Feb 21 2007
For any contractor still undecided about using polyurethane architectural moldings, as opposed to wood, the expanded offerings of some manufacturers are such "head-turners" that they deem a second glance. Homeowners are voting with their wallets, and the people's choice increasingly points to architecturally pleasing designs when it comes to picking crown molding, baseboards and other accents. As a result of today's new range of products and beautiful designs to offer customers, all contractors can now profit from the use of polyurethane molding as the material of choice to secure winning bids.
The right look
Though wood or MDF are traditional choices for architectural molding, they can lack the necessary detail or aesthetic flexibility to achieve the desired look for most home or commercial buildings.
"Some molding profiles you just can't duplicate in wood," says Brian Leuthel, owner of Built Beyond Design, a construction design and remodeling business. "Whereas the detail you find in polyurethane molding you really can't find in any other medium."
Because polyurethane products are moulded, manufacturers are able to accurately control the tolerances and profile mating from one piece to another. This yields intricately detailed, yet sharp, features, permitting a wide variety of attractive patterns -- many of them so uniquely artistic as to be copyrighted.
Leuthel points to the Victorian, Greek, Renaissance, and old-world European-style profiles he's been able to achieve with polyurethane moldings by manufacturers such as Architectural Ornament. "It definitely gives a wow-factor."
With distribution throughout most of North America, Architectural Ornament, Inc. has quickly become the largest volume polyurethane decorative molding manufacturer, offering a complete line of quality interior and exterior accent polyurethane moldings available at Lowe's and similar home improvement stores.
Contractors benefit from ease of installation
Unlike wood or MDF, which can require the time-consuming joining of multiple pieces by hand, polyurethane products can be molded to the right size and shape from the start. This streamlines installation, especially when layering complex profiles or attempting difficult crown moldings.
In another new development to facilitate the contractor's job, Architectural Ornament became the first molding manufacturer to provide matching corner blocks -- short pieces of molding for placing in and around corners without the need for compound mitering. Since the 90-degree angle is built into the piece, straight cuts are all that's necessary to create perfectly matched corners.
"Using polyurethane decorative molding instead of wood can cut installation time in half, or even by three-quarters if using matching corner blocks where appropriate," notes Leuthel.
Consistent beauty cinches the deal
For a cohesive look throughout every aspect of a home, polyurethane architectural moldings now come in a complete complement of matching products that mate perfectly with the baseboard. Extra accents include crown molding, rosettes, ceiling medallions, chair rails, exterior trim, entranceway systems, panel moldings, wall niches, domes, capitals, pilasters, and corner decorations.
"Polyurethane molding by companies like Architectural Ornament can help achieve the right look at the right price, installed fast. It's a competitive advantage that has helped me to generate referrals, grow my business, and make it more profitable," sums up Leuthel.