Tags: Ceiling Beams, Decorative Wall Panels, Faux Wood Beams, T&G Ceiling Planks, Tongue and Groove
Once upon a time, crown molding served a practical purpose: builders used it to cover up the mistakes they made in joining the walls and ceilings.
Now, though, homeowners want crown molding not to hide architectural imperfections, but to flaunt their home’s features. Namely, crown molding draws the eye up, which makes a room appear larger.
Perhaps you, too, want to bring crown molding into your space. If so, here’s how to install it in your space: we’ve got a rough outline of the process, along with our best crown molding tips.
1. Mark the Bottom Edge of the Crown Molding
You’ll start the installation by marking where the bottom line of the crown molding should align to. Some professionals will snap a chalk line. Others recommend using painter’s tape to protect the paint underneath your molding.
2. Cut the Longest Piece First
Your first cut of crown molding will be the longest piece of the inside wall. You will cut it to size, then add 90-degree angles at the end so the next pieces will notch right into place.
After that, it’s time to put the first piece up. Nail the crown molding into the wall at the studs to ensure it is securely in place.
3. Move in One Direction Around the Room
With the largest piece in place, you’ll want to stick to one direction: clockwise or counterclockwise. Either way, commit to it to make your install as easy as possible.
If you’re moving around the room in one direction, then each piece of molding will need only one cut. Then, you can slide each piece behind the corner of the previous — no need to make multiple cuts per strip of molding.
4. Consider Your Cuts
On that note, you’ll have to be honest with yourself and your DIY skill set. Do you know how to cut with a table saw? If so, how confident are you with it?
You have lots of options when it comes to cutting your crown molding. You can go for a perfect fit at the corners. Or, if you’re less skilled, you can cut corner covers to go over the joints and make everything look uniform, even if the joints are imperfect.
5. Finish It Like a Pro
Once you have sliced all of your pieces, put them up, and covered the corners in your chosen way, it’s time to perfect your new crown molding. You can caulk the corners to cover any gaps — just use a utility knife to smooth the material into the gaps.
And, as previously mentioned, you may have to fix paint scuffs underneath the molding that you’ve just installed. Inspect the room to make sure before finishing up the project.
Are You Ready to Install Crown Molding?
This is a very basic description of the task ahead of you. It’s a tough job, but it’s worth it for the classic finish — and eye-raising tricks — that crown molding provides.
If you’re ready to get started, contact us today. You’ll find crown molding amongst our list of faux wood products.