How to replace the baseboard: stylish and practical options

For many, the baseboard is an integral part of the interior. However, there are many alternatives that allow you to transform the room without harming the flooring.Let's consider what can be used instead of baseboards.

Why use plinth

A plinth is a strip that is attached at the junction of the floor and the wall. For a long time it was a mandatory element of the interior. Therefore, many builders today are confident that they cannot do without it, and they should not replace it with other materials. This is associated with the characteristics and operation of floor coverings. Its main tasks are called:

1. Smoothing the transition between planes, their harmonious delimitation and masking the compensation gap. For laying some coatings, the “floating” method is used. There is no rigid adhesion to the base. Therefore, there is always a small technological gap between the wall and the floor. This is due to the fact that many materials are capable of changing their size under the influence of moisture or temperature fluctuations. If there is no gap, the plank may swell, which will lead to damage to the finish.
2. Protecting the bottom of the wall from dirt or damage. When doing wet cleaning, there is always a chance that the mop will touch the wallpaper.
3. The ability to hide cables, wires or other communications.

What to look for when choosing a replacement

When deciding what to replace the baseboard with, consider the following points:

1. Protection of the joint from water, dust and other contaminants. Therefore, the gap is closed.
2. Strength. The selected decor, which is used to replace the plank, must be resistant to any mechanical stress.
3. Moisture resistance. Even daily wet cleaning should not lead to damage to the product that replaced the baseboard.
4. Durability.
5. Easy to care for. Any contamination must be cleaned well, without the use of aggressive substances.

Read additional material: Warm baseboard.

How to replace the baseboard

The plank can only be replaced if the surface of the walls and floor are level. There are many replacement methods. Let's look at the most popular of them.

Cork damper

It is also called a cork compensator. This is a small plank made from crushed, compressed balsa tree bark. To protect it from moisture and damage, it is covered with a layer of paint and varnish material on top. This plank is placed at the joint between the wall and the floor. It can be used to replace the plank with all types of floors (hard, floating).

Damper advantages:

• ease of installation;
• low price;
• Possibility to paint in any shade.

Disadvantages:

• small variety of colors available;
• insufficient moisture resistance, so it is not recommended to replace baseboards in the bathroom or other rooms where there may be high humidity;
• short period of operation;
• Difficult to maintain, since the cork does not withstand high humidity, friction, or detergents with aggressive composition.

Liquid plug

The material is crushed cork tree bark mixed with polymer. To place the liquid plug in the joint, use a special gun. After some time, the mass hardens, hermetically closing the joint, allowing you to replace the baseboard. The material is able to compensate for the narrowing or expansion of the floor covering, therefore it is suitable for all types of floors.

Advantages:

• ease of operation;
• no shrinkage;
• the ability to use for curved joints;
• high resistance to moisture.

Flaws:

• the need for quick work, as the mass hardens quickly;
• small variety of colors available.

Edge profile

These are strips that can replace skirting boards for all types of floors. The plank is capable of covering uneven sections of the floor covering. The edging profile is suitable for any finishing materials.

When deciding what to replace the decor for a floating floor with, choose a plank with a compensation gap. If the floor is tiled or other stationary material, use a profile without a gap.

Advantages of this option:

• ease of care;
• ease of installation;
• the ability to lay curvilinearly if you choose a plastic profile;
• a wide variety of textures and shades.

The decor has one drawback - the impossibility of camouflage, since the lining is laid along the perimeter of the floor in the room.

Hidden baseboard

Instead of a regular floor plinth, a hidden one is used. It is installed on the wall. To do this, it is grooved in the lower part. The surface can also be leveled with plasterboard. In this case, a small hole is left at the bottom - a mounting recess. An aluminum profile is inserted here, which is covered with a decorative overlay on top. This overlay can be made from various materials.

Depending on the interior, the decor can be puttied or painted in the same shade as the wall. As a result, the joint looks smooth. Also, the insert can contrast with other interior details. To do this, choose a model with a ready-made coating or paint it in the required shade. Spraying can imitate the texture of natural materials.

Some models additionally have a channel where the backlight is installed. The LED strip can run along the top or bottom edge of the bar.

