Best Laminate Molding: Pro Guide (5 Style Traps)
As a flooring contractor with years under my belt, I’ve seen firsthand how the right laminate molding can transform a space, and how the wrong choice can be a real eyesore.
Choosing the right laminate molding isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about long-term savings. Think about it: durable, low-maintenance molding means fewer repairs and replacements down the road. That’s money back in your pocket!
In this guide, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about laminate molding, from the different styles available to the common traps that can derail your design dreams. Let’s dive in and make sure you get it right!
Section 1: Understanding Laminate Molding
Okay, let’s start with the basics. What exactly is laminate molding?
Simply put, it’s a decorative trim made from a composite wood core, wrapped in a laminate layer that mimics the look of real wood.
Think of it as the unsung hero that hides those unsightly gaps between your floor and the wall, or between different flooring types.
Components of Laminate Molding:
- Core: Usually made of MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard) or HDF (High-Density Fiberboard). This gives the molding its shape and stability.
- Laminate Layer: This is the decorative surface, typically a printed image of wood grain covered with a protective wear layer.
Types of Laminate Molding:
There’s a whole world of laminate molding out there, each with its own purpose and style. We’ll get into the specific styles in the next section, but here’s a quick overview:
- Quarter Round: A small, rounded trim used to cover gaps.
- Baseboard: Covers the joint between the wall and the floor.
- Crown Molding: Decorative trim for the top of walls, near the ceiling.
- Transition Strips: Connects different flooring types.
- T-Molding: Used where two laminate floors meet at the same height.
Purpose and Importance:
Why bother with molding at all? Well, besides looking good, molding serves several important functions:
- Aesthetic Appeal: It adds a finished, polished look to any room.
- Protection: It protects walls from scuffs and damage.
- Concealment: It hides uneven edges and gaps.
- Value Addition: It can increase home value by improving aesthetics. According to a study by the National Association of Realtors, homes with updated molding and trim tend to sell for a higher price.
Complementing Flooring Types:
Laminate molding isn’t just for laminate floors! It can complement a variety of flooring types, including:
- Hardwood: Choose a laminate molding that closely matches the wood species and stain.
- Tile: Opt for a laminate molding with a similar color and texture to the tile.
- Carpet: Use a transition strip to create a smooth transition from carpet to laminate.
Section 2: The Different Styles of Laminate Molding
Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the different styles of laminate molding. I’m going to break down each one, tell you where it’s typically used, and give you an idea of how it fits into different interior styles.
-
Quarter Round
- Description: This is a small, rounded molding that’s about a quarter of a circle in shape (hence the name!).
- Where It’s Used: Quarter round is your go-to for covering small gaps where the baseboard meets the floor. It’s also great for shoe molding (the little trim along the bottom of cabinets).
- Design Features: Simple, unobtrusive, and available in various colors and finishes.
- Interior Aesthetics: Works
well in almost any style, from
traditional to modern. It’s
versatile enough to blend in
seamlessly.
- Pro-Tip: Quarter-round molding is also one of the cheapest options available, making it great for budget projects.
-
Baseboard
- Description: Baseboard molding runs along the bottom of your walls, where they meet the floor. It’s typically taller and more substantial than quarter round.
- Where It’s Used: Every room needs baseboard! It’s a standard feature that protects walls from kicks and bumps, and hides any unevenness in the floor.
- Design Features: Comes in a wide range of styles, from simple and flat to ornate and decorative.
- Interior Aesthetics: The
style of your baseboard can
really set the tone for your
room. A simple, modern baseboard
works well in minimalist spaces,
while a more elaborate, curved
baseboard is perfect for traditional
or Victorian-style homes.
- Pro-Tip: Baseboard molding can also be used to hide wires along the floor.
-
Crown Molding
- Description: Crown molding is installed at the top of the walls, where they meet the ceiling. It’s typically larger and more decorative than baseboard.
- Where It’s Used: Living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms are common places to find crown molding. It adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to any space.
- Design Features: Available in a variety of styles, from simple and clean to ornate and detailed.
- Interior Aesthetics: Crown
molding is a classic choice for
traditional homes, but it can
also work well in more modern
spaces if you choose a simpler
style.
- Pro-Tip: Crown molding can make a small room feel bigger by drawing the eye upward.
-
Transition Strips
- Description: Transition strips are used to create a smooth transition between two different types of flooring.
- Where It’s Used: Doorways, hallways, and any place where two different flooring materials meet.
- Design Features: Typically flat and low-profile, with a slight ramp to ease the transition.
