Cornice is an interior decorative element, located primarily at the junction of the wall and ceiling in a room. Often external moulding is also referred to as cornice, but generally internal and external are specified, since they are vastly different products.
Internal cornice is a decorative element and does not have any structural function, however, it does often cover gaps that exist where walls and ceiling boards meet.
It is also known as coving or crown moulding.
Cornice Material
Cornice is available in a range of material to suit various styles and installation requirements.
Gypsum
The most common material, and the primary material used for standard mass-produced cornice designs. Gypsum cornice is sometimes laminated with a paper-face.
Pros: It is widely available, and most trade professional tradesmen have experience installing it. Available in longer lengths.
Cons: Heavier than lightweight alternatives, and installation requires multiple people. Cement adhesive requires extended curing time prior to finishing and painting.
Plaster
Plaster is used for intricate and ornate design, and is often found in classic and heritage building projects. Used for custom designs, and can offer a crisp smooth finish.
Pros: Very smooth finish achievable. Broad range available, with the ability to have custom designs made by specialists. Available in longer lengths.
Cons: Heavy, and often requires specialist installation. Designs can be hard to find in the event of restoration or repairs.
EPS Foam
Expanded polystyrene is widely used in some markets, and offers a cost-effective, easy to install option for budget conscious buyers.
Pros: Lightweight and easy to install. Simple to transport and handle by a single person. Large blocks of raw material offer a lot of versatility in terms of scale of design.
Cons: Finish is not as crisp as plaster or XPS and requires additional coats of paint. Can be damaged if not handled carefully prior to and during installation. Not compatible with solvent-based paints or adhesives.
XPS Foam
Best of both worlds - a lightweight high-density foam that has a crisp finish. Indisitinguishable from paperface or plaster counterparts when painted.
Pros: Cost effective alternative to plaster. Easy install with water-based adhesive. Can be handled and installed by a single person. Adhesive requires less curing time than cement, which means less waiting to paint.
Cons: Not as cheap as EPS. Can be damaged if not handled carefully prior to and during installation. Not compatible with solvent-based paints or adhesives.
As you can see, there are a range of material choices available, each with positive aspects and potential drawbacks, depending on your specific requirements.
We exclusively sell cornice manufactured from XPS, as it is easy to handle, and easy to install. The lightweight nature of the material also offers design freedom, as the cornice does not need to be held to ceiling and wall with cement in order to stay up. This is why it is a popular option when integrating features such as LED lighting.
Our material is sourced from a leading Australian manufacturer, who supplies XPS to the Australian construction industry, so it meets all local standards.
The material is manufactured from recycled packaging polystyrene diverted from landfill, and is made without the use of ozone-depleting chemicals.
