What Is Riser Molding & What Is It Used For in Cabinetry Design?

Riser Molding: The Secret to Fine Cabinetry Design

Riser molding is one of the things that I look for when judging the design quality of a kitchen build/remodel. Arguably, kitchens look best when cabinetry is ran to the ceiling. Riser molding helps to accomplish this.

Using riser molding alongside crown molding (riser + crown), is called a two-piece crown system. A two-piece crown system helps to eliminate problems that can occur when running cabinetry to the ceiling.

There are two potential problems that must be addressed when running cabinetry to the ceiling:

1) stock, non-custom wall cabinetry may not be tall enough to be ran to the ceiling (distance from countertop to wall cabinet bottom may be too large), and

2) placing wall cabinetry against an out-of-plumb ceiling without proper molding is a recipe for disaster:

What is Riser Molding?

Riser molding is a piece of cabinetry molding that goes in-between the crown molding and the wall cabinet. It’s used to adjust for any discrepancy that there may be along the ceiling in terms of levelness, as well as to extend the cabinetry upwards. It is also used as a decorative molding, acting to improve the appearance of the space. I use riser molding in my cabinetry designs primarily for absorbing out-of-level ceilings, but also for enhancing the design aesthetic of the cabinet scheme.

Riser molding (aka starter molding), depending upon the manufacturer, will come as either an L-shaped or straight molding. Our cabinetry line provides me with L-shaped starter moldings, but each cabinet line is different. The horizontal part of the molding acts as a cleat, and helps to secure the molding to the top of the cabinetry.

The edge profiles of riser molding should be selected so as to match, or compliment, the cabinet doors. Your riser molding may come as solid wood or furniture-quality, finished plywood. If the cabinetry is painted and not stained, I will typically order finished plywood as it saves my client money.

How Do You Install Riser Molding?

1) Hang, level, and install wall cabinets plumb with a gravity-assisted laser level. They will be out of plumb with the ceiling. You must leave sufficient room for the riser and crown molding.

2) Attach riser molding to wall cabinets. Riser molding will be out of level with ceiling, and gaps will remain at this point.

3) Attach crown molding to riser molding. Ensure crown molding is flush with ceiling. Crown molding will be out-of-level with the riser molding and cabinets, but it will be flush with the ceiling. Smaller shoe moldings can be used at the point of crown and riser meeting, but are not always necessary.

Riser molding is nailed to the top of the face frame on framed cabinetry, or to the top of the cross-member on frameless cabinetry.

If your riser molding comes as a straight, single piece, you must attach a cleat to the top of your wall cabinet. This cleat will sit behind the starter molding, and act as a point for nails. You may also opt to attach furring at the ceiling should you wish for better structural integrity.

If your riser molding comes as an L-shaped piece, you can use the bottom of the L as your attachment point.

When positioning your riser molding prior to nailing, your riser molding should be flush with the cabinet door(s).

It helps to have color-matched caulk on hand should you need it after the installation process is complete. Color-matched fill sticks should be used as well in order to fill nail holes. I always order color-matched caulk and color-matched fill sticks when ordering the cabinetry.

It’s Getting Late, Let’s Conclude

Riser (or starter) molding is placed between the crown molding and the wall cabinetry. Its purpose is primarily to absorb unevenness found in the ceiling. Through its use, you can bring cabinetry to the ceiling to produce a sophisticated, custom kitchen feel. While its use is to reduce ceiling discrepancy, it can also create a more thoughtful design aesthetic. We hope this article has been helpful, and we wish you the best of luck with your remodeling project.

Useful Definitions

Cleat: A strip of wood used not as decoration but as a structural integrity brace, secured to whatever it is bracing using, in terms of probability: nails, screws, or adhesive.

Crown Molding: Crown molding is a decorative trim piece applied to the top of cabinetry around its perimeter in order to enhance its appearance. Crown molding may also refer to the piece of trim, separate from cabinetry, that is applied where a wall and ceiling meet in order to enhance a room’s appearance.

Flush: To be flush with an object is to be in level with said object. Were you to take a level and lay it across two flush objects, the level would read balanced.

Riser Molding: Synonymous with starter molding, riser molding is a cabinetry molding used to elevate cabinetry and to provide a base for crown molding. It is used to absorb ceiling unevenness, as well as to enhance the appearance of cabinetry.

Wall Cabinet: Cabinetry that is crafted in order to be hung on walls. Contrary to base cabinets, which are meant to be placed on the floor.