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Three Fireplace Restorations From "Restoration Realities" episode DRTR-209

(Continued from page 4)

Restoring the Trim

We sketched out a diagram for the restoration of the mantel, surround and decorative trim (figure G). The design includes the addition of a half-round over the existing trim. Below the mantel, a piece of 3-1/4" ogee base, ripped to size, will be added and accented with a piece of attached crown molding. A plinth block and additional piece of half-round trim are added where the mantel meets the floor.

Restoration Reality Lexicon:
• An ogee is a piece of molding with an S-shaped profile.
  
• A plinth block is a block, located at the floor, for a door, window casing or fireplace surround.

Figure G

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Steps:

• We used a router to create the rounded profile, on either side of a piece of stock, for the half-round pieces (figure H).

• Once routed, the piece is then sanded and ripped lengthwise to create two half-rounds, then cut to the measured length using a compound miter saw (figure I).

  Figure H

  Figure I

  
  

  Figure J

• The miter saw is also used to create 45-degree miter cuts for the ogee base (figure J), crown molding and plinth block.

• The trim pieces were all given a primer coat before installation.
  

• Once the primer was dry, the trim pieces were installed according to our design plan using a pneumatic nail-gun and finishing nails (figure K and L). The plinth was installed first, followed by the half-round at top and bottom, the ogee base and crown molding.

  Figure K

  Figure L

  
  

  Figure M

• A thin bead of caulk was used to fill the seams where the new trim meets the original wood (figure M). A moistened fingertip is the ideal tool for smoothing the bead of caulk into the tiny spaces and removing the excess.

• Once the caulk dries, a fresh coat of white paint puts the finishing touch on this fireplace restoration.
  

Web Extra: More About Molding

The term molding--or moulding--is generally used to describe sawn timber that has been dressed or planed on all four sides. Molding commonly involves adding profile to at least one side of a piece of timber. It's frequently used to hide slight imperfections where corners meet and gives a room a finished look. Installing molding is easier than many people believe, especially when you use corner blocks to eliminate miter cuts.

Read on to see results of the third and final fireplace restoration.

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