Interior Finsihing
Interior Finsihing
Interior Finsihing
Metrie
3500 1055 Dunsmuir Street, Box 49100
Vancouver, BC V7X 1H3
Tel: (604) 630-3251
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.metrie.com
START
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Description: Provides an overview of Interior Finishings, with discussions on the variety of trim types,
profiles, and substrates, and how to select finishings that achieve the desired function
and design style.
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Purpose: Provides an overview of Interior Finishings, with discussions on the variety of trim
types, profiles, and substrates, and how to select finishings that achieve the desired
function and design style.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this program, participants will be able to:
identify products that make up the category of Interior Finishings.
integrate finishings into the overall design process.
identify basic trim profiles available today for residential homes, and recognize their
decorative possibilities and key functional features.
select from the wide range of wood and composite substrates available for trim, and
compare their differences and strengths.
perform basic materials calculations for trim needs in a room, and.
recognize the value of selecting Interior Finishings at the beginning of the design
process.
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Table of Contents
Summary 102
As a design professional, you can help your customer put together the most effective
designs by helping them choose the right Interior Finishings at the beginning of the design
process. This course will familiarize you with this critical piece of the design of any room in
the housetrim!
Well begin with an introduction to Interior Finishings. This home dcor category is often not
top-of-mind with consumers when renovating or redecorating their homes, but finishings
have a significant impact on the overall look of the home and the success of your design
project.
Interior Finishings include trim, wall treatments, interior doors, posts and columns, stairway
systems, and ceiling treatments.
As diverse as this category of products may be, they have at least three important things in
common.
Stairway
Systems
Second, they are
usually non-
structural elements
of the home that
are decorative but
that often also have
a functional
purpose.
The functional purpose is to hide gaps between walls and floors, around doors and
windows, and where walls meet ceilings.
Interior doors cover openings and keep noise and drafts out.
Wall treatments and ceiling treatments add decorative elements but can also be used to
control sound in a space.
Posts and columns may function to support something above but can also be a highly
decorative addition to a room.
Stairway systems are the most functional category of Interior Finishings, being elements
that when put together, provide safe passage between floors.
Function plays an important role and should not be eliminated without a viable alternative.
And thirdly, Interior Finishings are difficult for homeowners to select, purchase, and
installand that makes the role of the design professional very, very critical!
Designer Tip
Remember to take a moment to note the designer tips for helpful information.
Aesthetics
Trim
Ceiling Treatments
Wall Treatments
Stairway Systems
Stairway systems are all the products and components used to produce a stairway. The
majority of these components are structural as well as decorative. Like other finishings in
the home, stairways should reflect the overall design composition of the room.
Typical components include stair treads, stair risers, balusters, spindles, handrails, newel
posts, newel caps, and stringers. Trim such as rosettes or panel moulding can effectively
enhance stairway systems.
Interior Doors
Interior doors cover interior openings between rooms or areas, and can greatly impact the
design style of a room. They are available in a variety of materials such as wood, MDF,
metal, glass, and plastic, and can be installed in an opening with hinges, sliders, or pivots.
Posts and columns can be structural as well as decorative. They should coordinate with the
overall style of the room and with the other Interior Finishings.
A column is an upright pillar or post that can be structural or purely decorative, consisting
of a base, a shaft, and a capital. A half-column against a wall is called a pilaster.
Adding detail to any of these parts can produce a variety of decorative looks. For example,
the shaft can be left plain, or it can be fluted. It can also be round or square. The capital
can be a simple crown moulding or can be decoratively carved. Even making the base
square or round changes the feel of the column.
Interior Finishings
Review
Now that we have introduced you to the elements that make up Interior Finishings, lets
take a look at your important role as the design professional in integrating finishings into
the design process.
Interior Finishings can elevate a room much more cost effectively than most other home
dcor elements, including furniture, cabinetry and countertops, and accessories. And, they
can have a greater impact on the overall look of the space and contribute greatly to the
flow of design from one room to the next.
You are the most qualified person to specify the correct Interior Finishings for a room
because of your big picture view. As well, Interior Finishings are difficult to select, source,
and install for most homeowners, with very little education available for consumers or
designers alike. Design professionals are well-positioned to demonstrate high value to their
clients with an in-depth knowledge of Interior Finishings.
Consumers often know what they like, but they dont know how to achieve itparticularly
with Interior Finishings.
The best time to start thinking about Interior Finishings in the overall design process is right
at the beginning, when the feel of the room is being decided. The trim chosen can set the
scene and truly define the style of the room.
