If you are the kind of person who like to work with your hands and like to try something new and durable, how about the installation of Crown Molding to add that extra flair to your home? The installation of the molding is the easiest part. The more difficult part is in the measuring and cutting of the molds. For the measuring and cutting you will need tools like a Miter saw for precision cutting as well as an adjustable protractor to help you in determining the corner angles where the moldings joins one another. You can also use these tools for other jobs, so they are actually good investment pieces.
Once you have the measuring and cutting work done, you will need the ordinary every day tools like a utility knife for finishing off your rough edgings, wood putty so you can cover gaps and holes around the joints, measuring tape and a hammer, and some nails. In the crown molding section you will have a wide selection and it is always a good idea to take someone along that will be able to help you in picking just the one right molding for your home. Once you have picked the shape and style you, need to remember that the finishing paint should be applied before the cutting and installation.
A very important item to remember is a place where you can do the actual cutting, trimming, measuring and painting. The ideal place will be an empty room with enough space so you can work with the longer pieces comfortably. It helps if you can have some sort of a workbench, about one meter in height, but it doesn’t have to be very wide. Once you have done all the ground work, it is time to make preparations for the actual installation of your chosen crown molding.
You must keep in mind that from here on most of the work will be done overhead with arms stretched above the head and it can be very tiring and uncomfortable. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to change this, except to make it as safe as possible. The best possible solution is to build a sturdy platform to stand on. Make it strong enough, so it can carry the weight of at least two adults. If the required material is not readily available to build such a platform, please do not settle for anything less safe. Rather hire a proper and safe platform from a hiring outlet. It will be an added advantage if the platform is fitted with an adjustable height mechanism.
When your work station has been set up, the only thing remaining is the installation of your molding. With the help of the second person on your platform, start from one end of the room and work around. Make sure that before you move your platform to its next position, everything has been completed and you don’t have to come back to do some final trimming or such. One last thought - to prevent your crown molding from splitting it is advisable to drill small pilot holes for the nails.
