Installing Crown Molding

Installing crown molding adds class to any hallway, entryway, living room, or dining room. Any time you use wallpaper or paneling to the ceiling, a crown molding will guarantee a finished, professional look.

There are numerous styles to choose from, including modern, contemporary, traditional, classical, and rustic. Always use MDF wood, to avoid cracking, expansion or shrinkage.

This wood is easily cut, and has a simple installation of white glue, finishing nails, and joint sealer.

But cutting the corners for crown moldings is not that easy, since the crown is not placed flush against the wall or the ceiling.

How To Install Crown Molding

Cutting corners for crown moldings is not easy, because the crown is not usually placed flush against the wall or the ceiling. One way to fashion an inside corner is to use a compound miter saw, which will cut both ends of the corner pieces at the same time. But you can also use a two-step process called coping, in which you cut a simple miter and then undercut the miters with a coping saw.

Crown molding is most often sold in a 45 degree or a 38 degree format, so make sure you accurately determine your angles before doing any cutting.

Supply List

You will need the following when installing crown molding:

• utility knife
• coping saw
• measuring tape
• wood putty
• finishing nails
• miter saw
• hammer

• When you take your measurements, add some extra for waste and mistakes when you are cutting your moldings. Figure out the sized lengths you will need that will eliminate splicing as much as possible. You will have to do some, but the fewer you do, the better it is going to look.
• Let it dry thoroughly after staining and painting. Set up your work area in a space that is well lighted, comfortable to work in, and with convenient electrical outlets.

• When you are trimming and joining, you are going to have to deal with corners that are not perfectly square. This is done by coping. You have to shove the crown molding tightly into the corner and then cut the second piece that will butt up to it in the shape of the profile of the molding. If this doesn't sound easy, it's because it isn't.
• The bottom of the crown molding will be the bottom edge if it is going into an inside corner. Use a deep miter box and a fine-toothed saw to make a cut. Lay the molding upside down in the miter box. Cutting the proper miter will show you the shape of the molding. Then, suing a coping saw, you can cut away the extra wood, following that shape. Use a utility knife to clean away any of the excess and make the profile exact.
• To attach and finish installing crown molding, find your joists and then drill pilot holes. This will protect the molding from splitting. Attach it with a few finishing nails.

Countersink the nails, and then fill the nail holes with wood putty. Use the putty on any gaps you left at the joints as well. Paint or stain the filled nail holes to match the molding.
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