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Architectural Details & Trim Architectural details that establish a space including molding, trim, fireplace mantels, baseboards, rails, staircases, and other decorative accents. Click on a link to browse to an area of interest.

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Consumers Reports Online / Home - fee-based subscription access to brand-name ratings and evaluations. For suppliers in your area, see our yellow pages section. Yahoo.com - search for molding

Molding, FLEXIBLE ONLY

Foam Factory, Inc | Flex Trim | ResinArt | Ultimate Flex® Moulding

Molding, NON-FLEXIBLE ONLY

Eagle Hardware® | Florida Tile | Hartco® Flooring | Homebase® | Home Depot® | Jiffy Trim™ | Kentucky Millwork, Inc | White River Hardwoods

Molding - BOTH

Classic Details | The Millwork Store™

Precast

Architectural Accents, Ltd - ornamental precast columns, molding, mantels and more Architectural Accents® - exterior urethane millwork by Style-Mark, Inc. Focal Point®, Architectural Products Inc. - mouldings, medallions, domes, niches and columns, molded in an exclusively formulated polymer for indoor and outdoor use. Extensive number of installations performed

Custom Mfg.

Forms+Surfaces® - contemporary architectural hardware H.T. Sales Company, Inc. - quality architectural hardware Kentucky Millwork, Inc. - custom unfinished and prefinished millwork and inlaid wood accents Liev~Art - architectural accessories and hardware inspired by artist A. L. Barron Mission Woodworks - Arts & Crafts movement reproductions including bookcases, cabinets and entertainment centers Pullstones® - stone hardware and drawer pulls Register & Grille Mfg. Co., Inc - architectural grilles with hinged access doors Wainlands - registers, grills, door handles, rods and finials Voli Design - metal decorative door pulls

Misc

Doors of London - architectural antiques catalog that includes embellishments, fireplaces, columns, paneling, etc. Generally ornate and gothic motifs Pacific Columns | The Millwork Store™

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OVERVIEW

Create distinction in a room and its surrounding space by employing decorative architectural details ranging from molding to remodeling. Trim and molding are easy to install and provide decorative detailing. These include ornamental molding, crown and Dentil molding, friezes, chair rails, and baseboards. Another option is to remodel by adding an affixed bookcase, staircase, fireplace mantel, rounded wall corners, in-wall fish tanks, semicircle top doorways, separating wall addition, window seats, recessed ceilings, wall-mount light boxes, plate display shelves, wall niche for display, decorative windows, etc. Benefits of Architectural Details Trim and molding can help hide the rough edges where window, wall and door corners meet. Remodeling can improve the perception and value of the home if it is carefully planned and not overdone. Trims, molding and accents add architectural interest to the dwelling, bringing a touch of Greek or Roman flair and help tie patterns in the room to the style of the room. A new coat of paint gives new life to the room. It reinforces cleanliness and may make the room look more organized. Splashing color to an otherwise drab room may give it new-found life or help to create a cohesion of design.

SELECT THE RIGHT ACCENT

Common molding types for specific applications:
Chair rail	Surround room at chair back height to prevent scuffing and damage to walls.
Picture / plate rails	Surround room near top of wall to facilitate hanging pictures. They range from a shallow shelf to slotted trim to accept a picture hooks.
Crown molding	Surround room where the wall meets the ceiling to hide uneven surfaces and provide visual interest.
Frieze / Dentil molding	Surround room just below crown molding. The term Dentil refers to the toothed pattern that alternating blocks give.
Column	May be load bearing or purely for looks. Typically has a Capital at the top and base at the bottom.
Capital	A decorative device generally placed at the top of a Column.
Pilaster	A rectangular column typically topped with a Capital or Corbel and trim for the base.
Corbel	A decorative device like a Capital generally used for Pilasters, mantels, or load bearing shelf support.
Pediment	An ornamental accent found above entry ways and windows.
Wall Niche	Recessed container used to showcase decorative elements such as vases.
Medallions	Ornate accents applied to the ceiling and can act as chandelier focal points. The designs usually radiate out from center in ivy, floral, and Celtic motifs.
Rosette	Small version of a medallion used to accent a mantel, woodwook or curtain draw post.

ACCENT INSTALLATION
Molding, Trim and Accent Installation Overview

Decide what kind of trim or architectural detail looks best Tape a few painted or stained samples in place for a preview Decide where, when and who should install it Select molding products Select a finish carpentry company or architectural firm (see yellow pages above for companies in your area). Tools & resources needed / purchase Remove existing trim / molding / accents Paint walls Measure, cut, fit and install new accent Surface preparation, paint or stain Clean up, touch up, install flooring or wallpaper

