Traditional skirting board profiles have stood the test of time for good reason — they add character, craftsmanship, and a sense of quality to any room. Whether you're renovating a Victorian terrace, a Georgian townhouse, or simply want a classic look in a modern home, choosing the right traditional profile makes all the difference. Here's your guide.
What Defines a Traditional Skirting Board Style?
Traditional profiles are characterised by decorative curves, stepped details, and moulded shapes that reference classical architecture. They create shadow lines and visual interest that flat, minimal profiles don't, and they're particularly effective in rooms with period features such as cornicing, ceiling roses, and panelled doors.
The Best Traditional Skirting Board Profiles
Torus
The most popular traditional skirting board profile in the UK. Torus features a large, smooth convex curve at the top of the board, giving it a bold, rounded presence. It's a versatile profile that works in homes of all ages — from Victorian terraces to 1930s semis and modern new builds that want a traditional touch. If you're unsure which profile to choose, Torus is rarely the wrong answer.
Ogee
The most elegant of the traditional profiles. Ogee features a distinctive S-curve — a concave curve flowing into a convex curve — that gives it a refined, sophisticated appearance. It's the profile most associated with Georgian and Victorian architecture and is the natural choice for period properties with high ceilings and ornate detailing.
Ovolo
A quarter-round convex profile, softer and more subtle than Torus. Ovolo has a gentle, flowing curve that works particularly well in Georgian interiors and rooms where a traditional feel is desired without the boldness of Torus or the complexity of Ogee.
Lambs Tongue
A graceful profile with a distinctive pointed detail at the top, flowing into a gentle curve. Lambs Tongue is a classic choice for Victorian and Edwardian properties and adds a refined, period-appropriate character to any room.
Chamfer Round
An angled chamfer with a soft rounded edge — a transitional profile that sits between traditional and contemporary. It works well in homes that blend period features with a more modern interior aesthetic.
Matching Your Profile to Your Property
Georgian Properties (pre-1830)
Ogee and Ovolo are the most historically appropriate choices. These properties typically have high ceilings, so a taller board (144mm–220mm) is recommended.
Victorian Properties (1837–1901)
Torus, Ogee, and Lambs Tongue are all appropriate. Victorian homes often have ceiling heights of 2.7m–3m, so a height of 144mm–166mm works well.
Edwardian Properties (1901–1910)
Similar to Victorian in profile choice — Torus and Lambs Tongue are both excellent options. Edwardian homes often have slightly lower ceilings than Victorian, so 120mm–144mm is a good starting point.
1930s & Post-War Homes
Torus is the most common and appropriate profile for inter-war and post-war properties. A height of 95mm–120mm suits the typically lower ceiling heights of these homes.
Colour & Finish for Traditional Interiors
Traditional skirting boards are almost always painted white or off-white — brilliant white for a crisp, clean look, or a softer heritage white or cream for period properties. A satin finish is recommended for durability, though eggshell is also popular in traditional interiors for its more muted sheen.
Our Traditional Skirting Board Range
All our moisture-resistant MDF skirting boards are available in Torus, Ogee, Ovolo, Lambs Tongue, and Chamfer Round profiles — in heights from 95mm to 166mm, primed or unprimed. Browse the full range at Univers Skirting & Architrave.