Kinds Of Molding

Crown Molding

• Crown molding is flat, inexpensive decorative wood or vinyl attached to the top of the wall where it meets the ceiling. A take-off of Roman plaster architecture, according to Charles Wardell of "This Old House Magazine," crown molding comes in a variety of styles, ranging from simplistic to ornate. Stack different styles of crow molding on top of each other to create a compound molding effect.

Cove Molding

• Cove molding is similar to crown molding in that it's typically an inexpensive wood or vinyl attached where the wall and ceiling meet. Cove molding differs from its crown counterpart in its concave shape and how it's attached. Crown molding attaches flat to the wall with the top of the molding installed snug against the ceiling. The bottom edge of cove molding attaches to the wall while the top edge attaches to the ceiling, leaving a gap.

Panel Molding

• Panel molding is made up of thin strips, typically made of wood or vinyl. Frequently used to create decorative boxes or panels on walls, panel molding ranges in size from approximately 1/2 inch to 1 inch in thickness. Use panel molding to create detail on doors or cabinets. Outline a favorite piece of art and enhance its frame with panel molding, or paint the inside of the panel molding a different paint color than the outside to create a focal point.

Chair Rail

• A chair rail, which is molding applied to the wall between 24 and 48 inches from the ground, is designed to provide a barrier between chairs and the wall surface. Typically made of wood or vinyl, this type of molding can be combined with panel molding to make a more ornate design. Chair rail moldings are often found at the top of wainscoting, creating a cap or finished edge treatment.