If you require a quick answer, the best paint for skirting boards is the Dulux Once, which only requires a single coat and provides a long lasting finish. However, if you want to use a gloss paint, the Dulux Quick Dry is the best alternative.
To rate the paints within this article, we based our recommendations upon thorough testing and research. In terms of our testing, we tested a variety of formulas on skirting boards and even created a guide on how to paint them too.
As well as testing, we also based our recommendations upon hours of research and a number of factors. The factors that we considered included their finish, coverage, ease of application, durability, non-yellowing capabilities and value.
Skirting Board Paint Comparison
| Paint For Skirting Boards | Finish | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Dulux Once | Mid Sheen | 16 m2 |
| Johnstone’s Satin | Mid Sheen | 12 m2 |
| Dulux Quick Dry Gloss | High Sheen | 12 m2 |
| Crown Stays White | High Sheen | 12 m2 |
| Dulux Quick Dry Eggshell | Low Sheen | 16 m2 |
| Everbuild Wood Stain | Stained | 20 m2 |
Depending upon the type of finish you wish to achieve determines the best type of paint for your skirting boards. A mid sheen finish is a popular choice that can be achieved using a high quality satinwood paint. Just as popular is a high sheen finish that’s achieved using gloss paints. Alternative finishes include low sheen and a natural stained finishes.
Below is a list of the best paints for skirting boards that can be used to achieve a satin, gloss, eggshell or stained finish.
The Best Paint For Skirting Boards
1. Dulux Once Satinwood Paint
The Dulux Once is a very popular satinwood paint that’s ideal for painting skirting boards. It’s available in a variety of colours and according to the brand, it only requires a single coat for the perfect finish.
Other features of the Dulux Once include:
- 12 m2 coverage per litre
- 16 hour drying time
- Requires only a single application
- No undercoat is required
- Non-yellowing and long lasting
- Oil based formulation
- Available in several colours
- 750 ml tin capacity
Depending upon how quickly you need to paint the skirting boards, the brand also offer a quick dry formula of this paint. However, if you want an affordable, easy to apply and high quality satinwood paint for your skirting boards, you can’t go wrong with the Dulux Once as it ticks all the boxes.
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2. Johnstone’s Quick Dry Satin Interior Paint
The Johnstone’s Quick Dry Satin is a popular paint that can be used for painting the majority of interior wood or metal surfaces. It’s a water based formula that dries in 2 hours and produces minimal odour for more enjoyable painting.
In terms of using it as a paint for skirting boards, door frames and architraves, it’s relatively thick and provides great coverage. The satin finish that it provides is highly desirable, hard wearing and easy to touch up if required.
Other features of the Johnstone’s Quick Dry Satin include:
- Water based
- Non-yellowing finish
- 750 ml, 1.25 or 2.5 litre tins
- Available in 10 colours
- 12 m2 coverage per litre
- Low odour output
- Dries in 1 to 2 hours
Overall, the Johnstone’s Quick Dry Satin is a high quality paint that’s perfect for painting skirting boards and other wood or metal surfaces. It’s also relatively affordable when compared to similar paints.
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3. Dulux Quick Dry Gloss Paint For Skirting Boards
Painting your skirting boards with a high sheen finish is another desirable option favoured by many homeowners. If this is a finish you require, the Dulux Quick Dry Gloss is one of the best rated gloss paints on the market that’s easy to apply and provides a glossy finish to the skirting boards.
Application of the paint is similar to all the Quick Dry range with a 6 hour drying time between coats. With the gloss alternative, it doesn’t provide as much coverage as the Once formula but it still provides up to 12 m2 per litre.
Other features of the Dulux Quick Dry Gloss include:
- High sheen finish
- Touch dry in 1 hour
- Long lasting protection that stays white
- Non-drip and easy to apply
- 750 ml tin capacity
- Suitable for metal and wood
Overall, the Dulux Quick Dry Gloss is one of the most popular choices for painting skirting boards and for good reason too. It’s easy to apply, dries quickly and the paint washes off brushes, skin or clothes with just soapy water.
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4. Crown 358142 Stays White Paint
Another popular paint for achieving a high sheen finish is the Crown Stays White Gloss. It’s a more affordable alternative to the Dulux above and is perfect for skirting boards, door frames, window frames and so much more.
Other features of the Crown Stays White Gloss include:
- Water based formulation
- Touch dry in 1 hour
- Suitable for interior or exterior use
- Durable high sheen finish
- Non-yellowing and stays white for longer
- 750 ml tin capacity
Overall, the Crown Stays White Gloss is an excellent all-round paint for skirting boards that won’t disappoint. It provides a high quality finish that’s touch dry in just 1 hour and provides long lasting whiteness.
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5. Dulux Quick Dry Eggshell Paint For Skirting Boards
Another Dulux paint that’s suitable for painting skirting boards is the Eggshell formula, which leaves a low sheen finish. It’s a fast drying paint that’s easy to apply and provides great coverage at 16 m2 per litre.
In terms of the application, Dulux recommend leaving the paint to dry for at least 6 hours between coats.
Other features of the Dulux Quick Dry Eggshell include:
- Pure Brilliant White
- Touch dry in 1 hour
- Non-drip formula that’s easy to apply
- 2.5 litre tin capacity (40 m2 coverage)
- Suitable for metal and wood
- Guaranteed to stay white
If you require a paint for skirting boards that leaves a low sheen finish, the Dulux Quick Dry Eggshell is perfect. It provides excellent coverage and is really easy to apply or perform touch ups on any chips or markings in the future.
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6. Everbuild Wood Stain For Skirting Boards
An alternative to painting the skirting boards with a standard paint is to provide them with a natural stained finish. One of the best ways of achieving this type of finish is with this Everbuild Wood Stain, which is touch dry in 30 minutes and provides long lasting results for up to 5 years.
Depending upon the natural finish you wish to achieve, the brand offer this wood stain in a natural oak, antique pine, mahogany, walnut, rosewood, dark oak, teak and clear finish.
Other features of the Everbuild Wood Stain include:
- Touch dry in 30 minutes
- Second coat can be applied after 4 hours
- Multiple stained finishes available
- 250 ml, 750 ml or 2.5 litre tins
- Provides up to 20 m2 coverage per litre
- Up to 5 years of protection
- Crack and peel resistant
The Everbuild Wood Stain is a great alternative to using a standard paint for skirting boards. It’s also relatively affordable and provides far superior protection on a range of interior or exterior surfaces too.
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How We Rated The Skirting Board Paint
As we replaced all the skirting boards within a recent house renovation, we took the chance to test out a number of paints that are suitable for skirting boards. During this time, we experimented with paints that included a mixture of gloss and satin finishes.
After using a number of formulas, we found that our favourite paint for skirting boards was the Dulux Once and we highly rate it.
As well as testing, we also based our recommendations upon hours of research and a number of factors. The factors that we considered included their coverage, ease of application, finish, non-yellowing capabilities, time to dry, colours available and value for money.
Conclusion
Freshening up your skirting boards with a new lick of paint can make the world of difference. It’s relatively easy to do and the transformation that it provides is well worth your time and the small cost for the paint.
All of our recommendations include each type of finish and are produced by reputable paint brands in the UK. For the best results, it’s vital that you allow enough time for the paint to dry between coats.
