Everyone dreams of creating a perfect home with stunning interiors that are very pleasant to look at. If they can be created by your own hard work, then nothing can take the sense of pride away. Crown Moldings give you the same sense of pride and joy. They are very easy to install and add a perfectly stunning effect to your wall’s edges. Even the most complicated looking designs are quite simple to create and install; all that you need to do is plan ahead with a good idea of the layout of the house. For those of you who are very environment conscious, you can opt for the wood crown molding as it is perfectly natural and has no bad effect on the ecosystem. Here is a description of the procedure to install a perfect crown molding.
Planning
It is very important to have a layout plan before you start installing the wooden crown molding. You can start by taking the required measurements of the room to determine just how much molding would be required in terms of linear footage. While doing this, you must also keep in mind that about 10 to 15 percent of this molding would be wasted while you are working on it. To ensure that the molding appears in a consistent pattern, it is better to add additional lengths to the molding, just in case you end up requiring more at the last minute. You must always keep the moldings in a well-ventilated and dry room and keep it away from moist areas. Moldings shall never be stored outdoors.
Pre-installation preparation
You can paint the wood crown moldings before and after the installation is done. It is generally preferred to paint them beforehand, and after installation to give a final touch. It is best to store the crown moldings in the same room in which they are to be installed so that they may be adjusted to the room’s temperature and humidity levels. Just before installing the crown molding, the entire desired surface must be scrubbed clean with a cloth or sponge to free the surface from loose dust and other particles.
Cutting the corners
The hardest thing to do while installing the crown moldings is to cut the corners. One of the easiest methods is to use a coping saw because a coped joint is much better than a mitered joint since the clasping is much tighter. If you are a beginner, even then coping saw is a better option as it is easier to use and handle and if you make any gap, you can easily conceal it with caulk. For those of you who have had more practice in making crown moldings, you can also use miter saw. It is more accurate and makes clean cuts.
Installation
First, you need to take measurements and make the required marks on the walls that show the bottom most edges of the moldings. Now you need to cut the first piece of the crown molding after taking the right measurements. After the first piece is cut and measured, you need to get the next piece cut and check if it fits an inside corner. You can do this by moving the miter saw approximately at an angle of 45 degrees before you set the wooden crown molding into place. Now you must first understand how the molding pieces can be fit together. It is the most confusing part but you can do it by using your table edges like a ceiling and checking out the cuts and fitting.
Next, you need to scribe the edge of one molding to the opposite face of the other one. You need to darken the edge (front) with your pencil and then use the mark as a guide to cut as much close to it as you can by using the coping saw. Even if you need to cut a larger piece, it is advised not to cut all at once and make small delicate cuts.
Now check if all the crown moldings fit. If they do, then install them on the walls. After the installation, you may check for minor patch works and complete them.
Conclusion
The crown molding is a decorative feature of your home. Even simple designs of crown moldings provide a lot of decorative value to your interiors. Since these moldings are made up of wood, they pose no threat to the environment and are very eco friendly. Apart from the walls and ceilings, these crown moldings can also be used in fireplaces and cupboards. Crown moldings are beautiful to look at and can be made on your own. However, you must keep in mind that these are just for decorative purposes and shall not be used to cover up wirings or other features that may put a load on them.
