All about moldings

Today there are many products for decorating rooms and interior compositions. These products include modern molding models. Such decorative items are very popular, therefore they are found in almost every home. In today's article, we will learn all the fun about quality moldings.

Before you understand in detail all the features of moldings, it is advisable to find out what it is. A molding is called a special profile strip, which can perform many different functions in the interior. Very good frames, plinths, platbands, decorative longitudinal or vertical details are obtained from moldings. In modern interior compositions, the elements in question are used with an enviable frequency.

With their help, it is possible to solve the following issues:

• moldings are perfect for decorating a doorway (while the door leaf may or may not be present in the opening);
• the things in question are often used as decorative inserts;
• molding can serve to decorate the transition from one surface to another;
• by means of moldings it is possible to easily mask irregularities on different bases;
• with the help of moldings, you can visually expand the space, even if we are talking about a very small room.

Molding, like any other decorative or functional detail in the interior, has its own advantages and disadvantages. Before choosing suitable types of planks, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the first and the second. First, let's outline the main advantages of modern moldings.

• One of the main advantages of the products under consideration is their ease of installation. Moldings are installed quickly and easily, and do not require a lot of labor.
• With the help of modern high-quality moldings, you can effectively decorate all sorts of small gaps between the wall bases, ceiling, floor.
• High-quality and attractive moldings create the visual feeling of one base flowing smoothly into another. For example, walls flow into the ceiling or floor. As a result, the space looks like a single whole, without obvious divisions.
• With the help of moldings, you can emphasize the bright individuality of the owners of the home. The fact is that such products are presented in a huge assortment, so everyone can choose both classic and original decorative strips for the interior.
• Moldings allow you to easily and effectively expand or lengthen the space where they are installed. This is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to visually adjust rooms.
• Almost all skirting boards have special holes that effectively hide various communication systems and kilometers of unattractive wires.
• Using a decorative strip, you can aesthetically "sew up" a curtain rod or even a sliding wardrobe, a kitchen set, making a kind of "crown".
• Moldings can be attached to almost any backing.It can be paint, putty, plaster, drywall, and wallpaper. On all the listed bases, the planks can be held reliably and efficiently.
• The lion's share of current decorative strips is distinguished by the fact that mold does not appear on them. In addition, such products are able to easily resist fungi.
• Good quality vertical or horizontal planks are moisture resistant, especially if they are made of practical plastic.
• Often considered details are used to effectively divide and zoning the available space. With their help, you can also focus on certain details, for example, highlighting the picture with moldings.
• High-quality types of moldings can withstand the effects of a wide variety of temperatures: from -60 to +80 degrees Celsius.
• The decorative strips are not subject to decay.
• The moldings are characterized by very low weight. Due to this, they do not create a tangible load on the walls and ceiling in the room.
• Modern models of moldings are presented in a rich assortment. Products are made from different materials and have different external designs. Thanks to this, each buyer can easily find the perfect product for his home.
• As a rule, modern decorative strips attract buyers with affordable prices. On sale you can find budget and simple options, but if you wish, it is possible to pick up something brighter and more expensive.
• Modern types of decorative moldings are made from practical and durable materials that can last for many years. Really high-quality options do not contain hazardous or toxic substances that emit unpleasant odors.
• One cannot but mention the external aesthetics of decorative strips that have been produced recently. With such components, any interiors become more neat, tidy and stylish.

Despite the long list of advantages, moldings are not without certain disadvantages. Let's mark the most important of them.

• Moldings, like modern skirting boards, constantly attract and accumulate a lot of dust on their surface. Because of this, the owners have to regularly wipe them, monitor the degree of cleanliness. Especially a lot of trouble is caused by those moldings that are characterized by a large width.
• Recently, home interior designers are increasingly moving away from moldings once thought to be perfect for Scandinavian style and minimalism.
• As mentioned above, the planks are environmentally friendly and safe. First of all, this applies to models made of natural wood or other similar materials. Such products are of amazing quality, but they are many times more expensive than standard plastic ones.
• When installing the planks, one must remember that they are not designed for significant mechanical stress and stress. For example, plastic and polyurethane products can be easily broken, so be careful when handling them.
• It should be borne in mind that some types of moldings are afraid of exposure to open flames and, when burned, can release toxic substances into the surrounding atmosphere.

There are many different types of moldings sold in stores today. Such products are classified according to the material from which they are made. Planks can be made from both natural and artificial components. Let's get acquainted with the main features and distinctive characteristics of the most common specimens.

Decorative panels can be made from natural materials. For example, the most popular and high-quality models are made of wood. Previously, wooden products were often used. They made beautiful skirting boards, platbands, as well as individual decorative elements. Currently, such products are purchased on rare occasions. People are more likely to buy plastic rather than wooden moldings. True, they are still widely purchased for baths and saunas.

In bath spaces, wooden moldings are installed, paying tribute to long-term traditions. Usually, the walls inside the premises are sheathed with clapboard, and the corner spaces - with moldings. Attaching a ceiling or floor to a wall can also be done with components made of wood. In addition, the adjacent areas of the bath shelves look very neat if they are supplemented with moldings. If you want to buy a guide strip made of natural material, it is recommended to give preference to the so-called Euro skirting board. This element is made of wood and has absolutely no knots. It is produced by gluing large pieces of wood.

Gypsum models of moldings can be classified as natural, since stucco is a natural mineral from the sulfate class. Modern plaster moldings are presented in a very rich assortment. They can be of any shape, size and color. The perfect piece can be easily selected for almost any interior and setting. As a rule, gypsum moldings are combined into one large system, in which both the strips themselves and the corner pieces (internal and external) are provided. In some cases, such systems include neat curves or curves. When purchasing plaster products, it is recommended to immediately select complete sets, so that later there will be no problems with the joining of individual components.

