The basic bar has been built, and now it is time for the bar moldings (commonly called bar rail) – and sometimes spelled bar mouldings – to be considered. But, you may wonder, what is a bar molding and why do you need it?

A bar molding is the lovely piece that is rabbeted around the edge of a bar to give it that finished, seamless appearance. It will cap off any joinings that are made in the construction of the base of the bar; for instance where the bar top is fitted and installed. It smoothes off any of the rough edges that are known to snag clothing or scrape elbows, definitely not a nice thing for your home bar to be doing to friends and family when they come to enjoy your hospitality!

Look at the rooms in your home – especially if you have ones that have crown molding and those that do not. See how much more put together the ones that have crown molding appear? How nicely finished they all seem to be? How much more elegant and attractive the final impression is? That is the benefit of the crown molding, and bar molding can do the same thing for the appearance of your home bar.

It does not matter if you will have five people visit you a year, or plan to have parties every weekend. It really does not matter if you never have another living soul come to see this home bar project that you have worked so hard on. You completed it for a reason, and you want it to be done right. When you bought the first set of materials for this bar, you surely did not say to yourself “gee, I sure would like to half build this and have it look mediocre for years and years to come. I hope I can feel semi-proud of myself, when I am done”.  Surely your vision was more of a gleaming bar with all of the finishing touches that took it from amateur to professional and surely you want it done correctly.

Choose Rino’s Woodworking for quality and versatility

Regardless of the type of wood you need, or the length and width of the piece you need, you can order it from Rino’s Woodworking and have it come out beautiful. Instead of trying to learn how to cut special angles and learn to use tools you really never heard of before, you tell us what you want, the size and the type of wood and then install the finished piece. We can even create curved bar molding if you desire.

Rino’s Woodworking can custom create your bar molding for you out of red oak, white oak, poplar, white maple, cherry or mahogany as well as other hardwoods not listed. If you can dream it, Rino’s can create it for you.

Beautiful oak crown molding is available in finished and unfinished styles that can help to highlight existing décor, and complement any style of furniture. From basic traditional style to art deco, and beyond, you can find the perfect crown molding to add a finishing touch to the personal statement that you want to make with your home.

Types Of Oak Crown Molding Available

Durable, stylish oak crown molding is available in an endless variety of styles (profiles). If you have a room that is prone to accumulating dust, you may consider going with a flat, basic style, without a lot of embellishments; however, keeping molding clean really is not that difficult as long as cleaning is conducted on a regular basis.

Two Basic Types – There are two types of oak that are used for crown molding craftsmanship applications. Each has a different look, and each has specific features that can help you determine which is better for your home.

Red Oak Crown Molding – Red oak is a pale, reddish brown wood with a distinct graining pattern and lovely, dark mineral veins. It is less expensive than white oak, and although it is possible to find furniture made from red oak, it is not as commonly found as furniture made from white oak, since white oak is more durable. Red oak finishes and stains very well.

White Oak Crown Molding – White oak is a more tightly grained hardwood that is used in all types of furniture and interior finish fabrication. White oak is a great choice for intricate crown molding design and it is easy to find white oak furniture at many retailers. Although it costs a little more than red oak, it is a higher quality wood.

Many Styles To Choose From – Oak crown molding is available in styles that will suit any décor. It is easy to find finished or unfinished oak crown molding in many different profiles. Here are some very popular styles – the more you look, the more adventurous your own sense of style may become, and the more individualized your home will be!

Decorative hardwood molding can be found in simple, flat profiles to complement old-fashioned, shaker, or minimalist furniture styles. It can of course be painted or stained to make even more of a statement.

Many people prefer the look of specially milled decorative hardwood molding. Botanical motifs are becoming more popular, but classic styles are still a great choice. Carefully consider the other elements you plan to add to the room you want to install oak molding in – this may help you to make the perfect choice. If you need help selecting the perfect style, retail specialists have plenty of experience and can help you to choose just the right molding.

It is easy to install your new oak molding – in fact; molding installation is a great choice of home improvement project for beginners. Just be sure to measure carefully, and always measure twice before you cut anything! Get a friend or two to help out, and remember that you can find accent pieces that can help make installation even easier.

Oak corner blocks, plinth blocks, divider blocks and rosettes can help give your room a professional looking finish, plus they can eliminate the need for mitering corners or coping rounded joints. You can probably complete your crown molding installation in a day – and give your room timeless appeal in the process.

Cherry is a wonderful hardwood choice for crown molding and other interior hardwood finish pieces.  It develops a rich patina as it ages – you can have your cherry crown molding stained, or you can leave it unfinished and let time take its’ course.