Again, like the set designer, the furniture or props, and actors and costumes, are
secondary to the design of the set!
Challenges
Opportunities
As companies start to market and revamp this category of products, design professionals
in the know will increasingly be in demand to support consumers.
Design professionals work with clients on projects to develop the overall feel of the space.
The Interior Finishings set the tone for the final room, and it is imperative that the designer
be involved in these choices.
The design professional is the person best equipped to specify the permanent interior
finishes that will be installed in the space.
The design professional knows if an element will or will not work in the room.
Design professionals are constantly being inspired and can develop new ideas into the
whole design.
Design professionals think of the flow from room to room, and Interior Finishings are
critical to that achievement.
Without the design professionals attention to the details of the Interior Finishings, the final
look of the room can be negatively impacted.
Review
With the knowledge of the important role you as a design professional play in integrating
Interior Finishings into the design process, lets move on to the design decisions you will
have to make with your customers that are critical to the process.
Product selection, integration of products with other elements in the space, and design
talent is what it takes to work effectively to achieve an amazing space! What does this
mean for areas of knowledge design professionals need to develop?
Product Selection.
A design professional can learn to sort through the chaos of choice to specify the
appropriate materials for the space, be it stained or painted trim. Design professionals are
knowledgeable in the principle of proportion in design, and can specify the correct sizes of
trim.
Product Integration.
The design professional is able to choose the correct types of products to be installed in
the room to complete the space, and understands that a bead board wainscot has a
different effect from a panel moulded wainscot.
Product Creativity.
The design professional has chosen a creative field of work and is capable of producing
signature looks in Interior Finishings. The use of build-ups, layering, custom stains, and
paint techniques can produce that one-of-a-kind room. Learning more about Interior
Finishings and how they integrate with other elements in the room like paint and
furnishings will make a designed space truly special.
As a design professional, its important to know how to make certain critical design
decisions when working with Interior Finishings. Since they are fixed elements in the room,
making an error with Interior Finishings can be hard to change and costly to correct!
Lets take a look at some critical things to know in learning about Interior Finishings,
including how to avoid problems by making Interior Finishings decisions early in the design
process.
DESIGNER TIP: Informing all of your suppliers is the best way to avoid
mistakes. Make it part of your sub-trade meetings to update everyone on the
Interior Finishings products specified for each space.
A very common problem in the selection of trim is that the wrong sized products are
installed. The best installations allow trim pieces to meld into each other, leaving a reveal.
Horizontal trim too deep for vertical trim. Crown build-up too large for the space.
The location of HVAC products on ceilings and walls needs to be detailed to avoid conflicts
with trim. Electrical elements such as light switches and recessed lighting locations also
need to be specified to work with trim details. And as stated earlier, the correct depth of
product needs to be specified.
When room proportions are not considered, problems can arise. Many times, undersized
trim is installed in a room. As ceiling heights have increased in average homes, the size of
baseboards, casings, and crown mouldings needs to increase. Two-story spaces need
larger crown moulding to allow the details to be viewed, and may require larger headers
over doors and windows to balance the height of the space. Also, larger doors and
windows need to be framed in more substantial casings.
Review
Types of Trim
Types of Trim
Core trim is used in most installations. It includes baseboards, casings, and crown
mouldings. Typically, it is the most functional trim since it covers the gaps between two
areas, but it can be highly decorative and can set the style tone of the room.
Layering trim can act as a complement to the core trim, adding additional style to the
room.
Ornamental trim is the decorative trim that adds specific details to a room.
Core trim, the most functional trim category, is made up of crown mouldings, baseboards,
and casings.
DESIGNER TIP: Ensure that you coordinate the styles of the three types of
core trim at the beginning of the design process. This trim forms the basis of
your design, and all of the additional trim will build on these.
Crown moulding, sometimes referred to as a cornice, is a type of trim that crowns a surface
or structure and is typically found at the top of an internal wall and a ceiling. It is one of the
most commonly identified core types of trim.
Crown moulding has many other uses. It can be integrated into the architrave or header
over a door or window or as part of the mantel on a fireplace surround. It can also be
added into a shelf or ledge design or as 3-D panel moulding on a wall.
A design professional has multiple options for profiles in crown moulding. Shapes can be
concave, convex or linear. Crown moulding comes in a vast array of sizes and substrates,
and layering crown moulding offers infinite design possibilities!
Crown moulding can be specified to blend in and harmonize with the space, or can
contrast and emphasize a space.
