Andy wants to know where to buy Panel Moulding-007, and how to install it so it does not interfere with the door.

Plinth block

Plinth block and pilaster parts.

Hi Ken: Your website is one of my favorites.  I have found such great information, and thank you for the time you have spent putting it together.  My questions are about BASEBOARD-103:

Q  I have two questions:

1. How do you suggest configuring the necking on the plinth blocks shown such that it does not interfere with the door?

2.  Where are you finding the necking?  I can’t find anything at local stores that is similar.

Thanks,
Andy
A  Hi Andy:  We’re so glad you like the site!  I’ll jump to your second question first: Where to Buy Panel Moulding-007?

Where to Buy Panel Moldings?

The delicate panel molding you refer to is the necking on DOOR TRIM-114’s plinth block.  It’s a classic molding profile that every molding retailer should carry.

Custom Millwork  The best source for quality moldings is a local millwork company that makes their own moldings.  I was lucky when I built DOOR TRIM-114 because I lived in Phoenix at the time, so I could buy great moldings from Saguaro Moldings.  They have a drawing of that necking profile in their online catalog (Their Item #1305 external link).
Unfortunately, most local molding retailers don’t stock a basic set of classical profiles any longer, so you’ll have to do what I always do — go molding store and lumber yard-hopping looking for that special piece.

Both Lowes and Home Depot have displays of small specialty moldings that may include a profile that will work.

Online Molding Suppliers  I’ve never bought moldings from an Internet supplier before, so I can’t recommend a company for you (If anyone reading this knows of a good one, tell us about it in the comment section below).  But the dreadful economy has probably closed many of the specialty molding stores where you could buy nice little moldings like that, and so now I think many of us have to consider buying our smaller pieces online.
It pains me to say that, but here in Tucson there is not one single molding store left that I am aware of.  When Jennifer and I start buying moldings for Our Molding Makeover, we will either have to drive all the way to Phoenix to go molding shopping, or we’ll just have to take the plunge and buy from an online molding retailer.  We’ll keep you posted.

Last Resorts  If you can’t find that specific profile, don’t hesitate to substitute it with something similar.  If you can’t find any profile that you’re happy with, then you can simply omit the necking from the plinth block, as it is not absolutely necessary — it’s an extra design element.

How to Keep the Necking Molding From Interfering With the Door?  

Things to consider that will keep the necking molding from interfering with the door opening:
DOOR TRIM-114’s profile picture is installed on a sliding pocket door, so the necking can’t possibly get in the way.  Further down that same page however, you’ll see the same door trim pattern installed on a normal front door in the same room.

When designing that plinth block and pilaster, I had to consider if PM-007 would get in the door’s way when I wrapped it around the plinth block and returned it to the door jamb.  I tested a piece and found that I could return it to the jamb without a problem.  You will have to do the same thing too.

The Most Important Thing  Andy, make sure that whatever molding you use for your plinth block necking, that it’s not so big that it forces your pilaster to expose the gap between the door jamb and the drywall.

The Absolute Most Best Solution: Install a Scriber

Look at the right side of the fluted pilaster on DOOR TRIM-110 in the picture below.  Do you see that flat space about 1-1/2″ wide?  That’s called a scriber, and in this case it is nothing more than a piece of 1/4″ thick MDF flat-stock I used not only as a design element, but more importantly, as a way to give myself more space to wrap the large pedestal moldings around and return them on the inside of the design.  Why?  So they did not get in the way when the door swings open.  And there’s no reason you can’t use scribers on DOOR TRIM-114.
Scribers give you room to return.

Base and capital of this pedestal is returned on to the scriber.

I hope some of this makes sense.  Andy, if you have any other questions or need something clarified, don’t hesitate to ask.

Good luck with your project, and make sure you send us some pictures when you’re all done so we can show off your work!

Cheers,
Ken

Do you have a question?  I’ll give it my best shot.
  • Send your questions to thejoyofmoldings@gmail. com.
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I will reply to questions in the order they are received, so please give me a few days to get to yours.  I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

Cheers, Ken