Advised to install skirting before flooring

[AlanB1976]

Hi all
I wanted to pick your brains. I'm having LVT installed and 2 floorer installers have noted to me that I should install the skirting first if I want a better finish. I don't see the logic behind this as I thought the point of skirting was to hide the imperfections at the ends. Searching around the forum shows the same thought process. If it was 1 installer that said this I would have thought they were mistaken but 2 now (both of which seemed to know what they were talking about) makes me think they know best. But I don't get the logic. Can anyone explain to me?
Thanks
Alan

 

[Mottie]

Maybe with LVT if it is perfectly cut and fitted, as you would with carpet. I wouldn’t fit skirting first with a floating floor as you need that expansion clearance and you’d then need some of that horrible trim to cover the gap. I fitted my LVT boards first, then skirting though as I am not that good at neat cuts but when we had an installer fit it in our downstairs bog, he cut it to the skirting.

 

[catlad]

No logic to me! architraves and skirting have a purpose.

 

[crazydaze]

The reason to fit the skirtings first with Glue-down LVT is that the floor preparation work can then be done to the skirting and any un-eveness to the bottom of the skirting will be hidden.

Glue down LVT needs no expansion gaps and quality LVT fitters will take pride in being able to cut perfectly to the skirting with no need to hide anything with Mastic or Beadings etc. You'll get a better, cleaner finish in short, unless when you fit skirtings over the top, you scribe the skirting base into the floor which of course is understandably time consuming and still not always perfect.

 

[AlanB1976]

Thanks. That makes sense.
Unfortunately, the builder let me down with ordering and installing the skirting boards, so will have to install afterwards anyway

 

[Koolpc]

Afterwards is the what i would choose...