What is house moulding?

House moulding refers to decorative trim used on the interior or exterior of a home. Moulding is typically made of wood, but can also be made from polyurethane, polystyrene, or other synthetic materials. It serves both decorative and functional purposes.

What are the different types of house moulding?

There are many different types of moulding used in homes. Some of the most common include:

• Crown moulding – Installed near the ceiling, crown moulding frames a room and adds visual interest.
• Chair rail – Installed partway up walls to protect them from chair backs. It also divides the wall visually.
• Baseboard – Installed where the wall meets the floor to cover the joint and serve as a stylistic element.
• Door and window trim – Installed around doors, windows, and openings to provide an attractive frame.
• Cove or corner moulding – Used where walls meet to create a smooth transition between them.
• Wainscoting – Applied to lower parts of walls to add detail and protect from scuffs.
• Picture or frame moulding – Used to frame artwork, mirrors, or other wall hangings.
• Ceiling trim – Applied where walls meet the ceiling for a clean look.

The specific moulding types used in a home depend on the architectural style. Craftsman and cottage style homes tend to use simpler trim, while more elaborate moulding is common in Victorian and colonial styles.

What materials are used to make moulding?

Traditionally, moulding has been made from solid wood cut from pine, poplar, oak, and other common species. Wood provides an attractive, classic look. However, it can be prone to shrinking and splitting over time. Modern engineered wood products like MDF (medium density fiberboard) offer increased stability.

For moisture resistance, PVC and polymer-based mouldings are popular options. These synthetics hold up better in kitchens, baths, and other humid areas. Polyurethane moulding has a similar appearance to wood while being water-resistant.

Plaster was commonly used for ornate moulding details in historical homes, but requires extensive upkeep. Some companies still produce plaster moulding for restoration projects.

Common moulding materials:

• Solid wood – pine, poplar, oak
• MDF – medium density fiberboard
• PVC – polyvinyl chloride plastic
• Polyurethane
• Polystyrene
• Plaster

What tools are used to install moulding?

Installing moulding requires careful measuring, cutting, and securing to the wall or surface. Common tools for moulding projects include:

• Miter saw – For precise angled cuts
• Table saw – To cut long moulding boards to size
• Compound miter saw – Allows for compound angle cuts
• Coping saw – For detailed trim cuts
• Brad nailer – Uses small nails to secure moulding
• Finish nailer – Uses larger nails for stability
• Stud finder – Finds wall studs to anchor moulding
• Laser level – Ensures level installation
• Wood filler – For covering nail holes

Proper use of these tools along with safety precautions are needed for successful moulding projects.

What preparation work is required before installing moulding?

Installing moulding requires careful preparation to ensure it looks and fits right:

• Measure area and calculate linear footage of moulding needed
• Check walls for level and plumb
• Look for obstructions like pipes or wiring
• Patch and repair wall surfaces
• Fill any cracks or holes with spackle
• Sand repaired areas for smooth finish
• Prime and paint walls where needed
• Clean installation area thoroughly
• Acclimate moulding to room temperature and humidity for proper fit

Taking time to prep helps avoid issues like gaps, misaligned joints, and poor adhesion when installing the moulding.

What techniques are used to cut and join moulding?

Key techniques for cutting and joining moulding include:

• Measuring angles accurately using a protractor and miter gauge
• Cutting precise 45 and 90 degree miters on moulding ends
• Creating scarf joints to join short moulding pieces
• Using a coping saw to cut profiled ends for tight-fitting joints
• Applying wood filler to gaps then sanding smooth
• Using veneers, splines, and biscuits to reinforce miter joints
• Gluing joints together for added strength
• Pre-drilling to prevent moulding splits

Taking time to cut good joints ensures the finished moulding has clean, tight seams and looks professionally installed.

What are the steps for installing crown moulding?

Installing crown moulding requires careful angle calculations and cutting. The basic steps include:

1. Measure room perimeter and calculate linear feet needed
2. Cut mitered pieces for corners and scarf joints for long runs
3. Use a bevel gauge to find corner angles
4. Cut end miters with precise compound angles
5. Use painter’s tape to align and hold corners
6. Drill clearance holes to prevent splitting
7. Nail or glue moulding to wall/ceiling junction
8. Fill nail holes with putty, sand, then touch up paint

A good tip is leaving corners slightly long then fine-tuning the cut for an exact fit. Having a helper makes the process easier.

How is moulding installed on ceilings?

