Types of Moulding: A Room-by-Room Guide for Canadian Homes
Key Takeaways:
- Moulding is available in a few distinct variants and each serves a different purpose.
- While baseboard moulding is used for wall-to-floor junctions, crown moulding is used to transition between walls and ceilings.
- Door and window casings are perfect for openings and chair rails and panel moulding add decorative touches to objects around the house.
- The appearance, maintenance and finishing requirements of both solid wood and MDF moulding differ.
- Moulding selection should be based on design intent and project budget.
Even though one can argue its purpose is more decorative than practical, the right moulding can enhance the elegance of a room. In fact, it is functional too. Not only does it make a room look and feel more polished, but it also conceals gaps and protects vulnerable surfaces from impact and exposure.
That’s a win-win only if the right type of interior moulding is used. Each type serves a distinct purpose, and today’s guide from Fonthill Lumber Inc, suppliers of premium decorative trims in Ontario, is all about understanding common profiles and their room-by-room applications. Let’s get started!
What Is Interior Moulding and Why Is It Used?
Interior wood moulding is a specially manufactured stylized trim installed at the intersection of interior surfaces or simply as a decorative element. It refines the finishing of rooms it is a part of, lending them a distinct character and appeal.
The Purpose of Interior Moulding
Covering gaps around floors, ceilings, doors, and windows is one of the primary purposes of interior moulding. It can also be installed on walls to protect them from everyday wear and tear. Moulding also makes for neat and aesthetically pleasing transitions between different surfaces.
Decorative Versus Functional Moulding
Certain moulding profiles are purely decorative as opposed to functional. That is to say their purpose is to introduce decorative details only. Meanwhile, functional moulding conceals joints. Both can be used together to strike the right balance between style and practicality.
How Moulding Complements Interior Design
Thanks to its versatility and the ability to be painted to any color, moulding can be used for both traditional and contemporary interiors. In fact, its consistent profiles can seamlessly fit into any architectural style, helping connect rooms together with a cohesive design language that speaks for itself.
What Are the Main Types of Moulding?
Each moulding profile has its own purpose and perfect location. Understanding the differences between them ensures builders pick the right trim for every room of the project they are currently involved in.
Here’s a table that tells the difference between them at a glance:
Baseboard Moulding
Meant to run along the bottom of interior walls, baseboard moulding styles also cover the junction that lies between walls and flooring. Square-edged and taller profiles are common; however, decorative profiles can also be found.
Crown Moulding
Crown moulding sits at the intersection between walls and ceilings. Their profiles can be either curved or stepped. In any case, they add visual drama to a room and look particularly good in traditional homes with high ceilings.
Door and Window Casing
Window and door casing components cover the joints that exist between the wall and the frame of the opening. While backbands can be used to add depth to the framing, plinth blocks can be installed at the bottom of the door casing to create pretty transitions.
Chair Rails and Panel Moulding
Both chair rails and panels are primarily used to create visual interest. While chair rails run horizontally across walls, panel moulding is used to create decorative shapes on walls. The only distinction between the two is that the former might still offer some protective capabilities.
Quarter-Round and Half-Round Moulding
Half-round and quarter-round moulding styles are commonly found in select corners of a room as well as along flooring edges. Quarter-rounds are used to cover the tiny gaps that exist between floors and baseboards. As for half-rounds, they feature a more pronounced curved profile that can run alongside a floor’s edge.
Other Decorative Moulding Profiles
Barring the ones mentioned above, wood or MDF moulding comes in other styles as well, including specialty trims and smaller decorative profiles that may be used to adorn furniture, cabinets, and wall treatments, among others.
Which Types of Moulding Work Best in Each Room?
The primary use of the room concerned influences the best moulding type for it. For example, homeowners may want their bedroom to be a cosy space, making softer, curved profiles preferable to sharper or steeper ones. Moisture exposure and everyday wear can also impact trim selection.
Living Rooms and Dining Rooms
Living and dining rooms tend to have a formal vibe to them, which makes crown mouldings and decorative panels a better choice for them. As for contemporary homes, simpler profiles tend to do the trick.
Bedrooms and Hallways
The same type of casing can be used to connect and create seamless transitions between both rooms. Builders must make sure only durable baseboards are used in these spots, as they are quite frequently used, which makes wear and tear likely.
Kitchens and Bathrooms
Both these spaces are commonly exposed to moisture and humidity, making trims used in bathrooms and kitchens prone to water damage. E-grade finishes and materials that can withstand their harsh conditions should be used. No moulding material is waterproof by default so builders must make sure they source the right variety before installation.
Doorways, Windows, and Transitional Spaces
For any transitional spaces, casings that are designed for openings and adjoining surfaces should be used. The colors and finishes of these can be coordinated to create consistency.
Which Moulding Material Should You Choose?
