What are Panel Mouldings? Everything you need to know
You’ve probably seen them before – those little decorative pieces of trim that enhance the doors and walls. What are they called, and why do they look the way they do?
In a nutshell, Panel mouldings are mouldings with a linear profile that can be mitered and made into a frame to create the impression of panelled walls. Alternatively, they can give a more decorative look to furniture, shelving, doors etc as either a panel or a decorative feature.
They are usually based on a traditional Ogee design (as seen above) but come in various shapes and sizes and you can choose what you feel will be best for the style of the house and project. When it comes to a feature wall – there are no rules as any pattern or design can make up a feature wall. This naturally allows for an injection of creativity into the project.
Panel mouldings are usually made from wood, though some can be made from plastic, Styrofoam or wood composite, and are usually painted or stained to match or compliment the background.
What type of Panel Mouldings do Wood Mouldings provide?
Our timber panel mouldings come in white hardwood, pine or mahogany. Their decorative profiles are based a traditional Ogee design but are available in a number of varying styles such as plain Ogee, Broken Ogee (BOG) or the more decorative Panel OG . However, your creativity need not be confined to these as alternative profiles from our decorative mouldings or PAO range can also be used to create a wide range of designs depending on the preference of the user.
For a more modern or mid-century look, planed mouldings such as PAOs or Stripwood can be arranged in a grid shaped pattern to create a shaker style panel. Alternatively, for an even quicker and simpler transformation, line your stripwood or PAO of choice in a basic vertical pattern from floor to ceiling for a more cottage style look. Again there are no hard set-rules – it’s what works for you!
What mouldings should I use to create wall panelling?
Mouldings have the potential to transform the look of any wall. There are many different types of moulding available, but we find most people prefer to use solid wood mouldings In the traditional ogee style. If desired, for a more eye-catching panel these can be layered, using larger profiles on the outside of your panel going to smaller on the inside.
You decide what type of pattern and look at your aiming for and choose your mouldings accordingly? At Wood Mouldings – our 2 best-selling panels are the classic Ogee and the smaller B.O.G.
These mouldings are very popular because they are easy to work with and can be finished in a variety of ways. The diversity of wood type makes them suitable for a variety of different finishes.
What are the Benefits of Timber Panel Mouldings?
Solid wood mouldings are made from a renewable resource and therefore are better for the environment than plastic alternatives. Wood also allows you use stain as well as paint to achieve a greater variety of finishes. If you do choose to stain your mouldings, choose pine and you’ll get a rich, natural looking finish that enhances the natural and beautiful grain of real timber.
In essence the key benefits are:
- Aesthetically Pleasing – they can transform a room into something much more appealing. When done right – they give a timeless look.
- Affordable. Panel mouldings can allow for a revamp without a pricy remodel.
- Low Maintenance. Wood Panels are durable and safeguard the wall from scratches and any other damage that may occur.
Panel Mouldings vs. Glue Edge Panel Boards
Panel Mouldings are used to decorate your walls, doors etc, most often to recreate the look of old fashioned wall panelling, used in the 13th & 14th centuries to warm up cold stone walls. Today they are a purely decorative addition to your home and their use is not confined to the recreation of the panel effect.
Glue Edge panels however, although with imagination, they could be used to create a decorative feature wall or bed head, are mainly used for shelving, cupboard doors, attic hatches etc.
Glue Edged Panel Boards are pine boards in varying sizes of white and red deal, with an 18mm thickness and rounded edges. The boards are engineered, which refers to a process where a large panel is created by glueing pieces of smaller dimension together to remove flaws & knots and create a more stable panel than single piece equivalent. This creates a panel that is more resistant to warping and twisting and is much easier to work with.
Let’s look at some of the most common places to use panel mouldings in houses.
Where to Use Panel Mouldings?
Panel Mouldings in Bedrooms
Improve wardrobe doors, bedside cabinets, bedheads etc with our BOG Panel mouldings range. These are on the smaller end of the panel selection and are ideal for decorating budget bedroom furniture to create a more upmarket look.
Panel Mouldings on Stairs
Panel mouldings add huge glamour to a staircase wall and can turn an ordinary stairway and landing into something special. This job may require the skills of a carpenter to achieve a professional look as the angle of the stairs can make the job tricky. However, it will be worth it to transform what can be a dull and featureless area… into a talking point in your hallway. (Choosing the right stair parts for this job is crucial. If you need some guidance on the many different parts of a staircase, let us now!)
Panel Mouldings in Sitting Rooms
Mounting panel mouldings as rectangular frames behind a couch or on a feature wall creates the look of an elegant period home. Painted the same colour as the wall behind, the mouldings blend to appear part of the structure. The rectangular space created can then be used as a frame to hang a picture, mirror, or feature wall lamp for a touch of chic.
To match you can also enhance your budget bookshelves with mouldings from our architrave range around the edges of the unit and smaller decorative trim on the shelf area. If done carefully you can achieve the illusion of a built in shelving area and the elegant feel of a period home.
Panel Mouldings in Kitchens
Panel or decorative mouldings are a popular choice on kitchen cabinets because they can transform an outdated or plain kitchen into something special by adding warmth and character. Panel mouldings are also an excellent and cost effective way to disguise unsightly boxing which covers electrical panels or pipes. Additionally, they can help define or decorate areas like islands, pantry doors and other places where cabinets don’t go.
In kitchen dining areas or banquettes, shaker style feature walls can make an excellent addition to shaker cabinetry. This can be created with mouldings from our PAO or Stripwood ranges.
Other Common Questions about Panel Mouldings
How to Install Panel Mouldings
The general steps to installing panel mouldings are as follows:
- Mark out the area you wish to attach your mouldings to. If you are creating squares or rectangles the outer edge of your moulding will need to match the length of each side you have marked.
- Cut your mouldings to length making a 45 degree angle from the outer edge of the profile to the inside (so that your outer edge is longer than the inner) using a mitre or circular saw.
- Sand down any rough edges with sandpaper until they’re smooth.
- Apply two coats of primer to the entire surface of the moulding. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next one.
- Once the first coat has dried (about an hour), apply three coats of paint. Let each coat dry for at least 24 hours.
- When the final coat of paint has dried, use a putty knife to remove any excess paint.
- Use a level to make sure the moulding is plumb. It should sit flat against the wall.
- Attach the moulding to the wall using construction adhesive.
- Smooth out any air bubbles with a wet cloth.
- Seal the area around any windows or doors where the moulding meets the wall with caulk.
- Enjoy!
How To Build Your Feature Wall?
If you want to build a feature wall, then you’ll need to find a good source of inspiration. There are so many great ideas online that it can be difficult to choose just one. Take a look at our feature wall page for some ideas.
Once the design and look has been settled you can get down to work.
Can I use dado rails as decorative wall moulding/panelling?
Yes, absolutely. Dado rails are actually very versatile. They can be used on both interior and exterior walls. You can even use them to create unique features inside your home. Although most common in Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian houses – it is your project and thus your individual creativity to decide what goes where…
Final Words on Panel Mouldings
Panel Mouldings are simple yet elegant. And critically there is more than one way to use panel mouldings in your home or for the project you’re working on. If you would like any assistance, in using panel mouldings in the best way possible – please get in touch with us or or seek the expertise of your local stockist as listed on our website.