Types of Window Molding

• Some molding is created with intricate carvings that frame a window. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  Window molding is trim that separates the window from the rest of the wall. They range from being simple pieces of wood, metal or plastic to artistic pieces of architecture. The design can be both functional and decorative. Different types of moldings are used for the exterior of windows than what is used on interiors of the same windows.

Exterior Trims

• The exterior trim is the part of the window that separates the glass from the wall. window image by bayu harsa from Fotolia.com

  At its most basic, trims surround an exterior window. They can be made of almost any weatherproof material. Common materials include wood, stone, stucco, brick and masonry.

Exterior Cornices

• The cornice is typically heavily carved. carved wooden cornice image by Kevin Stephens from Fotolia.com

  A cornice is a decorative fixture on the top of a window. It can be used to hide fixtures.

Exterior Sills

• Window sills run along the bottom of a window, usually protruding. Shadow Window image by Dhannte from Fotolia.com

  A window sill is the piece that goes along the bottom of the window. Some protrude so objects can be placed on them.

Exterior Keystones

• Keystones are sometimes done in a different type of stone than the rest of the window molding to make it stand out. Ornate Keystone image by Shannon Workman from Fotolia.com

  An exterior keystone is the top stone in an arch. It holds the arch together and is often done in a decorative style.

Exterior Columns

• Columns are sometimes used as decorative molding to frame a window. window image by Aleksey Bakaleev from Fotolia.com

  Columns are sometimes used on the sides of windows as an additional decorative piece. Different architectural types of columns include doric, ionic, Corinthian, Egyptian and Romanesque.

Interior Window Casing

• A window casing can change the look of a room depending on its style. stained glass window by the stair case image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com

  Window casing adds a decorative look to windows. It can be placed over windows or surrounding them. Common casing material includes wood, bamboo, pressboard, plastic or metal.

Interior Crown Molding

• Crown molding sometimes sticks out from the wall and is used to hang curtains from. classic interior - bedroom image by Paolo Frangiolli from Fotolia.com

  Crown molding refers to the trim on top of the window. It ranges from simple to highly decorative. Curtain rods can be attached to them to make them functional rather than decorative.

Interior Cornices

• Like the window crown, an interior cornice runs along the top of a window. It is often used to hide the hardware for hanging curtains. While the curtains are attached to the outside of a crown, they are concealed in a cornice. The cornice is often covered with fabric or wallpaper.

Baguette

• A baguette is thin and round often carved with designs such as leaves, vines, flowers, pearls or laurels.

Interior Cartouche

• Cartouche refers to the floral design done in scrollwork around a window. scroll, cartouche, decor, vector illustration image by Alexandr Shebanov from Fotolia.com

  The cartouche is a French style of window molding that frames the window with the shape of a scroll and is surrounded by decorative floral motifs.

Screen Molding

• Screen molding is the window trim used to hold a screen in place. It usually has a mechanism for removing the screen and replacing it with a storm window.