Advantages of this replacement option:

• the ability to install furniture close to the wall;
• ease of maintenance due to a flat surface on which dust or dirt does not accumulate;
• the ability to create backlighting;
• possibility of installing a hidden door.

Flaws:

• difficulty of installation - having decided to replace a regular baseboard with a hidden one, you need to level the wall well;
• high price - the cost of the parts is small, but they are difficult to install, therefore such work must be performed by craftsmen, whose services cannot be called cheap.

Shadow gap

This is the name given to one of the types of hidden skirting boards. A small gap is left between the wall and the insert, which have the same finish. A shadow seam can replace a plank and edge a room. The shadow gap can be equipped with lighting.

Also, a shadow gap can be created similar to a “floating ceiling”. In this case, a small space is left between the floor and the insert. This will create a “floating wall” effect.

Advantages of shadow gap:

• ease of care;
• attractive appearance;
• possibility to install a hidden door.

The disadvantage is the complex, expensive installation.

Glass plate

The plate is made of tempered glass. It is mounted on the wall, descending to floor level. The design of the glass plate is varied: matte, transparent, colored, engraved. To do this, it is supplemented with an insert, which can be easily replaced with another if desired.

Advantages of this option:

• ease of care;
• strength (subject to high-quality glass processing);
• resistance to moisture, mold;
• ease of installation.

The disadvantage is that it gets dirty quickly. Therefore, this option requires constant care.

Cord

Sometimes, instead of a plinth, you can lay a rope on the floor. This is a simple, inexpensive interior design option. The cord will look good against a background of wood or laminate. A decorative element can be a braided jute rope of any thickness that can replace a strip. Using moisture-resistant glue, it is attached to the wall around the perimeter of the room.

Advantages of using a cord:

• ease of installation;
• Can be used on flat or curved surfaces;
• attractive appearance;
• small price.

Flaws:

• difficult to maintain, since the rope can absorb liquids that are difficult to wash;
• minimal moisture resistance, so it is not suitable for rooms with high humidity levels.

Beading bead

A glazing bead is a strip that is used to secure glass in a window. It can also be used instead of a baseboard. To do this, choose models with smooth edges. Products with locks are not suitable, since they cannot be laid out on a flat surface. To ensure that the glazing bead fits tightly to the surface, liquid nails are used.

Advantages of glazing bead:

• strength and durability;
• ease of installation, ease of maintenance;
• large selection of shapes and shades.

Disadvantages were found only in wooden models. They require additional processing, which consists of using antiseptic solutions and additional painting. This will protect them from fungus and extend their service life.

Ceramic border

You can replace the plank with a ceramic border in a bathroom or other room where there is high air humidity. It is usually mounted on tiles.Ceramic borders have different shades and textures. It is possible to select materials from one collection. If this fails, the tiles are cut into strips of suitable width and glued to the wall to replace the strip and mask the joint.

Advantages of ceramic border:

• ease of care;
• durability, tightness;
•  resistance to moisture, temperature changes, and the use of aggressive cleaning agents.

Flaws:

• high price;
• possibility of mechanical damage due to a strong impact.

Platband

A platband is a wide strip used to trim doorways. Its dimensions and production materials are different (wood, plastic). To replace the baseboard with it, it is glued or nailed.

Advantages of platbands:

• ease of installation;
• low price;
• large selection of shades.

Flaws:

• the need for additional processing;
• the presence of a gap where debris can fall.

Decorative panels

They differ from the baseboard in width, so they cover the entire lower part of the wall. To install panels that need to replace the baseboard, glue or special fasteners are used.

Advantages of decorative panels:

• ease of installation;
• variety of shades and textures;
• easy care.

Disadvantages were identified only in wooden models. They need additional processing.

There are a lot of options for replacing the baseboard. In this case, it is necessary to take into account not only their appearance, but also the conditions in which they will be used. Thus, it is not possible to replace the plank in the bathroom with jute rope or a product made of natural wood. At the same time, they will serve for a long time in the bedroom or living room.

Did you like the article? We recommend bookmarking it so as not to lose useful information.What would you replace the baseboards with in your home? Share your opinion in the comments.