Materials and finishes for decorative cornices and frames

When it comes to decorative cornices and cornices, we enter a world where lightweight materials and technical systems work hand in hand. Cornices are generally made of plasterboard, supported by a lightweight metal structure; they allow for the creation of recesses, indirect lighting channels, steps between one area and another, and recesses for curtains and tracks. Plasterboard is the ideal material because it's easily shaped, lightweight, can be scraped and painted like walls, and easily accommodates electrical systems and LED strips.

Decorative cornices can be made of traditional plaster, high-density polyurethane/polystyrene, wood, or composite materials. Plaster cornices have a classic appeal; they're heavy but very precise in their details, and require a more artisanal installation. Polyurethane or polystyrene versions are much lighter, easier to cut and glue, and are well-suited to both thin, minimalist profiles and more elaborate, classic-style moldings.

Good-quality technical polyurethane , once painted, is almost indistinguishable from plaster, but it offers some practical advantages: it is more resistant to micro-cracks caused by movement of the substrate, weighs less, and can be installed with specific glues without excessively stressing the walls. For areas where impacts or contact are expected (for example, the lower part of a faux-framed wainscoting), MDF or wood frames are also suitable, as they are more robust and suitable for sanding and repainting over time.

When it comes to finishes , cornices and cornices are often painted the same color as the ceiling or wall for a more subtle effect. In other cases, contrasts are used: white cornices on colored walls, thin profiles in a darker shade, cornices with a slightly different sub-ceiling from the rest of the ceiling to create a more enveloping "box effect." Matte paints lend a more elegant look and better conceal small imperfections, while slightly satin finishes create a softer, cleaner light on the profiles.

Compatibility with lighting must also be considered. Ceilings housing LED strips require materials and finishes that are resistant to heat and light: properly prepared plasterboard, aluminum profiles for heat dissipation, and paint that won't yellow over time. Frames housing indirect lighting or "luminous skies" must maintain clean geometries, without visible deformations or joints.

The choice of material is never just aesthetic: it depends on the height of the room, the type of support, the presence of systems to be concealed, the style of the space (classic, modern, minimalist), and the available budget. A simple polyurethane profile, a well-designed plasterboard cove, or a crafted plaster cornice can give three completely different interpretations of the same ceiling.