Replies

1. 
   Piffin | Oct 24, 2002 04:28pm | #1

   There is no way to anticipate what will be popular in ten years in your locale. The other issue is a marriage problem, not a constuction one.

   .

   Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   Mugsy | Oct 24, 2002 10:16pm | #2

   Paint the maple white?  LOL  Piffin said it, it's a marriage issue. She will win.  If not now, soon.

3. 
   Qtrmeg | Oct 24, 2002 11:28pm | #3

   Where are you finding competitive prices for maple trim and millwork? Around here it is not an off the shelf item, and you would not only pay a premium for the installation you would pay dearly for the stock.

   Ups & downs? I see maple costing much more, a lot more than painted trim, while resale difference would be about the same, provided the maple trim doesn't get roughed up after ten years. Painted trim can usually be patched up and painted to be like new.

   You could do what I did, I went with clear finished wood mostly, with a more detailed painted trim in the "money" rooms. I also kinda like painted doors with stained trim, (or vice versa), it all works.

1. 
   jacob6 | Oct 24, 2002 11:50pm | #4

   What kind of wood works best to paint? I was thinking maybe pine or poplar, but can you but poplar doors reasonable?

   The process I would do is use my sprayer to finish before installing then touchup after completion. Or is there a better way?

1. 
   Qtrmeg | Oct 25, 2002 02:45am | #5

   James, this could be a long thread. I don't know where you are, what design you are building, what your budget is, who is doing the work, how long you plan to stay here, or what your tastes are.

   Oh ya, there also isn't a thing I say here that someone doesn't know more about.

   As for wood species, any closed grain wood can paint well, but you need to see what is available off the shelf to keep your budget in line. I will say that most of the stock trim is some form of pine, and don't let anyone talk you into mdf trim. It has also been a while since I was able to find any poplar I would give two shakes for.

   As for painting, ya, there is a better way. When you figure out what you are going to install we can talk about how to get it painted...

4. 
   Schelling | Oct 25, 2002 03:22am | #6

   We use a lot of hardwood trim in the houses we build. It is an upgrade. The materials are actually not any more expensive but we do have a good local source for hardwoods who mills to our specs. What does cost quite a bit more is the labor to install and finish the trim. Maple in particular is pretty unforgiving and if every thing is not perfect, the result is less than satisfactory. Unless you and your builder are pretty good woodworkers, you will be disappointed. Of course, all this information is irrelevant in your case, because your wife will be getting painted trim.

5. 
   DougU | Oct 26, 2002 06:28am | #7

   James

   Both maple and painted trim are popular right now just south of you a bit, so the price diff is not much, in my area that is. Painted trim is more traditional and maybe will not fall out of favor as quick as maple could, but who knows.

   Maybe you could do paint in some areas and maple in the kitchen or some combination of the two woods.

   Poplar wood paints up very good and should be available in your area, its plentiful here in Iowa and the wood is very good. Somebody else mentioned poplar and the quality but that may be a regional thing, also someone else mentioned not using MDF for trim, good idea, the stuff is crap for base and case but is good for built in architectural elements.

   Good luck with your choice, either will be fine in 10 years if you do good work.

   Doug

1. 
   Piffin | Oct 26, 2002 06:41am | #8

   The only way I can imagine painted pine and maple being close in price is if the maple is veneered over MDF.

   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   DougU | Oct 26, 2002 07:35am | #9

   Piffin

   High end painted woodwork is not cheap!

   I think this was discussed a few months back, painted woodwork, I'm not talking about colonial moulding and some guy painting with a brush, takes just as much if not more time to do than maple with natural finish, so the labor makes up for the diff in the wood cost.

   Now if your talking about off the rack trim, with the home owner doing the finish I would say that you are right, but where I'm at if its custom trim, painted(srayed lacqure(sp?)) than the paint will cost you more.

   Doug

1. 
   Piffin | Oct 26, 2002 07:50am | #10

   OK, You're talking total installed and finished. I was n't clear on that. Wasn't meaning to challenge you, just point for discussion..

   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   DougU | Oct 26, 2002 08:06am | #11

   Piffin

   Yea, after I posted I thought that maybe the conversation was just for the material but thought that I would let it ride and see, it did and it does make a diffference. Nice chatin with ya

   Doug