Install The Crown Molding
To install your crown molding on the wall, flip it over so that it is upright. Recruit a helper to help you manage the molding on a second ladder as you position it into place. Begin at the center of the wall.
The crown should form a 45-degree angle against the wall and ceiling . Make certain that the angle is precise. Most moldings have flat faces on the top and bottom edges that are designed to fit flush against the wall and ceiling. Problems with the angle will become apparent at the corners.
With a power nailer, drive brads or finish nails through the molding into wall studs or into the top plate of the wall. Make sure to nail the joints securely in the corners and at scarf joints where molding pieces are joined at the ends. Plan for your scarf joints to occur at wall studs for best results.
If the brads have left recess holes in the moldings, you can fill these with a dab of wood filler or putty applied with your finger.
How Much Does Diy Crown Molding Cost
Plastic crown molding is made out of PVC, polyurethane and polyethylene. These materials are very suitable for high-moisture environments like bathrooms, where wood doesnt hold up as well as plastic does. Plastic crown molding is also the least expensive at $2 to $4 per linear foot.
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How To Install Crown Molding Yourself
We installed crown molding in our daughters bedroom and Im feeling quite proud. *pats self on back* And it was surprisingly cheap to pull off and easy to execute .
My last attempt at installing crown was a bit of a rough ride. It still turned out just fine, but a combination of factors nearly made me swear off installing crown molding ever again. But Im glad I didnt because this time it went much more smoothly and the results are well worth the effort.
So let me back up, tell you how I did it, and explain why crown molding went from one of my most dreaded projects to one Ill surely be doing again.
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Pro Tips For Installing Crown Molding
Crown molding is not easy to install, but the right trim can transform a room. Here are illustrated step-by-step guidelines that prove that a skillful layout and smart shortcuts can change any apprentice carpenter into a ceiling molding master.
The first time I installed crown molding,I probably wasn’t really installing it at allI was just handing my dad tools off the truck. Since then, I’ve put it in eight or 10 rooms, and around half a dozen bookcases and cabinets. Crown can go in any space, from the kitchen to the den, and of all the interior trim found in a home, none attracts more attention. A room with crown perched high at the wall and ceiling junction has an eye-catching focal point that a savvy realtor will point out along with granite counters and marble baths.
This job’s 4½-inch crown came from a local lumberyard–still the best place for a wide-profile selection. I splurged on clear pine at $2.70 a linear foot. If I intended to paint the crown, I could have gotten preprimed finger-jointed pine for $1.60–and I’d be able to caulk over stray gaps before painting.
Installing crown is a bit trickier than other trim because it requires cutting compound angles. Plus, out-of-square corners and bulging, wavy walls can be a nightmare for a novice. But over the course of a dozen jobs, I’ve come up with a few shortcuts–I don’t really remember where I learned a lot of these tricks, I just know them.
Use A Crown Molding Hanger
Are you a DIY enthusiast looking forward to install the trim by yourself? Get a pair of crown molding hangers.
The hangers not only provide an extra pair of hands in supporting the molding but will also let you test and see how it looks before you make the cut.
It is recommended that you avoid cross nailing into the drywall itself. The result will be crown molding that is loose and may easily pull away from the ceiling.
And now you have secured the crown molding to the wall and ceiling. All you need to do is cover any holes caused by the nails with putty. And then you can paint the crown molding to either blend in or complement the color on the walls or ceiling in your home.
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B: Build A Frame If Necessary
If you have cabinets that dont have enough room to attach the molding directly to the cabinet, we have a solution for that! In fact, this also works well if you have gaps or cabinets that arent perfectly square or if you want to extend the cabinets to the ceiling.
We built a frame that would sit on top of the cabinet so that we could attach the trim granting room for the doors to open. The frame measures the exact same size as the sides and front of the cabinet. We used L-brackets to put it together. The cross brace keeps the side boards from bowing.
See how it just sits nicely up there? It isnt even attached! I did mention that this was the easiest way to install cabinet trim on cabinets, right? The frame meant that we could install the trim without having to the work precariously balancing on a ladder.