Choosing a white-on-white color scheme for the walls and trim portrays a calm
environment. Painting the moulding to provide a high contrast in the room adds design
movement and gives a more energized room. Harmonizing may be better for a bedroom
or bathroom, while contrast may work better in a playroom or family room.
Specific design styles can be developed through the use of different crown moulding
profiles. Dentil crown moulding, for example, can give a room a Craftsman or a Traditional
look.
The choice of the size and spacing of the dentils (or teeth) can make a dramatic difference
in making this profile formal or informal.
Manufacturing techniques do not always allow for over-sized crown mouldings and other
trim pieces to be produced. Layering or stacking allows the designer to achieve these large
profiles.
As you can see, layered or stacked crown moulding can make for a unique, take-your-
breath-away design.
Inverted baseboard on Double layer of crown moulding. Crown moulding layered with inverted
wall, crown moulding and baseboard on wall.
baseboard on ceiling.
Adding crown moulding to mantels can make a unique statement. It also gives visual
support to the mantel, allowing the mantel to be deeper and more substantial.
Baseboards are available in a wide variety of styles to work with many different design
themes. Heights and depths of baseboards vary, with standard stock sizes between 3 "
and 8" high. Layering baseboards is the best way to achieve taller baseboards. It is much
easier to install a 12"-high baseboard from multiple pieces than one continuous 12"-high
piece.
Baseboards anchor a room. Contemporary design has seen the size of the baseboard
increase. The ability to add texture to a design through the use of detailed baseboards is a
great designer tool!
Finishing baseboards to blend with the flooring in the room will visually expand the size of
the space, while matching your baseboards to the wall color can help give the illusion of
taller walls.
Painted white baseboards are classic and are a good choice in most rooms.
Baseboards that blend with the floor. Baseboard painted to match walls.
Baseboard, like crown moulding, can be used in many unique ways to enhance the design
of any room.
Any time you are thinking of using a flat stock piece of wood, consider a baseboard.
Baseboards work well layered with other trim elements for unique designs. They can be
used as the skirt under a window sill, or as shown here, integrated into an octagonal ceiling
detail, and layered with a crown moulding.
Casings Profiles
Casings are available in a wide variety of styles to work with many different design themes.
Stock sizing can vary from 2" to 4", with larger, more substantial casings being offered all
the time. 4 " to 6" wide casings are becoming more available and very popular. The
casing chosen should always be deeper than the baseboard being installed, to produce a
reveal at the joint.
Casings are the most visible trim in the home since they are installed at eye level. They
can set the tone for the whole design of a space due to their positioning in the room.
Emphasis can be made to an opening by using large sized casings or expanding the
header over the top of the opening.
The three categories of trim that need to be considered in the design process are core
trim, layering trim, and ornamental trim.
In this section we covered core trim, which includes crown moulding, baseboards, and
casings. Core trim is typically the most functional trim, since it covers the gaps between
two areas, but it can be highly decorative and can set the style tone of the room.
Crown moulding crowns the surface of a structure. It makes a room more stylish and
complete, can make a room feel more intimate or look larger or smaller, and can be
used to create unique and dramatic looks through layering.
Baseboards conceal the joint between an interior wall and the floor, and they anchor a
room. They can be made to blend with the flooring or wall to expand the size of the
space. Layering baseboards can create a unique effect. Baseboards can also be used
creatively as a build-up for a crown moulding or a frame around an element.
Casings form the frame for a window, a door, or an archway. They are installed at eye
level, making them the most visible trim. They can set the tone for the room, or be used
for special effects such as to emphasize or frame an opening. Layering products can
produce signature looks.
Architraves
Chair Rail
A chair rail is a piece of trim that is installed on a main part of a wall. Originally, chair rails
were installed to protect the delicate plaster wall surfaces in a home. Today, they are used
to accentuate proportion in a room and as a decorative element. Typical installation heights
for chair rails are 30" and 36" from finished floor. Additional popular heights are 60" and 72"
from finished floor with wainscot below.
DESIGNER TIP: Choose the height that you install your chair rail carefully;
the position can make the room seem taller or shorter. Ensure that you do not
get the proportion wrong in a room by installing the chair rail in the center of a
wall.
Chair rails
Chair rail low on wall 60" high chair rail with vertical paneling below
placed low on a
wall are more
traditional or
formal. Chair
rails placed high
on a wall tend to
be more
informal.
Chair rail with panel moulding below Tall chair rail with bead board below
Panel Moulding
Contrasting panel moulding Panel moulding adding texture to a room Panel moulding framing fabric
Panel moulding can be added to almost any surface to create unique, classic designs. It
can be integrated into almost any design aesthetic.
