-09-30.
- ^Holes, Leslie (2003-09-02).Creating the Built Environment: The Practicalities of Designing, Constructing and Owning Buildings.Routledge.ISBN113581824X.
- ^"Wood Baseboard vs. Vinyl Baseboard | DoItYourself".Retrieved2015-09-30.
- ^"What is MDF?" Skirting World, 2023.https://mdfskirtingworld.co.uk/blog/what-is-mdf/.Accessed 23 October 2023.
- ^Emmitt, Stephen; Gorse, Christopher A. (5 February 2013).Barry's Introduction to Construction of Buildings.John Wiley & Sons.ISBN9781118658581.
- ^"Baseboard vs. radiator heat".July 2002.Retrieved2015-09-30.
