Professional Guide

Best Torus Skirting Boards for Traditional Homes: 2025 Expert Review

DR Joinery

Expert Joiner & Bespoke Fittings Specialist

Published 16 December 2025

Choosing the right skirting board is often an afterthought, but in older properties, it creates the defining line of a room. The Torus profile, with its distinctive convex semi-circle (the 'belly') and finish, is a timeless classic that suits the high ceilings and character of Yorkshire homes perfectly.

Traditionally, a joyner would always recommend timber—softwood for painting or oak for a natural finish. However, the battle against damp and the need for constant repainting in busy family homes has led to a rise in high-quality UPVC alternatives. These mimic the traditional Torus moulding whilst offering significant durability benefits.

In this review, I'm looking at three modern Torus skirting solutions. Whilst my heart lies with timber, these UPVC options offer practical solutions for damp-prone walls, uneven floors, and homeowners who want a zero-maintenance finish without sacrificing that classic aesthetic.

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Specs vs. The Real World

The Spec: "Low Maintenance / No Painting"

The Theory

"UPVC skirting never needs painting and stays white forever."

The Reality

It is true they don't need painting, which saves labour. However, white UPVC can discolour slightly over many years in direct sunlight, and unlike timber, you cannot simply sand it back and repaint it to freshen it up.

The Spec: "Easy 'Click' Fit Systems"

The Theory

"Anyone can snap these boards together without tools."

The Reality

In York's older houses, walls are rarely straight. Rigid plastic skirting can struggle to follow the contours of a bowed wall unless heated or fixed mechanically. Adhesive alone often fails on old lime plaster.

My Top 3 Recommendations

Three options to cover different needs and budgets

1 x White Satin Roomline Ogee/Torus Internal 90° Corner PVC skirting Board Joint

Budget Pick

Truly PVC Supplies

This product represents a budget-friendly system approach. Strictly speaking, this is a corner joiner, but it facilitates the most cost-effective way to install skirting without professional mitring tools. It creates a neat internal corner without the need for complex scribing.

Price£3.85 (at time of writing)

MaterialRecycled PVC-u

FinishRealistic Woodgrain

The Good

Eliminates the need for difficult mitre cuts
Significant labour saving for DIY installation
Integrated cable tidy allows hiding wires easily

The Bad

Visible join lines are not as seamless as a professional scribe
Only compatible with the specific Roomline system

Installer Tip:

Use these corner pieces if you lack a chop saw. However, ensure the skirting board is pushed tight into the joint before fixing to the wall. In older properties, if the corner isn't a perfect 90 degrees, you may need to use a flexible decorator's caulk to fill any small gaps behind the fitting.

Priced at £3.85 at the time of writing

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95mm Plastic Skirting Board - Ogee/Torus Architrave Trim - 1m Lengths - Pack of 5

Quality Pick

Eurocell

Eurocell is a recognised name in the trade for plastics, and this 5-pack offers a high-quality finish. The 12mm thickness gives it a rigidity that feels more like timber than cheap plastic, providing a solid knock-resistant finish. The gloss white surface is crisp and clean, ideal for bathrooms.

Price£39.95 (at time of writing)

Thickness12mm (durable)

Length1m (Pack of 5)

The Good

Thick 12mm profile is robust and durable
High gloss finish is easy to clean and waterproof
Reversible design allows for choice of profile

The Bad

1m lengths create too many joins on long walls
High gloss can look a bit 'plastic' in a heritage living room

Installer Tip:

These short metre lengths are best suited for small spaces like downstairs toilets, box rooms, or trimming around alcoves. If you use them on a long wall, ensure you stagger the joints and use a specialized solvent cleaner to wipe away any excess adhesive instantly, or it will stain the gloss finish.

Priced at £39.95 at the time of writing

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5m x 100mm (4") White Torus/Ogee Plastic Skirting Board Easy-Fit

Problem-solving Pick

Eurocell

This is the go-to problem solver for old Yorkshire terraces. The key feature is the integrated rubber gasket at the bottom. In older houses, floorboards are rarely perfectly level; this gasket compresses to seal the gap, stopping drafts and preventing dirt accumulation without the need for scribing timber.

Price£26.95 (at time of writing)

Length5 metres (reduces joins)

FeatureRubber gasket seal

The Good

Rubber gasket seals gaps on uneven floorboards perfectly
5m length means seamless runs with no ugly joins
Zero preparation needed—no sanding or painting

The Bad

5m lengths are difficult to transport in a standard car
Cutting long lengths requires plenty of working space

Installer Tip:

The rubber gasket is a lifesaver for draft exclusion. When fitting, push the board down firmly against the floorboards before fixing it to the wall to partially compress the gasket. This ensures a tight seal against drafts coming up from the cellar or void below.

Priced at £26.95 at the time of writing

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Torus and Ogee profiles?

Torus is a semi-circular convex moulding (a 'belly'), often with a small step above it. It is distinct and curvaceous. Ogee is an S-shaped curve (concave then convex). Many modern boards, like the Eurocell ones reviewed here, are reversible, featuring Torus on one side and Ogee on the other, giving you two options in one board.

How do I fix UPVC skirting to uneven walls?

In York's older properties, walls can be very uneven. Rigid UPVC can be tricky. I recommend using a high-grab adhesive ('gripfill' style) and, critically, mechanical fixings (screws and plugs) at the points where the wall dips. You can countersink the screw and cover it with a white cap or filler. This pulls the board to the shape of the wall.

Can I fit new skirting over existing skirting?

You can buy 'cover-over' skirting, but standard Torus boards like these are designed to replace the old ones. Leaving old rotten timber behind new plastic is a bad idea as it can trap damp. It is always best to strip back to the brick or plaster, ensure it is dry, and fit new skirting properly.

Does UPVC skirting stop damp?

UPVC itself is waterproof and won't rot like softwood. However, it does not cure the cause of damp. If you have rising damp, fitting plastic skirting might mask the problem, but the moisture will still be in the wall. Always address the source of damp before covering it up.

Is scribing different for UPVC skirting?

Yes. With timber, we use a coping saw to cut the profile for an internal corner (scribing). With UPVC, you can try to scribe it, but the hollow or cellular nature of the plastic makes it difficult to get a neat edge. This is why many DIYers prefer the corner joint systems or mitring with a very fine-toothed blade to prevent chipping.

Why choose professional fitting over DIY?

While DIY kits are available, achieving a seamless finish in non-square rooms is an art. Professional joiners have the tools to handle difficult cuts, uneven floors, and tricky radiator pipes. At DR Joinery, we ensure the finish is solid and the mitres are tight, which prevents gaps opening up over time.

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