How to fix a kitchen skirting board to a worktop yourself

When the main furniture assembly is completed, only minor work remains. But sometimes small details turn out to be quite significant and are quite capable of disrupting the overall harmonious picture. The decorative side between the wall and the top surface of the cabinet is a very important interior detail and sometimes you need to install it yourself. Installation of a kitchen skirting board on a worktop does not require complex professional skills. And which one to choose and how to mount - you will learn from our article.

The purpose of the skirting board

This building part has several names: molding, plank, flange, curb, side. Installing a skirting board on a kitchen worktop is a necessary finishing stage, since several important tasks are solved here. The overhead strip protects the headset and kitchen apron from moisture, accumulation of debris in the gap. It makes the interior of the room integral, because the lower pedestals without a rim look unaesthetic. Before we find out how the kitchen skirting board is attached, let's figure out its functionality.

Camouflage function 

No matter how we try to place the cabinets close to the wall, a gap is still formed between the vertical and horizontal surfaces. Even a small gap looks unattractive. We mask such a defect with a furniture border. Sometimes, during installation, chips appear at the edges of the cabinets, and minor flaws appear from the contact of furniture with the wall. All this can hide the installation of a kitchen skirting board.

Attention! Earned on our website kitchen designer. You can familiarize yourself with it and design your dream kitchen for free! May also come in handy wardrobes designer.

Protective function

When cooking or washing dishes, drops of water and splashes of fat always get on the work surface. Moisture provokes deformation and damage to the headset, because the basis of the furniture case is most often laminated chipboard, and although it is covered on both sides with a laminating film, it is not protected by anything at the cutting site.

Tiny residues will accumulate on the countertop when cutting food or peeling fruits or vegetables. They fall into the open gap between the work surface and the wall. Garbage is the cause of the development of fungus and bacteria, and the appearance of an unpleasant odor. At the same time, it is very difficult to remove dirt from miniature crevices, especially in the corners. All this can be prevented by installing a protective decorative strip.

Aesthetic function

The decorative skirting board provides a smooth transition between vertical and horizontal surfaces. The original border complements the overall picture, the integrity of the style. Therefore, when choosing fittings, we pay attention to the material, shape, size, color combination. In hardware stores, they offer a large assortment of furniture planks. Models are available at different prices. In shopping centers, they will always provide additional advice on how to attach the skirting board to the countertop.

Varieties 

Furniture boards are often included in the kitchen set. They are suitable in texture, size, color and shape to the table top. However, if you want to add flavor to the interior, you can purchase original and contrasting borders.

When making custom-made headsets, furniture manufacturers offer to choose strips from a small assortment of models. The skirting boards that are not always recommended meet our preferences. So sometimes you have to buy them separately.

If you are installing yourself, you should learn how to attach the baseboards to the countertop. We get acquainted with the types of fittings that differ in different parameters.

In shape, the most popular moldings are:

• triangular;
• square;
• smooth;
• rounded (oval);
• voluminous;
• flat.

We take into account that the sides must completely cover the gap between the perpendicular surfaces. With a wide gap, we take volumetric rounded structures. For narrow free space, flat, straight planks are suitable. We select the fittings in accordance with the general idea of ​​the interior.

By configuration:

For installation, we need fasteners and connecting parts, which are not always available in the furniture set. For a secure, attractive mount, you need:

• corners (external and internal);
• self-tapping screws;
• side plugs.

By design solution:

Furniture moldings are cast and universal. Solid wall products are strong, massive, of increased rigidity. They are attractive and are used for the widest gaps. The disadvantage is a slightly more complicated installation. Universal bumpers - graceful, durable. Offered in a large palette of colors.

By material:

Furniture boards are made from all kinds of materials that are excellent in cost, durability, strength, and care features. The pros and cons of each type, the selection rules are listed below.

For countertops made of natural or artificial stone, wood, it is better to choose a border from the same material, since the difference in textures will still be visible, even if the color is identical. There are combined options - an aluminum frame, a decorative plastic or wooden strip.

If the headset has a plastic work surface, close the gap with a bar made of aluminum or plastic. These fittings are relatively cheap. However, there is a difficulty in the selection of designs that match the color and shape of the furniture.

Aluminum curbs are popular low-cost products. Its advantages are durability, heat resistance, wear resistance. Thanks to adonization (coating with an oxide film), it is not afraid of the effects of aggressive household chemicals.

Plastic moldings are made of polyvinyl chloride by the coextrusion method. The material is very plastic. Good flexibility ensures ease of installation. A large palette allows you to choose fittings for any interior style. The disadvantage of products is low resistance to high temperatures. Therefore, this flange is not suitable for decorating surfaces adjacent to the slab.

Stone skirting boards look nobler than wood or plastic skirting boards. The color of the border is matched to the countertop. Some manufacturers offer to make the profile of the product curly. It is much prettier than straight, flat planks, but quite expensive.

Mounting methods

The plastic or aluminum skirting (the most popular option) used to decorate countertops is in two parts. This is the base strip that holds it, and the decorative strip itself. Aluminum, along with plastic, is used as the flange base in the most popular and inexpensive designs. But the bar may be of a different material. The connection is very simple: we put the bar into the groove and press it tightly.

How to install a kitchen skirting board with self-tapping screws

• Before laying down the starting bar, let's make sure. We apply silicone glue along the entire length of the plinth fixing (into the gap), which will act as a sealant. This will prevent moisture leakage.
• We take the base bar. Apply to silicone. Press firmly to the surface.
• We fix it with 3x12 self-tapping screws (suitable for a gap of no more than 12mm). Place the self-tapping screws at regular intervals along the entire length. We screw them into special holes in the bar without tilting.
• We remove the remaining silicone.
• Insert a decorative strip starting from the edge. We work carefully, press it with our fingers in the center of the structure.
• Having fixed the side along the entire length on one surface, we insert a corner.
• We do the same manipulations around the entire perimeter of the bottom row of cabinets.
• We attach plugs along the edges of the molding.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated during the installation process. But after installation, you will have a stylish and beautiful work area, free of germs and mold.