Molding dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans where molding has and always will be, an architectural tradition. Before 1850, all molding was chiseled and gouged on site.
Once large plane machines were developed, manufacturers produced molding for the mass market. From the French classic 14th-century carved wood paneling to decorative metal molding, there are many different ways in which you can use molding to accent your home.
Many people wonder, “Is crown molding outdated?” While it is old-fashioned in a sense, it also claims an heir of modernity if used in the right aesthetic.
If you want to learn more about crown molding and whether or not you should put it in your home, keep scrolling.
What Is Crown Molding?
Molding adds flair or class to a wall or a room. It can be decorative and in the corner of 2 walls, but can also stand alone, with the artful purpose of breaking up a room.
While there is a certain type of molding that is identified as being “crown,” crown molding is also a generic name for a much larger group of different types of molding.
Crown is a type of cornice molding, which typically refers to a single piece that’s installed on the adjoining angle between two walls. Typically, it runs 1/2 or 1/3 of the way down the wall, which is what cornice molding does. You might also see crown molding on vaulted ceilings.
Crown molding is painted a different color from the wall to brighten up or add dimension to a room.
What Are Some of the Materials Used?
One of the most traditional types of crown molding is that which is made out of solid wood. With wood, you can create an incredibly crisp and clean aesthetic that lasts for a long time, if cared for correctly.
It does, however, tend to swell and shrink, so if you are living under extreme weather conditions, it may not be the best material to use.
Polyurethane is another commonly used material. It’s also much cheaper than wood and is extremely durable.
You can’t stain it, though. You can only paint it. So it’s not a great choice if you’re looking for a natural wood look.
Plaster has to be made directly to order when it’s chosen as a material of choice for crown molding. This deems it one of the more expensive types of crown molding to go for.
However, it will stand the test of time and weather longer than most other materials. It’s extremely hard to install without professionals though, as it’s extremely heavy and can crack easily during transportation and installation.
Polystyrene is light, foamy, and inexpensive. It’s the perfect material to use if you want to jazz up a room quickly. You can cut it with any sharp knife, and it doesn’t have to be nailed in. Because it’s so light, construction adhesive will secure it.
What Are the Different Styles?
Decorative crown molding is what a lot of us think of when we hear the term “crown molding.” It’s the style that boasts intricate design and an expensive look. It’s classic and can sometimes look antiquated.
That being said, when it’s used in the right room, it adds beauty and dimension.
Opting for recycled crown molding is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, impress people in the process, and create a pleasing look for your home. It’s an excellent way to reduce what goes into the landfill.
The one-piece crown is usually made out of MDF (manufactured wood), is easy to install, and isn’t very expensive.
The two-piece crown will give you a more traditional look that is much more intricate, and the three-piece crown is the most elegant, and the most expensive. Because it involves 3 separate pieces, it typically requires a professional to install.
Craftsman molding and handmade molding both provide ways to draw attention to a room. They both require exceptional skill and time. As a result, they also tend to more expensive.
Many people use wire molding simply for convenience’s sake, for a more aesthetically pleasing way to hide their entertainment system wires.
Some Molding Stands Away From the Wall
Crown molding can be found on bookshelves, furniture, and a number of other pieces and items that stand alone. Plus, the ancient Greeks used to use molds to break up a room.
They’d use different shapes like the ellipse, the parabola, or the hyperbola. These small structures were used to divide bigger spaces into smaller units visually. They are still used in the same manner, today.
The Romans used quarter-round and half-round circle shapes to perform the same function and aesthetic.
With a combination of classic and modern technology, there are so many flexible molding materials that an individual or a business can have built.
Is Crown Molding Outdated?
Is crown molding outdated? If you’re asking yourself this question, think about it differently. While crown molding has been used in architecture and design for hundreds of years, it’s still very much a classic and traditional aspect of today’s design.
There are so many options when it comes to price, design, material, and purpose that it’s almost silly to say it’s outdated. Whether you want to achieve a classic look, a modern look, or a combination of both in a room, you can easily make that happen with crown molding.
Crown molding adds both dimension and value to a room. Do you want to go for recycled material and start using environmentally-friendly ingredients across the board? Check out our ingredients dictionary for everything you might be putting on your body.
