Mouldings are
not a modern invention. Looking back through history, we
see that the ancient Greeks were the first to accent their
structures with architectural wood mouldings for the sole
purpose of beautification.
The early
Romans refined the basic shapes of Grecian culture, including
Greek mouldings. Indeed, the Romans built with such style,
grace, and functionality, that their work became a cornerstone
for all future European building traditions. These classic
traditions all embraced mouldings as important functional and
decorative parts of architectural design.
In colonial
America, mouldings were most often produced at the construction
site by joiners using hand planes. Many of the shapes, profiles
and designs of today’s standard mouldings can be traced back to
these early days.
American
craftsmen of the 19th century developed these wood-carved gems
for Victorian homes and palaces. Wooden block planes were used,
requiring a second man with a “push stick,” (which provided the
muscle), to remove the wood while the craftsman simply guided
the plane.
Today, the
industry’s best high-tech moulders require special steel, the
sharpest equipment, and skilled operators to produce
high-quality patterns.
The Hardwood
Company acknowledges its desire and responsibility to
uphold historical traditions while using the very latest in
technology. We firmly believe that fine mouldings add
distinction and character to that classic icon known as
the American home.
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