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SKILL SET
BASIC TRAINING FOR TRIM
DIY FUNDAMENTALS FOR TRIM AND MOLDING
By Carter Swift
Trimming out a room is a popular project for homeowners who want to accent lackluster ceilings, walls or windows. Along with traditional baseboards, chair rails, casings and crown moldings, a homeowner can consider options such as fireplace mantels, ceiling medallions, exterior enhancements and more. Although a trim carpenter knows all the tricks of the trade, a DIY’er can accomplish a basic installation using the right tools, attention to detail, and a little advance research. MATERIAL OPTIONS For interior trimwork, home-improvers have many options in materials. MDF (medium-density fiberboard) is often the material of choice for DIY’ers because it’s less expensive than solid wood, it lays straight, resists warping, is easy to cut and simple to fasten. It’s usually available in long runs of
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Home Improvement and Repairs | The Late Summer Issue
trim with no visible joints. However, due to the nature of MDF, you won’t find some of the same crisp profiles as real wood, plus the edges are relatively delicate, so it might not be the best choice for high-traffic areas which are more susceptible to damage. Furthermore, water absorption (from prolonged exposure to a wet bathroom floor, for example) can cause MDF to swell and ruin. Trim products made from finger-jointed wood present another tried-and-true alternative. This type of trim is widely used because it doesn’t have knots and imperfections like solid wood pieces can have. Most home centers sell both MDF and finger-jointed trim pieces in factory-primed standard lengths. An experienced carpenter can also fashion unique moldings made from solid woods, such as pine, poplar and maple. One advantage of solid wood is that it can be stained instead of painted to reveal the natural grain.
