Tips on Installing Crown Molding

Tips on Installing Crown Molding
By: Gen Wright


Article Summary: The ceiling is one of the most important area in the house. Why? The next time you have guests coming to your house, observe where they look at when they first step in your house.

The ceiling is one of the most important area in the house. Why? The next time you have guests coming to your house, observe where they look at when they first step in your house. Chances are, they will look towards to ceiling first to get an overall feel of the house before resting their eyes on the details.

As you know, the most common problem with ceilings is that they are often too bare. No designs, no nothing. Just a plain coat of paint. Homeowners who recognize this problem are looking at different ways to make their ceilings look more interesting and exciting. One way to do so, is to install crown molding (or cornices). If you like, you can also install decorative medallions on the ceiling. Here are some tips on how you can install your own crown molding.

Proper planning.

Planning is the most important component of the entire installation process. If you have a poor plan, it may lead to waste of materials and even waste of time. Here is how you can proceed with planning.

First, get as many ideas as you can on crown molding designs. These range from simple designs to complicate but more elegant designs. The key here is not to be overly ambitious. If you are building the crown molding yourself, be sure to choose a design that is within your own level of skills. You may then narrow down on the designs, and choose something that you feel really comfortable with. You may also wish to include other people in the planning process so that you get more feedback. This will help you make better decisions.

Next, start taking measurements. Make plans for the joints, and eliminate any unnecessary joints. Measurements should be as precise as possible so as to avoid wastage. As the planning progresses, you should become clearer on the amount of adhesive and the number of fasteners you need. Once you are confident with the plans, it's time to take action.

Gathering the materials.

Once you have your shopping list ready, it's time to gather the tools and building materials. Make sure that you have everything you need on your list. Otherwise, you may find yourself having to make additional trips back to the store. Save yourself some time by buying everything you need in a single trip.

Getting started with construction.

Use an exclusive work area to layout all your materials and get everything organized. Here is when you should be getting your hands dirty working directly with the materials. Before you start, it is important to ensure that the materials are given ample time to equalize with the current room temperature. Otherwise, measurements may be off.

Usually, crown moldings are finished off with a coat of painting after the installation has been completed. However, it is possible to pre-finish the crown moldings by applying a coat of paint before the moldings are installed. You can then install the molding as per normal.

The success of the project depends very much on your planning and cutting skills. But once the cornices have been successfully installed, you will be able to enjoy a more beautiful ceiling.