Molding is an important detail and finishing touch for kitchen cabinetry. Molding improves the overall effect of the kitchen by creating a custom and polished look. There are several different kinds of molding options available. Depending on your design preferences and selected cabinets the options are almost limitless. Here are some of the most common molding options available for your kitchen cabinets.
Crown Molding
Crown molding is a decorative molding applied to the top of the cabinets. Keep in mind, the amount of frame above the door to attach to will vary depending on the specific cabinet line you choose. Crown comes in various styles and sizes, to accommodate any design style and ceiling height.
Light Rail Molding
Light rail molding is a decorative molding applied to the bottom frame of wall cabinets. It functions as a way to conceal under cabinet lighting. Light rail molding comes in a variety of heights, and styles. The most commonly used height is ¾-inch. Light rail molding can also be used in various places to hide seams of two stacked cabinets or even to conceal a measurement that doesn’t line up with the adjacent cabinetry.
Base Molding
Base molding is decorative molding used in various ways. The most common use for base molding is completing the look of an island or peninsula to avoid having just a panel sitting flat on the ground. Base molding will give an island a more ‘furniture like’ feel. This type of molding is great to apply on all sides and flush to the toe space to create one continuous piece.
Base molding can also be used as a way to create a ‘table ledge’ between base cabinets or decorative posts. It is installed upside down so that the profile edge is facing down. This creates a decorative look, while also adding more support for your countertop overhang.
Base molding is sometimes used as a way to create a ‘rise’ for crown molding in order to bring it flush to the ceiling.
Fillers
Fillers function in many ways, fill any leftover gap in a run of cabinets, where the cabinets do not fit exactly. They can be used horizontally or vertically. Fillers are also used as way to space doors and drawers from walls, appliances, or any other obstruction, that would otherwise inhibit them from fully functioning. Fillers are sold in 3″ and 6″ widths, and various heights. They need to be field cut to the specific size you are trying to fill.
Toe Kick Molding
Toe kick molding is thin, flat piece of molding applied to the recessed toe space of adjoining cabinets on a wall. It is sold in 96″ lengths, that you cut to fit to your installed run of cabinetry.
Scribe
Scribe molding can be used a number of places to cover any gap where a cabinet meets a wall, whether vertical or horizontal. It is also used to cover the cut ends of toe kick molding. Scribe can be used any place you need to cut an edge and don’t want an unfinished edge revealed. The standard height for scribe is ¾-inch. It has a straight edge on one side, which is usually placed flush against the wall. The other, bottom side curves to meet the cabinet.
Outside Corner Molding
Outside corner molding is a trim molding applied anywhere where there is an exposed raw corner edge. It is most commonly used on the back corner of an island or a peninsula where a finished panel is cut to length and applied to the run of cabinets.
Inside Corner Molding
Inside corner molding is a trim molding applied where two panels join on an inside corner. It is typically used on an island or peninsula where there is a varied depth creating an inside corner.
Skin Panels
A skin panel is a finished panel that is placed against the end of a visible unfinished cabinet side. It fits flush behind the face frame of the cabinet.
Starter/Riser Molding
Many designs are finished with crown molding installed flush to the ceiling. Since ceiling heights are variable, and the crown is rarely the exact height you need, a starter or riser molding is ideal to achieve a smooth transition. The starter or riser molding can be anywhere from 3″- 6″ in height, and sold in 8′ pieces.
The starter or riser molding is applied to the top frame of the cabinets before the crown molding is installed. The benefit of using starter molding is the flexibility to disguise uneven ceiling height. When a specific starter molding is not available in a collection a 3″ or 6″ x 96″ horizontal filler is also an option.
