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Are MDF Skirting Boards Suitable for the Bathroom?

One question we get asked a lot is whether the MDF skirting boards and architrave we produce can be used in bathrooms.
The difference between a bathroom and other rooms in the house is the moisture content in the air, and this creates a fear that the skirting boards will get damaged somehow or become a breeding ground for mould.


Whilst we cannot definitively answer this question for all MDF skirting boards, we can for all products that we produce. This is because there are numerous different grades of MDF available to work with, but we only use an industrial grade of MDF that is moisture resistant and can be used as your bathroom skirting.
Moisture Resistant (MR) MDF is an ideal material for skirting boards in bathrooms, just like tiles or stone. It is specifically manufactured with properties that allow it to perform well in environments with high humidity, such as bathrooms and some kitchens. Find out more about the properties of the MDF we use.
Does "moisture resistant" mean "waterproof"?
The term "moisture resistant" does not mean "waterproof". Moisture-resistant MDF has a dense core that prevents it from absorbing moisture from the air, which helps avoid swelling, warping or decay over time.
However, it is important to understand the distinction between "moisture resistant" and "waterproof". Moisture-resistant materials, like MDF, are not designed to withstand direct exposure to large amounts of water. For example, in wet environments like a wet room or during flooding, moisture-resistant skirting boards would not hold up, as they cannot repel water effectively. If you need a fully waterproof option, materials like UPVC plastic, tile or stone would be more suitable.


Sealing the MDF
Priming and painting MDF skirting boards enhances their moisture-resistant properties by sealing the three exposed sides.
Customers often ask why we don’t prime the reverse side (the side that is attached to the wall), and the reason is simple: it’s not necessary. We use the highest grade of MR MDF available, which not all manufacturers use due to its higher production cost. The outer layer of this MDF is extremely dense and naturally repels moisture. While some manufacturers use coating machines that prime all four sides at once, we spray each board by hand, leaving the reverse side unprimed. There is a belief that priming the back of boards prevents warping by “balancing” them, but this only applies to boards made from standard MDF, not the high quality MR MDF we use.
If you do require your skirting boards and architrave to be primed on all faces we can make that happen. Please contact our sales team with your requirements and they will make the necessary arrangements for you.


About the Author
Kieron Miller is the Managing Director of Skirting 4 U and has been working in the skirting board and online retail industry since 2012. Kieron has been using his extensive product knowledge and problem-solving experience to help both trade and private consumers all over the country find the perfect skirting board products for their projects. He continues to innovate new solutions and product ideas as the market continues to grow.