Why is there a gap between skirting board and floor?

Question

We've had the floor replaced but why is there now a gap between the skirting board and floor?

Chris · Accepted Answer

The flooring should go under the skirting ideally. So normally the flooring goes on then the skirting after. If there is a gap under this it's due to the floor not being flat. Either the skirting should have been shaved to sit flat or silicone along the bottom.
If skirting was in situ it depends on the type of flooring. Laminate requires another small skirting to hide the expansion gap. Carpet should be tucked under. Tiles do stop short of skirting if the skirting is too low to squeeze under so it requires a silicone normally matched to grout colour to fill the gap but still allow for expansion of the tile

Rohimul · Answer

The gap allows this movement without buckling.

The skirting board is installed to cover the expansion gap, not sit tightly on the floor.

Lewis · Answer

It’s really difficult to send 100% of the new floor under every bit of skirt so a general practice is to remove the skirting board and reinstall after. This process will usually only be done for an agreed extra cost.

Why is there a gap between skirting board and floor?

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