Skirting board for the kitchen: why is it needed, material options

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After carrying out repair work in the kitchen and hanging the cabinets, there are only small details left to finish. This is especially true for filling the space between the wall and the countertop. If you do not install an additional baguette here, then the remnants of food during cleaning will certainly fall on the floor. The skirting board for the kitchen will help to solve the problem. This element is often supplied by manufacturers along with the headset, but when buying custom-made furniture, the product must be purchased separately.

Why do you need a plinth, its functions

A kitchen baguette is similar to a floor-standing counterpart, it is used to bridge the gap between the enclosing structure and the countertop. The main functions of the baguette are:

1. Prevent debris, bread crumbs, and water splashing between the wall and the installed worktop. Even in the presence of perfectly flat planes, there is always a gap between these elements. When working in the kitchen, dust and dirt get in here. Moisture trapped in the crevice can cause mold or mildew to develop.
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2. Chipboard countertops are considered the cheapest materials. Such materials often suffer from moisture that enters the end piece. The previously installed kitchen skirting board protects the product and prolongs its life.
3. The baguette masks all the irregularities between the countertop and the wall. The size of the gap can vary along the entire length of the contact of the elements.
4. The right material gives the kitchen a harmonious finish.

Another advantage of the baguette is the presence of a channel for laying an electric wire. Thus, the product can mask the cable.

The nuances of choosing a plinth

When choosing molding for the kitchen, you should be guided by the following rules:

1. Products are matched to the color and material of the countertop (wood like wood, stone like stone). Plastic baguettes are considered universal; they can imitate any surface.
2. The skirting board on the kitchen countertop should be compatible with other furniture. The product will be in harmony with other details if it matches the color of the front handle details.

When choosing a kitchen set and a baguette at the same time, it is necessary to attach several products to the furniture and choose the most acceptable option.

Skirting board material options

The most common products on the market are aluminum and plastic products. There are also baguettes on the market made of MDF, wood, artificial stone or ceramics. Let's get acquainted with each of the options in more detail.

Plastic skirting board

Such products are made from polyvinyl chloride by the co-extrusion method. Manufacturers can make a baguette of any shape and geometric dimensions from the raw material. To obtain a decorated surface, a laminated film is used, which can repeat the texture of any material (wood, stone or metal). Matte, glossy, pebbled and smooth products enter the construction market.

The main advantages of PVC skirting boards are:

• presentable appearance;
•  many colors;
•  affordable cost, this material is considered the cheapest molding;
•  ease of installation;
• the presence of a channel for laying a cable;
• product resistance to decay and corrosion;
• the elasticity of the skirting board allows it to adjoin even uneven walls;
• resistance to moisture and chemicals.

The main disadvantages of the material are considered to be the possibility of deformation under the influence of high temperatures. Under the influence of frost, the plastic becomes brittle, its structure is destroyed even from the slightest mechanical impact.

Aluminum skirting board

This is the best option in terms of price / quality. Such baguettes can have a polished or textured surface. Some models come with an interchangeable color bar. The insert is sold separately as a roll. It is glued to the surface during the installation of the element. If it gets dirty, the tape can be peeled off and replaced with a new piece. The color of the finishing strip is selected to match the countertop or kitchen set.

The main advantages of aluminum products are:

• Resistance to mechanical damage.
•  Heat resistance. This molding can be installed in close proximity to the stove.
• Resistance of the material to sunlight and variable humidity.
• Ease of installation.
• Ease of surface cleaning.
• Versatility.
• Presentable appearance.

The main disadvantage of an aluminum skirting board is its high cost.

Solid wood baguette

Such elements will perfectly complement a wooden countertop. To extend the life of the molding, its surface is treated with an antiseptic. Such a composition will protect the material from the harmful effects of water.

MDF baguette

Such skirting boards withstand moisture better than wood, but these products do not have a significant margin of safety. The surface of the product can be covered with thin veneer or lamination.

Stone plinth

The corner for the kitchen countertop, made of natural or artificial stone, has a unique appearance. Such products are distinguished by high indicators of strength, resistance to temperature extremes and exposure to sunlight. Stone skirting boards emphasize the luxury of the kitchen, such materials are installed in a vertical position, but they do not have channels for masking the cable.

Ceramic skirting board

Such products are rarely used, they are used to decorate tabletops that are covered with tiles. The material is not afraid of moisture, sudden temperature changes, it is easily cleaned of contamination.

Popular shapes of skirting boards

In hardware stores, you can find the following options for molding forms:

• triangular products;
• rectangular skirting boards;
• flat baguettes;
• curly and rounded products.

The width of the model is selected based on the gap that needs to be closed; the length of the molding usually corresponds to 3-4 meters. In addition to the product itself, it is necessary to purchase additional parts (plugs, corners, elements for joining).

Aluminum and plastic moldings consist of a base that is attached to the wall surface with self-tapping screws and a decorative insert. Stone moldings are produced monolithic, they are fixed to the surface with a sealant.

 There are three types of skirting boards according to the method of fixing to the table top:

1. The decorative strip is mounted on the base using special silicone inserts located at the top and bottom of the product. This installation method is used for plastic moldings.
2. Silicone inserts are located directly on the mounting rail, a decorative strip is installed in the front part. A similar design is used in aluminum moldings.
3. The base of a small area is fixed to the worktop. There is also a silicone layer here, but the decorative tape snaps into a special groove.

Next, let's figure out the stages of mounting a baguette.

The nuances of installing a kitchen skirting board

Despite the different design of moldings, the process of their installation remains unchanged:

1. We take a corner for the countertop in the kitchen, and remove the decorative strip from it.
2. Using a tape measure, measure the length of the tabletop, and cut off the baseboard with a hacksaw for metal. We clean the ends of the product with sandpaper.
3. We treat the mating surfaces with a sealant.
4. We fix the base on the wall with self-tapping screws, fasteners are installed every 30 centimeters.
5. The base of the skirting board must be selected in such a way that it is slightly shorter than the length of the table top. This will simplify installation work.
6. After installing the base, we bend and start the decorative strip.
7. We carry out the installation of plugs. Silicone is used for their secure attachment to the product.

When installing plastic or aluminum moldings on a stone countertop, it is necessary to drill holes in advance to install the base. The ceramic molding is fixed to the surface with liquid nails. Do not forget to install the cable in a special channel. Such operations must be performed before the decorative strip clicks into place. Some users specifically highlight the kitchen skirting board with LED lighting. For such a case, it is necessary to pick up translucent plastic products.