Decorators should definitely take advantage of training for moldings to further their business's success. The main objective of using moldings in and around a home is to dress up a space. There are many type of moldings you can use, such as ceiling moldings, corner moldings and cabinet moldings. Additionally, there are a number of processes for installing moldings.

These days, there are many online resources that offer free training for installing molding. There are also DVDs you can purchase online and support systems you can sign up with, so you can discuss questions and concerns with fellow decorators. When choosing training for building moldings, remember the following:

1. Start with the basics when learning about molding installation.

2. The best training comes in all formats, including step-by-step tutorials, videos and articles. Even consumer reviews are educational.

3. Take advantage of websites that offer training and also provide a forum for advice and discussions with fellow professionals.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn the basics of crown moldings and the best way to install them

Traditional wood moldings come in all shapes and sizes. Installing them requires a certain skill in cutting and placement. The idea is to cover seams in a home; but in the installation, seams within the molding itself must be disguised skilfully. There are also many unique ways to use crown molding.

I recommend: This Old House offers a step-by-step tutorial on how to install crown molding. This site also provides a shopping list of products and tools you need. Ask the Builder, a column by Tim Cater, provides helpful information on how to cut crown molding. BobVila.com features a movie on the installation process.

Offer custom injection molding products for high durability and low maintenance

Injecting molding is a process whereby products are molded using melted plastic that's poured into a mold and hardened. Baseboards, ceiling moldings and exterior moldings are just a few of the products manufactured in this fashion. Plastic molding has many benefits; it's durable and has lower installation costs.

I recommend: ReliableRemodeler.com explains why plastic molding is sometimes a better option than the traditional wooden version. Extreme How-To offers extensive instructions on the installation of exterior plastic molding.

Provide architectural moldings in residential and commercial buildings

There seems to be no end to the ways you can use architectural molding to dress up a home or commercial space. You can make the project as simple or extreme as your client's heart and taste desires. Just make sure that you install for long-term durability.

I recommend: HGTV offers directions on installing front-door pediment and pilasters for a welcoming entrance way into a home. Classic Molding provides step-by-step instruction for ceiling moldings, including plaster ceiling medallions installation.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make ongoing training a requirement for your employees, so you are always offering your client the best knowledge and skill in custom moldings. Types of molding and installation methods are constantly advancing, so make sure you stay ahead of the game.

Architectural mouldings can take an average setting and turn it into something with character and detail in a cost-efficient manner. The use of baseboard moldings, cabinet moldings, corner moldings and the addition of architectural mouldings such as pediments and columns take the ordinary to the extraordinary quickly and easily.

Custom mouldings allow you to design the layout of your crown moldings. You can tailor your custom mouldings to suit a building style such as the more minimalist style characteristic of the Craftsman style or as elaborate as an ornately decorated wedding cake more suitable to a Victorian style building.

1. Locate wholesale moulding products to reduce your costs.

2. Create immediate curb appeal with exterior building moldings.

3. Transform the fifth wall with ceiling moldings.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for wholesale suppliers for real estate molding

Wholesale purchases will save you substantial building costs when you're purchasing molding. Search out wholesalers who can provide you with baseboard molding, cabinet molding and corner moldings at less than retail prices.

I recommend: Mouldings Factory Direct and LeWinter Moulding both provide a variety of interior moulding all at wholesale prices. From crown mouldings to cabinet mouldings, in small orders or for large projects, both of these companies will cost substantially less than buying similar products from a retail location.

Real estate molding sparks interest and moves properties

The addition of exterior molding creates instant curb appeal and sparks the interests of buyers for the property that boasts the exterior detail and the company that built it. The addition of exterior molding will set your business apart and create something akin to brand recognition to the community. Using exterior molding consistently will allow the public to know your properties from the competitions with just a glance.

I recommend: Mouldings.cc specializes in architectural mouldings and offer specific support for those who want to install the mouldings themselves. Architectural Ornament provides decorative and functional exterior mouldings and the details for a variety of finishing styles.

Detail the ceiling with ceiling moldings

The devil is in the details and the details are what set you apart from the competition. Ceiling moldings provide another opportunity for you to do something unique for your customers. Use custom injection molding for long runs that are consistent and consider ceiling medallions to highlight light fixtures.

I recommend: Classic Ceilings offers a host of different ceiling mouldings in a variety of materials and styles to suit all of your needs. Hyde Park Mouldings creates ceiling mouldings that are as ornate as a wedding cake, making your ceilings stand out from the crowd.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider using custom injection molding to create consistency in long runs of molding or when repairing or reconstructing ornate moldings.

