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Crown Molding Puts Finishing Touch on any Room

The installation of crown molding can turn any room more formal. It is also very difficult to install, most of the time being a project for multiple people. You have to have experience in cutting and hanging crown molding to get your desired results.

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Crown Molding Is A Difficult Cut

Crown molding is the finishing touch on a room. It is the final piece that can define a space and enhance the look and feel of the room from fun and fresh to traditional and formal. However, with the angles, size, and detail work, crown molding can also be one of the most difficult tasks to do when finishing a space. Below is a look at some of the best ways to go about cutting and installing crown molding and some of the things to watch out for.

There are two methods of cutting crown molding

• Non-Compound Method (Upside down and Backwards)
  • Using a miter saw you prop the crown molding against the fence vertically
  • Set the miter angle
  • Be sure that the decorative side is against the fence
• Compound method
  • Lay the crown molding flat with the decorative side up
  • Set the miter and blade tilt adjustment

The advantage of using a compound miter saw is that you can set the molding flat on the back with the decorative side up and use the blade tilt angle to create a precise cut and it is much easier to use. To splice/join your crown or trim, 30° miter and 45° blade tilt work best.

Crown Molding Saw Sizes

Most saw sizes will cut crown molding that is size of the saws radius. For example a 12 inch saw will typically cut a 6 inch wide crown molding and a 10 inch will cut a 5 inch board.

Crown Molding with Horizontal Ceilings

These are the most common of crown molding cuts. There are two kinds of corners, inside and outside. An inside corner is where two walls come together and create a recessed corner and an outside corner is where they create an edge where they come together. Not all corners are 90° or 270° so you must find out the angle formed by the two walls. This can be found by using a 360° protractor.

Now you need to determine the type of corner you need. There are four kinds:

• Outside corner
  • Left Hand
  • Right Hand
• Inside corner
  • Left Hand
  • Right Hand

Once you have found the measurements and the corner you need, use one of the methods above to complete your cut.

Need help with your crown molding installation project? Home Repair Handyman can help you find an expert trim and molding handyman in your local area.