- Interior Aesthetics: Transition
strips should blend seamlessly
with the surrounding flooring. Choose a color and material that
complements both surfaces.
- Pro-Tip: If you have different flooring heights, you’ll need to use a ramped transition strip to avoid tripping hazards.
-
T-Molding
- Description: T-molding is specifically designed to join two laminate floors together at the same height. It’s shaped like a “T” and fits snugly between the two floors.
- Where It’s Used: Doorways, hallways, and large rooms where laminate flooring is installed continuously.
- Design Features: Available in a variety of colors and finishes to match your laminate flooring.
- Interior Aesthetics: T-molding
should blend seamlessly with the
laminate flooring. Choose a color
and finish that matches as closely
as possible.
- Pro-Tip: Make sure to leave an expansion gap between the laminate floors to allow for natural expansion and contraction. The T-molding will cover this gap.
Section 3: Style Trap #1 – Choosing the Wrong Molding for Your Space
Okay, now that we’ve covered the basics of laminate molding, let’s talk about some common mistakes I see people make. First up: choosing the wrong molding for your space.
This is a big one! Imagine pairing a super ornate, Victorian-style crown molding with a sleek, modern laminate floor. It just doesn’t work, right?
Examples of Mismatched Styles:
- Modern Laminate Flooring with Traditional Baseboard: A clean, minimalist laminate floor paired with a heavily detailed, curved baseboard can look disjointed. The baseboard will overpower the clean lines of the flooring.
- Rustic Laminate Flooring with Ultra-Modern Quarter Round: A laminate floor with a rustic, distressed look paired with a sleek, metallic quarter round can create a jarring contrast. The quarter round will look out of place against the warm, textured flooring.
- High-Gloss Laminate with Matte Molding: A high-gloss laminate flooring paired with matte molding can lack cohesion. The difference in sheen can make the molding appear dull and lifeless.
Visual Impact:
Mismatched molding can throw off the entire aesthetic of your room. It can make the space feel unbalanced, uncoordinated, and just plain wrong. It’s like wearing a tuxedo with sneakers – it just doesn’t quite fit.
Tips for Selecting the Right Molding:
- Consider the Overall Style of Your Home: Is your home modern, traditional, rustic, or something else? Choose molding that complements the overall style.
- Match the Flooring: The molding should coordinate with your flooring in terms of color, style, and finish.
- Think About the Room’s Purpose: A formal living room can handle more ornate molding, while a casual bedroom might be better suited for something simpler.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: If you’re not sure what to choose, consult with a professional designer or flooring contractor. We’re here to help!
Section 4: Style Trap #2 – Neglecting Color Coordination
Color coordination is key when it comes to laminate molding. You don’t want your molding to clash with your flooring or walls. That’s just a recipe for disaster!
Importance of Color Coordination:
The color of your molding can either enhance or detract from the overall look of your room. The goal is to create a cohesive and harmonious space.
Contrasting Colors:
While contrasting colors can be used effectively in some design schemes, they can also be a major pitfall when it comes to molding.
- Too Much Contrast: If you choose a molding color that’s drastically different from your flooring, it can create a jarring effect. The molding will stand out too much and distract from the rest of the room.
- Not Enough Contrast: On the other hand, if you choose a molding color that’s too similar to your flooring, it can blend in and disappear. The molding won’t add any visual interest to the space.
Guidance on Selecting Color Schemes:
- Match the Flooring: The easiest and safest option is to choose a molding color that closely matches your flooring. This creates a seamless and cohesive look.
- Coordinate with the Walls: If you want to add a bit of contrast, choose a molding color that complements your wall color. For example, if you have light-colored walls, you could choose a slightly darker molding color.
- Consider the Undertones: Pay attention to the undertones of your flooring and walls. Are they warm (yellow, orange, red) or cool (blue, green, purple)? Choose a molding color that has the same undertones.
- Use a Color Wheel: A color wheel can be a helpful tool for selecting color schemes. Choose colors that are next to each other on the wheel (analogous colors) for a harmonious look, or colors that are opposite each other (complementary colors) for a more dramatic effect.
Section 5: Style Trap #3 – Ignoring Scale and Proportion
Scale and proportion are crucial elements of design, and they apply to molding just as much as they do to furniture and decor. Choosing molding that’s too big or too small for your room can throw off the entire balance of the space.
Significance of Scale and Proportion:
The size of your molding should be proportional to the size of your room and the height of your ceilings. If you choose molding that’s too large, it can make the room feel cramped and overwhelming. If you choose molding that’s too small, it can get lost and look insignificant.
