Skirting board profiles: pencil round, half-splay, lambs tongue, colonial and more

TL;DR

Skirting profile is a specification decision, not a structural one. Match the profile family to the interior style and scale the height to the ceiling: 135 mm for 2.4 to 2.5 m ceilings, stepping up to 285 mm for ceilings above 3 m. MDF is cheaper up-front but absorbs moisture: use FJ pine in wet areas, laundries, and high-humidity climates. Intrim, Porta, and Woodhouse supply the most common Australian profiles in FJ pine, MR MDF, and American Oak; most are available primed.

What it is

A skirting board profile is the cross-section shape of the board that covers the wall-floor junction. Profiles range from plain flat-back with a rounded or chamfered top edge (contemporary) through to ornate multi-stepped shapes (heritage). The same profiles are typically offered as matching architrave around door and window openings, scaled to a narrower width.

Also known as: skirting board moulding, skirting profile, base moulding (US).

Category: Internal linings trim.

Profile types

Pencil round

A plain, flat-back board with a small rounded top edge (approximately 3 mm radius). The simplest decorative edge available. Suits contemporary, Coastal Scandinavian, and Art Deco interiors. Popular with volume builders and renovators seeking a low-profile, versatile finish.

Porta Pencil Round is available in timber (Meranti) and MDF in heights from 41 mm to 67 mm. Intrim SK51 (Essentials Pencil Round) is available in FJ Pine, MR MDF, and American Oak from 42 mm to 285 mm (verified 2026-05-11 via Intrim Mouldings product page).

Half-splay (half-splayed)

A flat-back board where the top face is angled (splayed) from the back to the front face, giving a clean 45-degree chamfer rather than a curve. The result is a sharp, minimalist edge suited to modern contemporary and Art Deco interiors. No curves: the splay cuts across the face at a consistent angle.

Intrim SK68A (half-splay) is available in FJ Pine, MR MDF, and American Oak in heights of 42, 66, 90, 115, 135, 185, 230, and 285 mm (verified 2026-05-11 via Intrim SK68A product page). Woodhouse Half Splayed is available in timber in 25 mm and 33 mm thickness variants.

Lambs tongue (NSW colonial)

A traditional profile featuring a curved “S-bend” (ogee) from the top portion of the board, flowing into a V-joint at the bottom. The defining detail is the combination of a concave then convex curve, giving the profile a stepped, graceful appearance. Also called NSW Colonial in some states.

Intrim SK96 (lambs tongue/colonial) is available in FJ Pine, MR MDF, and American Oak in heights of 42, 66, 90, 115, 135, 185, 230, and 285 mm (verified 2026-05-11 via Intrim SK96 product page). Suits Federation, Victorian, and Colonial-style interiors.

Colonial (multi-step)

A broader category than lambs tongue. Colonial profiles add flat sections and squared timber blocks to the basic ogee curve, producing more visual mass and step detail. State variants exist: WA Colonial, NSW Colonial, QLD Colonial, and Australian Colonial all have slightly different profiles suited to regional architectural traditions. The more elaborate the profile, the more labour is required to scribe internal corners accurately (verified 2026-05-11 via Intrim colonial skirting guide).

Intrim SK03 is a typical colonial/Victorian profile available in FJ Pine, MR MDF, Primed FJ Pine, MR MDF Primed, American Oak, and Flexible Polyurethane in heights from 42 mm to 285 mm (verified 2026-05-11 via Intrim SK03 product page).

Half-bullnose

A flat-back board with a full half-round (bullnose) radius on the top edge. The radius is larger than pencil round (typically 10 mm or more versus pencil round’s 3 mm). Gives a smooth, soft finish with slightly more visual weight than pencil round. Popular on production builds and in regions such as WA where the bullnose family is common. WA Single Bullnose and WA Double Bullnose Square Dressed are state-specific variants.

Heritage / Victorian

Multi-stepped profiles with deep ogee curves, egg-and-dart detailing, or elaborate projections. Suited to period homes (Federation, Victorian, Art Deco, Georgian). Heights of 230 mm and 285 mm are common in rooms with high ceilings (3.0 m and above). These profiles require skilled scribing at internal corners; a simple coped scribe is not sufficient for the most ornate shapes. Intrim SK842 (Victorian/Colonial) and SK460 (French Parisian/Provincial) are examples, available from 115 mm to 285 mm (verified 2026-05-11 via Intrim SK842 product page).

