Amazing Woodwork
"Wow, you have amazing woodwork!" I hear it every time I take
someone to visit my grandparent's centennial home. Built shortly
after the Civil War by a skilled trim and finish carpenter, my
great-great grandpa, the home boasts its original wood paneling;
trim boards and solid wood doors. There is something more to
this home than just space, shelter, and light... These friends
don't have any sentimental attachment when they enter and utter
the now expected, "Wow! Amazing woodwork." Trim carpenters will
tell you that great woodwork is not a thing of the past.
Restaurants know woodwork will set the atmosphere in their
dining rooms. Hotels use woodwork to enhance the substantial
feeling their interiors invoke. Homeowners can enjoy these same
advantages. You don't have to live in a mansion to enjoy the
enduring beauty and atmosphere created by quality woodwork. Nor
does great woodwork need to overburden your budget. You can
enjoy beautiful woodwork right where you live. Trim is Everywhere
Woodwork or trim is part of every home. Trimming doors, windows
and around floors is not optional. Your option is the trim you
choose. Realizing that mouldings exist has forever changed the
way I look at rooms. I was shocked to see the generic primed 2
1/4" colonial casing in a showcase home set in a beautiful and
exclusive neighborhood. The home is beautiful. Almost no expense
was spared. But I was left wondering how much nicer it could
have looked, with little added effort, by choosing to upgrade
the mouldings. When I eat at a steak house I don't expect to be
served a fast-food style sandwich, yet so many gorgeous homes of
distinction are outfitted with 'fast-food' woodwork. The
landlord needs to trim a door he just repaired; he buys the
cheapest trim to do the job. The Do-it-yourself-er has only this
afternoon available; he buys what is offered in stock. The
contractor has a bottom line; he selects an economy grade
because the homeowners did not say the selection mattered to
them. The natural result is that the rental, the back closet and
the show house all have the same trim. Strange, but very often
true. Inside Information
Nearly everyone would enjoy distinctive woodwork, but candidly,
what does it cost to have it? These tips allow me to help
clients upgrade without sticker shock. Fancy does not
necessarily cost more. Millwork shops price mouldings based on
the type of wood selected and on size. The profile (design) does
not generally factor into the price at all. Some woods are more
economical than others. Red oak (FAS or S&B grade) is the
hardwood standard for top quality moldings. But, the most
economical hardwood is poplar. Have you considered poplar? It's
not just for painting; is humble and economical place in the
hardwood family has caused many to overlook poplar's appealing
qualities. The common misconception that pine is the “cheap”
wood continues because stock pine trim often comes from offshore
sources. Clear moulding-grade North American pine can cost more
than oak. Hickory, beech, birch, maple and walnut are roughly
double red oak rates. Cherry and mahogany are another step up.
Specialty hardwoods can usually be quoted upon request.
Selecting a high-end wood or a wider profile may not be as
expensive as you fear. Matched patterns often come two widths.
Use wide mouldings only where you want to draw attention, other
area will coordinate well with the narrower profile. For a tall
base buy 1x board stock for the height then use a decorative
base cap. When you collect pricing information, ask for a
comparison quotes for these possibilities. Lastly, order extra.
It can save money by preventing “short-run” setup charges if you
need more. Tuck the extra pieces into a closet for future
repairs.
All things considered
Quality woodwork is a long lasting source of complements, but
economy trim is often discarded. By putting up cheep 2 1/4”
casing, the whole trim package cost, as a percentage of total
building cost, is not that much less than using a distinctive
trim. The initial cost is less, however, standard trim will not
be an exceptional selling point because trim, of some sort, is
essential. A custom home with basic trim is like a fine dinner
served on paper plates. When remodeling occurs, little care is
taken to preserve stock trim. Economy trim goes quickly into the
dumpster and the landfill. Contrast the above with a homeowner
who looks at his higher quality trim package as an investment.
Added cost for this trim is minimal when one considers the value
afforded by the upgrade. The value of an exceptional trim
package, as a selling point, will be far greater than its cost.
Well trimmed rooms will feel more substantial and pride of
ownership will be obvious to prospective buyers. High quality
trim is much less likely to be thrown out during remodeling.
Subsequent owners often go to great lengths to preserve or match
distinctive woodwork when they remodel. Quality mouldings are
preserved to the point that matching them creates an industry of
custom millwork shops. All things considered, the relatively
small initial investment will add value over and over throughout
the life of the home. More than color, mouldings set the style
and atmosphere of a room. There will be years of personal
enjoyment because quality woodwork is a long lasting source of
complements. Imagine hearing "Wow, You have amazing woodwork!"
Copyright 2005 C. Hegler
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