7 minute read -
Cutting Skirting Board Mitres: Which Saw to Choose and How to Do It
For cutting skirting board, a mitre saw is the best choice: you set the angle precisely and get clean, straight cuts with very little breakout. If you only have a few lengths to cut, a mitre box and handsaw will do. A jigsaw also works, but gives less tidy mitres and needs more finishing.
Below you will find how the different saws compare, which blade to fit, how to measure up and how to cut skirting board mitres for internal and external corners that close up neatly.
What will you learn in this article?
- Which saw is best for skirting board?
- Which saw blade should you use for skirting board?
- How do you measure and mark skirting board?
- How do you cut an internal and an external corner?
- What if the corner is not square?
- How to cut skirting board in 5 steps
- Why don't my skirting board corners close up?
- Tips if you are not very experienced
- Frequently asked questions about cutting skirting board
- In short: cutting skirting board mitres
Which saw is best for skirting board?
There are four common ways to cut skirting board. They differ in accuracy, speed and cost.
| Saw | Accuracy | Suitable for | Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitre saw | High | All skirting, lots of corners, tall skirting | Bigger investment, takes up space |
| Mitre box and handsaw | Reasonable | Low skirting, a few corners | Fixed angles only, takes longer |
| Adjustable hand mitre saw | Good | Taller skirting too, adjustable angle | Manual work, slower |
| Jigsaw | Moderate | Cut-outs, the occasional corner | Blade can drift, edges fray more easily |
Mitre saw
With a mitre saw you set the turntable to the right angle and cut through the skirting in one movement. The cuts are straight and repeatable, which helps when you are doing a whole room. Taller skirting usually fits too, especially on a sliding mitre saw. A cordless mitre saw from the Maxxpack 18V range can be taken to the room you are working in, without an extension lead.
Mitre box or hand mitre saw
A mitre box has fixed slots for 45 and 90 degrees. That works for low skirting and rooms with square corners. An adjustable hand mitre saw can be set for height and angle, so you can also cut taller skirting and corners that are not square. Both are inexpensive and good for beginners, but they take more time.
Jigsaw
If you already own a jigsaw, you can use it to cut skirting board. Tilt the base plate to 45 degrees and use a guide or mitre fence. Fit a fine-toothed, straight-cutting blade and switch the pendulum action off. Expect to tidy up the corners slightly with a file or sanding block. For cut-outs around a door frame or a pipe, on the other hand, a jigsaw is very handy.
Which saw blade should you use for skirting board?
For a mitre saw, choose a blade with a high tooth count for a fine finish. A fine crosscut blade causes less breakout on the visible face of the skirting. That applies to pine skirting, but even more so to MDF skirting with a painted or foil-wrapped surface. A coarse construction blade with few teeth tears the surface layer more easily.
With a jigsaw, use a fine wood blade with small teeth. If the top edge frays, a strip of masking tape over the cutting line helps.
How do you measure and mark skirting board?
Accurate measuring is half the job. This is how to go about it:
- Measure along the wall at the height where the skirting will sit, not across the floor in the middle of the room.
- Internal corner: the measurement on the wall is the length at the back of the skirting (the short side).
- External corner: the measurement on the wall is the length at the back; the front of the skirting ends up longer.
- Mark the direction of the mitre with an arrow or line on the back. That way you will not cut the angle the wrong way by mistake.
To measure angles, use a sliding bevel or a digital angle finder. A sliding bevel has a pivoting blade, so you can copy any angle. With a digital angle finder you read the angle directly and set your mitre saw to match.
How do you cut an internal and an external corner?
For a square corner of 90 degrees, cut both pieces of skirting at a 45-degree mitre. Together they make 90 degrees.
- Internal corner: the back of the skirting is longer than the front, so the visible face is set back.
- External corner: the front of the skirting is longer than the back, so the visible face projects.
Place the skirting on the mitre saw the way it will sit against the wall: bottom edge on the table and back against the fence. That way the angle is always right and you do not have to work it out.
What if the corner is not square?
Walls are rarely exactly 90 degrees. Measure the actual angle and divide it by two. If you measure an internal corner of 92 degrees, for example, cut both pieces at 46 degrees. For an external corner of 88 degrees, it becomes 44 degrees.
If in doubt, first cut two short test pieces from an offcut and hold them in the corner. If you see a gap at the front or the back, adjust the angle by half a degree and try again.
How to cut skirting board in 5 steps
Start in the trickiest corner
Work your way round the room from there, so you can still cut the last length to fit.
Cut the mitre first, the length second
Cut the angle at one end, hold the skirting in place and mark the other end.
Cut slightly long
It is better to take off a millimetre twice than to cut a piece too short.
Dry fit every length
Check the joint before you fix the skirting in place.
Tidy up small gaps
Use a wood file or sanding block for small differences. On painted skirting, fill a hairline gap with decorator's caulk.
Why don't my skirting board corners close up?
Gaps in corners usually have one of these causes:
- The corner is not 90 degrees. Measure the real angle and divide it by two.
- The wall is not flat or not plumb. The skirting then closes at the bottom but not at the top. Sanding a little off the back helps.
- The skirting was not tight against the fence. Always hold it firmly flat and against the fence.
- The blade is flexing. This happens more easily with handsaws and jigsaws. Cut steadily and without forcing it.
Tips if you are not very experienced
Start with a mitre box or a mitre saw, as both force the correct angle. Practise first on an offcut so you can see what internal and external corners look like. Wear safety glasses and hearing protection while cutting, and keep your hands well clear of the blade.
Frequently asked questions about cutting skirting board
Can I cut skirting board with an ordinary handsaw?
Yes, but a clean 45 degrees is hard without a guide. Use a mitre box so the saw stays straight. A fine saw with small teeth gives the neatest edge.
Should I cut skirting board flat or upright?
On a mitre saw, you usually cut skirting upright against the fence, the way it stands against the wall. You then only need to set the turntable. If the skirting does not fit upright under the blade, you can lay it flat and tilt the saw head, but that takes more calculation.
Which saw do I need for tall skirting?
For tall skirting you need a saw with enough cutting height. A sliding mitre saw or an adjustable hand mitre saw is the most suitable. For a mitre saw, check the maximum cutting height at 90 and 45 degrees in the specifications.
How do I cut skirting board at a door frame?
Cut the skirting square where it meets the frame. If it needs a notch, mark it out and cut it with a jigsaw or a multi-tool. Finish the edge with a file.
In short: cutting skirting board mitres
A mitre saw gives the most accurate skirting board mitres, while a mitre box and handsaw are fine for a few low lengths. Use a fine blade, measure along the wall and place the skirting on the saw the way it sits against the wall. For corners that are not square, measure the real angle and halve it.