About Cherry Wood

Cherry wood is a very popular hardwood that is used for making all types of furniture and it’s used in many high end finishing jobs from interior residential woodwork (like crown molding) to the bar rail and décor at the local pub.  It has a pinkish – yellow look when first cut, but that – changes to a deep, reddish brown hue as time goes by. The changes that occur to cherry wood depend very much upon the amount of natural light it is exposed to, as well as the type of finish the wood receives.  Fresh cherry wood can be treated with a specially tinted finish that can make it appear to be well-aged wood. Cherry wood is light, strong and stiff; and it is a good choice for crown molding if your décor is based on certain types of furniture:

Colonial – Many colonial woodworkers liked to work with cherry wood; many antique pieces are of cherry and will be well complemented by cherry crown molding and other cherry wood interior details like chair railing or wainscoting.

Shaker – Shaker styling shows off the qualities that cherry wood possesses: very fine grain, and small distinct markings that are caused by gum pockets within the wood.  If you like this very simple and beautiful type of furniture, it is likely that you already have some cherry pieces in your home; so it stands to reason that cherry hardwood molding will work well with what you already have.

Mission – Mission style furniture also showcases the wood itself rather than relying on intricate carving – the particular glow that cherry wood tends to have lends itself to this type of furniture, as well as to craftsman furniture.  Cherry crown molding and other rich cherry details can be a perfect backdrop to these styles.

Whether your furniture is new or heirloom, new cherry crown molding can enhance the way it looks; and it makes the atmosphere of your home even more inviting.

How To Use Cherry Crown Molding

Cherry crown molding lends itself to some spectacular uses throughout the home.  In living rooms, dens and libraries, you can use crown molding alone, to give a finished appearance.

Adding cherry crown molding to existing pieces of furniture, especially very tall pieces, can help to tie an entire look together.  Since cherry crown molding is available in so many styles, profiles and widths, it is easy to find exactly what you need, to give your rooms a classy yet relaxing feel.

Another wonderful place to use cherry crown molding is in the dining room or kitchen.  If you love the look of cherry and have installed cherry cabinetry, then adding cherry crown molding to your room will give it an extra touch of class.

Finally, cherry crown molding is a great choice for bedrooms.  The very soft, deep natural color of the wood is relaxing to look at and holds its’ special luster even in very low light.  Some of the most beautiful built-in cherry bedroom furniture (wardrobes, bookcases, and entertainment centers) would look fairly plain on their own; but when you add cherry crown molding to these pieces they become absolutely spectacular.

Crown molding is a decorative type of trim that lies flush along the upper portion of a room’s walls where they meet with the ceiling.  It is available in many styles that suit every kind of decor and we offer attractive pricing options as well. Installing crown molding as a weekend project is a great idea for homeowners who want to spruce up their homes, without spending a lot of money.

Types and Styles of Crown Molding

Crown molding is sold in lengths, normally by the piece.  Some types of crown molding are very inexpensive and lightweight; just keep in mind that if you go with a foam type molding substance rather than traditional wood, you will probably not be able to paint or stain it to match your current woodwork which is not ideal. This type of molding is also much less durable than the quality hardwood crown molding that we supply at Rino’s Woodworking.

Wood crown molding is available in everything from simple cornice or chair rail styles to extremely ornate architectural molding.  Most people who choose to install crown molding on their own, go with a simpler style since it is easier and more forgiving to work with.  A little spackle can help cover up any errors, and if you use hardwood crown molding, you can paint or stain it as you like.

In addition to style variations, there are obviously various wood types available.  Different projects call for different colors of crown molding, and you can buy your wood already finished.  It is common in homes to find crown molding in white, as well as in finished or unfinished wood ranging from poplar to red oak or white maple, cherry and mahogany.

Where to Use Crown Molding

You can install crown molding in any room of the house – just be certain that the type and size of molding that you choose, fits with the size and style of the room.  It is customary to use simple molding in rooms that need a lot of cleaning – the flatter surfaces make cleaning corners easier, and they add a finished look to even the most Spartan of bathrooms.

It is common to use more elaborate architectural molding in living rooms, dining rooms, studies and bedrooms – if you have a certain periodic style preference using the right kind of molding can give your room a well planned, artistically balanced look.

Tips for Buying and Installing Crown Molding

As you shop for your crown molding, keep in mind that it should not take away from other elements in the room; rather, it should tie everything together and make the room seem finished and inviting.