Picture Rail
Wainscot
Wainscot is millwork that is applied to the wall below the chair rail. It can be achieved using
a variety of pieces of trim. A simple application is to apply panel moulding to the wall in a
picture frame pattern between a chair rail and a baseboard, and then paint everything the
same color. A more traditional approach is to panel the wall with a stainable or paint grade
wood and apply the panel moulding, chair rail, and baseboard on top of the paneling,
staining, and/or painting all of the elements. For a country look, incorporate bead board
into your wainscot design.
Layering trim can act as a complement to the core trim, adding additional style to the
room. Layering trim consists of architraves, chair rails, panel moulding, picture
moulding, wainscot, base shoe moulding, coves, and back bands.
An architrave, also called a header, adds detail to the top of an opening and gives an
opening prominence.
Chair rails are installed on a main part of a wall. They accentuate proportion in a room
and are a decorative element.
Panel moulding is typically the name for the trim piece used to produce or accent wall
paneling.
Picture rail is a specialized form of trim that art hangs from, eliminating nail holes in
plastered walls.
Wainscot is millwork that is applied to the wall below the chair rail.
Base shoe moulding is used when there is a gap between the floor and the baseboard.
Coves are concave pieces of trim used as transitional pieces to link other trim pieces
together.
Back banding gives extra depth to a casing to allow it to be deeper than the baseboard.
Use layering trim to put your signature on your designs!
Medallion Rosettes
Unique Installations
Also experiment with how the moulding gets installed. Diagonals add excitement to your
designs. Arches add interest and curves add movement. Dont be stifled by traditional
placement. Install wainscot at the top of the wall instead of the bottom. Fill a wall with
rosettes. There is no limit to the unique designs you can create. Make trim your signature!
Diagonal ceiling installation Ceiling detail with simple Decorative corners at panel
panel moulding moulding frames
Ornamental trim consists of corner blocks, corbels, medallions, appliques, rosettes, and
plinth blocks typically are used as installation aids but can have impact on the overall
design of the room.
Corner blocks and medallions can make the installation of trim and other products
easier.
Corbels and appliques are the most decorative of the ornamental trim.
Rosettes are the perfect accent for other areas in a rooms Interior Finishings, and
become an ideal element to achieve rhythm in your designs.
A plinth block placed at the lower portion of a door casing formally anchors the door
casing and provides a thicker piece of trim for both the casing and baseboard to meld
into.
Being familiar with all of the trim available to you allows you to integrate it into your
designs through the use of creativity, be it unique installations or unique finishes.
Knowing the types of trim and profiles available is definitely an important step in making
the right design decisions for the look you want to achieve. However, choosing the right
materials for your project is a key step in a successful install. And because of the wide
range of substrates available today, it is important to compare the differences and apply
them appropriately to each unique project.
There are a variety of substrates that trim is made of. Its a good idea to obtain samples of
the different substrates to help explain the characteristics of the substrates and the
differences between them to your clients. It is important for them to understand why one
material is preferable over another for their unique project.
How you plan to have the trim finished is the best place to start when choosing the
substrate material for trim. Are you going to paint or stain? You shouldnt paint cherry, and
you cant stain MDF.
What is the overall look of the project? Are you going for a more rustic look with the
wood, including knots being featured, or a more contemporary look with crisp or soft
lines?
Where is the product being installed? Is it going onto a curved wall in a high traffic area,
or onto a long feature wall with little to no joints?
What is the skill level of the installer? Will they have the ability to work with pre-finished
product?
What is the clients budget? Work with your clients to ensure the product meets their
needs and their pocket books.
Please remember the exam password CROWN. You will be required to enter it in order to proceed with the
online examination.
This chart is a handy reference to the most common wood substrates available, with
important details that allow you to assist customers in choosing the right substrate to meet
their needs and budgets. For example, if your customer is choosing trim for a high-traffic
hall entryway, softwood is a bad choice due to its susceptibility to denting (outlined box). A
better choice is a hardwood, which will stand up to wear and tear.
Softwood. Hardwood. Finger Joint. MDF. Pre-Finished.
Best
Clear, Stained, Painted. Painted. Painted. Painted. N/A.
Finishes.
This chart offers important details on substrates other than wood, such as polyurethane.
Customers looking for an elaborate, decorative look with a moderate budget could find just
what theyre looking for with a polyurethane substrate (outlined boxes).
Various plastic composites, often MDF core with vinyl wrapped top layer
Materials. Plastic and fillers.
polyurethane-based. for pattern and color.
