Choose plastic, wood or alloy baseboards? Advantages and disadvantages, price quotes for each type in 2026

Baseboards are important accessories in interior decoration, with the function of covering the gap between the floor and the wall, while increasing the aesthetics of the space, usually 7 - 12cm high.

“There are four main materials used to produce baseboards. Of which, plastic baseboards account for the highest proportion with 4% market share due to their reasonable price and ease of installation, followed by wood at 45%, alloy at 30% and plaster at 20%” According to the construction materials market report of the Vietnam Association of Construction Materials in 5.

Each type of material has its own characteristics suitable for different spaces and usage needs. Below is a summary table of information on 4 types of baseboards: plastic, wood, alloy and plaster.

“Plastic skirting costs 30 – 70% less than natural wood skirting, while reducing maintenance and replacement costs in the long term.” According to the Global Construction Materials Report 2024.

PS, PVC, PU plastic baseboards

Plastic baseboard (plastic baseboard) is a type of baseboard whose main component is plastic. such as: PS (Polystyrene) plastic, PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) plastic and PU (Polyurethane) plastic.

The structure of plastic molding consists of 3 layers: the core layer, the decorative layer and the smooth film coating to protect the surface. Depending on the height of the molding (75 - 98mm), we can choose the appropriate type for different large or small spaces.

The product is increasingly popular because it has 5 outstanding advantages such as:

1. Perfectly simulates the beauty of natural wood with more than 50 rich colors and patterns, from white, gray, cream yellow, oak yellow to reddish brown, walnut brown, ... meeting all design styles from modern to classic.
2. Beautiful like wood but water resistant and absolutely termite resistant thanks to the superior properties of plastic.
3. Less affected by environmental temperature, no warping, shrinkage, cracking during use.
4. Light weight, quick installation process, less than 1 hour to build 40m of wall.
5. Reasonable cost, significantly cheaper than natural wood and industrial wood moldings from 30 - 70%.

Among the plastic molding models, white molding is the most popular, accounting for 65% because it is easy to combine with all tones of wooden floors, plastic floors, and wall panels. In addition, the product has only one disadvantage: its lifespan is not as long as that of wooden baseboards.

The price of plastic skirting depends on the size and plastic material. The following is the price list of plastic skirting molding updated in January 1.

Wood skirting (natural and industrial)

Wooden baseboards are divided into two main types: natural wooden baseboards (accounting for 2% of the market share) and industrial wooden baseboards (accounting for 40% of the market share).

Natural wood skirting board Sawn from solid real wood, commonly Cam Xe wood (high hardness), Chiu Liu wood (durable, beautiful, little shrinkage), Walnut wood (beautiful wood grain, high durability), and Rosewood (beautiful, durable).

Industrial wood wall skirting Most will be produced from MDF core with a thickness of 14 - 18mm. The surface layer is covered with a wood grain decoration layer and a layer of Laminate to help the molding have a glossy, high aesthetic and effective scratch resistance.

Wooden skirting will bring the following 3 outstanding advantages:

1. Brings luxury and high economic value to the space.
2. Lifespan from 10 - 50 years or more depending on the core of industrial wood or natural wood.
3. Recyclable, environmentally friendly.

In addition to the above 3 advantages, wooden baseboards still have the following 3 limitations:

1. The price is much more expensive than other types of baseboards on the market.
2. Subject to termite attack.
3. Poor water resistance is not suitable for areas with high humidity such as kitchens and first floors.

Below is the price list of wooden skirting boards updated in January 1:

Alloy baseboard

There are two popular types of alloy baseboards: aluminum baseboards (accounting for 2%) and stainless steel baseboards (accounting for 60%).

Aluminum skirting is mainly made of aluminum alloy, surface treated by anodizing method, can be curved, square, round or straight, all bring perfect beauty because of thin thickness. Common colors on aluminum skirting are matte gold, matte aluminum, matte black. Popular aluminum alloy skirting heights are 60mm, 80mm, 85mm, 100mm.

Stainless steel skirting or stainless steel skirting is a type of interior decoration material, usually made from 304 stainless steel with high hardness, anti-fading or rust and is often installed in the wall.

