Why does builder-grade trim look wrong in an infill?

Because it is scaled for an 8ft ceiling and installed under a 10ft one. A 90mm baseboard that looks fine in a bungalow looks apologetic under a 10ft ceiling — it reads as a cost saving rather than a decision, which in fairness is what it is.

Do slat walls actually help with echo?

Over an acoustically absorptive backing, yes, measurably. The slats scatter reflections and the backing absorbs them. Solid panelling with nothing behind it does not do the same thing. It is a real benefit in the hard-surfaced open plans typical of infills.

What is the best use of a narrow infill wall?

Full-height storage, going right to the ceiling, on one wall rather than shallow units on several. It gains more capacity, keeps the other walls clean, and reads as architecture rather than furniture.

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Millwork Ideas for Calgary Infills

Updated July 25, 20262 min read

The short answer

Infills are narrow, tall and open-plan, which makes millwork disproportionately valuable. Full-height built-ins use vertical space a narrow plan cannot spare horizontally, feature walls give an open plan definition, and slatted treatments do real acoustic work in a house where sound travels the full length of the floor.

What infills need

Trim scaled to the ceiling: Most infills are finished with 90mm baseboard under a 10ft ceiling. Upgrading to 180–230mm, with casing to match, is the single highest-impact change available.
Full-height storage: A 25-foot-wide house cannot afford horizontal storage. Everything should go to the ceiling.
Acoustic treatment: Hard floors, high ceilings and an open plan produce genuine reverberation. Slatted timber over acoustic backing measurably reduces it.
Definition without walls: A feature wall or a full-height storage element can separate living from dining without building a partition.
Under-stair development: Infill stairs usually run up the centre of the plan, creating a substantial void that is almost always wasted.
A proper mudroom: The back entry from the garage or lane is where wet gear arrives, and it is usually undersized in the builder specification.

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Trim scale for infill ceiling heights

Trim scale for infill ceiling heights
Ceiling	Baseboard	Casing
9ft main floor	140–180mm	90–115mm
10ft main floor	180–230mm	115–140mm
8ft upper floor	90–140mm	65–90mm
9ft basement (common in infills)	140–180mm	90–115mm

Infills frequently have different heights on each floor. Keep trim consistent within a floor and change at the stair.

Answers

Frequently asked questions

Why does builder-grade trim look wrong in an infill?: Because it is scaled for an 8ft ceiling and installed under a 10ft one. A 90mm baseboard that looks fine in a bungalow looks apologetic under a 10ft ceiling — it reads as a cost saving rather than a decision, which in fairness is what it is.
Do slat walls actually help with echo?: Over an acoustically absorptive backing, yes, measurably. The slats scatter reflections and the backing absorbs them. Solid panelling with nothing behind it does not do the same thing. It is a real benefit in the hard-surfaced open plans typical of infills.
What is the best use of a narrow infill wall?: Full-height storage, going right to the ceiling, on one wall rather than shallow units on several. It gains more capacity, keeps the other walls clean, and reads as architecture rather than furniture.

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