DIY Cast replacement molding? Given that custom knives to reproduce a molding profile can cost $75 to $200—depending on the millwork shop and the size and complexity of the molding—it may be cost-prohibitive to have a knife cut for reproducing only a short piece of molding. As shown in the accompanying photo, I have had success casting short sections of molding to solve this dilemma.
In the example shown, I needed about 10 inches of a small Federal-style molding to replace short pieces thrown out when a door surround was fitted with a screen door in the mid-twentieth century. I made a casting mold using a surviving piece of the wood molding and cast several short pieces with epoxy wood filler. Once cured and cleaned up, they were cut with a miter saw and installed as shown.
The full process is illustrated with photos in Chapter 13 of Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners.
The award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book is now available in bookstores and from online retailers.
Signed and personalized copies are available directly from the author in our shop, YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles from other authors. Save with our multi-book combo packs!
#antiquehome #antiquehomes #traditionalarchitecture #historicalhomes #historicalhouse #historic #oldhousecharm #oldhome #oldhouse #preservation #preserveourhistory #houseandgarden #historicpreservation #aplacetocallhome #homerestoration #houserestoration #historicpreservation #ownapieceofhistory #vintagehome #architecturelover #restoringyourhistorichouse #yourhistorichome #restoration #houserehab #federalstyle #castmolding #federalhouse #federaldetail