The flooring in damp rooms must be able to cope well with moisture, should be non-slip and robust. But especially important is also the finish to the sides and transitions. Skirting boards for damp rooms are a good choice here. But which materials are suitable?
What is actually a damp room?
When it comes to finding the right baseboards, it is first necessary to define which rooms are considered wet rooms. It is wrongly assumed that only the bathroom is considered a wet room. However, in terms of baseboards and flooring, this is not correct.
It is then spoken of a damp room, if the air humidity regularly exceeds a value of 40 to 60 % . In addition to the bathroom, this primarily affects the kitchen. Depending on the equipment of the house, this can also apply to the laundry room.
If there is uncertainty about whether a room is a damp room, skirting boards that can handle high humidity can be installed for safety.
The optimal baseboards for bathroom and kitchen
For rooms with high humidity, you should pay attention to baseboards that have a moisture-resistant material. When choosing, it is important not to be deceived by the shell of the moldings. In some cases, there is a core of wood, which can react to the moisture.
In principle, laths made of wood can also be processed. Here, however, it is important to pay attention to a suitable varnish or foiling. It should be remembered that a high content of moisture can also have an impact on the shape. If the support of the moldings is not resistant to moisture, deformation may occur.
Therefore, it is important that the skirting boards have a carrier material that can cope well with moisture. Additional sheathing made of waterproof materials is a recommendation.
It is helpful in the selection process to pay attention to the following terms:
- PUR gluing
- Carrier board made of MDF
- Composition according to DIN EN622-5
If you do not want to process a carrier board made of MDF, you can look for other materials. Well suited for bathrooms and kitchens are aluminum or even plastic. However, the differences in the cost of materials must be taken into account.
Choice from different decors
When it comes to suitable baseboards for the kitchen and bathroom, the focus is on moisture resistance. In addition, the design plays a role. This should match the flooring and other furnishings.
Through foiling, it is now possible to provide different decors for customers. In addition to a wood look, there are also plain designs in simple tones as well as eye-catching colors.
The correct attachment of baseboards in wet rooms
One of the tasks of baseboards in the kitchen and bathroom is to create a straight finish between the wall and the floor , which is as impermeable as possible. This is where the correct fastening is needed. There are several variants for fastening baseboards:
- Gluing
- Doweling
- Nails
- Clips for mounting
Nails and dowels are considered particularly safe in terms of durability. The baseboards do not slip and are stably fixed. However, they are visually changed on the front side by screws or nails.
When gluing or using clips for mounting, the surface remains untouched. This provides a much smoother transition between the flooring and the baseboard.
In the bathroom or kitchen, where the flooring is made of tiles, the skirting boards are often attached with adhesive. Tiles provide the perfect substrate for this. However, they should be cleaned and dried before fixing.
Conclusion - baseboards for kitchen and bathroom must be able to cope with moisture
In rooms with high humidity or a floor that is often wet cleaned, baseboards can be used only if they are made of moisture-resistant material. Here the choice ofmaterials is limited. Plastic, MDF and aluminum are particularly suitable.
The most cost-effective option is MDF. Baseboards made of MDF are often used in the bathroom and kitchen. They can handle moisture well, and even splashing water can not harm them.
Not to forget about the appearance. Both with cork and tiles as flooring, people like to use the same materials for the baseboards. For an attractive transition, however, the moldings should also be measured and assembled by a professional supplier.
In addition, foiling offers the option of responding precisely to the wishes for color and design of the baseboards for bathrooms and kitchens.