Difficult to cut with hand tools; requires Same as softwoods. Difficult to fill gaps so very simple
Installation.
pre-drilling before hand nailing. profiles only available.
Very decorative "carved" profiles can Allows trim to be bent around curved Price point allows for trim in even the
Pros.
be achieved. walls and openings. most budget project.
Proper planning, no matter which substrate is chosen, will result in beautifully finished and
highly functional rooms that meet the needs of your clients.
Polyurethane Trim.
Review
Here are the basic steps when measuring for core trim in a room:
For baseboards: Use the total perimeter wall measurement less the door openings.
When ordering trim, keep in mind the following tips that will help ensure you order the right
product in the right amounts.
First, always order at least 10 to 15 percent additional product than your final wall
measurements. This accounts for cutting of the product to fit the space.
Always round up your amounts to the nearest full length of product available. For
example, trim is typically supplied in lengths from 8' to 16'. Check with the supplier to
verify lengths available.
Understand that in some cases, crown moulding or baseboards will need to be spliced
together if the room is long or it is difficult to deliver product into the space. Additional
product will be needed here.
At doorways, consider the height of the door opening when placing an order. For
example, an 8' high door needs a casing at least 9' long to allow for one continuous
piece of trim that is mitered at the top.
A 16' length of casing will give only one full length side to an 8' high door.
And finally, trim should be acclimatized for at least 48 hours prior to installation. This
should be done in the room that it will be installed in, with as many surfaces exposed to
the air as possible.
Review
Know the ceiling height of the room before you select your
crown moulding, and make sure you order the right product in
the right amounts to avoid a delay in the production schedule.
Summary
Designer Tips
Add Interior Finishings as a category to your scope and spec document to ensure you
address Interior Finishings before your clients project begins.
Inspiration is everywhere for your Interior Finishings projects. Notice the sets while
viewing Hollywood movies, old and new, and start a file to capture unique installations.
Informing all of your suppliers is the best way to avoid mistakes. Make it part of your
sub-trade meetings to update everyone on the Interior Finishings products specified for
each space.
Ensure that you coordinate the styles of the three types of core trim at the beginning of
the design process. These trim types form the basis of your design, and all of the
additional trim will build on these.
Save your portfolio of stacked crown moulding to help when developing new designs.
Ideally, have your finishing carpenter mount them on a board for a professional look.
Stacked crown moulding could become your signature in a space!
2014, 2015 Table of Contents Slide 103 of 108
About the Instructor About the Sponsor Ask an Expert
Designer Tips
Arranging sample pieces to design your build-ups helps you check proportion.
Be on the lookout for creative ways to use trim. Just because a trim piece is labeled as
a specific product does not mean it must be used that way. Experiment and have fun!
Traditional paintings by masters of grand European homes often show elaborate
architrave treatments. Collect examples to inspire your modern interpretations.
Choose the height that you install your chair rail carefully; the position can make the
room seem taller or shorter. Ensure that you do not get the proportion wrong in a room
by installing the chair rail in the center of a wall.
Panel moulding is one of the most versatile trims available. Keep it in mind when you
want to add an accent to an area. It is a wonderful addition to ceiling designs, fireplace
designs, and wall designs. Applying a decorative finish to this small piece can also add
an unexpected feature to your designs.
Think outside the box when using ornamental trim. Ceiling medallions can make a great
wall treatment, and corner blocks could be used to support a shelf. The beauty of trim is
its flexibility, and as a designer, you can use this to your advantage!
Just like a set designer who sets the scene with the appropriate background, the
design professional needs to do this in their clients spaces.
Finish Before You Start allows you to have the appropriate backdrop to enhance the
furnishings and accessories that you add to the room.
An added bonus to getting the finishings right is that the clients need not invest in a lot
of additional furniture, art, and accessories to get the look they desire.
Often, the correct finishings are all that is needed!
Bibliography
Chitham, Robert. The Classical Orders of Architecture. Burlington, MA: Architectural Press,
Second edition, 2005.
Cusato, Marianne. Get Your House Right. New York, NY: Sterling Publishing, 2007.
Kalyn, Wayne. 1001 Ideas for Trimwork. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Creative Homeowner,
2006.
Polson, Mary Ellen. Trim Idea Book. Newton, CT: Taunton Press, 2005.
Silber, Jay. Architectural Trimwork. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Creative Homeowner, 2005.
Image Credits
Slide 20:
http://www.aceshowbiz.com/still/00003516/the_duchess30.html
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/12/1076548154740.html
Conclusion
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