26. 5. 2021
New Fortelock accessory – skirting boards
Wondering how to finish off your Fortelock tile installation along the walls? Not anymore. Thanks to the new accessory, you'll have one less thing to worry about. The new Fortelock skirting boards are designed so that you can handle the installation yourself, without professional floor fitters and with just simple tools.
Benefits of using skirting boards
- Protection of the wall against scuffing and other damage
- Prevention of water seeping in during mopping where the tile edging is not perfect
- Eliminates the problem of dirt settling into gaps when the tiles do not sit flush against the room wall
- Covers imperfect cuts
- A functional and attractive finish for the flooring
You can buy the skirting boards together with other accessories in our e-shop, on the tile product pages. Combine the colour of the skirting and the floor exactly as you like.
Explore how to install the skirting boards in our instructional video or in the Fortelock skirting board installation guide.
Skirting board dimensions and the backing strip
The skirting boards are made from Fortelock tiles, so they match the floor in colour and decor. For Industry and Industry Ultra, they measure 510.5 × 100 mm, for Invisible 468 × 100 mm and for XL 653 × 100 mm. Business has its own 2 m long plastic skirting board. It is recommended to install them on a backing skirting strip, which is 2.5 m long and comes in white, grey and black. The system also covers the 10 mm perimeter expansion gap. The backing strip can be screwed or glued in place; the easiest option is gluing with adhesive for the backing strip.
Frequently asked questions
What is a skirting board for on PVC flooring?
It gives the floor a clean finish along the walls and covers the 10 mm perimeter expansion gap that must be left with PVC flooring. It also protects the wall from scuffs, hides imperfect cuts and stops dirt from settling in the gaps between the flooring and the wall.
Does a backing strip have to be fitted under a Fortelock skirting board?
It is recommended, but it is not the only option. The technical data sheet lists three methods: screw on the backing strip and slot the skirting board into it, glue the backing strip and slot the skirting board in, or screw the skirting board directly to the wall without a backing strip. Gluing is the easiest.
What should I use to glue the backing skirting strip to the wall?
An MS polymer-based construction adhesive. Fortemix offers an adhesive in a 290 ml cartridge for this purpose; according to the technical data sheet, it is white MAMUT GLUE High Tack, which bonds the backing strip to the wall without drilling. The backing strip also has double-sided adhesive tape.
How are Fortelock skirting boards joined together?
With butt joints. The technical data sheet recommends removing the locks from the skirting pieces and joining them with a straight 90° cut. The joint is then discreet and the skirting runs on seamlessly. You can cut them with a snap-off knife or a fine-toothed mitre saw.
Which skirting board should I use with Fortelock Business flooring?
Business has its own 2 m long skirting board. According to the technical data sheet, it is made of plastic, measures 2000 × 58 × 12 mm and is supplied including the backing strip. It protects the lower part of the wall from dirt, water and mechanical damage.