Properties

Standard heights by ceiling height

Ceiling height	Skirting height (typical)	Architrave width (typical)
2400 to 2500 mm	135 mm	90 mm
2501 to 2700 mm	185 mm	90 mm
2701 to 3000 mm	230 mm	115 mm
Above 3001 mm	285 mm	115 mm

Source: Intrim Mouldings skirting selection guide (verified 2026-05-11 via Intrim how-to-choose guide). These are typical proportions; contemporary homes frequently run slimmer profiles at the builder’s or client’s direction.

Common thicknesses and lengths

Most profiles are 18 mm thick. Porta pencil round and some heritage profiles are 11 to 12 mm thick. Standard stock lengths are 5400 mm (Intrim, Woodhouse) or 2100 / 2700 / 5400 mm (Porta). Flexible polyurethane profiles are available for curved walls.

Grades / variants

Material	Where to use	Where NOT to use
FJ pine (primed)	Dry areas, wet areas with full paint seal including cut ends	Unprotected exterior exposure
FJ pine (unprimed)	Dry areas where a natural or stained finish is wanted	Wet areas without full priming
MR MDF (primed)	Dry areas, low-humidity interiors; good paint finish	High-humidity rooms, wet areas, tropical climates; absorbs moisture if cut ends unprimed
Standard MDF	Lower-cost dry areas only	Wet areas, laundries, high-humidity climates
American Oak	Feature rooms, hardwood specification	Cost-sensitive projects; needs oil or varnish, not standard paint
Hardwood (Victorian Ash, Tas Oak)	Period restorations, feature rooms	Cost-sensitive; limited profile range vs FJ pine
Flexible polyurethane	Curved walls, circular features	Standard flat walls (no advantage)

MDF note: FJ pine is the tradesperson’s preference for durability and moisture resistance. MDF delivers a smoother initial paint finish but will swell and degrade if cut ends and backs are not fully primed before installation. In wet areas (bathrooms, laundries) and in tropical or high-humidity climates, use FJ pine or hardwood only (verified 2026-05-11 via Intrim MDF vs FJ pine comparison).

Where to use

Pencil round and half-splay: new residential construction, contemporary, Coastal, Art Deco interiors
Lambs tongue and colonial: Federation, Victorian, Queenslander, and heritage renovation; any interior wanting traditional character
Half-bullnose: production builds, standard residential across all states; common default in WA
Heritage/Victorian multi-step: period restoration, prestige residential, high-ceiling rooms

Where NOT to use

Standard MDF in bathrooms or laundries: even with topcoat on face, unprimed cut ends wick moisture and the board swells at the base
Pencil round or contemporary profiles in a Federation or Victorian heritage build: profile mismatch is flagged at PCI by experienced building inspectors
Heritage multi-step profiles without a skilled chippy: the scribing complexity goes up sharply with profile intricacy

Fixing / installation

See Skirting and architrave installation for the full fixing sequence, joint methods (scribed internal corners, mitred external corners), nail types and centres, and quirk setting for architrave.

Key reference points:

Fix method	Detail
Internal corners	Scribed (second board coped to fit over first). NOT mitred.
External corners	45-degree mitre with PVA at joint faces
Fixing	40 to 50 mm lost-head nails or brads into studs at 450 to 600 mm centres
Masonry walls	Masonry nailer or construction adhesive
Steel stud	15-gauge galvanised brads into steel track

Tolerances and acceptance

Skirting tolerances from publicly available state guides:

Item	Acceptance criterion	Source
Gap at internal corner scribe (within 12 months)	Max 1 mm visible from normal viewing distance	VBA Guide to Standards and Tolerances 2015 (verified 2026-05-11)
Gap at internal corner scribe (after 12 months)	Max 2 mm	VBA Guide to Standards and Tolerances 2015 (verified 2026-05-11)
Face alignment at joints	Flush. Any misalignment visible from normal occupancy distance is a defect	VBA Guide to Standards and Tolerances 2015 (verified 2026-05-11)
Skirting-to-floor junction	Skirting sits tight to floor with no visible gap, except where covering a floating floor expansion joint	Intrim installation guidance (verified 2026-05-11)
Skirting workmanship (HIA Guide)	Per current HIA Guide to Materials and Workmanship: verified value pending HIA member access. [HIA-156]	HIA Guide (paywalled)
Architrave workmanship (HIA Guide)	Per current HIA Guide to Materials and Workmanship: verified value pending HIA member access. [HIA-157]	HIA Guide (paywalled)

“Normal viewing distance” in the VBA guide is standing upright at a normal occupancy distance, not raking light inspection. The VBA 2015 guide is under review as of 2024; check the VBA publications page for any updated edition.

