|
What Kind Of
Moldings Do I Need?
Types of moldings will depend on what type
of installation you're dealing with. For
instance, a floor that will be sanded and
finished onsite generally does not come with
actual moldings. Often the installer will
cut the trim moldings from the actual
hardwood being used to a desired shape with
a table saw. Once the installer leaves it's
up to the floor finisher to smooth and shape
them. Stair nosing, baseboard and or quarter
round excluded.
Prefinished Floors
Nearly all major prefinished flooring
manufacturers provide color coordinated trim
moldings. Some may not
manufacturer their own, but passing off
their needs to a company that specializes in
trim moldings only. The illustrations below
are provided by Artistic Finishes whose
products can only be obtained through
flooring dealers. A complete list of
hardwood species can be seen at the bottom
of the page.
|
1
|
 |
|
|
Name: T-Molding |
|
General Uses: The molding
is used mostly between tiled
surfaces and wood floors. Also
used for connecting to existing
wood floors |
|
General Measurements:
|
|
|
|
Width: 2" |
|
Height: 5/8" |
|
Lengths: 78 inches |
|
|
2
|
 |
|
|
Name: Reducer, One Sided
Reducer, Flush Reducer |
|
General Uses: Used mostly
with floor coverings of lower
vertical heights such as vinyl,
or concrete. Sometimes used
around fireplaces and other
fixed objects while becoming
more of a design aspect than
anything. |
|
General Measurements:
|
|
|
|
Width: 2" |
|
Height: will vary with thickness
of flooring. |
|
Lengths: 78 inches |
|
|
3
|
 |
|
|
Name: Overlap Reducer |
|
General Uses: Used mostly
with floating floors to other
floor coverings with lower
vertical heights. Also used to
transition carpet and floating
floors. |
|
General Measurements:
|
|
|
|
Width: 2 1/4" |
|
Height: will vary with thickness
of flooring. |
|
Lengths: 78 inches |
|
|
4
|
 |
|
|
Name: Bi-level Reducer |
|
General Uses: Used for
transitioning solid 3/4"
hardwood floors to lower
vertical heights such as ceramic
tile. Can also be used with
carpeting. |
|
General Measurements:
|
|
|
|
Width: 2 1/4" |
|
Height: 3/4" |
|
Lengths: 78 inches |
|
|
5
|
 |
|
|
Name: Baby Threshold,
Threshold |
|
General Uses: Common uses
included at sliding door areas
where expansion is needed. Can
also be used to transition with
carpet. |
|
General Measurements:
|
|
|
|
Width: 2 1/8" |
|
Height: 7/8"- other heights
available. Bottom tab varies
with thickness. |
|
Lengths: 78 inches |
|
|
6
|
 |
|
|
Name: End Cap, Square
Nose |
|
General Uses: Similar
functions as a baby threshold
provides. |
|
General Measurements:
|
|
|
|
Width: 1 9/16" |
|
Height: 7/8" |
|
Lengths: 78 inches |
|
|
7
|
 |
|
|
Name: Overlap Stair
Nosing, Bull Nose |
|
General Uses: Used with
some floating floors on steps
and landing areas where
expansion areas is needed. |
|
General Measurements:
|
|
|
|
Width: 3 1/4" |
|
Height: 1"- other heights
available. |
|
Lengths: 78 inches |
|
|
8
|
 |
|
|
Name: Flush/Square edge
Stair Nosing, Bull Nose |
|
General Uses: Used for
transition when placing plank or
strip on stairs, landings or
step downs. |
|
General Measurements:
|
|
|
|
Width: 3 1/8" |
|
Height: 13/16"- will vary with
other floor thicknesses |
|
Lengths: 78 inches |
|
|
9
|
 |
|
|
Name: Quarter Round |
|
General Uses: Used
against baseboard, toe kicks,
and other fixed objects. |
|
General Measurements:
|
|
|
|
Width: 3/4" |
|
Height: 3/4" |
|
Lengths: 84 inches |
|
|
10
|
 |
|
|
Name: Shoe Molding |
|
General Uses: Similar
functions as quarter round
provides but has a less
pronounced appearance. |
|
General Measurements:
|
|
|
|
Width: 1/2" |
|
Height: 3/4" |
|
Lengths: 84 inches |
|
|
11
|
 |
|
|
Name: Wall Base,
Baseboard |
|
General Uses: Installed
on finished wall where expansion
space is needed. |
|
General Measurements:
|
|
|
|
Width: 7/16" |
|
Height: 3 1/2" |
|
Lengths: 84 inches |
|
General Notes
Not all prefinished manufactured products
offer all of the trim moldings above. More
common trim moldings offered are number
1,2,5, 8, and 9. While most trim moldings
are 78 inches in length, some products
manufactured outside
the USA will be longer.
Additionally all profile dimensions shown
above may vary. This should not to be used
as a definitive guide in how much you will
actually need.
Few manufacturers produce prefinished stair
treads and risers. Often the best
alternative is to purchase them and have
them stained and or finished on site.
Custom Moldings
Not happy with the shorter lengths offered
by many prefinished manufacturers? Some
moldings shown above can be duplicated with
the use of a table saw or shaper after one
obtains longer material. The only
disadvantage is matching the finish should
it be stained.
Installers
If you happen to be hunting for a hardwood
installer and should visit a job or two, pay
close attention to how the hardwood moldings
were installed. We're talking about
transition areas that may go from hardwood
to carpet or the actual quarter round or
shoe molding that is installed against the
baseboard. There's a lot you can learn about
an installer by looking at the finer parts
of the job and not just the floor from a
distance. |
