Planning an indoor renovation this autumn? The order of work matters just as much as the moulding profile you choose. Fitting new skirting boards, architraves or window boards too early can leave fresh joinery exposed to plaster, paint splashes and flooring changes. Leaving the decisions too late can mean awkward junctions or unnecessary cutting.
Here is a practical planning guide for homeowners renovating a room in Gosport, Fareham or the surrounding area.
Start with the finished room, not just the boards
Before ordering, decide on the flooring, wall finish, door frames and window reveals. Measure each area separately and note which existing pieces will stay. Check whether the new skirting height will cover old paint lines and whether sockets, radiators or pipework limit the height you can use.
Choose skirting and architrave profiles together. Coordinated mouldings can make a room feel deliberate without requiring every detail to be identical.
Complete disruptive work first
Finish major repairs, electrical alterations and plastering before fitting decorative joinery wherever practical. Allow plaster and other wet materials to dry according to the relevant manufacturer's guidance. Moisture-resistant MDF is not waterproof, so it should not be fitted against damp walls or exposed to standing water.
Store boards flat and supported in a dry indoor space. Follow the product and coating instructions for storage, preparation and installation.
Agree the flooring junction before fitting skirting
There is no single fitting order for every floor. Ask your flooring installer how the floor edge and any required expansion gap will be finished. Skirting can conceal the perimeter gap on suitable installations, but it must not prevent a floating floor from moving as designed.
If the skirting is staying in place, an additional edge trim may be needed. Decide this before ordering rather than discovering it after the flooring has been laid.
Plan where architrave meets skirting
Check the door-frame position and the thickness of both mouldings before cutting. Look closely at the junction at the bottom of the architrave: different thicknesses can create a visible step. Dry-fit pieces and agree the detail before fixing them.
Our MDF architraves include 3050mm lengths with 69mm width and 18mm thickness on the products specified in those sizes. Check the individual product listing before calculating your order.
Measure window boards after checking the reveals
For a replacement window board, record its length, depth and the intended projection beyond the finished wall. Allow for any planned plaster or lining changes. Check the support beneath the board and the detail at each end.
Univers Traditional Window Boards are offered in 1500mm and 3050mm lengths, with dimensions and finish options varying by variant. Do not assume every board is available primed: window boards over 250mm wide are supplied unprimed only.
Prepare and finish with care
Primed MDF still needs a suitable finishing system. Prepare cut edges, joints and fixing holes according to the filler, primer and paint instructions. Unprimed pieces need an appropriate primer before their finishing coats.
Some preparation is easier before fitting, while final filling and touch-ups happen afterwards. Agree the sequence with your decorator and protect new flooring throughout.
A simple pre-order checklist
- Confirm finished floor height and edge treatment.
- Measure each wall run and door opening separately.
- Check moulding thickness at skirting-to-architrave junctions.
- Record window-board length, depth and projection.
- Choose the correct primed or unprimed variant.
- Allow for cuts and mistakes based on your actual cutting plan.
Plan your joinery with Univers
Univers Skirting & Architrave manufactures and sells MDF interior joinery in Gosport. If you are unsure which sizes or finishes suit your project, bring your measurements and photographs to our workshop at Unit D19 Heritage Way, Gosport, PO12 4BG, or contact us before ordering. Local delivery is postcode-dependent, so confirm availability and the applicable charge for your address.