Choosing Wood Trim Molding for Do it Yourselfers

Installing decorative trim molding is one of the quickest and easiest ways to improve the appearance of a room. Build custom moldings for chair rails, baseboards, door and window frames using many of the commonly available molding profiles on this page in combination with 1by finish lumber.

Some custom trim molding ideas include baseboards like the one pictured, door and window casings using cove, half round or stop bead and chair rails using half round. Build crown moldings using decorative stop bead and simple square molding to embellish standard crown profiles. Install the crown molding first and then add the smaller moldings directly on the walls or ceiling caulking between the seams.

Most of these wood trim moldings are available in several sizes. Check your local supplier for availability. The size needed can probably be ordered if not in stock.

Base Cap: To build a baseboard use base cap molding to trim the top of a simple 1x6. Use shoe molding, pictured below, to trim the floor.

Baseboard: A decorative edge is cut in the top of one piece baseboards. These are quick and easy to install. For a more authentic look use a 1x6 and the base cap above to build a baseboard. Always build the baseboard for an old house to maintain distinct architecture.

Cases: Used to cover jambs and trim doors and windows. Several one–piece moldings are available or a unique casing can be created using two or more different moldings.

Chair Rail: Used to protect a wall from scratches caused by chairs placed too close. This molding is usually used in dining rooms where wall scratches from chairs are a common problem. This is another molding that is available in a one–piece style, or it can be built using two or more separate pieces of decorative molding.

Corner Bead: Used to protect wall corners preventing plaster chipping at vulnerable edges. Also used to finish outside corners when installing paneling.

Cove Molding: Used to fit into the right angle between walls and ceilings as well as many 90° angles in woodworking projects. This molding in combination with corner bead molding can be used to finish corners when installing wall materials such as paneling.

Crown Molding: Used to fit into the right angle formed between walls and ceilings. One–piece crown moldings can be used or a combination of moldings can be used to created ornate crown moldings. For more on crown molding see Installing Crown Molding.

Half Round: Used to finish edges on plywood and other sheet goods. Also use this molding to build custom moldings for crown and chairrail.

Picture Rail: Used to hang artwork. These moldings were used extensively in older houses to protect plaster walls that would be easily damaged with picture hooks or nails.

Quarter Round: Used for inside corners on paneled walls and sometimes as shoe molding to trim a baseboard. Specially milled shoe molding is cut with one edge a bit smaller the the other for a more attractive finish. Install the molding with the short side against the floor.

Stop Bead: Used at the stop point for a swinging door or a window sash. Also use a decortive stop bead to enhance crown molding, chairrails, door and window casings.

Threshold Saddle: Use this molding to cover rough flooring when installing a new interior door. Also handy for a transition between wood and carpet or tile floors. Cut a shallow rabbet along one edge if there is a difference in floor height.