Installing moulding on a ceiling requires good support and careful angling. The process involves:

• Build a support ledger around the ceiling perimeter
• Use screws or construction adhesive to attach ledger
• Run boards across ceiling joists and screw into ledger
• Measure and cut moulding pieces to length
• Use a miter gauge and bevel gauge to calculate angles
• Pre-drill then nail moulding into support boards
• Use decorative medallions, rosettes, or crowns at intersections
• Caulk gaps then paint moulding to match ceiling

The ledger provides a solid nailing base so gravity doesn’t pull the moulding loose over time.

What techniques are used for installing window and door trim?

Installation techniques for door and window trim include:

• Measuring opening height and width accurately
• Cutting boards to length with compound miters as needed
• Checking fit by temporarily taping boards in place
• Finalizing miters and coping end cuts for tight joints
• Anchoring bottom trim piece to firm base below sill
• Nailing jamb pieces plumb on door/window side
• Measuring, cutting, and installing header piece last
• Countersinking nail heads and filling holes
• Caulking gaps before painting or staining

Taking time to adjust the miters results in trim that looks seamless. Shim as needed to plumb jambs and level header.

What types of moulding profiles are available?

Some of the common moulding profile types and their uses include:

Profile	Description	Uses
Ogee	S-shaped curved profile	Crown moulding, picture frames
Chamfer	Beveled rectangular shape	Baseboards, door/window casing
Quarter-round	Quarter-circle profile	Base shoe, stair riser
Cove	Concave rounded shape	Ceilings, wainscoting panels
Beadboard	Board with grooves	Wainscoting, ceilings, walls

There are many more profiles for specialized trim applications. The options available make it possible to accentuate architectural details.

What factors impact the cost of moulding?

Several factors affect the cost of moulding:

• Type of material – solid wood is generally the most expensive
• Complexity of the moulding profile
• Amount of hand craftsmanship involved
• Whether it’s custom milled or standard stock
• Linear footage needed
• Local labor costs
• Special finishing – some painted or antique finishes cost more
• Shipping cost if ordered online

Typically, more detailed, ornate mouldings and those made from premium woods cost more per linear foot. Simple pine boards and standard profiles are more budget-friendly.

How can you save money on moulding projects?

Tips for saving money on moulding include:

• Use high quality pre-primed MDF rather than solid wood
• Look for stock boards at home centers rather than custom profiles
• Install it yourself rather than hiring a carpenter
• Only use thicker moulding in visible areas
• Use decorative moulding sparingly for accents
• Buy factory finished boards instead of site finishing
• Look for end-of-season sales and clearance items
• Shop online for competitive prices on specialty moulding
• Consider making your own simple boards

With some flexibility on materials and design, you can create beautiful finished trimwork while sticking to a budget.

What maintenance does moulding require?

To keep mouldings looking their best:

• Inspect for damage, cracks, peeling annually
• Use touch up paint on nicks and scratches
• Dust frequently using soft cloth or duster
• Clean with mild soap and water as needed
• Re-caulk joints if gaps appear
• Consider refinishing worn areas every 5-10 years
• Watch for moisture damage, especially near windows
• Repair water leaks immediately to prevent mould growth

With proper care, quality wood and polymer mouldings can last for many years before needing replacement.

What are signs that moulding needs to be repaired or replaced?

Some signs that moulding may need attention:

• Peeling or cracked paint
• Warping, cupping or loose boards
• Discoloration or mould growth
• Gaps wider than 1/8 inch at joints
• Nail pops or exposed nail heads
• Visible sagging or pulling away from surface
• Severely damaged or missing pieces
• Darkening, rotting wood
• Difficulty making joints fit tightly

Addressing problems early on by caulking, stabilizing, or replacing individual damaged pieces helps avoid more extensive repairs later.

What are the benefits of adding moulding to a home?

Reasons to add moulding trim to a home interior or exterior include:

• Enhances style and visual appeal
• Accents architectural details
• Completes a room by finishing transitions
• Adds decorative frames around openings
• Conceals joints between surfaces
• Provides protection for walls and ceilings
• Allows creative customization
• Increases home value by improving aesthetics

Moulding can turn a basic box into a beautiful living space with lots of architectural character.

Conclusion

House moulding encompasses the many types of decorative trim used to accent, frame, and finish structural elements and intersections in a home’s interior and exterior. Everything from crown moulding to chair rail to door casing falls under the category of moulding. When professionally installed, quality moulding can greatly enhance the visual style of any living space.

With some basic tools, techniques, and know-how, homeowners can install moulding themselves as a weekend project to upgrade the look of a room. Understanding the preparation work, measuring, cutting, and fitting involved allows you to take on moulding projects to suit your budget and design goals.