Glossary of Molding Terms

B

Bevel: An angled cut made through a board from face to face.

C

Casing: Trim work around any opening; most commonly associated with doors and windows

Cope Joint: A joint used on trim with rounded profiles

Corner Block: A decorative block used in molding installation at either an inside or outside corner so the molding can be cut straight instead of mitered.

Cove: A concave profile milled into a board’s surface

D

Divider Block: A decorative block used in molding installation so the molding can be cut straight instead of scarfed.

E

Edge: Either of the two longer sides of a board, perpendicular to the face.

End: Either of the two shorter sides of a board perpendicular to the face.

F

Face: Either of the two wide surfaces of a board.

Finger joint: A joint where the lines of the joint resemble interlocked fingers; commonly used in paint grade trim.

I

Inside corner: A corner in which the “V” or point of the corner points away from the viewer.

Intermediate block: A decorative block used in molding installation o straight runs of molding so the molding can be cut straight instead of making a scarf joint.

J

Jamb: Top, sides, studs, frame and trim of a door, window or other opening.

O

Outside corner: A corner in which the “V” or point of the corner points toward the viewer.

P

Pilaster: A vertical element of an assembly; usually refers to ornate elements of a doorjamb or mantle.

Pilot hole: A hole in a work piece pre-drilled for a nail or screw; the purpose is to avoid splitting the work piece when the fastener is driven.

Plinth block: A molding block used at the base of a door casing.

Predrill: Drilling pilot holes for screws or nails before running or driving them, to avoid splitting the work piece.

Profile: The shape of a piece of trim as viewed from an end.

R

Rosette: A molding piece used to replace mitered corners in window and door casings.

S

Scarf joint: A joint used to splice pieces in a straight run. To make the joint, cut one piece through the face at 45° so the edge of the cut is visible from the front. On the second piece, cut through the face at 45° so the edge of the cut is hidden from the front.

Scribe: Transferring the contour of one surface to another.

Set: Driving nails below the surface.

Sill: The lowest horizontal piece of a window or door.