If your house is boring and lacking of style and character, there are a few things you can do to give it some oomph, such as add an accent wall (link), throw up some window treatments, change the lighting or, as we’re going to discuss today, add some crown molding.
Crown molding is one of the simplest ways to change the entire look and feel of a room without breaking the bank. The purpose of crown molding is to bridge the transition from wall to ceiling in as smooth a way as possible, and to really help the architectural design of the room pop.
Crown molding doesn’t have to be expensive, but can get expensive depending on the look you’re going for. If you’re going for an au natural look, solid wood trim would be your best bet; it’s also the most expensive option. However, if you plan on painting the trim, there are a few inexpensive options, such as finger-jointed wood, wood composite or urethane trims. I’ve even seen houses with FOAM trim (yes, FOAM), but, unless I had been told otherwise, I’d have thought it was wood.
While there are several different looks crown molding can give you, we find that proven standard techniques and arrangements always work, no matter the look you’re going for. Here are some guidelines we recommend following for best results:
· Keep a consistent scale on both molding and wall trim. Though it’s tempting to add grand, fancy molding along the ceiling and skimp on baseboards, this can give your home a clunky, uneven feeling. Molding sizes should be balanced throughout.
· If you’re going for a more traditional look, don’t be afraid to go more ornate and layered; however, if you’re trying to achieve a more contemporary look, stick with simpler styles with few layers.
· Never assume that two surfaces meet at a true 90-degree angle; be prepared to cut angles to eliminate gaps.
· This is not a time to skimp on materials; investing in proper tools will ensure that you’ll achieve the desired results, as molding requires precise cuts regardless of style or type.
· Make practice cuts before installing.
· Use corner pieces, plinth blocks and other transition pieces where possible.
What Tools Do You Need?
· Paintbrushes
· Pencil
· Electric miter saw, or a miter box and hand-held saw
· Tape measure
· Stud finder
· Coping saw with spare blades
· Small flat and round files
· Sand paper
· Drill
· Hammer
· Nails
· Putty knife
· Caulking gun, if you’re painting your molding
What Materials Do You Need?
· Molding
· Paint or stain and sealer
· Finishing nails
· Wood filler/patching compound
· Caulk
How to Install Crown Molding
If this is your first time installing crown molding, we suggest starting with something simple, like a small room with only four walls and square corners. Once you’ve picked your room, follow these 7 steps:
1. Take Measurements. Measure the width of each wall along the ceiling. Keep in mind that moldings only come is standard lengths, so round your measurements up, and purchase the size that requires the fewest joints.
2. Pre-Finish the Molding. Trust us—you are NOT going to want to paint, stain or seal your moldings once they’re up on the walls. Do it before hand then let them dry before installing.
3. Locate Concealed Framing. Moldings should not be nailed into drywall; rather, they need to be attached to studs or ceiling joists. Scan the walls with your stud finder and make light pencil marks to indicate where the studs and joists are. Be sure to leave the marks below where the bottom of the molding will fall, that way you can still see where to nail the molding in place once the molding is up.
4. Determine the Installation Sequence. Do not install the molding willy-nilly, or wall-by-wall. Instead, start in once place and go around the entire room until you only have one gap left. This way, you’ll only have one closer piece that must fit precisely against adjacent molding. We recommend making this spot in an inconspicuous corner, such as over the entry door to the room, especially if it’s your first time installing crown molding.
5. Decide On the Type of Corner Joint You Need. If you’re placing two molding pieces on an outside corner, use miter cuts (cutting the pieces at 45-degree angles) at the meeting end of each. However, if you’re placing two pieces at an inside corner, irregular wall surfaces usually create a poor fit if you use mitered ends. Instead, cut one molding with a square end and the other with an inside 45-degree miter. From there, file and sand the mitered cut until it fits snugly against the adjacent molding. Touch up with caulk and paint once finished.
6. Nail Each Piece In. Slowly nail each piece into place, but don’t countersink the nails yet.
(Tip: If you’re using a large crown molding, install a hidden nailer strip behind it to provide more surface area to nail to.)
7. Tidy Up the Details. After all the molding pieces are in place and fitted properly, finish driving and countersinking the nails. For nails near the end, drill pilot holes to avoid splitting the wood. Fill nail holes with wood filler or patching compound, then sand. Use caulk or wood filler for small gaps at corners. Touch up nail holes and corners with paint or stain.
Easy enough, right?
We understand if that’s a lot to take in, because, well, installing crown molding isn’t a walk in the park. If you would like to install crown molding in your home, but simply don’t have the time, or you don’t want to go out and buy all the tools and materials necessary, let Liberty Paint & Construction, LLC do the job for you. We specialize in paint, construction and home remodels in the Toledo area, and would be more than happy to come in and give you a FREE ESTIMATE. Contact Drew at 619-770-9437, or email us at [email protected] to set up at meeting with us today.