The most durable and durable are metal models of moldings. Such products are most often used to decorate various furniture structures, for example, cabinets, tables, kitchen furniture items. Much less often, the products in question can be seen in the design of wall bases. But for the floor, metal moldings are often used. Typically, these elements, fixed to the floor, serve as docking or boundary strips for linoleum.

In most cases, metal models of strips are made from sheet aluminum. This material does not corrode and can be easily cut. Furniture models of moldings are usually installed using the glue inlay technique in grooves specially prepared for this. They are equipped with a special shelf, through which the fastening takes place. The metal floor moldings are fixed using decorative screws. Such fasteners can be matched to the color of the main elements, but most often all these components are sold in one set. Sturdy metal strips can be complemented with a beautiful finish: anodized or polymer.

Moldings made of artificial materials are widespread. So, the most popular and demanded are plastic copies. They are characterized by a flexible type of construction. The specified class of planks is the most diverse. In addition to flexible ones, here you can pick up more rigid options for parts that are not designed for even minimal bending.Plastic moldings are usually used not only when decorating walls, but also when working with a ceiling or floor.

The products in question are most often provided in several categories:

• non-foamed polyurethane;
• moldings for PVC panels;
• floor skirting boards;
• various decorative and functional moldings.

Those models that are made of non-foamed polyurethane have a rubber additive. As a result, the material is soft and flexible. With the help of products from such components, you can effectively design an arched base or curved elements. In addition, for PVC panels, individual types of moldings are produced today. They are divided into several types:

• finishing strips;
• corners;
• skirting boards;
• fastening strips.

If you don't want to buy plastic, you can pick up the foam types of slats. It should be noted that those products in the production of which foam is used are the cheapest. They are characterized by a slightly loose surface. This suggests that foam panels were originally designed for further application of paint or putty. Usually, the varieties in question are attached to the bases with glue.

It is worth paying attention to duropolymer models. For the first time, the Belgian company Orac Decor began supplying duropolymer moldings. These types of planks quickly gained popularity because of their impact and wear resistance, are environmentally friendly and safe. Duroplast moldings do not emit extraneous odors at all, they can boast of increased resistance to moisture. Installation of the products in question is extremely simple and quick.

In stores where everything for construction and repair work is sold, many models of moldings are presented, differing from each other not only in materials, but also in sizes and shapes. This allows customers to easily find the right products for almost any substrate, regardless of their structure. So, a modern model of a decorative strip can have a U-shaped, angular or wider shape. There are different options for different substrates and surfaces. Curved, rounded designs exist for custom foundations. Today, these types of moldings can be purchased as a set or in a single copy.

The design execution of the decor items under consideration can be either minimalistic and standard, or very bright, original. We will find out which design options for modern moldings are the most popular and attractive.

• Options complemented by backlighting will be in demand. Such details effectively decorate the interior, make the space visually more spacious and modern.

• The moldings, decorated with plant images and embossed surfaces, look interesting and rich. These types of products harmoniously fit into pretentious settings, for example, in the baroque style.

• Products can be made from inexpensive material, but have a wood-like surface. Such copies will cost less, but they will look attractive in a variety of settings.

• The classic is the white look of the moldings. Such specimens look good in almost all interior compositions. The only exceptions are pretentious, rustic and retro-type directions.

• The moldings, complemented by gold or standard snow-white stucco moldings, look spectacular and expensive. It is advisable to purchase these options only for very rich and luxurious interiors.

• The most simple strips that do not have pronounced relief patterns will harmoniously fit into many discreet settings. Such products can be safely bought for the Provence style.

Consider where you can place well-chosen decorative strips made of high-quality materials.

• The panels can be used to decorate the ceiling in the room. Here, the corner element in the joint area between the wall and ceiling base turns out to be especially relevant.
• On the ceiling, you can safely install several decorative elements at once. For example, it can be moldings with different widths, but with similar decor and relief. They are allowed to be fixed, keeping them at a short distance from each other. In the corners, decor in the form of curls or patterned inserts looks good.
• Through moldings on the same ceiling, you can lay out whole original ornaments.
• On walls, moldings are often installed to fill them with individual finishing materials. Previously, tapestries or luxurious textiles were placed in such frames. Today, more expensive types of finishes are used.
• You can install a decorative frame over the door leaf in the opening.
• With the help of slats, you can make the ceiling visually higher in any room: in the living room, bedroom, dining room, and so on. For this, the panels are fixed at certain intervals. At the same time, you can create whole patterns from them.
• The products in question are also suitable for the bathroom. Only in this room should you buy high-quality waterproof parts. Here, most often, moldings are installed to mask defects in wall surfaces.

We will find out how decorative strips of different types can be fixed on certain bases.

• By means of adhesives, light types of planks can be attached. This applies to foam and polyurethane foam options.
• Rare models made of natural wood on the adhesive composition will not be reliably held, therefore they are often fixed with self-tapping screws and nails. However, the hats of the fasteners will need to be masked later if they stand out from the general background.
• Gypsum moldings have an impressive mass, so they must be attached using a polyurethane adhesive solution or an additional gypsum solution.

With snow-white moldings on pale gray walls, large frames with horizontal division can be depicted. Against such a background, furniture with dark outlines and black platbands of a white door will look especially impressive.

Brass or other shiny moldings will look great on milky and beige walls in a luxurious, artsy interior.

If white moldings are installed on the same white walls, all other details in the interior will have to contrast against a similar background. You can use black tables, mirrors with a black frame, dark ash lamps. At the same time, the material should be laid on the floor in a brown shade, but not too dark.

The following video will tell you how to properly mount molding in the interior.