Trim Carpentry & Molding Types

trim carpentry on kitchen accent window

Make your home stand out from the rest with beautiful, decorative trim and molding! Acoustic Homes is here to help you increase your residence’s charm affordably – no matter where in or near Charlotte, NC you call home. Let us use our professional talents on your project today!

Our trim types can easily complement the interior decor of any room in your home. You can select from our several molding and trim techniques to turn your home into a masterpiece.

Trim Carpentry Types

Baseboard & quarter round

Baseboard & Shoe Molding

Shoe molding, also known as base shoe, can be paired with baseboard and painted to match your trim. This thin strip of molding will give your room a refined finish. We use shoe molding to add a decorative touch while filling gaps that may lie between the bottom of the baseboard and the floor.

Shoe molding can also be used to give a fine finish to baseboards. It is perfect for covering the seam where the baseboard meets the floor. The reason why it’s called shoe molding is that it is positioned at shoe level. It’s name caught on because of the impressive esthetics and how it worked to seal out insects and dirt.

We usually use shoe molding to conceal the unappealing transition between the lower end of a wall and the floor. While baseboard alone is also effective at covering the gap, its stiffness restricts it from conforming well to uneven floors. This results in small openings in the area where it meets the floor.

window door casing

Window-door casing

Window and door casings are located around the openings of windows and doors. These casings can perform dual roles. They can be decorative and practical at the same time. We use them to enhance the look of the door or window while also masking the transition between the wall and the jamb.

Door casings usually consist of three pieces. Two long pieces go on the side, while the third(head casing) goes on the top of the frame. Window and door casings are effective when it comes to setting the tone for a room.

Crown Molding

Crown molding is used to highlight the transition between a wall and the ceiling. This decorative trim is perfect for adding character to even the plainest rooms. Crown molding is king in the world of trims.

If you want to elevate a room’s stature, crown molding is the way to go. It cuts an impressive profile with its elegant curves and prominent angles, which has the effect of creating a cohesive and polished look for your rooms.

Crown molding dates back to the ancient Greeks. The only thing that has changed about it over time is the type of materials used. Initially, heavy stone was used, but now people gravitate more towards lighter materials, with wood being the most commonly used.

Chair Rail

Chair rail molding is perfect for adding a decorative touch of elegance to any space. Originally, chair rail molds were applied to dining rooms to protect walls from being damaged by chairs. Nowadays, it’s primarily utilized as a chic design feature.

Unlike its original purpose, which limits it to the dining room, today, a chair railing can be implemented in any space. We use it in combination with panel molds to add some dimension to otherwise dull walls. It’s also perfect for delineating changes in wall colors or coverings.

Adding chair rail molding to a space adds style and boosts the value of your home significantly. A lot of real estate agents list chair rail among the top ten most desired home features.

Wainscot

Wainscoting is a brilliant feature that allows you to add a fresh new look to any space in your house. If you choose quality products and hire professionals to do the job, you will get an enhanced aesthetic that has the potential to add value to your home.

Wainscoting is a type of wood paneling that comes in a variety of styles. Typically, this paneling is installed in the lower region of the walls of a room. Sometimes, it can also be installed on ceilings. Some designers prefer having wainscoting with the same color and the walls. In some instances, it can be painted with a complementary color depending on the desired outcome.

The key purpose of wainscoting is to protect walls from damage caused by foot marks and scuffs. It is also used to prevent the occurrence of dents caused by door handles banging into the wall. Some designers use it for purely decorative purposes.

Beadboard

This is a style of wood paneling that features long, continuous vertical grooves and raised beads. The beads and grooves are usually an inch or two apart. Beadboard is generally employed as a protective measure, but it’s also quite effective for adding visual interest. This form of paneling tends to be quite durable, and you can install it at any height you prefer.

Beadboard features thin vertical boards capped off by strips of horizontal molding. It is pretty similar to a chair rail in some aspects. However, with beadboard, there is a small indention between each board, which is what’s referred to as the bead.

Trim Styles

Farmhouse Trim

Farmhouse Style

Farmhouse-style trims can give your home a retro but cozy feel. This is a timeless style that features clean lines and there is usually no ornamentation on the boards. To match the overall theme of your home, you can stain and apply a dark color to farmhouse-style casings.

Craftsman Style

Craftsman-type casings are a traditional form of door casings that deliver minimalistic yet visually appealing details that can add purposeful style to your home. These are some of the signature elements of British arts and crafts.

Handcrafted pieces of craftsman-style door casings are good for complementing indoor design elements. If you wish to add some depth and texture to your craftsman-style casings, you can stain or paint them with a dark color.

Modern Trim Style

Minimal Style

This type of trim is when used on doors delivering a clean finish that doesn’t overwhelm your space. It will be perfect for you if you are looking for a modern decor style. You can also use it in informal areas and contemporary spaces to add a sophisticated feel.

Classic Colonial Style

For a combination of timeless minimalism and rich detail, Colonial-style door casings are a perfect choice. You will often find them with elegant, simple beads and curves in their design. This will be the ideal choice if you want to add some femininity and volume in a low ceiling room.

Molding Tips & FAQ

When installing your trim, it’s advisable to hire professional carpenters so you can get the best possible outcome. Additionally, hiring a professional will save you money in the long run. They have years of experience working on similar projects; hence they will identify any possible problems before they occur.

This also goes for the choice of material; you must consult your carpenter to ensure that you get the highest quality possible.

Is there a difference between molding and trim?

Trim is a general term that is used to describe casings, baseboards, and all forms of molding. In fact, you can use most of these words interchangeably! In a way, they all mean the same thing.

Which is a better choice: MDF or solid wood molding?

While many types of materials can be used for molding, MDF is a very popular choice. This is because it’s quite easy to work with and very affordable as compared to solid wood. Apart from that, MDF is also easy to bend, which means you can use it on walls that are not evenly flat. However, solid wood also has its advantages. Some designers find it quite easy to work with. At the end of the day, there is no wrong choice. You just have to choose what works best for you.

Whether you are looking to renovate your entire home, fix up a small space, or a single room, Acoustic Homes is here to help! With us on your team, you won’t need to spend countless hours looking at the thousands of molding options and materials available out there. We will help you make the best choices and get the best outcome possible.

Our team has more than 15 years of experience working with molding and trim installation. We currently serve the residential market in Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas. If you want a job done right the first time, get in touch with us today. You can submit the contact form on our website, email us, or call us at (980) 425-6595. We would love to hear from you.