Creating with mouldings: oak, an enduring value

Photo: Boulanger
Presented by: Boulanger

Of an undeniable beauty and eternal durability, this timeless décor, made from oak moldings, gives your home a princely look. All is harmonious and of a remarkable fluidity, not forgetting the addition of well adapted decoration features.

The moldings needed for this project are of oak, stained grade.
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Finishing before installation
Installation suggestions
1. Measurements
2. Installing picture rail
3. Installing O’gees
4. Building the casings
5. Installing plinth
6. Making the frames
Photo: Boulanger

Finishing before installation

For this project, we recommend that the moldings be finished before installation. A soft lead pencil of a matching color should be used to hide the filled nail holes after the nails are set.

Installation suggestions

Moldings can be nailed with finishing nails or glued with carpenters glue. Nail leaving 1/16 inch sticking out and finish with a nail set.

You can join two moldings by cutting them at right angles. However, an oblique cut is preferable. Set both pieces so that they fit to the right length against the wall and then cut both at a 45º angle. If you must join two pieces, make sure that the color and grain match up. For all types of moldings, reduce the number of joints to a minimum.

1. Measurements

To calculate the length of molding required, measure the room perimeter and round off to the highest number of feet. Add 5% to account for losses. In general, molding is available in lengths of 8 or 16 feet. The choice of or not making joints can modify the quantity of moldings to be used.

During installation, to minimize material losses and assure a flawless job, it is important to always measure the length needed to cover each area where a molding must be installed.

2. Installing picture rail

Measure the room perimeter subtracting the openings (doors, windows, closets, etc.) and add 5% for losses.

Install #84516 picture molding 36 inches from the floor (bottom of the molding).

To cut, simply place the molding flat at the bottom of the miter box and cut the piece. Precisely measure and lightly mark each piece to be cut.

3. Installing O’gees

Use #442707 5 ½ inch wide O’gee. You have the possibility to use precut or glued pieces. Otherwise, remember that for each inside or outside cut, you must add another 5 ½ inches per piece, or 11 inches per corner.

Measure the room perimeter. Add twice the O’gee width for each corner (inside and outside). Example: the room perimeter is 48 feet + 5% loss +- 2 ½ feet = 50 ½ feet; molding width: 5 inches: number of corners: 4 corners × 10 inches = 40 inches = +- 3 ½ feet. Total length: 50 ½ + 3 ½ = 54 feet is needed.

For cutting, flip the molding over (top down) in a miter box. The bottom of the crown should be pressed against the side of the box that will receive the saw. The molding forms an empty triangle with the side and the bottom of the miter box.

For inside corners: measure the two desired lengths. Place the outside part of the molding facing you. Cut the two adjacent pieces at a 45º angle. Using a combination square, if the measured angle is not 90º , the two adjacent pieces won’t measure out at 45º each.

For outside corners: measure the two desired lengths. Place back side out in the miter box and saw at the opposite angle marks.

4. Building the casings

The casings are 14 inches wide × 21 inches high. Leave 6 inches above and below the casing in relation to the plinth and the picture rail. The number and size of the casings is a question of personal taste and the style you wish to achieve. For this project, use #84460 moldings.

A general rule: the space left between the top of the plinth and the bottom of the picture rail is of equal dimensions and, to be symmetrical, the space between each casing is the same. It can happen that it becomes necessary to depart from this rule depending on the room dimensions: large and small casings can alternate all along the wall.

5. Installing plinth

For the plinths, use #84193 moldings. Measure the room perimeter subtracting the width of openings (doors and closets). Add 5% to account for losses.

To cut the plinths, hold the molding vertically against the side of the miter box and cut.

6. Making the frames

Use #84293 moldings. Overall, calculate five, 7 foot pieces for a single door (inside and outside frames). For a window, measure the area and add 5%.

To cut, simply place the molding flat at the bottom of the miter box and cut the piece. Precisely measure and lightly mark each piece to be cut.
You’ll never grow weary of this majestic oak molding or your guests’ comments on your exquisite taste.
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