Best Tall Victorian Skirting for High Ceilings: 2025 Expert Review
DR Joinery
Expert Joiner & Restoration Specialist
One of the first things you notice in a York Victorian property isn't the furniture; it's the height of the ceilings. To balance that height, the Victorian builders fitted tall, decorative skirting boards. Replacing these with modern, short 4-inch skirting looks completely wrong and throws off the balance of the room.
However, original timber skirting is often rotten or damaged beyond repair. When choosing replacements, the debate is often between traditional pine and modern MDF. Whilst purists argue for timber, the stability of high-quality, moisture-resistant MDF has made it a favourite in the trade for painted finishes, especially in older houses prone to temperature fluctuations.
In this review, I'm looking at a bulk option for tall Victorian skirting that I've encountered on larger renovation projects. It's a substantial commitment, but for a whole-house fit-out, it offers consistency and that crucial period aesthetic.
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Specs vs. The Real World
The Spec: "Pre-Primed Finish"
"Ready to paint straight out of the packet, saving time on site."
Factory primer is decent, but you must lightly sand it and wipe it down before your top coat. Also, any cut edges must be reprimed to stop moisture ingress, or the MDF will swell like a sponge.
The Spec: "MDF vs Natural Pine"
"Pine is 'better' because it is real wood."
For painted skirting, moisture-resistant (MR) MDF is often superior. It doesn't have knots that bleed through, it doesn't warp or twist in central heated homes, and it comes in much longer lengths than standard timber.
My Top 3 Recommendations
Three options to cover different needs and budgets
PACK OF 20 - Victorian Primed MDF Skirting - 18mm x 180mm - 4200mm Length
Marlborough Timber
This is a serious bulk pack for a complete home renovation. At 180mm (approx 7 inches), it hits the sweet spot for most Victorian terraces—tall enough to look grand, but not so dominant as the 12-inch skirtings found in larger halls. The 4.2m lengths are a joiner's preference as they minimise joins on long walls.
The Good
- Long 4.2m lengths reduce the need for butt joints on long walls
- Moisture resistant MDF is ideal for ground floor rooms where damp is a concern
- Knot-free surface guarantees a perfect painted finish
The Bad
- High initial outlay (only suitable for whole-house projects)
- Heavy to manoeuvre; requires two people to handle safely
- MDF dust is fine and harmful; requires extraction during cutting
Installer Tip:
In Victorian properties, floors are rarely level. Do not push this skirting tight to the floor. Instead, pack it up level, and then scribe a filler piece or use a quadrant bead if preferred. However, for a truly professional finish, we scribe the skirting itself to follow the undulations of the floorboards.
Priced at £2,572.50 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
How tall should Victorian skirting be?
Is MDF better than pine for skirting?
How do you fit skirting to bowed Victorian walls?
Are longer lengths of skirting better?
Do I need to paint primed skirting?
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