A skirting board's primary purpose is to safeguard walls from harm. As residents of the home go about their everyday lives, walls are particularly susceptible to bumps and scuffs around their base. Skirting boards serve as a barrier to prevent plaster from being damaged.

Following plastering, skirting board aids in giving walls a "clean" appearance. Plastering a wall down to the point where the wall and floor meet can be challenging, therefore any sloppiness can be concealed by installing skirting board, which will conceal plaster flaws.