Matching existing coving involves accurately identifying its shape, size, and material to find a suitable replacement or extension. Creating a template of the current coving profile is a highly effective method for achieving an accurate match.
To match coving precisely, especially for repairs or extensions, the most reliable approach is to create a template of the existing profile. This template serves as a guide when searching for new coving, ensuring the new piece aligns perfectly with the old.
Creating a Template for Existing Coving Profile
Templating captures the unique curves and angles of your coving, allowing you to compare it directly with potential matches from suppliers. This process helps avoid costly errors and ensures a seamless finish.
Follow these steps to create a detailed template:
- Make a Strategic Cut: Locate a section of the existing coving, ideally at an end piece or somewhere discreet. Using a timber saw, carefully cut through the coving at a precise 90-degree angle relative to its length. This provides a clean, square end that reveals the full profile.
- Sketch the Profile: Take a thin but firm piece of card. Hold the card against the cut end, keeping it square in relation to both the wall and the ceiling. With a sharp pencil, carefully sketch around the exposed shape of the coving onto the card. Ensure the card remains steady during this step to capture the profile accurately.
- Refine the Outline: Once you have the initial sketch, carefully check your outline. Compare the lines on the card to the actual coving profile. Carefully go over your marks if necessary, sharpening the pencil as needed to ensure the lines are crisp and follow the exact contours of the coving.
Tips for an Accurate Template
- Use sturdy card that won't bend or tear easily.
- Keep the pencil sharp for fine, accurate lines.
- Hold the card firmly and squarely against the cut end.
- Double-check the outline against the coving multiple times.
Using Your Template to Find a Match
Once you have your template, you can take it to building suppliers, DIY stores, or specialist plaster mouldings companies. By holding your card template against their stock, you can quickly see which profiles are an exact or near-exact match.
Key Factors for Matching Coving
Beyond the profile, consider these factors when searching for a match:
| Factor | Description | How to Match |
|---|---|---|
| Profile | The specific curves, angles, and shape of the moulding. | Use your card template for comparison. |
| Material | What the coving is made from (e.g., plaster, paper-faced gypsum, polystyrene, polyurethane). | Inspect the existing coving closely. |
| Size | The projection (how far it comes into the room) and the drop (how far down the wall it comes). | Measure the dimensions of the existing coving. |
| Style | The overall design era or look (e.g., plain, ornate, Georgian, Victorian, Art Deco). | Observe the existing coving and room decor. |
Finding a coving that matches all these elements ensures a cohesive look and makes installation simpler.
Why Matching Coving Matters
Matching coving accurately is crucial for maintaining the aesthetic integrity of a room, especially in older properties where original features contribute significantly to the character and value. A well-matched repair or extension will be virtually unnoticeable.
