Whenever you install wood flooring, there’s an expansion gap that forms around the room. You can cover it with decorative moulding and preserve the skirting, which is the ultimate finishing touch to any room.
This decorative moulding is called scotia, and it’s very popular in Australia because it can be used with almost all types of flooring – from hybrid waterproof, engineered timber, laminate flooring, and many more.
Scotia Trim
The scotia trim is used to fit in the expansion gap and finish the floor where the boards join, but it can also be used along walls and kitchen cabinets. If you want to install scotia trim in your room, you have two options – the elite scotia and the stained timber.
The first option comes in several different colours and is more affordable. However, while the stained timber is more expensive, it comes in many colours and different lengths. It also has to be attached to a wall or any other kind of vertical surface.
Different Types of Scotia
There are three different types of scotia available on the market. These include:
- Solid Scotia. This type is made of solid wood, typically oak, and can be lacquered or unfinished.
- Veneered Scotia. This type is usually made of softwood. It has a thin layer of veneer on top, which is made of uncommon materials, such as bamboo, walnut, or sapelle.
- MDF Scotia. MDF stands for medium-density fibreboard. This type is manufactured by breaking down hardwood or softboard into wood fibres, which are then processed to form mouldings. It works very well with laminate flooring because it has some foil or paper attached to the surface.
Scotia Styles and Colours
Scotia features a concave design and comes in many different colours, which is why it can be matched with various flooring types and installed in various rooms, such as kitchen, dining room, living room, bedroom, and any other place in your home. There’s also another style of moulding, and it’s called beading. However, while beading has a convex design, it has to be painted after installation and is typically made of softwood, which is a more delicate material.
As mentioned before, scotia comes in many colours, and you’ll have many options to choose from, whether you pick elite scotia or stained timber. You can easily match the colours with your flooring for better consistency – it will look like it’s an extension of the floor. However, you can also opt for a contrasting look and choose a trim that stands out from the flooring and walls.
Measuring for Scotia
Installing scotia trim can be a bit tricky. As such, if you’re not sure of your handyman skills, you can ditch the DIY route and call a professional to do it for you. However, if you want to install it on your own, you need to pay attention to measuring – that’s the key to success. Here’s how you should do your measurements for scotia:
- To determine the total length of scotia trim you need for installation, measure around the outside of your wooden flooring. Then, you should add around 10-20% extra for wastage, cuts, and mitres. Keep in mind that most scotia is sold by the linear metre in full lengths of 2.4 m. As such, you should add the perimeter measurements and then divide the total length by 2.4. This should indicate the total length of scotia you need for installation.
- Go to your local store or visit a website where you can buy flooring-related products. Look for a colour and style of trim that matches both your flooring and skirting, but you can also choose contrasting colour options if they suit your taste. Don’t forget about purchasing the right amount and size of nails for the installation of your scotia.
- Now it’s time to start the installation process. Use a mitre saw to cut the 2.4 m sections of the scotia you purchased. These pieces should fit along each straight section of the skirting board. If you want to achieve a neat finish, cut each piece of trim to 45 degrees. Fit them in position and nail them to the skirting, one nail every 30 cm. Remember that you should only operate in the wall section – don’t nail your scotia moulding to the floor.
- After the installation of scotia moulding, you may notice some gaps between the moulding and flooring or walls. That’s because your measurements might be a bit off, or your skirting boards and walls might be uneven in some places. Don’t worry! You can fix that quickly with some flexible wood filler. This product will seal any holes left from the nails or any visible gaps.
If you’re located in Australia, you can easily find professionals who would install scotia trim for you. You’re very likely to get a fair price for the services they provide, and you won’t have to worry about taking the measurements and doing everything on your own, especially if you have no experience in flooring installation.
Conclusion
If you’re about to decorate or redecorate your home and you need to install new flooring, consider adding scotia trim as well. It will match well with any type of flooring you choose, and you can pick any colour and style you like.
With such a decorative moulding like scotia, any room would get that nice, expensive, and designer finish. Also, remember that there are professionals who can install it for you, so don’t worry if you lack the skills necessary to handle scotia moulding.