On location at the project house, Robert Adam from the North Bennet Street School demonstrates the tools and techniques used to handcraft reproduction moldings. Using a millwork profile found in the Winslow Crocker House, Adam uses a selection of antique hand tools to recreate the molding using century-old techniques.

Bob explains that the house being remodeled was built in 1921 and has never had a real facelift on the exterior. As a consequence, the home's trim, porch ceiling, decking, and windows were all in need of repair. Bob points out the oriel window's exterior frame that has allowed cold air into the home. To fix this problem, local carpenters were called in to tear it apart, insulate, and restructure it. Forester Molding & Lumber was then brought in to replace the 85-year-old trim. Bill Hopkins from Forester Molding & Lumber reviews how old house moldings cannot be found in lumberyards and must be replicated. Hopkins uses a needle gauge to trace the profile of the trim. The needle gauge is then placed on a piece of graph paper and traced. The profile is then used to search for available matches in the Forester catalog. If there is no match, the trim is scanned into the computer and a specialized knife is cut. The knife is then used in the machine to rip the molding.

Bob walks through the interior noting the reproduction bed molding, door molding, and rosettes that match the original moldings in this Queen Anne style home. With the kitchen cabinets and island complete, it's time to turn to lighting fixtures. bed molding, dining area, rosettes, island unit complete with paneling

Steve Roth from Style Solutions shows Bob the crown molding being used in the Modular Mountain Retreat project house. The EPS (extruded polystyrene) moldings are easier to install than traditional wood offerings as they are a generally a single piece. (Ornate wood crown molding is often comprised of multiple profiles joined together.) The EPS moldings are comparable in cost to wood and can be screwed and glued to the wall and each other like wood. But unlike wood homeowners can generally order preformed corners instead of having to miter them on site reducing the time and expertise needed to complete the installation.

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Crown molding adds a touch of elegance to a room…
…calculate the number of linear feet of crown molding you will need to complete the job. Add…
…method The two most important tools for crown molding installation are an accurate protractor…

…I may have to hire out for. For complete instructions on installing and cutting crown molding, check out our Step by Step How To Video on installing crown molding. We even have a text reference with pictures to follow along, step by step in…

Crown molding can do wonders for the character of a…
…this 4-inch plastic crown from Easy Crown Molding, look just like real wood when installed. Photo courtesy of Easy Crown Molding. Many synthetic molding products…

…with a house and garden. While Ryley is installing crown molding in the den, Anderson McQuaid Hardwoods is visited where the crown molding was milled. A second visit to Columbus, Ohio is made…