Alloy baseboards are loved by many customers because of the following 4 outstanding advantages: 

1. Durability over 20 years, moisture-proof, termite-proof, effective anti-corrosion.
2. Simple but sophisticated and modern design, enhancing the luxury of the house, small thickness so no concave or convex space is lost.
3. Smooth surface, less dust and dirt, easy to clean.
4. Recyclable, environmentally friendly.

In addition to the 4 advantages above, the product still has the following 3 disadvantages:

1. The cost is much higher than other types of baseboards.
2. Requires high installation skills and meticulous construction process to ensure aesthetics and durability.
3. Easily oxidized if using poor quality materials.

The price of aluminum alloy or stainless steel skirting will depend on thickness, size, surface treatment technology, etc. Below is the price list of aluminum alloy and stainless steel skirting in January 1:

Plaster wall skirting

Gypsum baseboards are made from a mixture of gypsum powder and additives that can create sophisticated patterns from simple to elaborate. The structure of gypsum baseboards consists of 5 layers:

1. Gypsum powder
2. Fiberglass fabric
3. Glass fiber
4. Fiberglass fabric
5. Gypsum powder

According to more than 10 years of experience in distributing materials of Kosmos Vietnam, gypsum baseboards are not as popular as before due to some limitations of this material:

• Gypsum is susceptible to mold, yellowing, and blistering if frequently exposed to water.
• Can be cracked due to impact or deformation, the installation process is complicated, takes more time and effort than plastic moldings.
• The main colors are white and milky white, so there are not many diverse choices like other types of moldings.

Because of the 3 limitations above plus many new types of baseboards being introduced to replace them, gypsum baseboards are rarely used for wall cladding, but are now used to decorate ceilings.

Related question

What is brick and stone baseboard?

The use of brick skirting has been used for a long time and is no longer strange to us. Usually, the skirting bricks and floor tiles are one, used to protect the wall and ensure uniformity. Nowadays, manufacturers have also created their own skirting bricks to serve users.

Stone skirting is a decorative material for the base of the wall made of natural stone such as marble, granite, ... or artificial stone. The stone grain pattern of the skirting brings uniqueness to the corner of the floor. Stone is also a green material, safe for health and the environment with outstanding hardness.

What is skirting?

Flush Baseboard is a method of installing skirting boards that are recessed into a flat wall, instead of being raised like the traditional style. This is a new Western installation style that has been introduced to Vietnam with the English name Flush Baseboard.

How to calculate the number of baseboards to buy for a room?

To calculate the amount of molding, you need to measure the perimeter of the room (in meters), then add 10-15% to account for corner cuts (5-7%), installation errors (3-5%) and material loss (2-3%). For example: If the room has a perimeter of 20m, you should buy about 22-23m of molding.

What spaces in the house can baseboards be used for?

Baseboards can be installed in most spaces such as: living room, bedroom, dining room, office, hallway, etc. Depending on the design style and function of each room, choose the appropriate baseboard model.

• Classic and neoclassical style: You should choose baseboards with elaborate, sophisticated patterns, warm colors such as bronze, wood brown or cream white combined with moldings. Suitable materials are natural wood or plastic.
• Modern style: Prioritize skirting boards with simple designs, neat lines, neutral colors such as white, gray or light wood color. PS plastic or industrial wood are popular choices.
• Large area: Large moldings and prominent patterns can be used to create accents.
• Small area: You should choose small moldings with simple patterns to avoid a confusing, cramped feeling.

Where to buy quality baseboards?

Kosmos Vietnam is one of the suppliers of quality skirting boards with a variety of designs and materials. One of the most prominent accessory lines at Kosmos is PS plastic skirting boards.

The product has a unique collection of colors from white, gray, cream yellow to oak yellow, orange yellow, red brown,... synchronized and easily compatible with many beautiful wooden and plastic floor models.

Customers can find Kosmos skirting boards at building materials stores and furniture stores that are agents of Kosmos warehouses nationwide. If you still have many concerns about this accessory, customers can contact Kosmos at 0932.067.388 for quick advice.

Baseboards are important interior decoration materials that both enhance aesthetics and effectively protect the base of the wall. Each type of baseboard has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of durability, aesthetics, price and installation. Users should carefully consider the function, decoration style and budget to choose the most suitable type of baseboard for their project.