Creating with mouldings: a taste of escape

Photo: Boulanger
Presented by: Boulanger

You want to place your fireplace at the forefront. You’ll be enchanted for hours and hours by the natural balance afforded by this warm and inviting décor.

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Installation suggestions
1. Measurements
2. Installing the shelf
3. Installing the fireplace base moldings
4. Assembling wall casings
5. Finishing
Photo: Boulanger

Installation suggestions

These moldings are of stained grade.

The moldings for the shelf, the plinths and the fireplace mantle have already been stained. The special primer coat can receive a wiped, oil based, semi-transparent stain.

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. Add 5% to account for losses. In general, molding is available in lengths of 8 or 16 feet.

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 the shelf

It is suggested that the shelf be assembled before installation. Once all the moldings are stained (#50680, #50681, #50687 and #50697), cut and install.

To cut, place the molding flat at the bottom of the miter box and cut.

3. Installing the fireplace base moldings

To adjust the fireplace base contour: CONT-MDF moldings (see installation instructions included in the manufacturer’s package). For the fireplace top, use #707-5-DENT-MDF moldings.

Next, fix the arabesques #D-260 and #D-265.

4. Assembling wall casings

To give depth to the casings, install 3/8 inch thick MDF strips, leaving spaces where you must install the casings, in which you will install picture rail #50677 on the inside.

To cut the picture rail, 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.

5. Finishing

  • For staining: after installing the moldings, retouch the filled nail holes with a soft lead pencil that matches the stain’s color.

  • For painting: where you have decided to paint, nail holes must be filled with filler, sanded and painted with a base-coat before final painting. You can also apply a bead of sealer, which can be painted, on the top and bottom of the molding.
Once this masterpiece is complete, it’ll become your escape, comfortably ensconced by the fire, wrapped in warmth, the smell of wood smoke in the air. It’ll be so enchanting that you’ll be... impatient for winter to return.
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