34 Common Types of Molding / Trim


The term molding is generally used to describe sawed timber that has been dressed or planed on all four sides.

Molding commonly involves adding profile to at least one side of a piece of timber.

In trade however, pieces that do not have any profile, but have been planed on all four sides (S4S) are also classified as moldings.

Common Types of Molding and Their Usage

Astragal, Flat

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Attached to one of a pair of doors to keep the other from swinging through the opening. It is also used for decorative purposes.

Astragal, T

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

An astragal, T-like in shape, which is rabbeted to the approximate thickness of the swinging door.

Back Bands

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

A rabbeted molding used to surround the outside edge of casing.

Base Caps

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

A decorative member installed flush against wall and the top of an S4S Baseboard. Also a versatile Panel Molding.

Base Moldings

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Applied where floor and walls meet, forming a visual foundation. Protects wall from kicks, bumps, furniture, etc. Base may be referred to as One, Two or Three-Member. Base Shoe and Base Cap are used to conceal uneven floor and wall junctions.

Base Shoes

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Applied where Base Molding meets floor. Protects Base from damage. Conceal uneven lines or cracks where base meets floor.

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Battens

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

A symmetrical pattern used to conceal the line where two parallel boards or panels meet.

Bed Moldings

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Used where walls and ceiling meet. Either sprung or plain.

Brick Moldings

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Used as an exterior door and window casing. A thick molding provides a surface for brick or other siding to butt against.

Casing

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Used to trim inside and outside door and window openings.

Chair rails

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Interior Molding applied about one third up from the floor, paralleling Base Molding and encircling the room. Originally used to prevent chairs from marring walls. Used today as a key decorative detail in traditional and colonial design.

Chamfer Strips

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Used in highway and dam construction forms, making a chamfered edge at concrete corners. Also used where kitchen cabinet tops meet the wall. Also used as a linoleum cove (under linoleum where it extends up to the wall).

Corner Guards

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Outside (OS) Corner Guard is used to protect corners or to cover ragged edge where wall covering and painted surfaces meet at outside corner.

Cove Moldings

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Concave profile. Used at corners, particularly as ceiling cornice. Small coves may be used as an Inside Corner Guard.

Crown Moldings

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Crown Moldings are used where walls and ceiling meet. It is also used to cover large angles. Always sprung.

Drip Caps

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Applied over exterior window and door frames. Keeps water from seeping under the siding. Also directs water away from window glass.

Glass Beads

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Glass Beads are used to hold glass beads in place. Other names includes Glass Stop, Cove and Bead, Putty Bead, Glazing Bead and Staff Bead.

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Half Rounds

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

May be used as a Screen Molding or Bead Shelf Edge or Panel Molding.

Hand Rails

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Used as a hand support in a stairwell.

Inside Corner

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Joins two walls at inside corner. Solves the problem of uneven joints where butted panels, wall paper, painted or contrasting surfaces meet. Gives corners a decorative finished look.

Lattice

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Originally used in trellis work. This small, plain S4S Molding is the most versatile of all profiles.

Mullion Casing

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

The strip which is applied over window jamb edges in a multiple opening window. It is sometimes called a Panel Strip. Mullion Casing is also used for decorative wall treatments.

Panel Moldings

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Originally used to trim out raised panel wall construction. It is now used to frame attractive wall coverings for a panel effect.

Picture Moldings

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

It is used to support hooks for picture hanging. Applied around a room circumference near the ceiling line.

Ply Cap Moldings

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Trims out the upper edge or top of a wainscot.Covers plywood’s rough sandwich edge in installations where it’s exposed to view. It is also called a Dado Cap.

Quarter Rounds

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

May be used as a Base Shoe, Inside Corner Molding or cover any 90º recessed juncture.

Rounds

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Rounds are often used as a closet pole or room divider.

S4S Stock

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Used in cabinets, framing for shelves or other utilitarian uses. It is also used as a baluster for supporting stair handrails.

Shelf Cleat

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Commonly used in closets, cabinets and bookcases to support the shelves. It is also known as Shelf Strip.

Shelf Edge

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Covers seam where screening is fastened to the screen frame. Also covers particle or flake board shelf edges.

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Shingles Moldings

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

May be used in ways similar to Panel Molding. It is originally used on a rake of a building or around exterior window frames.

Stools

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

A molded interior trim member serving as a sash or window frame still cap. Stools may be “beveled-rabbated” or “rabbated” to receive the window-frame sill or “non-rabbated”. Stools include a tongue to fit in the groove of a window frame still.

Stops

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

In a door trim, stop is nailed to the faces of the door frame to prevent the door from swinging through. As a window trim, stop holds the bottom sash of a double-hung window in place. Also used as an apron under window stools.

Squares

34 Common Types of Molding / Trim

Same basic used as S4S Stock.

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