Before you buy your crown molding, be sure to measure your room – measure it twice to be sure that you get the correct measurements.  Make a note of the length of each wall, and account for any interruptions, like chimneys or other breaks in flat walls.  Make an accompanying drawing, and bring it with you if you’re planning to come visit our showroom, fax it, or email it to us over the internet for our advice.

Shopping for the right crown molding should be easy and painless so consider stopping by our showroom where our staff will be more than willing to help you select the right molding for your next project.

When you receive your molding, hold it up to the wall to be sure that you will be happy with the way it looks.  You should probably get a friend or two to help with installation, since the long pieces can be unwieldy.

Be sure to research best practices on how to install your new crown molding if you’re inexperienced.  After just a little work, you will be ready to sit back and enjoy your new crown molding and the beauty and elegance that it can evoke in a room!

Curved molding and millwork fabrication is a specialty that’s used when traditional sectional molding is not the best solution. Curved molding creates a high end, refined feeling and requires special skill and attention to details. Curved molding is commonly used for high-end door trim, window arches and trim, arched doorways, circle-top windows, curved bar rail, bar and kitchen cabinets, as well as custom curved molding within libraries, dens, greatrooms, ceilings, crown molding, baseboards and entry ways. The possibilities are endless if you’re looking to create a high quality, refined look.

Curved moldings are popular in the restoration of historic homes and structures – this attention to detail is a product of an era that appreciated quality and our work and passion fits closely with this belief that is so often lacking today. Rino’s has been called upon for a lot of precise restoration projects and we’ll love to be your choice in the future.

Custom curved moldings are used for a refined look but they’re also used to treat problems and unique challenges that face architects and builders every day. Consider making your job easier and relying on our decades of experience to help make your finished product the best it can be. We can create custom curved moldings or you can choose from our library of hundreds of molding profiles. In addition, we can always work with any wood species from common types like Oak and Cherry to Mahogany and more exotic woods – and we ship nationwide! Contact us today to discuss your next project.

Why you should use curved bar rail

If you’re designing or building a custom bar for your home or have an project that requires a high-end look inside our outside your home, custom curved bar rail can give you a beautiful finished look instead of the standard pointed corner that comes from a simple miter cut and connecting two straight pieces of bar railing.

Are you looking for a compliment to your beautiful bar? We’re also able to create any type of curve you desire for windows, doorways or arches in your design. Our most popular request is for half-round moldings, elliptical moldings, eyebrow moldings and ovals.

Please contact us today to discuss your next project and how we can help you create something special. Rino’s Woodworking Shop, Inc. always pledges that no matter what specialty service you need, you’ll receive the same superior level of pride, flexibility, craftsmanship and attention to detail. There are no limits to what you can build; if you can dream it, we can help you build it.

Before we start, the first thing you need to establish is what type of project you’re undertaking. Are you looking for a beautiful wood and mostly focused on a perfect appearance or are you more interested in structural strength. This will be a guiding factor in your decisions.

1. To start out, if attractiveness if your goal, the first thing you need to verify is that the wood looks good at a glance. This will include scanning the boards for knots and imperfections. For some applications, markings and streaks might be desirable but in general you want a wood that is free from visual blotches and roughness. The FAS rated wood will be your ideal choice. Some additional imperfections might include mineral streaks and strange grain textures in other grades. None of these imperfections will affect the strength or long term integrity of the wood though so it’s not a bad thing to have “personality” in your wood.

2. Consider the grain patters of the wood. You’ll rarely be able to select every piece of wood that you purchase but when you’re choosing a board to use in your project, make sure to choose the lumber with the most attractive grain patterns for the highly visible areas. There are lumber boards with vertical grains and flat grains. Normally wood of a higher quality has vertical grains because the wood is cut a certain way and this method of cutting yields less wood from the tree. Be aware that grains will vary greatly. These grain patters are the tree’s life story and should be appreciated and they’ll always be unique. Even boards cut from the same tree can differ in color so be aware of this going into a project.

3. When you’re holding a board, run your hands over the surface and edges and feel it. What you’re looking for are small dents and nicks that might lower the quality of your final project. It would be terrible to realize when you’re in the finishing stages that the top of your bar has a big nick or dent in it that you didn’t notice previously, or a beautiful piece of furniture is scarred in some way.

4. Look at the board from different angles and lay it down on a flat surface to see if it’s straight. A good way to do this is to look down the length of the board too and see if it curves in any way.

5. Check the crown of the board. The crown is the upward arching curvature you see when you look down its narrowest dimensional edge. Most lumber that is used in the structure of a home rarely comes without a slight crown but when you’re talking about fine hardwoods, there should be very little crowning or bending if possible.

