Crown molding is one of the most important architectural details used to detail any interior space. Most interior designers today would agree that every room can be improved with the use of crown molding. Crown molding eases the transition from the wall to the ceiling and does a wonderful job of defining the architectural style of a room. Crown molding is also used to finish cabinets, built-ins, and fireplaces.

Crown moldings have been around as long as the use of plastered ceilings has been. They usually reflected the type or intended use of the room. For example, reception rooms were often decorated with more ornate moldings, while plainer crown molding was often installed in the more functional areas of the home, such as the kitchen. The size and style of crown molding used may vary widely, from a simple cove in a farmhouse kitchen to a large built-up cornice in a grand entry.

Crown molding will enhance the look of any room and is not that difficult to install. Installing larger, more complex moldings will require a little extra care to match the pattern at joints and corners. You can also build up larger crown moldings by using a number of smaller moldings. Used this way, custom crown molding profiles can be created to suit your tastes. Built up crown molding can also be used to help hide some of the variations in the ceiling and walls.

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Brian Kiernan

Now that you have chosen your crown molding it is time to prep it and layout out how you a going to install it. One part of prep on your crown molding is sanding. You can do this later once your crown is installed, but at that point it will take you twice as long does now. In sanding you just want to smooth the surface of the wood. Take you hand and rub along the unsanded molding, it will fell rough.

Now gently sand with a medium to fine sand paper until the molding feels smooth. Sanding allows for a nice finish when you paint or stain. Refer to the “Finishing Crown Molding” guide for further advice on prep before your crown molding is installed.

Layout:

Next you want to layout how you are going to install your crown molding. If you are right handed you are going to want to work from right to left or counter clockwise around the room. If you are left handed you should work from left to right or clockwise around the room. If your room is square or rectangle layout is simple. Start at the longest wall a work around the room depending on if you are left or right handed.

Take a minute and draw an overhead view of your room. Then pick the wall you will start with and number it #1 then number each wall around the room #2, #3 and #4. If your room is a “L” shaped start with the outside corner then work around the room based on your dominate hand.

You want to then specify where your copes are going to be. Keep in mind that the last piece will have a double cope, so keep this piece long so you can cut a 1/16” longer and then flex into place. This is easier to do with a long piece than a short piece because there will be more flex in the long piece.

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.