skirting boards - why bother ?

[Thunderchild]

Well having stripped the wall paper and carpets out I realize that really the skirting boards are crap too. easily removed - should I even bother to put them back in ? what purpose do skirting boards serve ?

(as you probably guessed I'm getting exasperated with this "project" I'd like to live in the house asap instead of camp)

[Thunderchild]

yea it would look crap too ;), oh well I'll be down the builders merchants tomorrow evening finding out what the damage is.

[joggerjayne]

** tries to imagine "really drunk" carpet spinning thing **

I don't drink much. I've not been really trolleyed since ...

... ooh, I dunno ...

... oh, yes ... last night.

[Thunderchild]

I don't drink so can't relate ;) looks like many here can though

although what about lino ? under or "up to" the skirting board ?

[MickyMacgraw]

The lino is pretty thin so you probably could get away with under it I think.

[Thunderchild]

well at this point I can do either, I'm just wondering what the "standard" is

[The Builder]

Thunder ................. in the US, they're often referred to as "mopboard". You can guess why!
I've left skirtings off many times, particularly on curved and funny shaped walls where timber wouldn't work easily. Put some thick card flat on the floor and plaster down to it. Remove the card to leave an expansion gap/crackline. Run a bead of decorator's caulk along if you don't want the gap. You'll have to keep touching it up though .......... as it gets whacked.
Another idea .............. "minimal" skirting. Fix a small timber moulding instead of the regular skirting. Any size you like. Maybe 25mm high with a little moulded shape along the top edge.
Maybe a smart hardwood moulding ................ loads of ideas, or have you had enough of the whole thing?