Sealing ply baseboard

[William -346064]

Newbie question,is it worth sealing ply baseboard for indoor use only if so what should I use ?

[Brew Man]

I just painted mine on the top and edges with an earth brown emulsion paint. It has been in the loft for two years plus and has been no trouble. Painting for me wasn't about sealing it, more about having an earth-coloured based to build landscaping on.

[atom3624]

I think it depends what you're using as a baseboard, and the climate where it'll reside for the next 10 years or so ...

Some are more resistant to temperature and humidity variations than others.

Al.

[sir john]

Short answer yes both sides and edges. timber will take on the moisture content of the surrounding area which will vary season to season so left untreated will expand and contract

[moawkwrd]

Assuming it’s a decent thickness (9-12mm), it depends what you mean by indoors only. If it’s going to stay in a centrally heated, double glazed room with little fluctuation in air moisture I wouldn’t bother. If by indoors only you mean indoors in a cold damp room with an inefficient electric heater which gets condensation on the window for half the year, yes seal it well.

[96RAF]

I did same as BM, coat of emulsion as a vase colour. Converted garage with heating. Decent timber merchant plywood not your diy store twisted cardboard.

[Bulleidboy]

My boards (layout) are in a centrally heated, double-glazed small bedroom (10x7). I painted all of my boards with a 50/50 pva/water solution before painting it all brown. No problems after ten years.

[Sams Boy]

I would advise sealing both sides of baseboards. I used coloured undercoat, as others, for the top and sides and white undercoat underneath making it easier to see when wiring and fitting "devices".

[morairamike]

My boards are 12mm ply. The layout is in a double bedroom, with radiator and double glazing. It was made starting in 2017 and NONE of the surfaces are sealed. It has a lift up hinged flap which still operates correctly. It is hinged on kitchen cupboard hinges, they failed and caused problems but we're replaced and supports added at the hinge edge so the hinges don't support the flap in the closed position.