# Understanding Classic Moldings – Part 1

- Link: https://www.oldhouseguy.com/classic-moldings/
- Published: 2018-02-05T01:05:30-05:00
- Author: Ken Roginski

The use of classic moldings date back to ancient Greece and Rome.

Classic moldings were designed to work with light. They were designed to create 
contrast and shadows to give definition and add interest.

Over the years the profile of these moldings have become watered down and changed
in shape to something they were never meant to be.

What moldings were intended to do, they no longer do.

This transformation has gone unnoticed by the homeowner and building community.

[⌊classic moldings⌉⌊classic moldings⌉[

Classic moldings available today leave a lot to be desired.

Today classic moldings have resorted to a muddy blur of lines that are only noticed
when standing in front of them.

Just about every [Home Depot ](https://doityourselves.com/the-hidden-truth-about-home-depot/)
and speciality lumber yard orders their molding from the same manufacturer. An exception
would be a millwright or a [building materials supplier such as Kuiken Brothers Company Inc. ](https://www.kuikenbrothers.com/products/residential/moulding/classical-moulding/the-classical-moulding-difference/)

See the difference below.

[⌊molding comparison⌉⌊molding comparison⌉[

Notice the difference.

 

[⌊modern molding⌉⌊modern molding⌉[

Watered down muddy casing that is available everywhere today.

The photo above helps us illustrate this change in design. The typical casing profile
above (KB126, milled from MDF) is flat and its backband is elongated. What should
be 90 degree cuts have a V-groove in its place and the bead on the end is large 
and only partially detailed. Once installed, the result will be a simple and dull
shadow line at best.

[⌊classic traditional molding⌉⌊classic traditional molding⌉[

Classic casing with sharp details replicated to original specifications.

In comparison, the Classical casing profile above (KB136, milled from poplar) has
clearly defined 90 degree incisions, classical details and proportions. Note the
very simple bead on the end. This delicate detail would be virtually impossible 
to mill from MDF.  Once installed, the KB136 casing will have strong shadow lines
to define the opening (window or door) it surrounds.

**_The information provided above is from an article written by Kuiken Brothers 
Company Inc. The full article and more detailed information is available at [classic molding ](https://www.kuikenbrothers.com/products/residential/moulding/classical-moulding/the-classical-moulding-difference/)._**

## Classic Moldings and The Orders

Classic moldings are not merely designs with wood. The actually come from the Classical
Orders of Architecture. This is a complicated subject that I begin to go into on
my [Curb Appeal page. ](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/aesthetics/) I recommend reading
that for a better understanding.

[⌊interior trim⌉⌊interior trim⌉[

Everything inside and outside of a building is based on the Classical Orders. Here
we see how a column determines the location and proportion of all moldings.

The above photo courtesy of Gary Katz from **THISisCarpentry.com**. For more information
on the Classical Orders used in interior molding [read Gary Katz’s article here. ](http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2016/05/13/improve-moldings-and-increase-referrals/)

![](/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/icon1.jpg)

 

[Understanding Classic Moldings Part 2 ](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/moldings/)