What is a bolection mould?

Last updated August 13th, 2026

A bolection mould is a decorative moulding that projects beyond the face of a door panel or frame. It is commonly used on panelled doors to create a traditional raised or framed appearance, particularly where the panel and surrounding door surfaces are at different levels.

Bolection mouldings are often used to create the traditional cassette-style appearance found on timber doors.

Qwood manufactures a 47 mm double-rebate bolection mould, QW-DBM1, designed for use on timber and composite door panels.

What is a bolection mould used for?

A bolection mould is primarily used to create a decorative finish around a recessed or floating door panel.

Unlike a flat moulding, a bolection mould projects above the face of the panel. This creates a more substantial, traditional appearance and helps define the transition between the panel and the surrounding door.

Bolection mouldings are commonly associated with:

They can be particularly useful when a manufacturer wants to reproduce the appearance of a traditionally constructed panelled timber door while using a modern manufacturing process.

What does a bolection mould look like?

A bolection mould has a shaped profile that sits proud of the panel surface.

The profile can be used around the perimeter of a door panel to create a framed or cassette-style appearance. The moulding is normally cut to length and mitred at the corners before being assembled around the panel.

Qwood’s QW-DBM1 double-rebate bolection mould has been developed specifically for this type of application and is available as a universal decorative profile for doors.

What is the difference between a bolection mould and a normal door moulding?

The main difference is how the moulding sits in relation to the panel.

A conventional flat moulding may sit relatively flush with the surrounding surface.

A bolection mould projects beyond the face of the panel, creating a raised decorative detail.

This projection gives panelled doors their characteristic traditional appearance.

What is a double-rebate bolection mould?

A double-rebate bolection mould incorporates two rebate features into its profile.

Qwood’s QW-DBM1 is a 47 mm double-rebate bolection mould designed for door applications. It is the first bolection mould in the Qwood door profile range.

The profile is designed to be machined and assembled into a door panel to create a finished decorative cassette.

What is Qwood’s bolection mould made from?

Qwood bolection moulds are manufactured from Qwood timber composite, rather than traditional solid timber.

Qwood describes its profiles as timber composite profiles designed to be worked using the same types of tools used for timber joinery. The material can be cut, machined, fixed and painted as part of the normal door manufacturing process.

This gives door manufacturers an alternative to producing decorative mouldings from traditional timber.

What are the advantages of a Qwood bolection mould?

Using Qwood for a bolection mould can offer several practical advantages compared with traditional timber mouldings.

Consistent profile

The Qwood bolection mould is manufactured to provide a consistent profile along its length.

Traditional timber can contain knots, defects, warping or other imperfections. Qwood’s product information highlights that its bolection mould is supplied straight and without knots or gaps that need filling.

Less preparation

The absence of knots and timber defects can reduce preparation work before painting.

Qwood’s door profile range is designed to be easy to cut, fit and paint, helping manufacturers reduce preparation time.

Less waste

With traditional timber mouldings, sections containing knots or other defects may need to be discarded.

Qwood’s consistent manufactured profile means that manufacturers can use more of the material supplied.

Suitable for modern production

Qwood profiles can be worked using standard joinery processes and machinery. Qwood specifically states that its profiles can be cut and prepared using the tools already used in joinery.

How do you fit a Qwood bolection mould?

Qwood provides a dedicated fitting guide for its QW-DBM1 Door Bolection Moulding. The fitting process involves machining the door panel, preparing the moulding and assembling the pieces into a complete cassette.

The basic process is:

1. Check the profile

Use a short piece of Qwood bolection mould to check the required groove depth and width before machining the door panel.

2. Measure and mitre the moulding

Measure the panel opening and cut the bolection mould to the required dimensions.

The corners are mitred to create the finished cassette.

3. Machine the door panel

The Qwood fitting guide specifies machining a groove into the door panel to accept the QW-DBM1.

The guide specifies a minimum groove depth of 3 mm and a width of 35 mm, while also warning that the machining must not break through the panel core insulation.

4. Check the orientation

The bolection mould needs to be installed in the correct orientation.

Qwood’s fitting guide shows the required orientation and the position of the machined detail.

5. Machine the corner joints

Butterfly/dovetail grooves are machined into the thicker section of the bolection mould.

Qwood specifies the use of Hoffmann W2, 6 mm joints in its fitting guide.

6. Assemble the cassette

The mitred pieces are joined using butterfly joints to create the complete decorative cassette.

7. Apply adhesive

Apply a high-strength, waterproof timber adhesive to the door groove and/or the base of the cassette, following the adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations.

8. Fit and cure

Assemble the cassette into the door groove, apply pressure and allow the adhesive to cure according to the adhesive manufacturer’s instructions.

