About Moldings
Over the decades, I have found the one major thing that distinguishes exceptional houses from the plain and ordinary: the moldings. When I first started remodeling and building in the early 1970’s, door and window casings were either clamshell (ranch) or colonial, in either 2 1/2″ or 3 1/2″ widths. Occasionally, a few outstanding architects like Royal Barry Wills would design and specify their own moldings for higher end homes, but it was unusual. Some builders would use simple square edge pine, but that was about it. On cheaper or tract housing, everyone used the horrible “hollow core Lauan” doors, which cost less than ten bucks, and could be smashed through with a fist, when someone lost their temper. A few steps up the ladder of quality were solid core doors, and yet higher were 6 panel pine doors.
Of course, the manufacturers will always figure out new ways to make cheaper garbage, so along came one of the worst: moldings made from finger jointed wood. Using finger jointed wood on the exterior is insanity. Sure, a builder can save a lot of money by using say, finger jointed sills rather than solid pine, but it doesn’t last. It will last longer if one religiously keeps a coat of paint on it, but it will still disintegrate in time. A good compromise is to use a lesser grade of pine than C-select, which is usually what all the millwork companies offer. Even if a knot or two open, it’s preferable to the tiny pieces of wood used to make up the finger jointed product, that inevitably begin to separate. I have avoided selling this product like the plague.
For six panel doors, they came up with “Radiata Pine” from Australia, which is much cheaper than Eastern White Pine; however, the wild grain makes the doors look like they were built out of fir plywood. Staining this wood creates an even worse look, and if you are going to paint it, you should use the solid core, molded 6 panel “Colonist” door instead. Anyway, our customers demand quality and distinctive millwork, and we provide it! We created and supplied all the millwork for the boutique hotel XV Beacon in Boston, including their 4,000-bottle wine cellar. We crafted a 25 foot long period dining table for the owner of a Newport mansion. We did the reception area for a new Manhattan skyscraper, and a Madison Ave. storefront; the list goes on. Each of these projects stand out for their distinctive craftsmanship and design.
Whatever project you are contemplating, you can set it apart from the usual, by using our custom moldings. We have over 350 sets of knives in our shop and can cut knives to match any profile you or your designer may specify. In any species! Unlike the mass producers, you will find no “skip” or “chatter” on our custom moldings, and the prices are often not that much greater than stock profiles. Check out the moulding catalog we have on our website to learn more about what we have in stock. Or let us quote you, and provide the design and quality that will satisfy your most demanding customers.