Mike Sloggatt has installed it all. The Long Island, N.Y.-based remodeler has worked for homeowners who wanted to trim to the hilt -- fireplace mantels, cornices, medallions, and more, in addition to traditional crown molding and window and door casing. [CAPTION: Balmer Studio's waterproof polymer Grapevine cornice is perfect for kitchen or dining room applications, says the maker. The 5-1/2-foot-wide cornice comes in 8-foot lengths and can be mitered.]

Although having such an elaborate mix of elements is rare, builders and remodelers say consumers are requesting more ornate molding treatments to make rooms stand out.

"Many homes don't have enough detail and people are becoming more aware of the possibilities of molding because they see it in so many magazines," says architect Susan Pierce, co-owner of Vienna, Va.-based Commonwealth Home Remodelers.

Most molding projects for existing dwellings consist of base molding, two- or three-piece cornices, and window and door casing, and are part of overall remodeling jobs that focus on one or two rooms. Pierce estimates that molding accounts for 1 percent to 2 percent of her clients' overall remodeling budgets (about $200,000 for an average two-story addition with a new kitchen and bedroom).

Of course, the choice of molding materials makes a difference in the cost of the project.

Moldings carved from finger-jointed wood, which doesn't contain knots and imperfections like solid pieces can, are widely used in remodeling applications. But Sloggatt, who once created an entire teak library complete with ornate molding, says you can fashion unique looks with moldings made from mahogany and maple, for example. He also notes that poplar is a stylish species in his area.[CAPTION: Architectural Products by Outwater. Hand-carved fireplace surrounds in unfinished solid maple and cherry-finished solid mahogany are crafted from a single piece of wood in historical and classic designs.]

Nevertheless, polyurethane, composites, and other synthetics are gaining ground because they look like or close to wood when painted or stained and don't have the problems associated with wood, say their manufacturers.

"For very simple moldings, some types of wood are initially less expensive than synthetics. However, for all complex moldings, synthetics are very competitive and often a better value when you take into account long-term maintenance of wood," claims Mike Reed, corporate director of marketing for Style Solutions, which produces urethane moldings.

Synthetics and composites, unlike their wood counterparts, resist insects, cracking, peeling, chipping, swelling, splitting, or rotting, making them most appealing for exterior applications.

What's more, they're lighter than wood products, so they're easy to install, especially in very large sizes, comments Sam Korsak, president of Nashua, N.H.-based Korsak Realty, a development and decorating firm. Korsak's company uses wood and urethane molding for interior projects. [CAPTION: Azek's cellular PVC trim installs the same as traditional wood molding.]

Although molding is a focus of many remodeling jobs, it's common in new construction, although in very basic profiles. In tract housing, MDF often is the trim material of choice because it's much less expensive than solid wood.

Whether homeowners want to highlight every room or enhance a small area, molding can make the difference. "If you put molding in even a simple kitchen, you change the perception immediately," says Connie Edwards, a certified kitchen and bath designer with Timberlake Cabinets.

From ornate carvings and profiles to simple streamlined baseboard details, molding will continue to evolve, predict the pros.

"We will in the near future probably see moldings that incorporate home security functions such as passive motion and sound detection capabilities," says Style Solutions' Reed.

Historical Accuracy

Windsor Mill is capitalizing on the past to set its wood molding collections apart in the present.

"We partnered with a millwork expert to bring back historical accuracy because modern profiles often are lifeless. Craftsmen from the past had it right," says Craig Flynn, vice president of sales and marketing for Windsor Mill.

For the company this means detailed designs based on the Golden Ratio, an ancient Greek concept that says every design element is in ratio to the next, unifying the entire theme.

"Our moldings bring the proper scale and proportion to a room to make it feel right," says Flynn.

Windsor Mill offers four styles: Classical Colonial, inspired by Georgian and Federal styles; Greek Revival, which features radiuses based on egg and elliptical shapes; Classical Craftsman, which reflects the Arts & Crafts movement; and Colonial Revival, which features classic themes on a reduced scale and has ogee detailing on each component. Each group includes crown and base molding and many additional elements.

"The historic authenticity makes these moldings unique to the industry," says Gary Katz, a finish carpentry specialist in Southern California. Plus, he says, "The availability of a packaged moldings collection is a bonus to builders."