Heavy stone requires steel lintels to distribute the load, lifting equipment, and complex through-anchoring. Cheap alternatives (such as low-quality foam covered with a thin layer of base coat plaster and EIFS) also fail to stand up to scrutiny. They quickly crack due to wind loads and thermal expansion of the facade, allowing water to seep directly into the window openings.

Decorative Architectural Shapes is our answer as a custom architectural foam manufacturer. Our premium window moldings and hood molding systems are manufactured from high-density EPS with a coating of industrial polyurea that is 60-100 mils thick. The elements are customized to the physical constraints of the project, where weight is critical and esthetics cannot be compromised.

The engineering behind our construction: why our window moldings are so durable

Take a look at the layer by layer construction of our window molding kit to understand why it outperforms comparable products. We design our products to last for decades.

Cross-section A-A (profile body):

• Core. It consists of architectural-grade EPS (density 1.5–3.0 lb/ft³) or HDU. These materials define the complex 3D geometry, allowing us to manufacture details in any style, including historical designs such as a traditional window hood mould. Each profile is shaped with CNC hot-wire carving before coating. The high-density foam acts as an excellent thermal barrier, eliminating cold bridges around the window frame.
• Protective coating. The key to durability is a layer of premium architectural polyurea (60–100 mil thick). Unlike traditional EIFS (where the brittle mesh inevitably cracks as the house settles), elastomeric polyurea delivers up to 300% elongation. It forms a monolithic, water-resistant capsule (with Shore D 60), reliably protecting the hood mold.
• Finish. At this stage, natural materials are precisely imitated with hand-finished touches. Our craftsmen apply acrylic or elastomeric compounds, creating the effect of porous limestone, wood, or smooth concrete as needed, so the eyebrow window covering blends with the rest of the facade.

Cross-section B-B (joint and installation):

Window hood mold installation is performed by a hybrid method. We use mechanical fasteners in combination with professional structural polyurethane adhesive. Anchoring is performed directly into the facade.

The lightweight nature of the products (< 3–6 lbs/ft) eliminates the need for steel load-bearing brackets above the window. This makes a foam hood mold a practical option when an existing stucco facade is being upgraded and adding steel lintels above every opening is not realistic. If the same opening also needs casings and a sill, the hood mold can be planned together with our window surround kits.

Loads, safety, and standards compliance

Our decorative architectural elements are designed in accordance with strict U.S. building codes.

• Wind resistance. Eyebrow caps, hood molds, and other window molds are engineered to withstand wind loads in accordance with ASCE 7 standards, critical for projects in Florida and coastal areas.
• Fire safety. Upon request, we apply fire-retardant coatings to meet Class A fire safety requirements under ASTM E84 (Flame Spread Index ≤ 25).
• Moisture resistance. Window openings are the most vulnerable points for water intrusion. Thanks to polyurea, our window molding kit components have negligible water absorption, directing water away from the frame and eliminating the risk of wall rot.

Partnership philosophy: the most obvious reason to choose us

We don’t just sell decorative elements: every piece is produced in our own architectural fabrication facility in Florida. Our guiding principle is to alert clients to potential risks before they arise and to assist them in selecting solutions, not just in realizing them. Each window mold is custom-designed: you choose the profile, from a straight classic hood mold to a curved eyebrow arch window covering, the length to match your window opening, the texture finish, and the fastening method suited to your wall. You benefit from complete transparency in communication, management’s personal accountability for deadlines and quality, and a product that is perfectly matched to your facade system, whether you are an architect, a contractor, or a developer working on a residential or commercial building.

Investing in hood molds from Decorative Architectural Shapes helps you to reduce your TCO significantly. You eliminate the risks of cracks, delamination, and water saturation, resulting in a facade that looks flawless and high-end for the long term.