If you want a high-impact interior refresh without moving walls, upgrading your trim package is a smart Toronto home renovation. New baseboards, door and window casings, crown, and wainscoting can transform rooms, tie together new flooring and doors, and add value. This guide explains profiles and materials that work in our homes, how to size trim for your ceiling height, detailing that looks clean, and realistic budgets and timelines.

Trim profiles that fit Toronto homes

• Baseboards: From simple square edge to stepped modern to classic ogee. Taller baseboards anchor rooms and blend well with new flooring.
• Casings: Shaker flat stock looks modern. Backband casings add depth in traditional semis.
• Crown moulding: Simple cove or small stepped crown suits 8 to 9-foot ceilings. Larger crown works in taller spaces.
• Wainscoting and wall panels: Flat panel, box panel, or beadboard adds character to entry halls, dining rooms, and stairways.

Materials: MDF, wood, and PVC

• MDF (most common): Smooth paint finish and cost-effective. Use in dry areas for straight runs and crisp edges.
• Poplar or maple: Paint-grade wood that resists impact and holds edges. Great for high-wear areas like mudrooms.
• Oak or ash: Stain grade warmth for stairs and heritage homes.
• PVC or composite: Useful in damp basements or near patio doors where mop water or humidity is common.

Sizing: get the proportions right

As a quick rule of thumb that reads well across Toronto homes:

• Ceiling 8 ft: Baseboard 4.25 to 5.5 inches, casing 2.5 to 3 inches, low-profile crown.
• Ceiling 9 ft: Baseboard 5.5 to 7.25 inches, casing 3 to 3.5 inches, medium crown.
• Ceiling 10 ft+: Baseboard 7.25 inches and up, casing 3.5 to 4.5 inches, larger crown or built‑up multi-piece crown.
• Stairs and landings: Keep casing and handrail relationships consistent so returns and terminations look intentional.

Detailing that looks custom

• Reveal lines: Use a small reveal at door jambs and headers for shadow lines that hide tiny gaps.
• Backer blocks and plinths: Add at the base of casings to create a neat termination at the baseboard.
• Inside and outside corners: Cope inside corners on baseboards for tight joints. Use miters with glue and pins for clean outside corners.
• Header options: Simple flat stock headers with a thin cap read modern. For traditional rooms, add a backband or a two-piece header.

Stair trim and handrail transitions

• Skirt boards: Add skirt boards along stairs for a crisp line and to protect the drywall.
• Returns and terminations: Plan clean returns at newel posts and end walls.
• Guard integration: Coordinate casing heights at landings so balusters and trim align.
• Lighting: Consider low‑glare step or riser lights when walls are open.

Painting and finish strategy

• Pre‑finish where possible: Spray prime and first coat off‑site for a smoother result.
• Caulk carefully: Caulk only at wall joints after painting. Do not fill in reveal lines.
• Sheen: Satin or semi‑gloss on trim cleans easily. Match or coordinate with interior doors and cabinetry.
• Color: Soft whites and warm neutrals keep halls bright. Contrast trim can frame feature walls.

Timelines and budgets in Toronto

Every home is different, but these ranges help with early planning:

• Baseboard and casing refresh on a floor (approx. 700–900 sq ft): $2,200 to $6,500.
• Whole home baseboard and casing package (typical semi): $5,500 to $14,000, depending on profiles and paint.
• Feature wall or wainscoting package: $1,200 to $4,500, depending on design and room size.
• Crown moulding install in living and dining: $1,600 to $4,000, depending on footage and corners.

Typical timelines: 1 to 3 days for a single floor refresh, 3 to 7 days for a whole home, and 1 to 3 days for feature or crown projects.

Avoid these common mistakes

1. Choosing tiny baseboards with tall ceilings so rooms feel unfinished.
2. Forgetting backer blocks where the baseboard meets casing, which creates awkward gaps.
3. Caulking reveals lines that should stay crisp, shadow gaps.
4. Painting trim before sanding and filling nail holes, which leaves texture.
5. Skipping the skirt boards on stairs and watching the drywall edges get scuffed.

Helpful companion reads on our site:

• Toronto Interior Doors & Hardware Upgrade Guide 2025
• Toronto Interior Painting Guide 2025
• Toronto Staircase Makeovers & Under‑Stair Storage Guide 2025
• Toronto Soundproofing Guide 2025

Ready to refresh your trim package?

Contact us today to book a consultation. We will confirm profiles and sizes, plan a clean installation, and deliver crisp mouldings that elevate every room.

📞 Call us at: 437-259-9632

✉️ Email us at: jgcontractingyyz@gmail.com

🌐 Website: https://jgcontractingyyz.com