Builders can either pick solid wood or MDF moulding for their project. But they should know each brings their own strengths and weaknesses. The best choice depends on the project’s finishing requirements and costs. Plus, the room’s normal conditions and aesthetics have to be factored in too as they will decide whether the moulding needs special treatment or a coat of paint.
Solid Wood Moulding
Although solid wood moulding can be used as is, thanks to its natural grain patterns, it can also be stained or painted if the project demands. Nonetheless, they are a good choice for projects that require the natural, warm wood look. However, they might not be the best option for high moisture and humidity areas as they are prone to swelling.
MDF Moulding
MDF moulding is engineered to provide a smooth and consistent finish that can be painted to match literally any interior design style. In fact, MDF moulding is more resistant to moisture damage as well, which means it can be safely used in kitchens, bathrooms and other humid spaces with minimal risk of swelling, decay or other moisture-related issues.
Choosing Materials for Durability and Finish
Durability and finish are powerful factors that ultimately influence material choice. Builders must compare product specifications, intended applications, and maintenance requirements before deciding their final selection. It is best not to resort to the cheapest options as it can lead to expensive reworks later.
How Do You Choose the Right Moulding for Your Home?
Choosing the right moulding starts with analyzing each room’s individual requirements. Once they have been thoroughly evaluated, contractors and builders can make the best recommendations in terms of profile, material, and finish. This ensures the selection of trim material that looks attractive and performs well.
Match Moulding to Architectural Style
For traditional homes, detailed profiles with intricate carving or ornate patterns might work well. Contemporary homes can be adorned with clean, understated trims.
Consider Ceiling Height and Room Proportions
Baseboards with a good height or elaborate crown mouldings can be used in large rooms with high ceilings. As for smaller spaces, using simpler, minimal profiles helps in the maintenance of visual balance.
Coordinate Profiles Across Adjacent Rooms
Using complementary casings and trims throughout the various rooms of the same house ensures visual continuity between its various rooms. That does not mean profiles need to be identical, but they can be finished similarly to work together rather than looking disconnected or out of place.
Balance Budget, Maintenance, and Durability
Trimming might seem like a small part of the house, but material costs can quickly add up. It is best to factor in installation and replacement costs as well so builders do not overshoot their budget. Products that actually meet the room’s requirements prove to be more economical in the short and long run.
What Should You Know Before Installing Moulding?
Surface preparation is a critical part of successful moulding installation. It keeps material waste at bay and leads to cleaner, more consistent results. Here are the essential steps builders should follow to install moulding right.
Step 1: Measure Walls, Openings, and Transitions
Every single wall, opening, and area where moulding is to be installed should be individually measured. Corners and changes in direction should be accounted for, and these measurements must be recorded to ensure only appropriately sized moulding is purchased. Rechecking dimensions at the time of purchase prevents material waste.
Step 2: Plan Cuts, Joints, and Material Quantities
When calculating the total quantity of moulding to be ordered, builders should account for potential material loss in offcuts, errors, and joints. Planning for these in advance prevents emergency trips to the lumber yard. Moreover, it can be very difficult to find the same trim again, which can ruin the look of installed moulding.
Step 3: Prepare Surfaces and Finish the Trim
Surface areas where trim will be fixed should be first cleaned and dried so they are primed for smooth installation. Only appropriate tools and fastening methods should be used during installation. Following the proper routine for filling, sanding, caulking, and painting guarantees even results.
Conclusion
While choosing the right moulding material ensures the creation of visually pleasing rooms that balance form and function, installing them right guarantees a consistent finish. Another step that is an important part of this equation is sourcing moulding material from the right supplier.
Fonthill Lumber Inc. houses the most extensive collection of premium baseboards, casings, and much more in its flagship Welland, Ontario store. Contact us to get material options that fit into your budget and help in the creation of polished interiors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Most Common Types of Moulding?
The most commonly used types of moulding for the purposes of interior decor include baseboards, crown moulding, door and window casing, chair rails, and panel moulding.
What Is the Difference Between Baseboard and Crown Moulding?
The primary difference lies in their location. Baseboards are attached to the bottom of walls, while crown mouldings are used to create decorative transitions between walls and ceilings.
Is MDF Moulding Better Than Wood Moulding?
It depends on their application and location. For example, wood moulding is a great choice for the bedrooms and hallways of homes with traditional architecture. Meanwhile, MDF moulding is better installed in bathrooms, kitchens or any other area exposed to humidity due to their moisture-resistant properties.
What Type of Moulding Is Used Around Doors and Windows?
Door and window casing frames are used around openings to conceal the joints that hold the frames and the surrounding walls together.
How Do You Choose Moulding for a Small Room?
Mouldings with simpler profiles complement small rooms better without looking exaggerated, out of place or visually overwhelming.
