Moldings Quality

VA Remodeler

Having more and more problems finding top quality moldings. Years ago we used to get moldings that were from what I believe was US Western White Softwoods and NW Canadian White Softwoods.

Now it seems like eveything is foriegn wood, around here anyway in SW Virginia.

I've learned thru the years to stick with top quality molding distributors, but it seems like even those places are switching to foriegn wood.

The crown molding I just put up was another dis-appointment. It was good, but not like the high quality stock of yesteryear. This particular batch was not labeled, but I believe it was from Chile.

tcleve4911

As a trim carpenter in New England, we find that the better (paintable) moldings are milled from Poplar wood. Box stores & the "True Value" lumber yards are buying mass produced products from anywhere in the world. A millwork shop is your best bet. They use the same knives & are very quality control oriented. You pay more but you're not wasting money on your time to work with inferior products. Plus, it supports local businesses.

__________________
Back in Maine
Dubbin' Around
Doin' good stuff ......

troubleseeker

I don't know where the stock comes from that our mill supplier uses, but I do comment often about what kind of "jungle weed" this stuff must be milled from, because of the peculiar smell some of it has. If you really want to have a benchmark for poor quality, look at the wood mouldings at the big box stores. If the make the stuff any thinner, it will come on a roll

Tom R

Now that's SCARY!!

VA Remodeler

Good suggestion, altho millwork shops around here are closing up. We only have 1 left to speak of. I do have them make some special stuff for me now and then, but next time I'll check on having them running some regular stock for me. There is one small drawback to that tho, as they will most likely want you to take all they run for you, even if it is not perfect. I'm pretty fussy picking out pieces and might want to pass on some of them, but I'm still going to give it a try.

VA Remodeler

True, but they sometimes buy from top quality millwork distributors, around here anyway. I put more blame on the distributors. It looks like they are the ones changing the industry.

BeachBum

A lot of production has moved offshore over the last 15 years or so. Most are taking 4/4 rough lumber and resawing for yield and they wind up with scant material from woods that lack density. Most of our day to day production is now poplar, it's readily available in common thicknesses and lengths.