Jazz up Windows by Adding Built-up Molding by Pat Logan on Creators.com

Recently

Avoid Typical Electrical Wiring Errors Dear Pat: I just had a new two-car garage built, and I am remodeling the old one-car garage into a family room. I plan to do some of the wiring myself. What are some of the common wiring mistakes I should avoid? — Karen S. Dear Karen: If you …Read more. Add a New Front Door in the Old Doorjamb Dear Pat: My wood front door needs to be replaced, but I want to save some money and not remove the entire frame and jamb. What is the best way to install a new wood front door in the existing door frame? — Sissy M. Dear Sissy: The door itself …Read more. Remove and Replace a Damaged Ceramic Tile From a Floor Dear Pat: We have large ceramic tiles on the floor in our foyer. One of them has gotten badly scratched, and I need to replace it. What is the proper procedure to remove and replace one without damaging the other tiles? — Ronda S. Dear Ronda: …Read more. How to Properly Install a Leak-free Roof Dear Pat: I am having a major room addition to my house. In my past two houses, the shingle roofs leaked prematurely. What should I look for and discuss with the roofers to make sure this roof lasts longer? — Sandi M. Dear Sandi: Most roofs …Read more.

Jazz up Windows by Adding Built-up Molding

Dear Pat: I just had replacement windows installed in my living room. Instead of having standard window trim installed, I plan to make casing trim myself. Is this going to be difficult to fit well? — Sara N.

Dear Sara: Adding decorative window and door casing trim is one of the easiest and least expensive methods to improve the appearance of a room. Doing this project while you are having new replacement windows installed is the ideal time because the interior trim will have already been removed.

The typical type of window casing trim used by builders is clamshell or colonial style. This can be found at any home center store and it is fairly inexpensive. Even though these one-piece types of trim are simple designs and commonly used, they can be difficult to install. With just one piece on each side and the top, the joints have to fit well for a professional-looking appearance.

Thicker, more ornate window casing trim can be much more attractive and actually easier to install if you use a built-up multi-piece design. Single-piece deep designs are installed identically to any other type of window casing trim. To the contrary, three-piece designs are easy for the inexperienced do-it-yourselfers because the cuts and fit do not have to be as accurate.

Three-piece built-up window casing trim consists of three separate parts — flat casing, edge band and filler strip. The flat casing is the first piece attached around the window frame. A size of about 3/4 inches by 3 to 4 inches is typical. Since this flat casing is relatively thin, it can be deflected enough to follow even a somewhat wavy wall surface.

Standard thicker casing trim is too rigid to deflect.

The edge board is located around the edge of the flat casing. It is the finish strip around the outside and usually extends out somewhat past the flat casing. A 3/4-inch by 1 1/2-inch piece is often a good size to use. The filler strip provides a stepped transition from the flat casing to the edge band. It also covers any gaps if you did not get the first two pieces to fit well together. A 3/4-inch by 3/4-inch piece is adequate.

It is least expensive to combine off-the-shelf moldings to create the built-up molding. Some attractive combinations of flat casings and fillers that use a 3/4-inch by 1 1/2-inch edge band are: 3 1/2-inch base, 11/16-inch by 1 3/8-inch base mold; 4 1/2-inch base, 5/8-inch by 3/4-inch scotia; and 2 1/2-inch casing, 1/2-inch quarter-round.

The first step to creating a built-up casing is to cut and install the stool (indoor windowsill). A deep stool is best so it extends out further from the wall than any part of the built-up casing. To determine the width of the stool, tack a small piece of the flat casing and edge band on each side of the window. The stool should extend at least 1 inch past the edge band.

The next step is to cut and install the flat casing on each side and across the top. Use an accurate miter saw to create a 45-degree angle at the top of each side piece and on both ends of the top piece. Place the nails near the outer edge so the filler strip covers the heads. Nail on mitered edge band pieces and cover the joint with the filler.

Send your questions to Here's How, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com. To find out more about Pat Logan and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.