November 8, 2022
By: The Finished Space
When you think you’ve uncovered every moulding and trim type, another obscure option appears. However, like usual, while you may not know this trim by name, you’ve definitely seen it before. Today, we’re talking about plinth blocks, also known as plinth moulding.
If you’re like most people, you’re probably asking, “What is a plinth block?” If so, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about plinth moulding, including what it is, its advantages, and more.
What is a plinth block? Well, plinth block moulding is a small piece of moulding that’s typically positioned at the bottom sides of your doorways. Plinth moulding generally goes beneath the architrave or door casing, and the baseboards continue on either side of the plinth blocks. If you look at the image above, the plinth block moulding is the little squares on the bottom sides of the door frame that are sitting next to the baseboards on either side. Because they’re commonly used on doors, plinth block trim is sometimes called “plinth block door trim” or “plinth door trim.”
In general, plinth block moulding adds a decorative element to doors, making them feel more ornate. However, they can also be used to hide alignment issues in older homes (more on that in a bit).
There are several advantages to using plinth blocks on your doors. Here are some of the top benefits. Decorative plinth blocks help you:
Achieve a traditional aesthetic
Get a more ornate final look
Hide differences in thickness between your baseboards and casings
And more…
Ultimately, plinth blocks help bring a look together. For example, in the picture above, you can see how the plinth block moulding helps make all the home’s rooms feel cohesive and elegant.
Like most moulding options, plinth block moulding can come in various colors and sizes. While colors are a matter of preference, sizing depends on a few factors. Thankfully, it’s really simple to figure out what you need.
For example, you’ll want to choose plinth moulding that is a size larger in height than your baseboards. Then, you’ll want to ensure the width is wider than your door casing. Finally, you’ll need to make sure your plinth moulding is thicker than your baseboards. The primary functional purpose of plinth blocks is to make it easier to make everything level. That’s why you want to ensure they’re bigger than your baseboards and door casing.
It’s important to note that there is an exception to this rule. If you’re hoping to use the plinth block trim to break up the appearance of the architrave, then you might want it to be level with the baseboards and the sides of the casing instead. In that instance, you’ll want to make the height match the baseboards, and the width match the architrave.
So, how do you install plinth blocks? In general, you’ll want to fit them to be a few millimeters away from the side of the door frame to reduce the chance of the paint cracking.
In older homes, walls aren’t always as flush as they would be in a newly built home. In these instances, you can install plinth blocks to make everything fit together. In newer homes, there isn’t a need to make things level, so in those instances, it’s really about choosing decorative plinth blocks and installing them to create a more dramatic aesthetic.
If you like the look of plinth blocks but can’t find them or don’t want to purchase a different trim type to complete your room’s design, consider using baseboards instead. Essentially, you can create the same look without getting a whole other kind of moulding.
Using baseboards also allows you to carry the plinth block motif throughout your design. For example, if you look at the picture above, the baseboards give the illusion of plinth trim while keeping everything super cohesive. It’s just another option for elevating your room’s design.
Like most finishing touches, plinth moulding is a type of trim that helps elevate a room’s design and bring an entire look together. They can also serve the functional purpose of leveling out the baseboards and door casing in older homes.
If you’re looking for the perfect finishing touches for your space, you’ve come to the right place. At Metrie, we specialize in high-quality finishing touches to complement any room. If you aren’t sure which types of trim to buy, contract our team of experts today and we'll help find the perfect solution for your project.