Oversized vs. Undersized Molding:
- Oversized Molding: Using large, bulky molding in a small room with low ceilings can make the space feel claustrophobic. The molding will dominate the room and make it feel smaller than it actually is.
- Undersized Molding: Using small, thin molding in a large room with high ceilings can make the molding look insignificant and out of place. The molding will get lost in the vastness of the room and won’t add any visual interest.
Appropriate Scaling for Different Room Sizes and Ceiling Heights:
- Small Rooms with Low Ceilings: Choose smaller, simpler molding styles. Avoid overly ornate or detailed molding.
- Medium-Sized Rooms with Standard Ceilings: You have more flexibility in terms of molding size and style. You can choose a medium-sized baseboard and crown molding with moderate detailing.
- Large Rooms with High Ceilings: You can get away with larger, more dramatic molding styles. Consider using taller baseboards and larger crown molding with intricate details.
-
Ceiling Height Guide:
Ceiling Height Recommended Baseboard Height Recommended Crown Molding Height 8 feet 3-5 inches 3-5 inches 9 feet 5-7 inches 5-7 inches 10+ feet 7+ inches 7+ inches
Section 6: Style Trap #4 – Overcomplicating Design Choices
Sometimes, less is more. When it comes to molding, overcomplicating your design choices can lead to a cluttered and overwhelming look.
Risks of Overly Ornate or Detailed Molding:
- Visual Clutter: Too much detail can create a sense of visual clutter, making the room feel busy and unsettling.
- Distraction: Overly ornate molding can distract from the other elements in the room, such as furniture, artwork, and decor.
- Dated Look: Some ornate molding styles can look dated and out of touch with current design trends.
Benefits of Simplicity and Clean Lines:
- Timelessness: Simple, clean lines are timeless and versatile. They work well in a variety of styles and won’t go out of fashion anytime soon.
- Modern Aesthetic: Minimalism is a key trend in modern design. Simple molding styles fit perfectly with this aesthetic.
- Versatility: Simple molding can be easily paired with different flooring types, wall colors, and decor styles.
Examples of Minimalist Approaches:
- Flat Baseboard: A flat, unadorned baseboard is a great choice for modern and minimalist spaces.
- Simple Quarter Round: A simple, unobtrusive quarter round is perfect for covering gaps without adding visual clutter.
- Clean Crown Molding: A clean, unadorned crown molding can add a touch of elegance without being overly ornate.
Section 7: Style Trap #5 – Skipping Installation Considerations
You’ve chosen the perfect laminate molding, but the job is not over yet! Proper installation is crucial for achieving a polished and professional look. Skipping this step can undermine all your previous efforts.
Importance of Proper Installation:
Even the most beautiful molding can look terrible if it’s not installed correctly. Gaps, uneven joints, and sloppy cuts can ruin the entire aesthetic.
Common Installation Pitfalls:
- Incorrect Cuts: Cutting molding at the wrong angle can create gaps and uneven joints.
- Inadequate Fastening: Not using enough nails or adhesive can cause the molding to come loose over time.
- Uneven Surfaces: Installing molding on uneven surfaces can create a wavy or crooked appearance.
- Not Filling Nail Holes: Leaving nail holes unfilled can detract from the overall look of the molding.
Tips for Ensuring a Professional-Looking Installation:
- Use the Right Tools: Invest in a good miter saw, nail gun, and caulking gun.
- Measure Carefully: Measure twice, cut once! Accurate measurements are essential for a seamless installation.
- Cut at the Correct Angle: Use a miter saw to cut molding at the correct angle for corners and joints.
- Use Plenty of Fasteners: Use enough nails or adhesive to securely attach the molding to the wall.
- Fill Nail Holes and Gaps: Use wood filler to fill nail holes and caulk to fill any gaps between the molding and the wall.
- Sand and Paint: Sand the filled nail holes and caulk smooth, then paint or stain the molding to match your flooring and walls.
- Consider hiring a Professional: According to HomeAdvisor, professional molding installation costs between \$4 and \$10 per linear foot.
Conclusion
Choosing the right laminate molding can make a huge difference in the overall look and feel of your home. By avoiding these common style traps and taking the time to make informed decisions, you can create a space that’s both beautiful and functional.
Remember, the right laminate molding can not only enhance your home’s aesthetic appeal but also contribute to long-term savings through its durability and low maintenance. Take your time, do your research, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
With a little planning and effort, you can transform your home into a space you’ll love for years to come!