Crown molding is one of the simplest ways to change the entire look and feel of a room without breaking the bank. The purpose of crown molding is to bridge the transition from wall to ceiling in as smooth a way as possible, and to really help the architectural design of the room pop.
Crown molding doesn’t have to be expensive, but can get expensive depending on the look you’re going for. If you’re going for an au natural look, solid wood trim would be your best bet; it’s also the most expensive option. However, if you plan on painting the trim, there are a few inexpensive options, such as finger-jointed wood, wood composite or urethane trims. I’ve even seen houses with FOAM trim (yes, FOAM), but, unless I had been told otherwise, I’d have thought it was wood.
While there are several different looks crown molding can give you, we find that proven standard techniques and arrangements always work, no matter the look you’re going for. Here are some guidelines we recommend following for best results:
· Keep a consistent scale on both molding and wall trim. Though it’s tempting to add grand, fancy molding along the ceiling and skimp on baseboards, this can give your home a clunky, uneven feeling. Molding sizes should be balanced throughout.
· If you’re going for a more traditional look, don’t be afraid to go more ornate and layered; however, if you’re trying to achieve a more contemporary look, stick with simpler styles with few layers.
· Never assume that two surfaces meet at a true 90-degree angle; be prepared to cut angles to eliminate gaps.
· This is not a time to skimp on materials; investing in proper tools will ensure that you’ll achieve the desired results, as molding requires precise cuts regardless of style or type.
· Make practice cuts before installing.
· Use corner pieces, plinth blocks and other transition pieces where possible.
What Tools Do You Need?
· Paintbrushes
· Pencil
· Electric miter saw, or a miter box and hand-held saw
· Tape measure
· Stud finder
· Coping saw with spare blades
· Small flat and round files
· Sand paper
· Drill
· Hammer
· Nails
· Putty knife
· Caulking gun, if you’re painting your molding
What Materials Do You Need?
· Molding
· Paint or stain and sealer
· Finishing nails
· Wood filler/patching compound
· Caulk
How to Install Crown Molding
If this is your first time installing crown molding, we suggest starting with something simple, like a small room with only four walls and square corners. Once you’ve picked your room, follow these 7 steps:
1. Take Measurements. Measure the width of each wall along the ceiling. Keep in mind that moldings only come is standard lengths, so round your measurements up, and purchase the size that requires the fewest joints.
2. Pre-Finish the Molding. Trust us—you are NOT going to want to paint, stain or seal your moldings once they’re up on the walls. Do it before hand then let them dry before installing.
3. Locate Concealed Framing. Moldings should not be nailed into drywall; rather, they need to be attached to studs or ceiling joists. Scan the walls with your stud finder and make light pencil marks to indicate where the studs and joists are. Be sure to leave the marks below where the bottom of the molding will fall, that way you can still see where to nail the molding in place once the molding is up.
4. Determine the Installation Sequence. Do not install the molding willy-nilly, or wall-by-wall. Instead, start in once place and go around the entire room until you only have one gap left. This way, you’ll only have one closer piece that must fit precisely against adjacent molding. We recommend making this spot in an inconspicuous corner, such as over the entry door to the room, especially if it’s your first time installing crown molding.
5. Decide On the Type of Corner Joint You Need. If you’re placing two molding pieces on an outside corner, use miter cuts (cutting the pieces at 45-degree angles) at the meeting end of each. However, if you’re placing two pieces at an inside corner, irregular wall surfaces usually create a poor fit if you use mitered ends. Instead, cut one molding with a square end and the other with an inside 45-degree miter. From there, file and sand the mitered cut until it fits snugly against the adjacent molding. Touch up with caulk and paint once finished.
6. Nail Each Piece In. Slowly nail each piece into place, but don’t countersink the nails yet.
(Tip: If you’re using a large crown molding, install a hidden nailer strip behind it to provide more surface area to nail to.)
7. Tidy Up the Details. After all the molding pieces are in place and fitted properly, finish driving and countersinking the nails. For nails near the end, drill pilot holes to avoid splitting the wood. Fill nail holes with wood filler or patching compound, then sand. Use caulk or wood filler for small gaps at corners. Touch up nail holes and corners with paint or stain.
Easy enough, right?
We understand if that’s a lot to take in, because, well, installing crown molding isn’t a walk in the park. If you would like to install crown molding in your home, but simply don’t have the time, or you don’t want to go out and buy all the tools and materials necessary, let Liberty Paint & Construction, LLC do the job for you. We specialize in paint, construction and home remodels in the Toledo area, and would be more than happy to come in and give you a FREE ESTIMATE. Contact Drew at 619-770-9437, or email us at [email protected] to set up at meeting with us today.