Note: Our cabinet has almost no lip, so the molding is placed higher on the frame. You can move it as low or high on the frame as you like. Once painted, this will look perfectly natural. Its a bit trickier with stain, but you can match the wood species and stain.
Finishing Touches: Caulk & Paint
Since the actual installation didnt take me nearly as long as I thought, we even had time before Clara needed her room back that we could get our caulking done. We just used white paintable Dap caulk to fill all of the seams along with nail holes. We also ended up caulking the line where the molding meets the ceiling .
See, much better. And the stuff isnt even painted yet!
So yeah, I do still have to paint it since there are some parts where the primer is pretty scuffed up but even still, were very happy with the results and, as Clara would say after she uses the potty successfully, Im so proud.
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Styles Of Crown Molding
Depending on your personal aesthetic, you can choose from plenty of unique crown molding styles for your home. While the specific look wont impact the overall price of your project too much, it is still important to explore all your options, so you can find the perfect fit that brings your interior to life.
Cut The Inside Corners
Inside corners are made up of one square-cut piece that butts the corner and another piece that is cut at an angle to fit against the profile of the first piece. Set the miter saw to a 45-degree angle. For a joint on the right side of the molding, the saw should be set 45-degrees to the left with the molding sitting to the left of the blade. For joints on the left, set the saw and place the molding to the right. Set your molding into the saw upside down, with the bottom edge against the vertical fence of the saw. Cut the molding. The top edge should be shorter than the bottom edge.
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Craftsman Style Crown Molding
Craftsman style crown molding is inspired by multiple movements throughout history, including the Arts and Crafts, Bungalow, and Prairie movements. All three of these eras rejected the styles of the Victorian time period, which focused on machine-made products, instead emphasizing man-made materials. This classical style is extremely versatile for both interior and exterior applications on homes of every style.
Use A Brad Nailer Towards The Edges
Larger diameter nails towards the edges may split the trim. Use a brad nailer at the edges of the crown molding to avoid splitting and cracking.
When you tack the outside corners, use the smaller brad nailer or pin nailer and glue. If you do not own a brad nailer, consider pre-drilling a hole to avoid cracking. The same rule applies when nailing through the scarf joints. You should also cut the molding such that the scarf joints fall on the studs to nail it clean.
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Install The Mouldings And Splice The Pieces Together
- 5.1 – To splice two mouldings, position both mouldings as they will be on the wall. Find the nearest stud near the intended splice point and mark it.
- 5.2 – Cope the end of the moulding that will butt against the wall on your right. Make sure its longer than needed for the splice. Measure ¾” past the stud intended for the scarf joint, then mark the other end of the piece.
- 5.3 – Set the saw for a 45° angle and cut the moulding. Nail it to the wall and to the ceiling.
- 5.4 – Measure the second moulding up to the backside bevel of the first piece. This is the shortest part, or ceiling side, of the first cut. Cut this moulding.
- 5.5 – Measure back and cut the other end square.
- 5.6 – Push the two angled ends together and nail the joint. Then, push the squared end into place.
- 5.7 – Measure, cut, cope and position the moulding for the last wall. Cope the ends.
How To Install Crown Mouldings
Once you have the first piece of crown moulding in place, add the piece to the right of it next and work around the room.
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Howmuch Does Crown Molding Cost
According to RemodelingCalculator.org, the average cost toinstall crown molding is around $5 to $8 per linear foot. So, around $500 to$800 per 100 linear feet.
So, according to this rough calculation, ifyou have a 25 x 25 bedroom, you could expect to pay up to $800 just for thecrown molding. More if you need baseboards and other trim or tray ceilings tomatch.
However, molding costs can vary widely depending on how to install crown molding. Some of these factors include:
- What type of molding material
- What type of finish you willchoose
- How you will secure it
- Who will do it?
How thick and decorative the molding is willmake a big difference in all of these costs. You can have special exotic woodsimported, use restored materials from a historic castle, shop for it ondiscounted websites online, or even use trees from your own property or freepallets and reclaimed wood from local stores or construction sites .
Choosing The Right Size Of Molding
While the length of molding is important to determine, you must also figure out what size molding you want to install. Most crown molding ranges from anywhere between 2-1/4 to 7-1/4. There are a few considerations to take into account before deciding the size of your molding.
