Preparing and finishing fingerjoint and/or solid wood mouldings for painting
When installing new moulding, taking a little extra time with the painting process can improve the longevity of the finish as well as enhance the beauty of the trim. We asked Ron Jacques, a professional painter with over 30 years experience in this field, to share his methods of finishing wood trim.
Shrinkage in Fiberboard Interior Trim Caused by Pre-installation Moisture
Builders have reported excessive shrinkage in Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) interior trim. Gaps between splices and joints as large as ¼-inch can occur after installation from moisture loss. Building materials are often installed at a higher moisture content than the typical values reached in heated and air conditioned buildings. To minimize excessive shrinkage...
Humidity & Your Interior Wood Mouldings
Water vapour is always present in the air. The amount of water vapour that air can hold depends upon its temperature. Wood always contains water. It constantly exchanges water vapour with the air, picking it up when atmospheric relative humidity is high, and giving it off when relative humidity is low. When the amount of moisture fluctuates, wood will expand or shrink.This natural behaviour of wood is responsible for some of the problems sometimes encountered when wood dries and is what causes gaps in wood flooring, uplift on roof trusses, doors to close improperly, floors to squeak, miter joints to separate on casings and baseboards to come away from the walls (this last item is generally a result of the wall studs shrinking not the mouldings)...
Crown mouldings create a decorative transition between walls and ceilings. They can take an ordinary room and transform it into a warm and comfortable place. However, installing crown moulding can be a tricky process and you may want to consider hiring a professional to do the job. However, knowing the right tools and techniques can make an easy job of cutting and installing mouldings...
