What is scribe molding for cabinets? It is a thin trim strip that covers the uneven gap where a cabinet meets a wall, ceiling or floor that is not straight. At ECG it is the SM8, sold in 96" lengths in the same finish as the cabinets.
Summary
- Scribe molding hides small, irregular gaps between a cabinet and a surface that is not flat or plumb.
- A filler closes a width gap; scribe molding covers an uneven edge.
- Light rail molding runs along the bottom of the wall cabinets.
- ECG lists 21 finishing SKUs: panels, top and light rail moldings, bottom and trim moldings, and decorative doors.
What Scribe Molding Does
Scribe molding hides small, irregular gaps between a cabinet and a surface that is not flat or plumb. It bends slightly to follow the wall, so the installer does not have to cut the cabinet itself.
Walls and floors are rarely straight, and a cabinet box is. Scribe molding closes that difference along the side of a run, under a base cabinet or along the top of the uppers. The ECG SM8 comes in 96" lengths and is cut to fit on site.
Scribe Molding vs Filler Strip
A filler closes a width gap; scribe molding covers an uneven edge. Most jobs need both.
| Factor | Filler strip | Scribe molding |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Fills the space left when cabinet widths do not add up to the wall length | Covers small, uneven gaps against walls, floors and ceilings |
| Where it goes | Between cabinets, or between a cabinet and a wall or appliance | On the face of the gap, along the edge of a run |
| Also does | Gives doors and drawers room to open in a corner or next to a wall | Gives a clean finished line where surfaces are not straight |
| ECG sizes | Listed in the Spec Book | SM8, 96" long |
ECG cabinet widths step in 3", so a run rarely matches the wall exactly. A filler takes up the rest, and scribe hides what the filler cannot. See how cabinet SKU codes show width to plan the run.
What Light Rail Molding Is For
Light rail molding runs along the bottom of the wall cabinets. It hides under-cabinet lights and wiring from view and gives the uppers a finished bottom edge.
The ECG LRM8 is 96" long. Order it for every run of uppers that has lights below or that can be seen from a seated height, such as over a peninsula. Wall cabinet sizes for each run are on the wall cabinet SKU page.
Every Finishing Piece: SKU and Where It Goes
ECG lists 21 finishing SKUs: panels, top and light rail moldings, bottom and trim moldings, and decorative doors. The table shows where each one goes on the job.
| Piece | SKU | Size from the catalog | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cove top molding | CM | 96" long | Top of wall cabinets, up to the ceiling |
| Top molding | CM4R | 96" long | Top of wall and tall cabinets |
| Light rail molding | LRM8 | 96" long | Under wall cabinets, hides lights |
| Scribe molding | SM8 | 96" long | Gaps against uneven walls and floors |
| Quarter round | QR8 | 96" long | Where the cabinet meets the floor or wall |
| Bottom molding | BM8 | 96" long | Along the bottom edge of the cabinets |
| Flat bottom molding | FBM8 | 96" long | Along the bottom edge, with a flat profile |
| Inside corner molding | ICM8 | 96" long | Inside corners where two cabinet sides meet |
| Outside corner molding | OCM8 | 96" long | Outside corners of runs and islands |
| Toe kick | TK8 | 1/2" x 4" x 96" | Covers the 4" toe kick under base cabinets |
| Dishwasher return panel | DWR3 | 3" x 34-1/2" x 24" | Closes the side of the dishwasher opening |
| Refrigerator return panel | RRP9624, RRP9630 | RRP9624: 24" x 96"; RRP9630 in the Spec Book | Deep side panel next to the refrigerator |
| Back panel | BP9642 | 42" x 96", 1/4" thick | Covers exposed cabinet backs, such as an island |
| Base decorative door | BDD2430 | 23-1/2" x 29-1/4" x 3/4" | Exposed ends of base runs and islands |
| Wall decorative door | WDD1230, WDD1236, WDD1242 | 11-1/2" wide; 29-1/2", 35-1/2", 41-1/2" high | Exposed ends of 30", 36" and 42" uppers |
| Tall decorative door | TDD2484, TDD2490, TDD2496 | 24" x 84", 90", 96" | Exposed sides of pantries and tall cabinets |
Profile heights for the moldings are not published online; they are in the Spec Book. The full list is on the cabinet fillers, panels and moldings page.
Two moldings frame the whole run: crown molding at the ceiling line and the toe kick that covers the recessed kick space at the floor.
Panels and Decorative Doors for Exposed Ends
Any cabinet side that shows after install needs a finished face. Panels cover flat sides; decorative doors make an exposed end look like the front of the run.
- Dishwasher opening at the end of a run: DWR3 return panel
- Side of the refrigerator opening: RRP9624 return panel, with a 24" deep refrigerator wall above
- Back of an island or peninsula: BP9642 back panel, or BDD2430 base decorative doors
- Side of a pantry or oven cabinet: TDD in the same height as the tall cabinet
- End of a run of uppers: WDD in the same height as the wall cabinet
Match the decorative door height to the cabinet: TDD2490 for a 90" pantry, WDD1242 for a 42" upper. The guide to upper cabinet heights shows which heights go together.
How to Estimate Molding Quantities
Measure each run in inches, divide by 96 and round up. Count each run on its own, because short leftovers rarely join cleanly at a corner.
Example: a 12 ft (144") run of uppers needs two LRM8 pieces of light rail, since 144 divided by 96 is 1.5. Do the same for top molding, toe kick and scribe, and add inside and outside corner molding for each corner. Your installer's cut list may call for an extra piece for miters.
- List each run of base and wall cabinets with its length.
- Mark which runs get top molding, light rail and scribe.
- Count toe kick for every base run and island side that shows.
- Count inside and outside corners.
- Add panels and decorative doors for every exposed end.
Order Finishing Pieces With the Cabinets
Order fillers, panels and moldings on the same quote as the cabinets. They ship in the same finish, so the color matches, and nothing holds up the install.
Panels and moldings come in Shaker White, Dove, Lightwood and Evergreen, and a touch-up kit matched to each finish covers small marks from cutting and handling. ECG stocks four fillers: WF342 and WF396 (3" wide, 42" and 96" tall) and WF642 and WF696 (6" wide, 42" and 96" tall). Molding profiles are in the ECG Spec Book.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between scribe molding and a filler?
A filler closes a width gap between cabinets or between a cabinet and a wall. Scribe molding is a thin strip that covers small uneven gaps against walls, floors or ceilings.
What is light rail molding?
Light rail molding runs under wall cabinets to hide under-cabinet lights and give the uppers a finished edge. The ECG LRM8 is 96" long.
How long are ECG moldings?
Top, light rail, scribe, quarter round, bottom and corner moldings are sold in 96" lengths. The TK8 toe kick is 1/2" x 4" x 96".
How many fillers does a kitchen need?
Usually one at each wall end and at each corner where doors could hit the handle of the next cabinet. Plan them on the layout before you order.
Do fillers come in the same finish as the cabinets?
Yes. ECG fillers (WF342 to WF696), panels and moldings come in Shaker White, Dove, Lightwood and Evergreen.