6. If you’re project would benefit from knotty or rougher wood, consider the price difference between the wood grades available. Oak is definitely not the cheapest wood because of it’s beauty and strength. (Most things are that way in the world, right?) If you can live with wood that has imperfections then you should be able to benefit from a price break. Watch out for splits in the wood though.

7. Make sure that your lumber is kiln dried. Wood naturally seeks to be in balance with it’s surroundings and will have a tendancy to expand and contract. For this reason wood is kiln-dried – especially for wood that is going to be used in the construction of fine furnishings.

8. Red or white? The are two main types of oak wood: red oak and white oak. We’ve covered this in the past about buying oak molding on this blog but in general you need to know that Red Oak is best for interior work and white oak can be used for interior and exterior applications.

Now, get out there and build something! If you want further reading regarding the basics of hardwoods please visit our hardwood 101 section and check out our extensive molding profiles.  Please call us if you have questions and we’ll be glad to help you make the best decision possible for your next project.

There are actually about 295 kinds of oaks, but for woodworking there are two broad categories: red oak and white oak – and we stock both. When you’re considering this choice you should first compare the shades of each species. Oak wood can vary from a bright white to a dark brown so the choice you make can influence the look of the room greatly. Next, consider what you’re using the wood for because each wood has it’s own special characteristics.

Red Oak molding

Red oak is popular these days for molding for it’s reddish-tan to medium brown color and distintive, course grain. Red Oak should be selected for applications where moisture and water will not come in contact with the wood because it is full of tannic acid which will stain the surface black. For this reason red oak is used mostly on home interiors and furniture and not on exterior wood moldings. Red oak finishes and stains nicely and due to it’s open pores and it absorbs stain easily. It has been said that red oak wood grain is so open that smoke can be blown through it from end-grain to end-grain on a flatsawn board. When stained the grain pattern is easily defined as well because of it’s prominent, open grain patterns that range from tight and vertical to arched or “cathedral”. Red Oak also lacks the patterning and figuring found in White Oak woods. Other related oaks are also sold as Red Oak, although their wood is not always of as high a quality.

Interesting facts: The inner bark of the red oak tree first chewed then soaked in water provides a wash said to be good for sore eyes. The red oak is New Jersey’s state tree.

White Oak molding

In contrast to red oak, white oak is used more for exterior applications due to it’s ability to withstand moisture and resist rot. White Oak is a dense hardwood that varies in color from light grayish-tan to brown. It is commonly used in exterior applications and boats but It was a signature wood used in mission style oak furniture by Gustav Stickley in the Craftsman style in the Arts and Crafts movement. The pores or cellular structures of the wood contain tyloses which is a membranous substance that makes the wood impenetrable by water. The aforementioned red oak does not have any tylose and can be damaged by water easily. White oak is usually lighter in color with a tinge of red or pink. White oak is valued for its density, strength and resiliency. It is mostly straight-grained with a medium to coarse texture. White Oak tends to have longer rays than Red Oak. It has fewer distinctive marks than other species.

Interesting facts: The USS Constitution is made of white oak. Named after the Constitution of the United States of America by President George Washington, she is the oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat in the world. White Oak is also the official state tree of Illinois.

As we’ve said, all wood is not created equal. Wood with good working properties such as basswood, or alder, may not have the strength or durability for your project. At the same time, other woods such as cherry, or oak that have nice finishing qualities may not be the color of choice for the project.

The following paragraphs will introduce you to the basics of choosing wood for your next woodworking project.

1) Decide what you’re building first

This may seem like an obvious point but you must know what you are building before you select your wood. If your project requires durability and strength – like a dresser, table or molding – then you will need a suitable wood that is strong enough to take the load, such as maple or oak. On a sidenote, here is some information about oak molding for your further reading.

If your project involves intricate wood carvings then a softer wood like poplar or pine might be in order. If your project is to be placed outdoors, then you will need a wood that can last out in the elements. Choose a wood like teak, that does not take a finish well, but its natural oils will protect it outside. You might also choose Mahogany wood which is used for projects requiring exposure to the elements like outdoor furnishings, deck chairs and tables.

2) Hardwood or softwood

The wood you choose for your project will depend on how durable you need it to be as well. There are many woodworking projects that are rarely touched or used after the initial creation and then there are projects that are used constantly like kitchen tables and everyday furniture. Making the right choice will ensure that your creation will stand the test of time. Here is a list of popular woods that have been ranked from low durability to high durability: Alder, Birch, Ash, Poplar, Spruce, Teak, Oak, Spanish Cedar, Iroko, and Chestnut.

