Are skirting boards necessary ?

[tmiker]

We are renovating a loft space with very shallow walls running under the eaves, and limited head space.
The plaster board walls are secure and well sealed to the floor.
Is there any reason why should not be able to run a carpet right up to the wall, without any skirting board?
Any advice, ideas really appreciated!
Mike

 

[big-all]

origional function off skirting
to seal gap between floor and wall
accomodate expansion and contraction
protect wall from impact
apart from possibly looking odd
in your scenario
impact less likely due to set up
carpet will both cover gap and take up expansion as well as provide a decent seal or possible sealant can be used under carpet iff draughty

 

[Deleted member 174758]

They also protect the bottom of the plasterwork. Without them bottoms of walls tend to take a beating over time

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Yes if you can be careful with the hoover and furniture etc and you can ensure your carpet fitter doesn't ruin the bottom of the wall completley when installing the carpet then go for it, only aesthetic, it can look really slick in the right scenario. If I did a self build and didn't have kids I'd have no skirtings but then I'd also have no carpets anywhere.

 

[Odds]

If you don't want to run a piece of skirting board along a wall there's always an option to use coving, about 2" high, maybe. Plenty of decorative choices are available.

 

[Tigercubrider]

My old office was breeze block and solid floors. No skirting.
it looks ok but obviously the floor interface gets dirty and it is easier to paint a skirt that repaint the entire wall.
(although in my garage at home with floor paint and white walls, I painted three bricks high with floor paint.)

I’d say that no skirting can look good domestically only if the standards are high.
Done well - cool,
Done badly, - looks unfinished
Same as architrave free “hidden doors”