When renovating a home, it is highly recommended to install baseboards for the following reasons: Aesthetics, Protection, and Concealment.
Specifically:
Aesthetics
Nowadays, installing baseboards is a standard practice in almost all renovation projects-whether for commercial spaces or private homes-serving to adorn the junction where the floor meets the wall. Baseboards are available in a variety of materials, including plastic, wood, stone, and stainless steel. For residential renovations, stone baseboards are often an excellent choice; they offer superior aesthetic appeal and come in a wide array of patterns, textures, and colors, making them versatile enough to complement a broad spectrum of interior design styles. While baseboards certainly offer robust protective qualities, their aesthetic contribution is often the primary consideration in home renovation projects.
Protection
The greatest advantage of installing baseboards during a renovation is the protection they provide. Baseboards safeguard the critical interface between the walls and the floor. In typical construction, slight gaps inevitably form where walls-often finished with latex paint-meet flooring materials such as tiles or wood planks. Over time, household dust and debris can accumulate within these crevices, creating an unsightly appearance. By installing baseboards, you effectively protect the lower section of the walls; this provides resistance against water, moisture, and stains, while also preventing dust and dirt from accumulating in the gaps.
However, it is worth noting that baseboards do have a certain thickness-stone baseboards, for instance, are typically around one centimeter thick. Consequently, it is necessary to periodically clean any dust that settles on the top edge of the baseboards, as prolonged neglect can eventually detract from their aesthetic appeal. A simple wipe-down with a damp cloth is usually sufficient to remove any accumulated dust.
Concealment
In addition to their protective function, baseboards also offer a practical means of concealment. In many commercial renovation projects, electrical wiring and plumbing pipes are routed and hidden discreetly behind the baseboards. Naturally, any concealed wires or water pipes cannot be excessively thick; after all, skirting boards typically range in thickness from only 1.0 to 1.5 centimeters. It is recommended to route common live and neutral wires through the interior of the skirting board, thereby achieving both an aesthetically pleasing decorative effect and effective concealment.
If you intend to utilize the skirting board for concealment purposes, you must avoid using stone skirting. This is because stone skirting is a solid material that lacks any internal hollow space; instead, you should opt for wood or stainless steel skirting. Stainless steel skirting is particularly recommended, as it is elegant, durable, and robust, while also offering ample internal space-allowing you to neatly conceal cables such as surveillance lines, telephone lines, and network cables within the skirting itself.