How to Care for Intricate Wooden Trim and Crown Molding in Historic Homes
Trim such as crown molding and baseboard trim can transform a house into something truly amazing. Trim can be the final touch to a house remodel that seems like the dessert after a good meal. Installing crown molding is just the start – maintaining the look is important, especially if the trim is made from real wood. We regularly work with homeowners who rejuvenate and reuse the antique crown molding and wood accent pieces in their historic homes. So today we wanted to give you some wood care tips that will have the wood accents in your home looking spectacular in no time.
How to Revive Old Trim
While you can go about cleaning up old trim before applying new paint or varnish yourself, you may end up damaging the existing material. For this reason, many people choose to hire us to professionally care for their trim and molding. Not only is it necessary to clean away grease and grime from the surface of the molding, you also need to scrape away any damaged finish. Not knowing what to do or using the wrong tools can result in serious damage to the wood. If this happens, you may need to replace the entire thing, which can be costly if it is possible at all. Some older pieces are one-of-a-kind and irreplaceable.
Over time, trim such as baseboard, gets damaged by furniture and other objects accidentally coming into contact with it. These bumps will result in scratch marks, gouges and cracks. The best way to keep the damage from being obvious is to repair it with plaster, wood putty, or another suitable material. Being able to refinish to maintain the look depends on good quality work.
Cleaning Wooden Trim
If you have wooden trim at home, you can do some basic cleaning to help keep it looking good until you are ready for a full renovation. It is necessary to dust and vacuum the trim often to prevent dust build-up. For baseboards, it is easy for the dust from cleaning the floor to get into ornate creases in the design. When this happens, it is necessary to vacuum the creases to remove as much of the dirt as you can. Gently wipe down the trim with mild soap and water. If you see mildew when you inspect your wooden trim, it may be necessary to remove the trim for a proper cleaning.
To prevent damage, local homeowners often hire us to come in and remove the trim and replace it after the cleaning is completed. Others simply prefer for us to remove it, clean it, and replace it. We are happy to help in either scenario, because we know how important it is to keep these original wood pieces in good condition.
We not only install attractive trim, we will help you give new life to damaged or old molding or wainscoting. We know trim and we will help you to bring out the beauty of your home with work that is attractive as well as long lasting. Call us any time at 802-862-4754 to discuss your wood trim or if you have any remodeling or home rejuvenation ideas.