How to cut, fit and finish Cornices

Cornices can give Windows a much-needed facelift or turn your room into an amazing piece of classical architecture. Cornices can really change the look of a room and allow you to update your style with a fairly simple construction process. Cornices can be used on Windows, patio doors and more as well as on things like shelves or art collectibles to really accent them within a room. You may have seen properly finished Cornices in style and design home magazines but it is possible to get this look within your own home by firing up your miter saw, heading down to the local DIY store and starting a weekend project.

One of the first steps is to choose a style that you like. Cornices can come in a wide variety of wood types as well as styles. If you like the look of crown molding you can achieve this with a Cornice or you can also go for a more minimal look. For a wide variety of cornices, visit our Dresser Mouldings website, where you can find a variety of different styles, including the aforementioned minimal styles.

A miter saw is absolutely required for this project as it will make cutting the complex angles much easier. If you are doing several Cornices for your project it may also be a good idea to consider using an air powered nail gun or renting one as this type of project can involve quite a few fasteners. The first step to this project is to measure the space where the Cornices will be fitted. You will need to measure the width and depth of your curtains, curtain rods and shades to make sure that all of the space can be covered.

The next step is to create a three sided, box with a lid so that the curtain rod can be easily hidden as well as removed later if you decide to change your curtains. The basic box you can build from your own measurements and some simple lumber, and then finish it with whatever you decide will make your room look best. Cornices are all roughly the same until they are finished with trim.

When you are fitting the trim onto the box be sure to try a short test piece to see just how the Cornice will look. By trying out a short test piece you can get the appropriate angle right on the corners so that you can set the right angle to cut out the rest of the trim. By setting up test pieces in the corner you can eventually work to fill in all of the trim in the surrounding box.

In the next step you will want to smooth out the profiles and corners to make sure that all of the drill holes and nail holes that you have made to fasten the trim to the box are well covered. You can also smooth out the look of trim spacing in this step as well.

The final step is to mount the Cornice in your window. It's absolutely important that you center the Cornice so that it can cover the curtain rod and curtain. Mark off a line when you have leveled out the Cornice and then fasten it to the wall in its squared position. 

How to fit Architraves - A quick DIY guide.

Architraves can be found in a wide variety of historical buildings specifically in the framing of the door or any other rectangular opening or passageway within a home or historical monument. If you would like to give your home a more classical feel, or add accents to your doorways an architrave is a great way that you can change the look of any entranceway or hallway. Fitting architraves and making it look perfect the first time can take practice but luckily there are some tips that you can follow to avoid making mistakes that could damage your project.

What do you need?

Architrave materials, oval nails, wood glue, sandpaper and potentially safety glasses.

The first step that you will want to take is setting your square measurement for the Architrave about 6 mm from the inside of your doorframe. Be sure to mark some measurement lines all the way around your doorframe and then stand the first piece of the Architrave against your measurements. Matching your Architrave pieces against your measurements is a great way to make sure that it will fit in the doorframe correctly.

The second step that you will need to take is to trim down the Architrave and make adjustments as needed. You will need to have a fixed miter block down and a stable surface to cut the Architrave correctly. Make sure to measure out your Architrave to fit into the spaces that you marked and then simply cut out your measured pieces.

From here you can use the wood glue to fill in the space within the back of the Architrave and prepare to affix it to the wall and around the frame. Simply place the Architrave on the frame first to make sure that it still matches up with your measurements. From here you can use the oval nails to affix the Architrave to your frame. Make sure not to hammer the nails all the way in or you could risk cracking the wooden mouldings and the architrave or damaging the face with a hammer. Instead take the punch of the hammer and place it against the nail head to push the end of the nail in against the Architrave without damaging it.

Continue to surround the doorframe with Architrave by matching up new pieces of the Architrave against the ones that you have Artie affixed to the wall. This way you can mark the appropriate angles as well as make sure that all new pieces will fit into the doorframe correctly.

By continuing this process you can eventually fill in the doorframe with Architrave. You can also use fill and sandpaper to get rid of any marks that you may have made in the Architrave during the construction process.

Caring For Wooden Furniture

Given that wooden furniture is such a major part of modern homes for many people, it is important to know how to care for wooden furniture properly. Given that there are many different types of wood and each piece of furniture is likely to be in a unique condition, it is impossible to give the exact treatment you should follow for every individual piece. However, if you are looking for quick and simple advice that will help you to look after your furniture in the best fashion, there are plenty of tips you can follow. This is especially true for antique pieces, where you should take every level of care and attention to preserve your wood.

Some people believe that it is best to strip the wood and refinish whereas other people believe that it is better to preserve the wood and all of the imperfections and stains that have appeared over the years. It all depends on what the user is looking for but there is an argument that preserving the wood in as natural a state as possible is the best way to maintain its value. If you are solely interested in the look of the furniture, you have more freedom to care for wooden furniture but if you are concerned about preserving the antique look and feel of the furniture, you should look to preserve the historical nature as much as possible.

Be aware of what damages wood

It can be useful to know what damages timber mouldings as this will help you to avoid these problems. You should be mainly concerned about handling your wood in an incorrect manner and the problem that environmental issues may have upon your wood. You may have been under the impression that more modern issues will have presented more reasons to be cautious but it is usually the traditional elements that have caused problems when it comes to looking after wooden furniture.

You may be shocked to learn that wood can be very damaging for wood and the longer wood is exposed to consistent light, the bigger an impact it will have on it. The impact that light has on wood is irreversible so it is best to place any wooden furniture away from windows. The light can make light woods turn darker and it can create a bleach like effect on darker woods. It can also impact on the finish on the surface, resulting in your wooden furniture looking discoloured or brittle. While there are many treatments available for wooden furniture, it is always best to keep it out of the light wherever you can.

You should also be aware of the fact that wood is porous and is made from cellulose, which means that wood is very vulnerable to humidity. When the level of humidity is on the increase, the wood in the furniture will absorb the water and expand a little, when the level of humidity falls, moisture will escape from the wood, causing it to shrink. Changes in humidity can cause your wooden furniture to crack or split, while wooden furniture that is constantly exposed to a higher level of humidity will be at greater risk of mould.

You should also be aware of the fact that wooden furniture is at risk of insect infestations. If you spot any sawdust or sawdust like substance around your wooden furniture or wooden architraves, you should carry out a thorough examination of your furniture or hire someone that knows what they are looking for. An insect infested chair or table can save become a liability, putting the user at risk.

Anytime that you look to move wooden furniture, you should aim to lift it at the strongest point. You should ensure that you lift as opposed to drag wooden furniture because dragging wooden furniture places the legs and feet under a high level of stress.

Looking after wooden furniture is commonly about using common sense but never be afraid to ask the professionals for assistance.

Timber Mouldings in Rochdale

Based in Rochdale, +Dresser Mouldings have been established for a long period of time and have been at the forefront of creating the highest quality wooden mouldings in the United Kingdom. Manufacturing only the finest timber columns and door linings, we have established a reputation for precision products and excellent service.  Having recently opened an online store where our customers can buy online, we are looking to move forward with the same excellence in business ethos that has seen the company grow to our current 50,000 square foot premises.

All of the products that we produce in Rochdale are crafted from a variety of excellent materials including softwood, and premium ash and oak.  With certain types of wood being ideal for specific uses, for example, our oak skirting boards are particularly sought after and are very hard wearing, unlike modern cheaper boarding. Our policy of only using materials from renewable sources is also particularly important to us. So don't forget, if you are looking for the highest quality timber mouldings, come and check us out!