The first step in making this choice is the understanding that wood falls into two main categories. Hardwood and softwood.

Hardwood lumber is a type that comes from deciduous trees. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall. The best thing about hardwoods is that they do not dent, chip, or scratch as easily as softwoods so they’re ideal for projects that require durability like hardwood moldings around your house and furniture. I don’t mean to complicate things here but there are actually about two hundred different hardwood types that are appropriate for woodworking. Home centers like Home Depot and Lowes normally only stock a few types – red oak and poplar – so let it be known that your options can be expanded here at Rino’s Woodworking Shop. We stock many popular domestic species such as Red and White Oak, Mahogany, and remember, we can special order.

Now that we understand hardwoods, I’m guessing that you know what’s coming. Softwoods come from what we call coniferous trees. These are the trees with needles like pine trees and evergreens. These woods tend to be much softer as the name implies and the grain is much less defined. When the wood is finished it’s possible that you won’t even see the actual grain of the wood. Softwoods are mostly used in the construction and home building industries but they can be used for other applications too like outdoor and indoor furniture. Just keep in mind that it’s not a durable wood. In other words, don’t build a kitchen table out of pine.

3) Choose the right grade

Not all wood is created equal. If you simply told a lumber yard to give you an oak plank, you could get almost anything. Rino’s Woodworking is proud of the product we produce. We only use hardwood with a FAS rating which is the highest grade. This grading scale was established by the National Hardwood Lumber Association and it stands for “First and Seconds”. It is ideal for the finest woodworking projects. In descending order of quality here are the grades for hardwoods: FAS, FAS 1-Face (F1F), Selects, No. 1 Common, No. 2A Common, No. 2B Common, Sound Wormy, No. 3A Common, and No. 3B Common.

When you’re talking softwoods, there are really two main types: Construction and remanufacture. The construction grade wood is normally what you’ll see if you go to your local lumber yard. There might be times when you require a non-construction grade wood and that’s where you might consider the wood in the remanufacture category but the quality of the wood will be much lower and contain more knots, splits and large waste areas. Softwoods are graded from 1 (construction) to 5 (economy) but you’ll most likely only see grades 1-3 in your local lumber yard. Rino’s always strives for the highest quality softwoods whenever possible.

Cool Fact: Did you know that only about one quarter of all evergreen trees are suitable for woodworking?

4) Cost

Like most things in life, cost is a factor. Choosing your wood type will definitely involve weighing the costs of each type of wood. To keep it breif and general you need to know that generally hardwoods are simply more expensive than softwoods. Their durability and attractive grains are an important factor in their price but all woods have their purpose. Choosing a more affordable wood for your needs is always an option. Just make sure to understand all the differences between the wood types available to you and then make the best decision. Hardwoods get you a recognizable grain and a wood that won’t easily scratch and dent. Softwoods scratch and dent easily and don’t show grain but they’re much more affordable.

Again, we’re here to help. Call us anytime for answers to your questions. To get you started, visit our Hardwood 101 section on our website that contains detailed sections about  Poplar, White Maple, Spanish Cedar, Red Oak, Cherry, White Oak, and Mahogany or browse further through our woodworking blog to learn more about oak, hardwood molding, mahogany lumber and more.

Oak, known as a hardwood, is the popular wood of choice for any molding application. Oak’s features are hard, heavy and strong, easy to work with as it turns, carves and bends well. Sanding, finishing and the stability of oak wood are the reasons most woodworkers choose to work with oak.

Solid oak moldings are a very popular choice for interior trim. White oak can be more expensive than red oak and is more versatile. White oak is stronger and will stand up to weather conditions as it is water resistant. Red oak will decay if exposed to wet conditions over a period of time and is used mainly as an interior wood trim. For an exterior wood trim application, white oak should be selected.

Oaks are open-pored and generate impressive grain patterns, darker mineral veins and very small pin knots. The bold grain and color range in oak provide the character that make oak the most widely used hardwood.

There are two basic types of oak grains – vertical grain, also known as quarter sawn or rift sawn and flat grain. Vertical grain is the finest grain. Looking at a piece of vertical grain, the rings on the board will be on a straight line and parallel with each other. The grain will be very uniform. Flat grain is the most common and is known by the arch in the rings and is the most economical grain for trims and molding.

While there are hardwoods stronger than oak, it is the most popular choice for wood molding and trim, as it is easier to work with for furnishings, trims, crown and baseboard molding applications.

Oak isn’t the cheapest option in wood, but if you want quality, beauty, strength and character, you will get exactly what you pay for when you choose oak wood for your next project.