Moulding Types and Their Uses

It isn’t uncommon to come upon a moulding company’s website and see their categories of mouldings and wonder: How do I select which one is right for me? This article will give you some understanding of why the mouldings are categorized how they are and which one is right for your goals. Although any profile can be used anywhere – and it comes down to personal taste in the end – some profiles are designed in a certain way to be most aesthetically pleasing and functional in their location.

Cornices are placed at the intersection of the wall and soffits. They are also known commonly as crown mouldings, and can aid in hiding the unsightly joint between the roof and wall.

Bands have a multitude of purposes in exterior design. They can be used to “break” a wall into sections for aesthetics sake, or along building joints to hide the unsightly joints.

Headers are placed over windows and doors. They are designed to accent the tops and assist in water management. They are commonly used in conjunction with keystones.

Trims are used around windows as a surround, or in a similar fashion to bands. They can run the entire length of the window, or more commonly just between the head and sill of one.

Sills are specifically designed for the base of windows, to help manage water in a presentable manner. They follow EIFS manufacturers’ specifications to ensure longevity.

Stone Sills are replacements for concrete sills. They are installed over stone or brick, giving a stone-capped look without the immense weight or cost.

Baseboards run along the bottom of buildings. They are placed where the EIFS terminates above ground level to provide a break in substrate and divert water from your building.

Pilasters give the look of strong columns embedded in walls. They are purely for decorative purposes and can an illusion of sturdiness.

Columns are designed to wrap around structural columns so as to look finished. Although providing no support themselves, they can give the building a look of grandeur.

Quoins are placed on the corner of buildings. They add a finish to building wall edges, and can look like traditional masonary without the associated cost or pre-planning.

Keystones add a focal point to headers and arches. Although serving no structural purpose, their presence has become commonplace over windows, doors and garages.