Choosing defined millwork can set the tone for your entire interior design project. It can add architectural personality, charm and aesthetic value to your home. Wood trim and moulding whether paint or stain grade helps finalize a design theme and defines your home’s style and era — which in turn adds value to your investment. So, how do you incorporate the right grade and style of millwork to suit your home?
Paint-grade Millwork
One trend to consider as you’re selecting millwork that’s captured the attention of many homeowners is the sleek white-on-white look. Simple, yet effective, white painted millwork, i.e. door and window casing or trim, crowns, baseboards and moulding, can brighten up a room by adding an architectural element also making it feel fresh and modern. Well-painted trim work can also help achieve that popular farmhouse look, or accent most any style due to its versatility.
Paint grade millwork has a smooth and modern look which is a great option for out of reach areas such as windows and crown moulding, which creates a sense of depth in a room. Due to the lightweight and soft qualities, paint grade material is very flexible around corners and curves.
Although popular and stylish in modern homes, paint grade millwork surprisingly falls a bit on the expensive side. Supplies for paint can cost around $200, and labor can cost between $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the size of the project.
Your budget may ultimately come down to how long you expect your millwork to last and how much maintenance you’re willing to do. Paint lasts a little over 10 years as it is prone to cracking and chipping due to the fact that it doesn’t move with the natural expansion and contraction of wood.
Stain-Grade Millwork
If you have an older home, there’s a high chance you probably have some high-quality stained woodwork. The ability to match trim work around an older house is important in achieving a sense of warmth and rustic charm, especially during any remodeling phases. Classic homes such as Victorian style commonly have gorgeous woods that can be difficult to match without the help of a professional.
In general, stain grade millwork will result in sturdier higher-quality wood, therefore it’s a great option for high traffic areas like homes with kids or pets, plus it’s gorgeous and very low maintenance. Stained wood also has a more natural appearance, which pairs beautifully with traditional homes.
The average cost for stain is a bit less than paint and falls around $100 to $150 for the supplies and between $1,500 to $4,000 for professional labor. Staining wood is also generally easier than painting, which in turn could save you a lot of money by doing it yourself.
In addition to a lower cost, stained millwork also lasts an average of around 20 to 30 years as it is less prone to cracking, flaking, and chipping. Stained wood is also washable due to its waterproof base, which means it is very hassle-free to clean.
Custom millwork is created locally at Johnson Brothers and has been since the turn of the 20th century. Whether remodeling one room, updating a historic structure, or building all new from the ground up — the choices and selection at Johnson Brothers are practically endless — just check out the below catalog link and you’ll get the idea! Choose from oak, poplar, Alder (clear or knotty), ash, birch, cherry, hickory, walnut or white oak. Ask your contractor, or visit our Idaho Falls or Boise showrooms today to inquire about special order designs and custom millwork. View our Custom Wood Moulding and Millwork Catalog.