People often underestimate how strong an impact their skirting boards will have on their home. It might seem like a minor decision, but materials can make a real difference. Even the choice between softwood skirting boards and hardwood skirting boards shouldn’t be rushed into.

As you’ve probably guessed, there’s no right answer. You simply need to take the relative strengths and weaknesses of each option into account – let’s take a look at just what makes each one stand out.

The Benefits of Softwood Skirting

Softwood skirting is often seen as the cheaper option. Whether that turns out to be true depends on the variety you choose, but it’s certainly a trend to be aware of – pine, for example, is an excellent softwood for skirting that doesn’t lack quality or visual appeal.

And softwood skirting has more going for it than just a lower price. It tends to cover a broad range of styles, and you’ll find that it can be easily worked into different profiles. That means a greater range of off-the-shelf styles, plus the option to go bespoke quite easily without breaking the bank. You’ll even find softwood skirting significantly easier to fit – it’s something you might do yourself instead of hiring in a professional.

The Benefits of Hardwood Skirting

Hardwoods aren’t always harder than softwoods, but they generally live up to their name. That makes hardwoods an ideal choice if you’re looking for very durable skirting boards. Do you move around a lot in heavy shoes? Are the skirting boards going in high-traffic or public areas? If so, you’ll want to consider picking a hardwood to minimise the damage caused by everyday bumps.

Hardwood skirting can also be made in different profiles – in fact, it’s normally pre-ordered instead of chosen off the shelf. That’s ideal for adding a personal touch, although it does tend to push up the price, especially since hardwoods tend to be more expensive than softwoods in the first place.