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Re tiling floor should you take off the skirting boards first
Anonymous user 15/03/2024 - 2.42 PM
Had a large kitchen/living extension completed last September and a stone floor put down. The tiler asked at the time would you like the tiling down first and then put the kitchen in or kitchen in place and then tiling. I asked what was best - he replied you get a neater finish doing the tiling first but you are paying for tiles which are under the kitchen units and the island. We decided to have the tiling done first and pay the extra. The tiles have now cracked and these are being replaced by the tiler but we are paying £900 towards the tiles. My problem now is they can't move the kitchen units but will move the island and have said they will tile up to the skirtings as if they take off the skirtings this will damage the walls. On reseraching this everyone says tilr first then skirtings its the professional way to fit otherwise you get grout joints up against the skirtings which always become a dust trap and putting the skirting on afterwards gives a neater overal finish. Will the walls get damaged if we take the skirtings off? The reason the tiles cracked was the tiler forgot to say gradually put the heating on - we did not put the heating on for 11 weeks but then put it on 19-20 degree and this is the problem. I am disappointed as there will be dust and mess everywhere and also there was no furniture in the extension when the tiling was first done and now all this will need to be covered or removed. Really appreciate any advice
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23 Answers
Vivid tiling
Rating: 5 out of 5
Tiling before skirts go on is always the best way to achieve the best finish but if there all ready on you run the risk of cracking the plaster. Best way is to run a stanly knife along the top of the skirting and score the plaster first, this way the plaster shouldn’t crack or chip above the skirt. As for kitchen units, they can be fitted first leaving the end panels and kick boards off. Tiles go up to the legs of the units with end panels and kick boards being cut to size and fitted afterwards. All ways tile under appliances to allow the to be easily moved out of place if any problems occur in the future.
Hope this has helped.
Dan. Vivid tiling.
Answered20 January 2019
10
Sayers Property Group
Rating: 4.9 out of 5
As mentioned above in regards to grout joint against skirting a confident tiler will leave cuts tight and the same size all the way along the skirtings, this should then be finished with silicone Incase of any movement so this is not an issue if skirting are fitted.
Always tile first incase you decide to change something in kitchen although you use more tiles if putting money into your home the extra wouldn’t cost much and always worth being done 100%.
Hope this helps :)
Answered20 June 2020
3
Anonymous user
Hi,
- Ideally it is better to tile before the kitchen is fitted.
- There may be damage to the wall when taking of the skirting dependent on the substrate behind in most cases with care and attention you can prize the skirting off with minimal damage, have you thought of having a tiled skirting.
- The issue with the cracking could be that you didn’t gradually turn on the underfloor heating, that the tiles haven’t been laid with a full bed, the substrate is inadequate because of movement, not using flexible adhesive, if it’s piped underfloor heating I always recommend a uncoupling matt to help with movement that could occur.
- You should always set up a work station outside the property for cutting and mixing to help with dust and mess inside.
Answered19 October 2018
2
Anonymous user
Aesthetically it’s always a much better finish with skirting boards fitted after tiling,but it isn’t just about the visual aspect,when initially tiling the floor,the tiles are intentionally cut short of the perimeter walls to allow for movement and the gap left is then covered by the skirting boards.
And also as previously stated the tiler should have installed a de coupling membrane prior to the tile installation.
Regards
Answered31 January 2019
2
Anonymous user
Think everyone is pretty much on the same boat here for a more appealing finish it's best to take off the skirting first
Answered28 January 2020
2
Kitchen fitting and pro tiling Telford
Rating: 3 out of 5
Hi there, tiling the whole floor is the premium option we 'tilers' all hope for as if you was to move the kitchen in the future the tiles would remain the same not crack and you would remain with a solid base. I would advise any tiling that is done if you are starting with a blank canvas to take off skirting them replace on top of tiles leaving a 3mm expansion gap that shouldn't be grouted as it will crack but should be decorators corked... especially if you have under floor heating. However you can get flexible grout! (Worth asking what he used).
I hope this sheds some light?
Regards Michael
Answered4 June 2019
1
Anonymous user
It sounds as though the initial tiles were not correctly buttered on the underside, allowing the tiles to crack when weight is applied. 11 weeks is plenty of time to allow the adhesive to set, so the central heating shouldn't have had an effect.
As for removing the skirting boards, personally I would leave them on and a good tiler can scribe the tiles to the skirting boards, giving you a professional finish.
