i have skirting boards in my lounge and rather thhan remove them i wondered if anyone knew whether i could buy skirting that would fit over them they are about 3 inches high
Last year I fitted our new kitchen and did just what you are asking about.
I wanted to hide pipes running along the top of our 3" skirting.
Find the skirting that you want, as long as it is taller than your existing skirting.
Just fit a batten the same thickness as your original skirting along the new skirtings top edge. Then stick your new skirting straight on top of the old one using Gripfil or no nails. Finish the edges off with decorators caulk. I used MDF skirting board.
Sounds like you have standard 3" "bullnose" skirting Jeni. You could buy the same, but in 4", fix a 16mm thick strip of timber to the top inside edge, and fix that tight over the existing.
If your reason is that you want to fit a "grander" skirting, buy a standard 5,6,or 7" "Torus" or "Ogee" one......... with the same 16mm filler piece.
That would emulate the more elaborate Georgian boxed skirtings.
Removing old skirting really isn't a bind.
When a new replacement skirting is fitted from whatever start point you are going to have to do the donkey work of creating 90 degree corners in the stuff and filling the edges ready for painting.
Given that removing old skirting really isn't a bind, I really don't see the point unless you don't like painting either and unless money is no object.
PVC mouldings cost a small fortune compared to good old wood.
Also a user on site below with same name and only one post. As to the original question I would change the boards for new ones as others have said. Will be a better more even finish.