Working with other trades

Painter: skirting is fixed on the primed wall surface; painter returns for a final topcoat on the installed trim. Agree the sequence before booking.
Plasterer: the finished plasterboard surface at the floor line must be tight. Gaps or humps cause skirting to spring off the wall and show a gap at the back face.
Cabinetmaker: coordinate skirting height against cabinet kickboard height. Conflicts between 135 mm skirting and a 90 mm kickboard need resolution at specification stage.

Health and safety

Manual handling: 5.4 m lengths are awkward. Use a second pair of hands for long straight runs.
Dust: cutting MDF generates fine wood dust. Wear a P2 mask. Cut outdoors or in a ventilated space.
Nailing: use appropriate eye protection when power-nailing overhead or in confined corners.
Adhesive: PVA is low-hazard. Construction adhesives may require ventilation per SDS.

Suppliers

Intrim Mouldings (intrimmouldings.com.au): manufacture and supply FJ pine, MR MDF, American Oak, and flexible polyurethane profiles in 100+ skirtings and architraves. Manufacturing in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane. Standard 5400 mm lengths; custom bespoke profiles available.
Porta (porta.com.au): timber and MDF mouldings across QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, WA. Range includes pencil round, colonial, and splayed profiles. 2100, 2700, and 5400 mm lengths.
Woodhouse (woodhouse.com.au): solid timber skirting in colonial, pencil round, lambs tongue, and half-splayed profiles. CAD profiles available. Stocked across Australian states.
Bunnings Trade: carries primed pine and MDF skirting in basic profiles (pencil round, bullnose, colonial) from Porta and own-brand. Good for standard residential work.
Specialty / heritage: Colonial Wall Linings, Blacktown Building Supplies, and regional timber merchants stock heritage and WA-specific profiles.

[Supplier slot. ACCC disclosure required for affiliate arrangements.]

What can go wrong

MDF swelling at base: standard MDF skirting in a laundry or bathroom with unprimed cut ends. Moisture wicks in from the base and the board swells and lifts the paint. Fix: use FJ pine or full prime all surfaces including cut ends.
Profile mismatch across a project: two different profile families specified by accident (pencil round in bedrooms, colonial in hallway). Caught in the specification before second fix, not at PCI.
Internal mitre instead of scribe: a mitred internal corner opens as timber moves seasonally. Scribing is the correct method; see the install article.
Skirting height conflicts with switches: a 185 mm skirting on a 90 mm power point height is a problem. Confirm electrical rough-in heights match the skirting specification before first fix.
Wrong height for ceiling: a 67 mm skirting on a 3.0 m ceiling looks undersized. Use the height table above.
Heritage profile inadequately scribed: a complex multi-step profile requires more back-cutting to seat correctly. A tradesperson inexperienced with heritage profiles will leave visible gaps at internal corners on ornate shapes.

References

Intrim Mouldings, SK96 (colonial/lambs tongue) product page (verified 2026-05-11)
Intrim Mouldings, SK68A (half-splay) product page (verified 2026-05-11)
Intrim Mouldings, SK51 (pencil round) product page (verified 2026-05-11)
Intrim Mouldings, SK03 (colonial/Victorian) product page (verified 2026-05-11)
Intrim Mouldings, Colonial skirting board styling guide (verified 2026-05-11)
Intrim Mouldings, How to choose the right skirting boards and architraves (verified 2026-05-11)
Intrim Mouldings, Choosing between MDF and FJ pine mouldings (verified 2026-05-11)
Porta, Pencil Round skirting product page (verified 2026-05-11)
Woodhouse Timber, Architraves and Skirtings range (verified 2026-05-11)
VBA Guide to Standards and Tolerances 2015, Victorian Building Authority. Available at vba.vic.gov.au (note: under review as of 2024; verified 2026-05-11)
HIA Guide to Materials and Workmanship (member access required; tolerance values pending: HIA-156, HIA-157)