Skirting boards, architraves, scotia and floor trims are the finishing details that make a room look complete. They also take a lot of punishment. Vacuum cleaners chip them, pets chew them, water from mopping and leaks swells them, and furniture knocks them loose. Floors move with the seasons, boards squeak, and the trims between rooms work loose or crack.

We repair and replace skirting boards, architraves and floor trims, and fix common floor annoyances, in homes across Warragul, Drouin, Trafalgar, Yarragon and the surrounding district. Whether it is a single damaged length of skirting after a leak, new scotia after a floor has been laid, or a squeaky board in the hallway, we can help.

What we do

• Skirting boards replaced, repaired and re-fixed.
• Architraves around doors and windows replaced and repaired.
• Scotia and quad fitted along floors after new timber, laminate or hybrid flooring.
• Squeaky floorboards secured.
• Door trims and thresholds fitted and replaced.
• Floor transition strips between rooms and flooring types.
• Water-damaged skirting removed and replaced after the leak has been fixed.
• Pet damage to skirting and architraves repaired.
• Painting of new skirting and architraves.
• Doors trimmed to clear new flooring.

Skirting boards

Skirting covers the gap between the wall and floor, protects the bottom of the wall and finishes the room. Common profiles in local homes include:

• Splayed and pencil-round profiles, common in homes from the 1970s to today.
• Colonial and bullnose profiles in older and period-style homes.
• Square-edged modern profiles in many newer estate homes around Warragul and Drouin.
• Tall decorative profiles in Federation and Victorian homes, sometimes in hardwood.

Most modern skirting is MDF or finger-jointed pine, primed and painted. Older homes often have hardwood skirting, which may be stained or painted.

Repairing or replacing

Small chips and dents can be filled and painted. Skirting that is swollen from water, badly chewed, split or missing is replaced. We match the existing profile as closely as possible. Common profiles are easy to match; older or unusual profiles may need to be sourced from specialist suppliers, or a full room replaced so the profile is consistent.

Water damage

MDF skirting swells when wet and does not recover. This is common in bathrooms, laundries and kitchens after leaks, and in rooms that are mopped heavily. Before replacing skirting, the cause of the water must be fixed, which may need a plumber. Where water has reached the bottom of the wall, the plaster may also need repair. For wet areas, moisture-resistant skirting or tiled skirting may be better options.

Architraves

Architraves frame door and window openings, covering the joint between frame and wall. They are damaged by doors banging, pets, furniture moving and water near external doors. We replace damaged lengths, re-fix loose architraves, and fit new architraves when doors are changed or openings are altered. Mitred corners are cut and glued for clean joints, and nail holes are filled and painted.

Scotia and quad

When new floating floors such as laminate, hybrid or engineered timber are installed, an expansion gap is left around the edges so the floor can move. If skirting is not removed and refitted, the gap is covered with scotia or quad moulding, fixed to the skirting rather than the floor so the floor can move freely. We fit scotia and quad in timber, MDF or matching colours, mitre corners and fill joints. Painted scotia to match skirting usually looks neater than a contrasting colour.

Squeaky floorboards

Squeaky timber floors are common in older homes, especially in Warragul, Trafalgar and Yarragon, where many houses have timber floors on stumps. Squeaks happen when boards rub against each other or against nails, usually because boards have shrunk, nails have loosened, or the subfloor has moved.

How we fix squeaks

• From above: boards can be secured with screws or nails into the joists, with holes filled to match.
• From below: where there is access under the house, boards can be secured from underneath without marking the floor surface.
• Lubrication between boards can reduce squeaks in some cases.

Squeaky floors can also be a sign of bigger problems, such as failing stumps, rotted joists or moisture under the house. If a floor is springy, sloping or noticeably uneven, the subfloor may need inspection by a restumping specialist or builder. We will tell you if what we see needs a specialist.

Thresholds and transitions

Where two different floors meet, such as carpet and tiles, timber and vinyl, or floors of different heights, a transition strip covers the join and prevents tripping. We fit aluminium, timber and vinyl transitions, ramp profiles for height differences, and door thresholds at external doors. For people with mobility issues, low-profile transitions reduce tripping hazards; see aged care and disability rails.

