Graphical Construction Glossary >> Woodwork. >> mouldings >> Cornice

Cornice

1). A molded projection that crowns or finishes the part to which it is fixed.
2). A mould of wood or plaster that is fixed to cover the internal walls to ceiling joints. US. Crown mold.
3). The exterior trim to a structure mostly at the meeting of the wall to the roof. Mostly masonry as in classical architecture but also timber.
4). The moulding forming the top member of a window or door frame.

A quite ornate plaster-cornice that is quite at home in a room that has a ceiling height of about 3300 or 11 ft. The size of these mouldings ideally should be related to the size of the room. In average homes we start off with the humble 55mm or 2-1/4" which is the size that is by far the most popular. Then they go up to ones in the photo that are custom made for the one job.

Another illustration of wooden cornices, this time internally above a quite imposing set of doors

The term can just about be interchanged with crown mold, but it does seem now that the trend is towards crown mold to be timber and cornice to be plaster for internal work.

Here is a rather tired looking external wooden cornice. Once again as in nearly all of the moulding in joinery and carpentry work the the term can also relate to the

• Cornice :- Back to top
  
•  
• << BACK: Dentil mold
  
• NEXT : bolection moulding >>
  

If you didn't find exactly what you are looking for try this search tool that will search the site and the web.

"What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience?
Adam Smith 1723-1790

"When we build, let us think that we build for ever."John Ruskin 1819-1900