First, you will have to consider your homes style and find a size that best matches it. You want a molding size that is appropriate given the ceiling size of the room. Where you have taller ceilings, you want wider crown molding. It really is about finding the right fit based on the specifications of the rooms where you will be installing it.
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What Do You Use To Cut Molding
usecuttingmoldingyouYou can cutcuts
Swing the blade of the miter saw 45 degrees to the left. Place the first piece of moulding upside down on the saw with the scrap end to the right. Brace the flat top of the moulding on the base of the saw and the flat bottom of the moulding against the saws fence. Make a cut near the end of the moulding.
how do you measure trim and trim? Measure along the wall and floor junction from the first corner to the first cut point. Record this measurement with an additional note detailing if the left and right sides of the trim are inside or outside angles.
Similarly, you may ask, what is the difference between 52 38 and 45 45 crown molding?
To find out what the spring angle is, set the crown molding into the crotch of a framing square and check where the ends align. if both numbers are the same, it is 45/45 crown. If the numbers are different, such as three inches on the wall and two inches on the ceiling, it is 52/38 crown.
How do you install molding?
Part 1Installation Basics
Colonial Style Crown Molding
Colonial style crown molding originated circa 1725 to 1820 and is characterized by the simple, classic designs of the Georgian era. You can recognize this type of molding by its diverse stacked lines, creating a textured and elegant look. Due to its simplicity and clean-cut look, Colonial style crown molding is a very versatile option for any room in your home.
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How To Install Crown Molding: Outside Corner Cut
For an outside corner cut, the bottom edge is short and the top edge will be long. On the right side of an outside corner, the cut will angle up to the left. On the left side, the cut will angle up and to the right.
A scarf joint is used to hide where two pieces of molding meet on a long wall. On both the right and left side of a straight joint, the cut will angle in the same direction.
Jalynn Baker
Jalynn Baker
Choose The Perfect Crown For Your Cabinets
Cabinet makers usually have their unique styles of crown molding that go with their products, but the installation is almost always the same.
So before you get started, pick a crown molding design for your cabinets. If you want to cover the space between cabinet and ceiling, make sure the crown you choose is of adequate height. Otherwise, if you only want the cabinets to have a finished look, choose what you like!
Then, glue a 3/4 inch thick strip of poplar to the moldings upper edge. For best results, make sure that the upper side of the molding and poplar boards front side is flush. Once the glue sets, sand the joint to make it invisible. You can also paint it the same color as the molding.
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Where To Buy Crown Molding
Crown molding can be bought at a variety of places. It can be purchased at lumber stores, home improvement stores and even from some department stores. It can also be purchased online and delivered right to the homeowners door. Generally, crown molding prices are cheapest at lumber stores however, prices vary per store. Homeowners are best to shop around to get the best price possible.
Tips For Installing Crown Molding
- One alternative to miter cutting crown molding is coping. Because crown molding swells and contracts with the seasons, coped joints do not open up as much as mitered joints do.
- If you have an entire house of crown molding ahead of you, purchase a crown molding support: a brace that firmly holds the trim up against the ceiling.
- Purchase the longest possible crown molding, as this will help you span entire walls without patching together two pieces with scarf joints.
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What Size Nails Are Used
Your average crown molding requires 2 finishing nails. You dont want to hammer finishing nails in use a compressor and a finishing gun to nail down your crown molding. Make sure that the outside corners are done using a brad nailer with 1 brad nails.
Be certain to nail into the higher profiles of your crown molding. Doing so makes it much easier to fill and sand than it would be if you were to nail into a crevice. For crown molding that has a 3 rise or less, you dont have to mark out the studs as you will be nailing the top plates instead.
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When To Call A Professional
Few tradespeople specialize only in crown molding installation. But large metro areas, especially those with older housing stock, may have some individuals or small firms that do only trim, molding, and millwork fabrication and installation.
Some trade carpenters specialize in cabinetry and trim work. This kind of pro is a very good option if you want a truly quality installation. You can search for suitable contractors using an online matching service such as HomeAdvisor by using a search term such as “interior trim” or “molding installation.”
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