Architectural mouldings, also spelled moldings, come in many shapes and sizes. A builder can install baseboard moldings, cabinet moldings, ceiling moldings, corner moldings, custom or crown moldings, all of which add to the perceived value of a property. Installing architectural mouldings isn't left to the top paid professionals, however. You can easily educate yourself to the steps, tools and training needed. You might even go so far as to develop an interest in creating your own custom mouldings, too.

Crown molding is the molding placed where the ceiling meets the wall. Baseboard molding is where the wall meets the floor. Cabinet molding is the molding put to decorate the top of a cabinet, and ceiling molding covers the gap between the wall and the ceiling. Whichever molding project that you choose, prepare yourself by reviewing the tools and the time you will need to complete the project.

To make the most out of moldings education and training:

1. Begin with basic crown moldings installation instructions.

2. Progress with watching crown moldings video installation steps.

3. Follow-up with instructional content.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Discover how to install crown moldings

Find out how crown moldings and other architectural mouldings can add aesthetic value to your residential or commercial property. Consider investing in this easy upgrade.

I recommend: Visit How To Install Crown Molding, a website dedicated to the cutting and installing of crown molding. The site also has frequently asked questions, links to videos and tutorials, protractor angle information and more. Find out from This Old House Magazine how to install crown molding. Print the project, and you can sign up for their free newsletter.

Check out video resources on installing crown moldings

Take advantage of video sites that walk you through moldings education and training.

I recommend: Follow step by step video instructions from AsktheBuilder.com on installing crown molding. MonkeySee also offers streaming video content on how to install crown molding. Watch the video straight through, or jump from segment to segment.

Learn how to mill your own custom mouldings

Find out how you can create your own custom mouldings.

I recommend: Follow step by step directions from DEWALT to learn how to build custom mouldings. Catch the video from This Old House on how to mill your own custom molding.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When taking advantage of video moldings education and training, don't be afraid to pause or rewind back the video. The people showing you how the steps are either highly trained professionals, or they have been doing it for so long, they can probably do it in their sleep. So instead of trying to follow their fast pace, take your time, and don't rush quality.
• •  If you want to pursue a crown moldings but don't want to purchase the cutting tools to do it, you can always have your local home improvement site do the cutting for you. Generally, if you purchase your wood there, your first few cuts are free. After that, you can pay per cut.

If you want to add style, elegance and sophistication to the interior or exterior of your business, you may consider installing moldings, sometimes called mouldings. They are an easy and relatively inexpensive way to dress up any room. But with so many types of moldings available, how do you know which type is right for your business? Your choices include crown moldings, baseboard moldings, cabinet moldings, casings and chair rails. This guide will help you figure which molding is the best for your style and budget.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Baseboard molding

You can place baseboard molding along the base of the wall on the floor. It typically runs around an entire room and covers up flaws in the edge of the floor surface. For example, it can cover areas where wall-to-wall carpet doesn't quite reach all the way to the wall.

I recommend: EastCoast Mouldings has diagrams of dozens of types of baseboard moldings. Click a diagram to get a 3D view of what the molding looks like.

Casings

You can use casings to trim doors and windows. They cover up rough spots in the door and window construction, but you can add them for decorative reasons, as well. The piece of molding on top of a door or window is a top cap, or header.

I recommend: Mouldings Warehouse has several good examples of casings. Click each model to learn about its specs.

Chair rail

A chair rail is a decorative and functional piece of molding. You can place it along the wall parallel to the floor at the height of a chair back. This prevents chairs from scuffing and damaging the wall.

I recommend: Easy2.com has a video that explains exactly what a chair rail is and how to install it.

Exterior molding

Exterior molding goes on the outside of a building, typically along the roof line. It is a decorative molding that can give your building some added flair to make it stand out from the rest.

I recommend: Architectural Ornament displays dozens of examples of exterior molding.

Crown molding

Crown molding runs along the top of a wall at the point where it meets the ceiling. It is a purely decorative molding that 'crowns' a room, giving it an elegant, finished look.

I recommend: You can view hundreds of styles of crown moldings at Classic Ceilings. Technical information about each style is also available.

Cabinet moldings

Cabinet moldings dress up cabinets. You can place them along the top of the cabinets to give a finished look. You can also use cabinet moldings on the top of bookshelves and other cases.

I recommend: To read more about the benefits of cabinet moldings, check out Bosley Mouldings.