Correct Skirting height

[foxylad]

I am about to fit new 7" torus skirting boards to freshly plastered lath-and-plater and brick walls. The guy who plastered tells me I should leave a 2-3mm gap between the skirting and the floorboards, to allow the carpet to be fitted, but everywhere I read tells me that new skirting should be fitted flush to floorboards. Which is the correct way?

Thanks

 

[Burnerman]

If you fit them flush to the floor, you minimise draughts and black dust marks on your carpets...I know what I'd do!
John

 

[big-all]

the origional pupose off the skirting was to protect the plaster and seal the gap between floor and wall
think off it 100 years ago people never had carpets as only the ritch could afford them

 

[foxylad]

Cheers guys

 

[Chukka63]

just lay it on the floor and fix.job done.

 

[Framer]

i doubt very much you would be able to run it flush with the floor or with an even 2-3mm gap all the way round

i think you will find you end up with a combination of both, anything up to 10mm is fine for carpets, if you are worried about draughts run some sealant around the bottom