Trimming doors

New flooring, particularly thicker hybrid floors laid over existing floors, can stop doors from opening. We remove doors, trim the bottom accurately and rehang them, sealing the cut edge. See door repairs and installation.

Painting

New skirting and architraves are usually supplied primed. We fill nail holes and joints, sand, and apply finish coats, typically semi-gloss or gloss enamel or water-based equivalents. We can match existing colours if paint is available. See painting touch-ups.

A typical job

Here is a common example. A home in Drouin has had a leak from the dishwasher, now fixed by a plumber. The MDF skirting along the kitchen and into the adjoining dining area has swollen. The owner has also had a new hybrid floor laid in the lounge, with the skirting left in place, and needs scotia fitted and two doors trimmed.

The work

We remove the swollen skirting, check the bottom of the wall is dry and sound, and fit new skirting matched to the existing profile. In the lounge, painted scotia is fitted along the skirting, mitred at corners. The two doors are removed, trimmed to clear the new floor and rehung. Nail holes and joints are filled, and the new skirting and scotia are painted to match.

The result

The kitchen looks as it did before the leak, the lounge floor is finished neatly, and the doors swing freely.

Hardwood and period homes

Older homes in Warragul and the surrounding towns may have tall hardwood skirting and decorative architraves. Where only a section is damaged, matching an original profile can be difficult. Options include salvaged timber, custom profiles from specialist suppliers, or relocating original skirting from a less visible room and using new stock there. We will discuss the options with you.

Asbestos

Some older homes have fibre-cement sheeting near floors, particularly in wet areas and on enclosed verandahs. We do not cut, drill or remove material that may contain asbestos. If we suspect asbestos, we stop and recommend testing by a licensed assessor.

Getting a quote

Send photos of the damage, the approximate lengths of skirting or architrave involved, and the type of flooring. Let us know if paint is available for matching. We will reply with a free written quote. We do not publish prices online.

Areas

Floor and skirting repairs in Warragul, Drouin, Trafalgar, Yarragon, Nilma, Darnum, Rokeby, Buln Buln, Neerim South and Longwarry. See our service areas and all services.

Why trims matter

It is easy to overlook skirting and architraves, but damaged trims make a room look tired and unfinished. When selling or leasing a property, chipped and swollen skirting is one of the first things buyers and tenants notice. Replacing a few damaged lengths, fitting neat scotia, and painting trims in a fresh semi-gloss can lift a room for a modest amount of work. For rental properties, see end-of-lease and rental repairs.

Seasonal movement

West Gippsland has cool, damp winters and warm summers, and timber moves with changes in humidity. Gaps can open between skirting and floor in summer and close in winter. Floating floors expand and contract, which is why expansion gaps must be left and scotia fixed to the skirting, not the floor. Squeaks are often worse in dry summer months when boards shrink. Allowing for this movement is part of doing the job properly.

Materials we use

• Primed MDF for most painted skirting and architraves, straight and stable.
• Finger-jointed pine where a timber product is preferred for painting.
• Moisture-resistant MDF near wet areas.
• Solid hardwood and pine for stained finishes and period homes.
• Quality adhesives, nails and fillers designed for trim work.

Skirting removal for new floors

When new flooring is planned, there is a choice: leave the skirting in place and fit scotia, or remove the skirting, lay the floor, and refit the skirting over the expansion gap. Removing and refitting skirting usually gives a cleaner look without scotia, but takes more time and may damage older skirting, especially MDF that has been painted many times. We can carefully remove skirting before the floor layers arrive, label each length by room and wall, store it safely, and refit it afterwards with fresh fixings, filling and painting. Where lengths break or are too damaged to reuse, we replace them with a matching profile.

Gaps between skirting and floor

Gaps under skirting are common in newer homes as houses settle, and in older homes with uneven floors. Small gaps can be filled with a flexible gap filler and painted. Larger or uneven gaps may be better covered with a fine scotia or by lowering and re-fixing the skirting. Gaps can also let draughts in, so sealing them can help a room feel warmer in a Gippsland winter.

Coordinating with other trades

Trim work often sits between other trades. Flooring installers, plumbers, painters and electricians may all be involved in a renovation. We are happy to coordinate timing, for example removing skirting before the floor is laid and refitting it before the painter starts, so the job flows smoothly and the finish is neat.

Frequently asked questions