Victorian Restoration

The first question is always "What do you do about all of the detail around the home? If the moldings are destroyed, then what?"

Choice #1 is to purchase new molding. However many of our customers find that new molding either does not fit or does not look "right." The main reason is that modern mill work was standardized on sizes that are slightly smaller than their Victorian originals. But sometimes you get lucky. Especially if you can find a solution that is made of resin, you are in business -- resin will never rot.

If that does not work, try Choice #2. Hopefully, there are at least 1 or 2 examples of the molding intact. Usually there are, even when they are badly rotted. Then you take it to an architectural specialty store, or a custom mill work store, and have a guide made with your molding. Although it can be pricey -- a few hundred dollars, plus set up charges, plus the cost of actually making the piece, if you are restoring a whole house, it can be the most reasonable way to go.

If there are no samples, the last resort is to look for "ghosts" i.e. foot prints of where the molding used to be. This will tell you the size. Then you can work with the fabricator to create the detail.

For more about Victorian restoration, and references for custom millwork and molding, contact us at (908) 380-0055 or lillandbill@aol.com