Replies

1. 
   DavidxDoud | Oct 04, 2007 04:26pm | #1

   in my observation and opinion, the plinth block should stand proud of the base and casing in all directions - (wider, taller, thicker)

   so, yes, it is OK for the plinth to be taller than the base, and is traditionally so -

    

    

   "there's enough for everyone"
2. 
   Piffin | Oct 04, 2007 04:26pm | #2

   The plinth is almost always taller, but genrally not by that much.

   However, I am not sure if we are on the same page. I often have a 7" base with a base cap above that so the whole baseboard detail is about 8-1/2' or so, with a plinth that is 9" more or less

   is you entire base two inches shorter than the plinth?

   Also what is the reason this all ends up this way? Depending on a lot of other detailing, the plinth can sometimes be capped too, so the flat base of it is barley taller than the baseboard abutting it, and then space above to the casing fills with a detail wrapping it.

    

    

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   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
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1. 
   Richieg | Oct 04, 2007 04:41pm | #5

   Hi,

   the base is about 7" with a base cap. The casing is about 3 5/8 with the plinth block about 3 13/16 wide, 1 1/4 thick and 7 1/4 tall. The block seems to look better when it has more height.  It seems a little "boxy" at 7 1/4 tall. I'm wasn't sure if it's accepted to have the the block 1"-2" taller than the casing.

    

   Thanks,

   Richie

1. 
   Piffin | Oct 04, 2007 04:52pm | #6

   It is supposed to look boxy and solid. It represents the base on which colunms sit while the casing represents the column and the head represents the lintel beam.With such narrow plinth and casing, I think it would appear too thin and wobbly - out of proportion. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   Richieg | Oct 04, 2007 05:16pm | #7

   I see your point, but I'm not sure if adding 1" inch would make it look too skinny or wobbly? I think it would give a litter better proportion.  I don't really care for plinth blocks, but in this case they are necessary since the room has so many "dead corners" If the casing were to come all the way to the floor, there would be no room for the base. There isn't much room on the sides of the doors.

1. 
   Piffin | Oct 04, 2007 05:42pm | #8

   "I'm not sure if adding 1" inch would make it look too skinny or wobbly? "It is all a matter of your own taste, of course.One way to tell for your own eye is to make one up, just tacking it in place, and step back across the room to look at it. We often need to do that to satisfy our own eye, or th ecustomer's.Proportion is the name of the game for classical purists.A 3" wide plinth should be about 5" tall
   A 4-1/2" wide plinth should be 7-1/4" tall.
   A 5-1/4" wide plinth should be 8-1/2" tallThat would be the bald face of it. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   JTC1 | Oct 04, 2007 06:59pm | #9

   >>Proportion is the name of the game for classical purists.

   A 3" wide plinth should be about 5" tall...<<

   Ahhhhh! The suggested proportions sound Golden Rectangle-ish to me! Hard to go wrong.

   Carry on.

   Jim

   Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

3. 
   JTC1 | Oct 04, 2007 04:29pm | #3

   Most plinth blocks which I see are taller than the surrounding base. Not all, but most.

   I encounter quite a few while doing work for a local historical foundation in their museum houses which date from the late 1700 / early 1800's.

   The director invariably says "match the rest of the room / house" - so I guess there is "wiggle room" on this decision.

   Personally, I like them to be taller than the base.

   Jim

   Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

4. 
   hammer1 | Oct 04, 2007 04:35pm | #4

   I think they should be taller than the base. You have some limitations on the width since the plinth block can't project beyond the jamb. Width is often calculated to project evenly on both sides of the casing. The height can vary with the style and the look you like. 1/2" - 1" above the base cap accentuates the plinth to my eye. Try a couple different samples and see what looks good to you for the situation.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match