Crown molding installation

For all those who love crown molding, there is encouragement at hand for a do it yourself crown molding installation which can be undertaken by the homeowner, with the right tools, a little know-how and loads of enthusiasm.

Guidelines on installing crown molding

The best and foremost thing to do would be to read up on cutting and mitering moldings if you'll be installing them yourself as this knowledge would hold you in good stead. Next thing to remember is that even though angles and corners can be tricky for a novice, with a little extra effort and well thought out alignment, the new handy person can tackle it as well. If joins need to be placed, they should be in the least visible areas of a room. Avoid joining molding strips in the center of a wall or over a focal point, such as a fireplace as the eye will be easily drawn to it and spoil the overall effect of your hard work. Bevel all joins in a direction that is least likely to be noticed as you enter or sit in the room and do so slowly, with measured, slow strokes.
Mark the location of every wall stud with squares of blue painter's tape. This can be done by folding in a small corner of each piece of tape so it will be easy to grasp and remove. The next step would be to stick the tape to the wall, a few inches under the location of the bottom edge of molding. Test fit each piece before nailing. Measure twice, cut once. Attach the moldings with finishing nails using a nail gun or even with a regular hammer. Avoid denting the molding face whenever possible and use a nail set to countersink each nail.

Finishing touches to the crown molding installation

After the nails have been set and countersinking neatly done, it is necessary to caulk gaps between molding and walls or ceilings. Do this by using as little caulk as possible and pressing it into the joints with a specialized tool or a finger. You may use wood filler or Spackle to cover nail indentations. Let this dry and then sand the excess. With the help of a small foam brush, dipped in paint or stain, you can add do a 'touch-up' job on any scratched or filled areas.

Recommended Reading

1. Cutting crown molding
Crown moldings are decorative details that can be added to a room to spruce it up or give a definitive...
2. Crown molding
Most modern American homes are built with standard baseboard moldings as well as door and window trim but if the...
3. Increase the value of your home using polyurethane moldings
Home is a place where one gets complete relaxation, relief and comfort. Wherever you work in the world, you will...
4. Hardwood Floor Installation Tips
Most of us think that because hardwood floors are a rather sensitive and expensive material, we should always seek the...
5. Things To Consider For Hot Tub Installation
While planning to install a hot tub at your home, there are many considerations involved, the first of which is...