What is the best method of installing MDF skirting boards: adhesive or plugs and screws?

If you’re preparing to install MDF skirting boards, you might be wondering about the best method of attaching them. Should you use adhesive? Plugs and screws? Or something else entirely?

Here, we’ll explore the different ways you can attach skirting boards to your walls, and which method is best.

What are the different methods?

There are three main methods that you can choose from when installing MDF skirting boards:

• Adhesive. This involves sticking your skirting boards to your walls. It’s the easiest method if you have straight walls, and is also the method that most people use these days
• Nails. Nailing your skirting boards to the wall is a good option for a more secure fit. This method works best when used together with adhesive
• Plugs and screws. This is the most secure method of attaching your skirting boards, especially if your walls are bumpy. It involves drilling a pilot hole through your skirting boards and into your wall before inserting plugs and screws

What is the best method of installing MDF skirting boards?

The best method of installing MDF skirting boards will depend on how straight your walls are.

Provided the walls are straight, most carpenters these days will use an adhesive to secure MDF skirting boards to the walls, such as Gripfill or No More Nails. Often, they’ll insert the odd screw to hold the skirting board back tight against the wall until the adhesive has set. Then, they’ll remove the screws.

That said, if your walls are old and not completely straight, you might benefit from using a more secure method to attach your skirting boards alongside adhesive. This will help to pin your skirting boards back so that they’re flush against the walls, and will also ensure that they stay in place.

Using plugs and screws is the most secure method although it does also require the most tools.

Find a carpenter to install your skirting boards

If you’re still unsure which method would be best for your home – or you’re worried that you don’t have the right tools or level of experience to install skirting boards yourself – why not contact a carpenter near you? They’ll be able to recommend the best method after seeing the walls in your home, and they’ll also be able to complete the job to a high standard for you quickly and easily.