Replies

1. 
   Dave45 | Sep 19, 2005 04:38pm | #1

   I've always thought of this as a matter of personal preference.  When you say casing, are you talking about door casing, window casing, baseboards, chair railing?

   You may want to hang some of each and see how you like the look.  I've also used the same (or very similar) profile in different widths.

1. 
   mojo | Sep 19, 2005 05:43pm | #2

   "When you say casing, are you talking about door casing, window casing, baseboards, chair railing?"

   Good question.  I just assumed the window casings would match the door casings.  But this brings up a good question.  Do door and window casings always match?  I thought this was generally the case.  We plan on using a taller baseboard than we've used in the past.  It will be 6+".  We are still deciding on the profile.

   Someone once suggested that I run smaller casing upstairs with the bedrooms than downstairs in the common areas.  I'd just assume to run everything the same but I'd expect this preference may be chosen by some.

1. 
   Dave45 | Sep 19, 2005 08:49pm | #3

   Like everything else, it's a matter of your taste and preference - unless you're married, of course.

   I know of no "rules" about this sort of thing.  I've made my own casings, used commercial casings, and done mixes of both.  It's just whatever you like and are willing to do.

   Generally speaking, rooms with higher (over eight feet) ceilings look better with wider baseboards (and crown molding).   About a year ago, I put crown in five rooms for a customer.  Two rooms had 8' ceilings, one had a 9' ceiling, and two had 12' ceilings.  I used the same profile but in different widths depending on the height of the ceiling.  It's all in proportion and looks great.

2. 
   donk123 | Sep 19, 2005 08:54pm | #4

   Mojo - Dave's got it right. There's a lot of personal preference here.

   I'm redoing an 1880's Victorian, pulled out 2 1/2" colonial casing, figured I would reuse some nice old 5" stuff that I had saved from another building of the same vintage. I did one window and stopped. The old stuff was almost 6" wide, and though beautful, it overpowered the windows. I wound up with the 3 1/4" colonial casing. In  1 or 2 rooms, I might pretty it up with a backband or some such.

   The investment in 1 or 2 windows as a trial is well worth it.

   Don

3. 
   calvin | Sep 19, 2005 09:35pm | #5

   Mo, hello again.

   If you are comtemplating a base so wide, you almost have to increase the size of your casings to at least 3-1/4".  Base that big would dwarf anything narrower. 

   Why not make up a guess list and go get some sticks of the profile you like in the differing dimensions.  Go to the lumberyard and get shorts if they have them.

   or,

   Take some lauan ply scraps (or anything) and rip up some of the widths you're thinking about, use those to mimic the casing and base configuration.  Stain it or paint it according to what your finish will be.  Stand back and ask the wife what she likes.

   One other consideration is crammed corner/casings where you have only so much room between doors/corners etc w/o ripping the casings.  Another, outlet or switch plate to door/window jamb.  On some wide casings you almost need to block over the devices so they don't crowd the casings at finish.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   Quittin' Time

   
   

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   Edited 9/19/2005 2:41 pm ET by calvin

1. 
   mojo | Sep 19, 2005 09:47pm | #6

   Thanks for the advice.  I'm definitely going to hit the lumber yard and pick up a few pieces to test fit.  When we were framing, we planned that we might want to do 3+" casing so we made sure all openings would accommodate.  One slipped past us but it is hidden in a corner so we can use 2 1/2" and it wont be seen easily.

   Thanks again.