Frequently Asked Questions
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At Studio Trims, we specialize in the custom supply and finishing of architectural timber details for residential and commercial spaces.
Our core offerings include architraves and skirting boards—focusing primarily on the classic Colonial profile—as well as bespoke floating timber shelving and tabletops.
Every lineal meter we produce is meticulously hand-sanded, varnished, and cured in our Melbourne workshop.
This ensures your timber arrives at your site fully pre-finished, sealed, and ready for immediate installation.
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Because every length of timber is manually hand-sanded and given time to properly cure after varnishing in our workshop, we ask that you factor our process into your build schedule.
Standard lead times are typically 2 to 3 weeks from the date of order confirmation, depending on the lineal meterage required. We recommend reaching out during your initial specification phase.
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Yes. We coordinate direct-to-site delivery for residential and commercial projects across inner-city Melbourne and the wider metropolitan area.
Delivery costs are calculated based on your site's location and the volume of the order.
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Absolutely. We understand that architects and interior designers need to see and feel the finish, and match it against flooring and cabinetry samples.
Please contact us via our trade enquiry form, and we will post a physical sample of our hand-finished Meranti and Tasmanian Oak trims.
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Yes. Our goal is to save your carpenters and builders time on site. Every piece of skirting and architrave arrives fully sanded, varnished, and cured. They are ready to be cut, glued, and pinned to the wall immediately.
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Because our trims arrive pre-finished, we highly recommend using a high-quality construction adhesive applied to the back of the board, coupled with concealed finishing nails (brads) to hold the timber in place while the adhesive cures. Any visible nail holes can be easily filled with a color-matched timber putty.
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Our standard varnishes are designed to protect the wood against everyday interior wear and tear. However, natural timber expands and contracts with moisture.
If you intend to specify our trims for a highly humid environment or an unventilated bathroom, please let us know during the quoting phase so we can discuss secondary sealing options.
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Our pricing is calculated per lineal meter and is completely transparent.
The cost per meter is inclusive of everything: the raw timber trims, our signature artisan hand-sanding and varnishing process, and packaging to ensure quality.
Pricing scales based on your chosen material (accessible Pine/Meranti vs. premium Tasmanian Oak), the size of the profile, and the total volume of your order.
Please refer to our Profile page for estimated baseline rates, or submit your project details and floorplans for a formalised quote.
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Because we cater to both large-scale commercial fit-outs and bespoke residential renovations, we do not have a strict minimum order quantity.
Whether you need a single custom floating shelf to complete a luxury kitchen or hundreds of meters of Tasmanian Oak skirting for a multi-story build, we can accommodate your scope.
(Note: Freight and delivery costs are optimized for larger trade orders).
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While our in-house specialty lies in perfecting the traditional Colonial profile using Meranti and Tasmanian Oak, we regularly collaborate with architects and designers on custom specifications.
If your project demands a modern Square Edge, a Bullnose trim, or a specific timber species to match existing site flooring or cabinetry, please let us know.
We can source and hand-finish various architectural profiles and hardwoods tailored to your design brief.
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Our premium varnishes are applied to deeply seal the open wood grain and provide a highly durable, ready-to-use surface.
Once installed, the trims and shelving require minimal maintenance. Simply dust or wipe down the wood with a soft, slightly damp microfiber cloth.
We strongly advise against using harsh chemical cleaners, solvent-based sprays, or abrasive scrubbers, as these can degrade the protective varnish over time and dull the natural timber finish.
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Because every project has unique requirements for timber species, profile, and length, we provide custom quotes to ensure accuracy and minimize waste.
1. Request a Quote
Simply use our contact form or email info@studiotrims.com.au with your project requirements. For full-house trim packages or complex tabletop fit-outs, you can attach your architectural plans or schedule of finishes for a precise take-off.
2. Specification & Approval
We will provide a detailed quote including material costs, labour for finishing, and estimated lead times. Once you approve the quote and place your deposit, your order is scheduled for production in our Melbourne workshop.
3. Production & Factory Finishing
Every piece of timber undergoes a rigorous factory-finishing process—sanding, filling, and sealing with premium clear coats or water-resistant hardwax oils—ensuring it arrives on-site 100% ready for installation.
4. Site-Ready Delivery
We coordinate delivery directly to your site or workshop across the broader Melbourne area. Because our products are pre-finished, your team can begin installation immediately with no downtime for painting or drying.
Trade Accounts
We offer dedicated Trade Pricing and priority scheduling for high-end residential builders, architects, and interior designers.
The Studio Trims Trade Advantage:
Trade Discounts: Competitive volume-based pricing for repeat architectural projects.
Expert Take-offs: Leveraging our background in Project Management, we can provide accurate material schedules directly from your plans.
Reduced Site Overheads: Eliminate the cost and mess of on-site finishing. Our factory-finished products allow you to close out rooms faster and hit your handover dates.
Sample Kits: Trade partners can request physical sample boards of our core timber species and finishes to assist with client presentations.
Apply for a Trade Account: If you are a registered builder or design professional, contact us directly to discuss your upcoming project.
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When comparing prices, it is important to look at the total installed cost rather than just the price of the timber. A standard "cheap" trim requires you to pay for the raw material plus a professional painter to sand, fill, and apply multiple coats on-site. When you add the $10–$15 per lineal metre for painting labor to the material cost, the price gap shrinks. By choosing our pre-finished architectural trims, you are essentially prepaying for a factory-controlled finish that arrives site-ready, saving you the headache of managing additional trades and on-site mess.
