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Wood Crown Molding Usage and Installation Tips

Cornices, Fireplace Mantles, Cabinetry and more....

Cornices often use multiple pieces of moldings for intricate and decorative door and window heads. Fireplace surrounds will often use crown molding that creates decorative shelving. Cabinet crown moldng can be matched to cabinetry wood species, color and stain for an easy upgrade to your cabinets.

Preparing to Install Crown Molding and Finding the "Spring Angle"

The Spring angle is the angle of slope from the wall to the ceiling based on your style and size of your crown molding. Typical angles range from 38 to 45 degrees. Digital angle finders are available for finding the spring angle or special protractors can be used as another option.

Blocking, Nailing and Surface Strips

Crown molding up to about 5 inches can be nailed through the flat portions of the molding directly to the wall studs and ceiling joists. If you are planning for wide molding, blocking should be installed before drywall is hung. If blocking wasn't installed, wood nailing pieces called 'surface strips' will need to be naild to studs as to provide solid holding power for nailing your crown. Walls that run parallel with ceiling joists should have an extended piece of blocking that is nailed to the top wall plate, next to a joist.

Miter Angles and Bevels

Inside and outside corners require mitered or coped joints. Coped joints tpically hold up better over time as walls and wood expansion occurs. Finding the angle of the corner can be done with a digital protractor and angle finder. Key terms to remember are:

Miter Angle - This is the angle of the blade agains the miter saw fence the molding is cut.

Bevel Angle - The degrees that the miter saw blade is tilted

Planning your Installation

Don't be afraid to draw out you room. Decide whether you will miter inside corners and whether you will use cornice pieces for outside corners. Mark down the types of joinery you will use, such as scarf, coped and butt joints when installing moldings.

Next, find the rise of your crown molding. The rise is the distance from the top of the molding to the bottom of the molding once it is installed. Snap a chalk line around the room the distance of the rise down from the ceiling. This will help ensure a uniform installation.

Crown molding can be done by even the novice interior trim weekend warrior! Preparation and care are keys for installing your own crown.

Helpful Topics

Joints and Joinery

Making Wood Molding

Window Casing Styles

Painting Molding

Hardowood Primer

Cabinet Molding Installation

Molding paint and stain ability

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