Qwood’s fitting guide also recommends panel-pin fixings for additional security.

9. Prepare for painting

Remove excess adhesive and prepare the finished moulding for its paint finish.

The paint system should be applied according to the paint manufacturer’s recommendations.

Can Qwood bolection moulds be used on composite doors?

Yes. Qwood’s bolection mould is designed for use on both exterior and interior door panels, and Qwood provides fitting guidance for composite-door applications.

Qwood’s product range includes door profiles intended for timber and composite door manufacturing, allowing manufacturers to create a traditional decorative appearance using a consistent manufactured profile.

For a particular door construction, the manufacturer should always confirm that the profile, adhesive, machining arrangement and fixing method are appropriate for the complete door system.

Can you paint a Qwood bolection mould?

Yes. Qwood bolection moulds can be prepared and painted as part of the door manufacturing process.

Qwood’s door profiles are designed to be easy to cut, fit and paint, and its fitting guidance instructs the installer to prepare the finished moulding for painting after assembly.

The final paint system should always be selected and applied in accordance with the paint manufacturer’s recommendations.

Why use Qwood instead of traditional timber for a bolection mould?

For a door manufacturer, one of the main advantages is consistency.

Traditional timber mouldings can contain natural defects such as knots, gaps and variations in the material. These can create additional preparation, filling and finishing work.

Qwood’s bolection mould is manufactured as a consistent timber-composite profile. Qwood states that its profile is straight and does not have knots or gaps to fill.

This can help manufacturers:

What size is the Qwood bolection mould?

Qwood’s current double-rebate bolection mould is:

QW-DBM1 – Double Rebate Bolection Mould – 47 mm

The profile is available in stock lengths to suit customer requirements, subject to minimum quantities.

For current dimensions, tolerances, availability and technical information, refer to the Qwood product specification or contact the Qwood team.

Is a bolection mould structural?

A bolection mould is primarily a decorative and panel-retention component rather than a structural part of the door leaf.

The way it is incorporated into a door depends on the construction of the complete door system.

Qwood’s fitting guide provides specific instructions for machining, adhesive application and additional panel-pin fixing for its QW-DBM1 profile.

Manufacturers should therefore follow the appropriate fitting instructions and ensure the completed door meets the requirements of its intended application.

Frequently asked questions about bolection mouldings

What is a bolection mould?

A bolection mould is a decorative moulding that projects beyond the face of a panel or frame. It is commonly used around panels in doors to create a traditional raised or cassette-style appearance.

What is a bolection mould used for?

Bolection mouldings are used primarily for decorative panel detailing on doors. They can create the appearance of traditional raised or framed panels.

Can you use a bolection mould on a timber door?

Yes. Bolection mouldings are commonly used on timber doors. Qwood manufactures a 47 mm double-rebate bolection mould specifically for door applications.

Can you use Qwood bolection mould on a composite door?

Qwood provides fitting guidance for its bolection mould in door applications, including composite-door applications. Always check the suitability of the complete profile and fixing system for the specific door construction.

How do you fit a Qwood bolection mould?

The Qwood fitting process involves machining a groove into the door panel, mitre-cutting the moulding, machining butterfly/dovetail joints, assembling the cassette with adhesive and applying additional panel-pin fixings where required.

What is QW-DBM1?

QW-DBM1 is Qwood’s 47 mm double-rebate bolection mould for doors. It is a timber-composite decorative profile designed to create a traditional panelled-door appearance.

Can Qwood bolection mould be painted?

Yes. Qwood’s door profiles are designed to be prepared and painted, following the recommendations of the selected paint manufacturer.

What is the advantage of Qwood over timber bolection moulding?

Qwood provides a consistent manufactured profile without the knots and gaps associated with natural timber. This can reduce preparation, filling and waste while maintaining the appearance of a traditional timber moulding.

Qwood bolection mould: the key points

A bolection mould is a raised decorative moulding used around panels, particularly on traditional-style doors.

Qwood’s QW-DBM1 47 mm double-rebate bolection mould provides a consistent timber-composite alternative to traditional timber mouldings.

It is designed to be:

Qwood also provides a dedicated fitting guide and fitting video for the product.

Need a bolection mould for your next door project?

If you manufacture timber or composite doors and need a consistent decorative panel moulding, Qwood’s QW-DBM1 double-rebate bolection mould is designed to provide a traditional appearance while reducing some of the preparation associated with natural timber.

Request a Qwood bolection mould sample or contact our technical team to discuss your door profile requirements.

Product: QW-DBM1 – 47 mm Double Rebate Bolection Mould

Last updated: August 2026

TAGS bolection mouldqwoodtimber doors

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