5 Questions to Ask About Installing Interior Trim and Decorative Molding

If you want to upscale your home, installing or upgrading your interior trim and molding is a great way to do it. Many older homes used trim and molding to add elegance and depth to a home, and the project itself isn’t extravagantly expensive. Have you considered how many windows to trim? What rooms to install molding? Here are some things to think about that'll help you understand the project in finer detail on your first call with a pro. 

1. When do you need this work done?

Installing trim or molding is almost never an urgent job. There are some cases where a leaking window will require you to replace the trim, but unless that’s the case, it’s okay to take your time. You’ll also save money not needing the job completed quickly, and it gives you more time to explore different contractor quotes and trim materials and styles. 

2. How many rooms require trim or decorative molding?

There are different styles of molding and trim—some may work well in some rooms but not in others. You have to consider the height of the walls, the desired effect (understated versus emphasized), your personal budget, and the style of the home. Talk to a local crown molding installer as they will have invaluable advice and ideas you may not have considered.  

3. How many windows need trim, and do they need to be replaced?

Unless you’re replacing all your windows at once, it’s common to install the trim on the windows of just one room or one floor of your home. It’s a large job to do every window so unless they are leaking or you just want a refresh, it’s more cost-effective to only replace or install what you need. 

4. What material do you want to use? 

The material you use will greatly affect the cost of the project. Trim requires materials different from molding since it needs to repel water. Fortunately, this often makes it less expensive, as materials like PVC and foam are lower-cost alternatives to wood. While you can use the same materials for molding, it’s common to use solid wood for molding. This is doubly true if you don’t paint it, letting the natural grain shine through. 

5. Are you planning to install both trim and molding? 

Trim and molding complement each other extremely well, so it’s common to install both at once or, at the very least, match the paint. You can often save on labor costs if you agree to hire a contractor for both at one time. Consider the effect you want to have for the work, and if it isn’t better to knock it out all at once versus having a contractor come out twice.