Answered9 January 2020
1
Anonymous user
its always best to lay tiles before finishing off with skirting board. it looks aestheticly pleasing apose to tiling upto the board wich doesnt look profesuonal.
Answered12 February 2024
0
Anonymous user
Tiling first
Primer first.
Flooring first.
Door frame first.
Doors hanged with handle first.
Wait. And than the floor skirting.
Yes if your skirting is old it could easy damage the wall if you strip them off.
Hope it helps.
PS. Kitchen units on first for me than tiling.... only to make sure all units are fitting well against the wall. Not all walls are squared. But units are generally made to fit squared walls.
Answered13 September 2018
0
Prime Tiling
No reviews yet
Hi, tiles should be put first before skirting as it gives a much better finish. To take the skirting off just simply run a Stanley knife along the top of the skirting to cut the caulk off this should stop any plaster cracking and damaging the wall. And also kitchen units can stay in as you can take plinth/kick board off and cut tile to the legs of the unit, and end panels can just be cut so it sits on top of tile.
Hope this answers helps
Regards
George
Prime Tiling
Answered8 February 2024
0
NB Tiling & Bathrooms
Rating: 5 out of 5
Tile the floor before skirting boards go down will be a much better finish and set the job off perfectly
Answered21 August 2023
0
Anonymous user
Tile before skirts go down give it a better finish👍🏻
Answered10 May 2023
0
SW Tiling
Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Tiling before fitting the skirting will always give you the best finish
Answered3 January 2023
0
Anonymous user
Any good tiler will be able to give a good and neat line all the way through and they will be able to silicone and that will then also nesting it up but like removing anything that has been attached to a wall
If adhesive could potentially damage the walls
Answered15 April 2022
0
Taffy Tiler
No reviews yet
Hello,
There could be damage to the wall when taking of the skirting, you should be able to get off without to much damage and if some damage is caused It could be easily fixed by a plaster (assuming the wall is plaster of course) .
Ideal world it is better to tile before the kitchen is fitted.
I would always set up a work station outside the property for cutting and mixing to help minimise dust and mess.
Personally I like a tiled skirting so the tile flows up the wall slightly and finishes off the room, an idea I'd you was to remove the skirting board.
Hope this helps
Aaron
Taffy Tiller
Answered11 February 2022
0
Harrison Thomas
Rating: 4 out of 5
Best thing to remove and skirt above tile for a cleaner Finnish.
Answered19 February 2021
0
RD TILING SERVICES
Rating: 5 out of 5
Like a few others, it’s always best to tile first then put the skirts on, it’s a personal choice to go under fittings (I would). Where you are now, I would take the skirts off, any damage to the wall (presume it’s plaster) can easily be fixed and the skirting refitted. You could consider flowing the floor tile up to replace the skirt? Regards the reason why the tiles broke, I would get a second opinion, a correctly bedded in tile, on a prepped floor using flexible adhesive and correct spacing (with expansion/movement space at the walls) should not crack due to heating. A correctly bedded floor tile could be hit with a hammer and it won’t break! Hope this helps
Answered10 March 2020
0
A61 Tiling
Rating: 5 out of 5
Agree with most posts here but the main thing is for you to decide if the aesthetics are THE most important aspect of the job. If so, take off the skirting and unfortunately you will have to live with the consequence of disruption and some dust but t try he outcome will be the one you want
Answered1 March 2020
0
Warwickshire Bathrooms & Interiors
Rating: 5 out of 5
Hi, it is always better to tile first then put the kitchen on top, it makes for a neater job and if at some point in the future you decide to make changes to your kitchen ( you decide you want a double oven or a extra appliance etc...) you can make the changes and the floor will be there. The tiles should always be down before skirting it stops any cracking of grout and allows a margin of error for cutting should the walls not be straight. Hope this helps.
Answered3 May 2019
0
Nicholas’s tiling company
Rating: 5 out of 5
I would always tile before fitting skirting as it leaves the best finish and all cuts are covered by skirting boards. But not the worse thing in the world if don’t wanna remove skirting
Answered21 April 2019
0
G.C.Tiling
Rating: 5 out of 5
It is always best to take the skirting off first to give you the best finish possible.
Answered29 January 2019
0
L g tilling
Rating: 5 out of 5
Doesn't matter too much but the finish product always looks better if you tile before fitting the skirting.
Answered12 November 2018
0
Roseland Decorating Services
No reviews yet
Take skirts off otherwise it will look bodged. Dont use a crow bar.
Answered6 September 2018
0