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Most trade-grade trims are made from "finger-jointed" (FJ) pine, which consists of small timber scraps glued together. Over time, as a house settles and temperatures shift, those glue joints often "telegraph" or show visible lines through the paint. Studio Trims uses premium solid clear pine, meaning each length is a single, continuous piece of timber. This ensures your high-end finish remains flawless and permanent, eliminating the risk of unsightly joint lines appearing six months after handover.
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In a traditional build, the trim phase is a bottleneck. You have to wait for carpenters to install, then painters to prep, paint, and dry before carpet or final fit-out can begin. Our products remove the painting trade entirely from this phase. Because our trims are 100% factory-finished, your carpenters can fix them off and move straight to the next room. This typically compresses a fit-out schedule by 3 to 5 days, which drastically reduces your site holding costs and interest payments.
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Site painting is notoriously difficult to get perfect. Dust, grit, and overspray are constant risks in an active building site, often leading to a "textured" or gritty feel on your skirtings. We finish our products in a controlled, dust-free environment using high-volume spray equipment. This achieves an automotive-level smoothness and superior durability that is simply physically impossible to match with a brush and bucket in a hallway.
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Choosing the right timber is a balance of aesthetics, durability, and budget. At Studio Trims, we source only the highest quality materials to ensure your architectural details stand the test of time.
Finger-Jointed (FJ) Pine
The Profile: Our most cost-effective option.
Best For: Projects intended for a painted finish.
The Look: While unprimed, FJ pine features visible zig-zag glue joints along the length. These are structurally sound but can be seen through clear coats.
Finish: We recommend FJ Pine specifically for painting to achieve a smooth, uniform look.
Solid Clear Pine
The Profile: High-grade, joint-free solid timber.
Best For: Modern, Scandinavian-inspired interiors and custom staining.
The Look: "Clear" means the timber is free of knots and imperfections, offering a seamless, flowing grain that looks stunning under a clear coat.
Finish: The ideal choice for sanding and varnishing when you want the warmth of natural wood without the high cost of hardwoods.
Meranti (Hardwood)
The Profile: A versatile, moderately durable hardwood.
Best For: High-traffic residential areas and traditional homes.
The Look: Features a medium texture with a color palette ranging from pale pinks to rich reddish-browns.
Finish: Meranti takes stains and oils exceptionally well, providing a sophisticated, deep finish that adds immediate character to a room.
Tasmanian Oak (Premium Hardwood)
The Profile: Our highest tier architectural hardwood.
Best For: Luxury residential projects and high-end commercial spaces.
The Look: Renowned for its straight, consistent grain and elegant straw-to-reddish tones.
Finish: Best showcased with a clear natural varnish or a premium hardwax oil to highlight its prestigious natural beauty.
Durability: Highly impact-resistant and dense, making it the most durable choice for skirting boards in busy environments.
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Solid timber is a living, breathing material. With the right care, your Studio Trims surfaces and architectural details will develop a beautiful patina and last for generations.
1. Daily Care & Cleaning
For everyday maintenance, simplicity is key. Avoid harsh industrial cleaners, as these can strip the protective oils and cloud the varnish.
Dusting: Use a soft, lint-free cloth or a microfiber duster to remove surface grit that can cause micro-scratches over time.
Wiping Down: Use a damp (not dripping) cloth with a pH-neutral, gentle soap. Immediately follow with a dry cloth to ensure no moisture sits on the surface.
Spills: Solid timber is resilient, but liquids should be wiped up promptly—especially on horizontal surfaces like tabletops and shelving—to prevent potential staining.
2. Maintaining Hardwax Oil Finishes
Specific to our Tabletops and Shelving range.
We use a premium natural hardwax oil because it penetrates the wood fibers while leaving a breathable, water-resistant layer on top.
Avoid Chemicals: Never use bleach, ammonia, or abrasive scouring pads. These will damage the wax seal.
Heat Protection: While our finishes are robust, we recommend using coasters or heat mats for hot coffee mugs or pans to prevent "white rings" or heat-induced marks.
Refresh as Needed: One of the greatest benefits of hardwax oil is that it is repairable. If the timber begins to look "thirsty" after a few years of heavy use, a simple buff-in application of a maintenance oil will restore its original luster without needing to sand the entire piece.
3. Maintaining Varnished Surfaces
Specific to our Architraves, Skirtings, and Shelving.
Our natural varnish provides a hard-wearing, "set and forget" protective barrier that requires very little maintenance.
Low Maintenance: Aside from regular dusting, varnished trims rarely require intervention.
Scuff Repair: For skirting boards in high-traffic areas, minor scuffs can usually be removed with a damp cloth. For deeper scratches, a specialized touch-up pen or a light sand and re-coat of the affected area will suffice.
4. Environmental Considerations
Timber naturally expands and contracts with changes in humidity and temperature.
Direct Sunlight: Prolonged exposure to intense, direct UV light can cause timber to change color (mellow) over time. We recommend using blinds or UV-filtering glass in areas of extreme sun exposure.
Climate Control: Try to maintain a stable indoor environment. Extreme fluctuations in humidity (e.g., placing a solid timber table directly in front of a powerful heater) can cause minor movement in the wood.