Putting it all Together Molding and trim installation is relatively easy. The proper tools are essential because the trim is highly visible and is used to cover rough wall, window and door corners. The planning stage should involve creating a sample board that includes wallpaper, flooring, paint, trim, tile and fabric swatches. If all elements work together on the board, they will most likely work in the room. For a preview of what the room might look like, try our See My Design application. Print the result out and affix it to the sample board as a guide. Start by nailing a sample trim or molding in place to see if the result is satisfactory. Even go one step further by painting it to get the final effect. If the result is pleasing, plan the installation by measuring and specifying the needed stock. Remove the existing trim by running an X-acto knife blade between the existing paint and trim to pierce the paint and reduce the amount of tearing to the paint. The resultant paint bevel may be covered up by new trim or sanded down with 200 grit sand paper on a sanding block. Cut and nail the corners in place first, followed by the straight lengths of trim. Finish nails or a finish nail gun are preferable. Carpet may need to be pulled back to get a snug fit. When finished, apply wood putty or a paintable caulking to the gaps, nail holes, uneven surfaces and corners. This may take several applications followed by sanding to get a smooth surface. Prime all bare wood if painting with a latex or, for a clear finish, apply stain and sanding sealer / clear polyurethane finish. Follow the links below for more detailed information about trim and molding installation. Additional Info (for mfg & reseller links see above) Better Homes and Gardens® Home Molding Article - add architectural interest to your rooms with distinctive molding HGTV® - architectural millwork article and glossary Home Ideas - free home improvement brochures including molding and architectural detail installation Marley Mouldings - how to install mouldings The Millwork Store™ - purchase 'do-it yourself' literature for about working with molding

ARCHITECTURAL STYLE

Neolithic, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Romantism, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Art & Crafts, International Style, Bauhaus and Post Modern styles have helped to shape our visual word. Visit our architectural styles & glossary page for additional pictures, definitions and glossary of modern terms. Additional Info (for mfg & reseller links see above) AEC Info Center - architectural, engineering and construction links American Institute of Architects (AIA) ARCAT (Architect's Catalog) Architect's First Source architectstore.com - architecture resources and info Rosemarybeach - exterior architectural example pictures

SAFETY

When using a miter saw or saw and mire box, pay close attention and possibly hold wood in place with a quick-release clamp. When using a table saw to rip, be sure to use a wood push-through to keep fingers away from the blades. See our Safety - working with power tools page for additional safety tips. Sanding should be done with a dust mask to prevent inhalation of fine wood dust particles. See our paint page for further surface preparation and considerations or our paint safety page for helpful tips. When installing large or heavy architectural accents, make sure they are properly secured and counter-weighted if necessary. When using wood grabber screws and precast molding, do not over tighten the screw or it will crack the molding. Several securing mechanisms and their applications include: Fastener Application Weight  Wood grabber screws Fasten to existing wood / 2x4 Moderate Lag bolts Concrete Heavy Lead shield lag bolts Cinder block walls Heavy Anchors (metal expander with screw built in) Wood, interior concrete, lathe & plaster Light Plugs (plastic shield that accepts a screw) Insert into dense materials Light Toggle bolts (long skinny bolt with hinged wings as nut) Used where pressure is applied against a surface like drywall Light Finish nails  Dry wall, baseboard, lathe & plaster Ultra-light Additional Info Pacific Fasteners - online catalog of Bolts, Machine Screws, Threaded rod & Studs, Set Screws, Sheet Metal Screws, Wood Screws, U Bolts, Tee Bolts, Plugs, Socket Caps, Nuts and Washers Benchmark Fasteners, Inc. online - source for all fastening needs

MISCELLANEOUS

See My Design - design online and see your own living room by selecting wall and trim paint colors, combined with real wall paper, furniture and flooring (no plug-ins required) Architect's First Source ARCAT (Architect's Catalog) AEC Info Center - architectural, engineering and construction links Build.com - a building industry internet portal BuildeNet Pro - a yellow page listings for the building & home improvement industries Cyburbia - architecture resource planning Foam Factory, Inc. - extensive visual reference to their custom trim styles and architectural accents Jiffy Trim™ - miterless moulding systems that don't require perfect square end-cuts or extra measurements. Featuring molding, finials, corbels, friezes and ornaments produced from the highest quality polyresin known as Rosyn Rigid

Decide which tools and resources you have, can borrow, or need to buy using our Tools & resources needed / purchase worksheet. Print it out to get started with your next painting project.

Open the room up with vaulted ceilings. Aside from visual interest, the neo-gothic archways and alcoves help modularize the space creating distinct areas of interest.

See My Design - design online and see your own living room by selecting wall and trim paint colors, combined with real wall paper, furniture and flooring (no plug-ins required) Architectural Accents, Ltd. - pictures of ornamental precast columns, molding, mantels and more Classic Details - residential architectural detail decorating ideas and products Flex Trim - show casing pictures of Allen Jones' renaissance collection Ferche Millwork Inc. - photo examples of molding and architectural woodwork Rosemarybeach - exterior architectural example pictures. Ultimate Flex® Moulding - see example casing photos of trim, window casing, radius, arched, round and elliptical openings VillageHome.com - interior painting, wall papering, trends and tips

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