Flooring, skirting boards and architraves - which first?

If you’re renovating a room and planning to install click wooden flooring alongside new skirting boards and architraves, you might be wondering which should go first. Get the order wrong and you could end up with an untidy finish or, worse, have to redo some of the work. And once you’ve figured out the order, you’ll need the right tradesperson for the job - but should that be a carpenter or a joiner?

In this guide, we answer both questions so you can plan your project with confidence and get a result you’ll be proud of.

Should You Lay Click Wooden Flooring Before or After Skirting Boards?

The short answer: lay your flooring first, then fit the skirting boards afterwards.

This is the approach most professional carpenters and flooring specialists recommend, and for good reason. Fitting the skirting after the floor is down gives you a much cleaner, more professional-looking finish. The bottom edge of the skirting board sits neatly on top of the floor, hiding any small gaps or slight imperfections at the floor-to-wall junction. It’s a tidy, low-effort way to achieve a crisp result with no filler or awkward cuts required.

The Two Main Approaches to Fitting Click Flooring with Skirting Boards

There are two accepted methods when it comes to fitting click wooden flooring in a room with skirting boards. Here’s how they compare:

Option 1: Lay the Floor First, Then Fit the Skirting Boards (Recommended)

This is the preferred method for most renovation projects. The flooring is laid across the entire room, right up close to the walls. New skirting boards and architraves are then fitted on top of the finished floor, covering the perimeter and any minor gaps at the edges. The advantages of this approach include:

• A cleaner, more professional finish with no visible gaps around the edges
• No need for additional beading or trim to hide the expansion gap
• Easier to replace the flooring in future without disturbing the skirting
• Particularly suitable when fitting brand new skirting boards as part of the same project

Option 2: Lay the Floor Up to Existing Skirting, Then Add Beading

If your existing skirting boards are in good condition and you don’t want to remove them, this method is a practical alternative. The click flooring is laid up to the base of the existing skirting, with an expansion gap left around the perimeter (as required for all floating floors, to allow for natural movement). Timber or plastic beading - sometimes called scotia or quadrant beading - is then pinned along the bottom of the skirting to conceal this gap.

While this is a perfectly acceptable approach, it’s worth knowing that the beading is an added visual element that not everyone loves aesthetically. It can also make future flooring replacement slightly more involved.

Pro tip:  Click wooden flooring (also known as floating flooring) always needs an expansion gap around the perimeter of the room - typically around 10–15mm. This allows the boards to expand and contract naturally with changes in temperature and humidity. Never pin or glue the edges of a floating floor down.

What About Architraves?

Architraves are the decorative mouldings fitted around door frames, and the same general principle applies: fit them after the floor is laid. If you’re having a new door hung as part of your project, your carpenter will typically undercut the bottom of the door frame (also called ‘scribing’ or ‘undercutting the casing’) so that the flooring can slide neatly underneath, creating a clean edge without the need for awkward cuts around the frame.

This technique is standard practice and results in a far tidier finish than trying to cut the flooring around the frame. A good carpenter will always do this as a matter of course when hanging doors on a project that includes new flooring.

The Recommended Order of Works: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

To avoid any confusion, here is the order of works most professionals recommend when fitting click flooring with new skirting boards, architraves, and a door:

1.    Remove old skirting boards and architraves (if replacing them)

2.    Prepare the subfloor - ensure it is clean, dry, and level

3.    Lay the click wooden flooring, leaving the correct expansion gap around all edges

4.    Undercut door frames and architraves to the depth of the floor, so the boards slide under neatly

5.    Hang the door (if applicable), ensuring the correct clearance above the new floor level

6.    Fit skirting boards and architraves, covering the expansion gap around the perimeter

7.    Fill, caulk, and paint the skirting and architraves for a finished look

Carpenter or Joiner - Which Trade Do You Need?

This is one of the most common questions homeowners ask when planning a woodworking project, and it’s an understandable source of confusion. The two trades are closely related, but there is a traditional distinction between them.

What is a Joiner?

A joiner typically works in a workshop environment, constructing and assembling timber components - think fitted furniture, staircases, window frames, and door blanks. The word ‘joiner’ comes from the act of joining pieces of wood together, and much of their work is done off-site before being delivered to a property.

What is a Carpenter?

A carpenter traditionally works on-site, fitting and installing the timber elements that a joiner may have made - hanging doors, fitting skirting boards and architraves, installing staircases, and laying wooden floors. If the work needs doing in your home, it’s typically a carpenter you’d call.

The Reality: Most Are Multi-Skilled

In practice, the distinction between carpenters and joiners has become less rigid over time. Many tradespeople are trained and experienced in both disciplines, and it’s common for a skilled carpenter to also have joinery experience - and vice versa. In fact, the two trades are so frequently combined that at TrustATrader, we list carpenters and joiners together.

For your specific project - fitting skirting boards, architraves, and hanging a wooden door - you would typically be looking for a carpenter (or carpenter/joiner). When requesting quotes, simply describe the work you need doing and let the tradesperson confirm they have the relevant experience.

What to Look For When Hiring a Carpenter or Joiner

To make sure you get the right person for the job, here are a few things to consider when searching for a carpenter or joiner:

• Check reviews: Look for tradespeople with a strong track record of positive customer reviews, particularly for similar jobs such as skirting board fitting or door hanging.
• Ask for photos of previous work: A good carpenter will be happy to share examples of past projects so you can assess the quality of their finish.
• Get multiple quotes: It’s always worth getting at least two or three quotes to compare pricing and approach.
• Check they understand floating floors: Make sure whoever you hire is familiar with the requirements of floating/click flooring, including the expansion gap and undercutting door frames.

Find a Trusted Carpenter or Joiner Near You on TrustATrader

At TrustATrader, we have a wide network of vetted, customer-reviewed carpenters and joiners across the UK. Whether you need skirting boards fitted, architraves installed, a door hung, or all three, you’ll find experienced local tradespeople ready to help. All reviews on TrustATrader are left by real customers who have used the tradesperson’s services, giving you genuine peace of mind when making your choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I lay click flooring myself, or should I hire a professional?

Click or floating flooring is one of the more DIY-friendly options available, and many homeowners successfully lay it themselves. However, if your subfloor is uneven, you have awkward room shapes, or you want the floor to connect seamlessly with new skirting and a hung door, hiring a professional carpenter will give you a much cleaner result and save you potential headaches down the line.

Do I need to remove existing skirting boards before laying click flooring?

Not necessarily. If your skirting boards are in good condition, you can lay the flooring up to them and use beading to cover the expansion gap. However, if you’re replacing the skirting as part of the project, it’s better to remove the old skirting first, lay the floor, and then fit the new skirting on top.

What is the difference between scotia and quadrant beading?

Both are types of trim used to cover the expansion gap between a floating floor and the skirting board. Scotia beading has a concave (inward-curving) profile, while quadrant beading is a quarter-circle shape. Both do the same job - the choice is mostly aesthetic and comes down to personal preference and which best matches your existing skirting profile.

Ready to find a trusted carpenter or joiner for your flooring project? Search TrustATrader today.

Search carpenters and joiners near you →