A Remodeler's Guide To Interior Trim Moldings and Finish Carpentry

Jun 21

It’s the details that matter in home design, especially details like interior trim moldings and finish carpentry. The choices are nearly limitless from the grandeur of crown moldings to the subtle elegance of baseboard moldings. This guide will explore distinctions between trim and finish carpentry, how to choose the right styles for your home, the different types of trim molding available, and finding the right remodeling partner.

interior design and living room remodel by Forward Design Build Remodel

The Difference Between Trim and Finish Carpentry

It might all sound the same, but at Forward Design Build Remodel, we believe that education empowers you to make the best choices for your remodel. As an added benefit, it makes it easier to discuss design choices. While home remodeling is on many minds, the details can sometimes be unclear.

Trim Carpentry

Trim carpentry refers to installing moldings and other millwork that covers transitions between different surfaces and materials in a building. It includes baseboards, door and window casings, crown moldings, and chair rails, all enhancing the look of a room.

Finish Carpentry

Finish carpentry (not to be confused with Finnish carpentry) goes a step further by encompassing the broader aspects of woodworking that bring a polished finish to a home's interior. This includes installing cabinets, shelving, other built-in furniture, and trim work. Many people utilize finish carpentry when upgrading their kitchens because of how necessary cabinets and built-ins are in kitchen remodels.

Choosing the Right Trim Style for Your Home

Your trim style helps define the style of your interior design. When selecting interior trim styles, consider your home's architectural style and the overall ambiance you want to create.

Matching the Original Trim Style

When remodeling a historic home that has a trim style you’d like to keep, it’s important to match it expertly like we did in this historic home remodel.

Trim versus Molding

Before we continue any further, we need to answer this pressing question to clear up any confusion.

Are trim and molding the same thing?

In the context of home construction, trim (also known as molding) refers to the variety of applied decorative elements used to cover transitions between surfaces.

Types of Trim Molding

While most of us are familiar with crown molding, there are multiple types of trim molding used in interior design. Knowing the different types of trim molding makes it easier to make the proper selection.

Base Molding

Baseboard molding, or base molding, is found where you might expect it - where the walls meet the floor. It serves multiple purposes: covering gaps between the floor and wall, protecting walls from damage by doors, vacuums, and furniture, and adding a decorative element.

Chair Rail

A chair rail serves both a decorative and functional purpose in a room. Its typically positioned around 36 inches from the floor, the placement of the chair rail should maintain a balanced look between the upper and lower segments of the wall. This type of interior trim molding enhances the room's style and protects walls from damage to furniture.

Crown Molding

Crown Molding is installed at the junction of the walls and ceiling. It adds a touch of sophistication and is often used in living rooms and dining rooms. Installation requires precision, especially when cutting the corners to fit perfectly.

Door Casings

Door casings come in three separate pieces (there's no bottom piece). While not a hard and fast design rule, door and window casings typically match in terms of style. Sometimes, to create a dramatic effect, door and window casings in the same family may be scaled differently. The type of doors you use will also determine which door casing is best for your home remodel.

Picture Rail

Nearing the ceiling, just below the crown molding, is the picture rail. Historically, in older homes, it was utilized to hang pictures, dishes, and other artwork without damaging plaster walls, which could not support nails or hangers effectively. Today, while it still serves its original purpose, it is also popular as a decorative element that visually divides the wall into horizontal sections.

Plate Rail

A plate rail, which does not always sit near the ceiling, acts as a display shelf for various objects. Its depth varies from slightly wider than a picture rail for smaller items to much deeper for accommodating larger pieces. The placement of a plate rail on the wall often dictates its depth, with wider rails typically positioned higher up to create a more pronounced display feature.

Wainscoting

The wainscoting area is below the chair rail and above the baseboard, which can be finished in various styles. Whether painted, wallpapered, or installed with panels such as simple wood, beadboard, raised, or horizontal boards, wainscoting adds a layer of sophistication. Wainscoting is especially popular in traditional settings like kitchens, dining rooms, and bathrooms, enhancing the interior trim style with its structured beauty.

Window Casing

Window casings typically comprise individual top, bottom, and side elements. Because each piece is separate, the trim can be intricately detailed and articulated. Casings can include a horizontal piece called a stool finished below with a second piece called an apron. A stool can be shallow or deep.

Crown Molding Installation Tips

Installing crown molding can be challenging due to the angles involved. Our number one recommendation for installing crown molding is to hire an experienced professional. Here’s an example of a talented member of our team installing crown molding for a client.

Let’s dig deeper into how Forward Design Build Remodel ensures a successful crown molding installation.

Measure Accurately: Our team of professionals understands the importance of measuring walls and corners precisely to determine the amount of molding we need and to plan our cuts.
Precise Cuts: Use a miter saw to cut the corners. Remember that the angles must be precise, and it often helps to make a few practice cuts on scrap pieces.
Coping Joints: Coping joints can provide a cleaner look than mitering for inside corners, especially if the walls are not perfectly square.

Finding Your Remodeling Partner

If you partner with Forward Design Build Remodel, we handle every aspect of the design-build process. The finish carpentry part of the design-build process focuses on installing trim, molding, and millwork—such as baseboards, door and window casings, and crown moldings. Also, it entails the installation of cabinets, built-ins, and other detailed woodwork that requires precise craftsmanship. At Forward Design Build Remodel, we work through every step of the process, ensuring that our dedication to detail and your choices are at the forefront of every step.

Contact Us

If you’re looking for an experienced Ann Arbor remodeler to upgrade your home, then Forward Design Build Remodel is the team for you.

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