Skip to main content
FamilyEducation
FamilyEducation
Family Education

FE-Menu

  • Pregnancy
    • <blank>
      • Pregnancy Tracker
      • Trying to Conceive
      • Signs & Symptoms
      • Pregnancy Health
    • <blank>
      • Baby Names
      • High Risk Pregnancies
      • Preparing for Baby
    • <blank>
      • Concerns & Complications
      • Labor & Delivery
      • Postpartum
  • Baby Names
    • <blank>
      • Browse All Baby Names (A-Z)
      • Top Names for Boys
      • Top Names for Girls
      • Baby Name Generator
    • <blank>
      • Baby Name Lists & Ideas
      • First Names By Origin
      • Browse All Last Names (A-Z)
      • Last Names by Origin
  • Babies
    • <blank>
      • Caring For Your Baby
      • Baby's Health
      • Feeding Your Baby
    • <blank>
      • Your Baby and Sleep
      • Baby's Growth & Development
      • Baby Hygiene
    • <blank>
      • Baby Safety
      • Baby Products
    • <blank>
  • Toddlers
    • <blank>
      • Toddler Growth and Development
    • <blank>
      • Toddler Behavior and Discipline
    • <blank>
      • Your Toddler and Sleep
  • Kids
    • <blank>
      • Health
      • Childhood Development
      • Fitness & Nutrition
      • Childhood Safety
    • <blank>
      • Communicating with Your Kids
      • Childhood Behavior and Discipline
      • Fostering Responsibility
      • Instilling Values & Manners
    • <blank>
      • Childcare
      • Neurodiversity in Kids
      • Adopting Children
  • Teens
    • <blank>
      • Teen Health
      • Teen Puberty & Sex
    • <blank>
      • Behavior & Discipline
      • Teen Social Development
    • <blank>
      • Values & Responsibilities
  • Activities
    • <blank>
      • Printables
      • Indoor Activities
      • Learning Activities
      • Arts and Crafts
      • Performing Arts
      • Food Activities
      • Outdoor Activities
    • <blank>
      • Books
      • TV
      • Movies
      • Online
      • Quizzes
      • Games
      • Celebrities
    • <blank>
      • Parties
      • Travel
      • Toys
      • Holidays
      • Gifts
  • Learning
    • <blank>
      • By Grade
      • By Subject
      • College
      • Preschool
    • <blank>
      • Back to School
      • Study Skills
      • Learning Styles
    • <blank>
      • Homeschooling
      • Parental Involvement
      • Your Child's School
  • Family Life
    • <blank>
      • Mom Life
      • Dad Life
      • Family Relationships
      • Having a Healthy Marriage
      • Divorce
    • <blank>
      • Health & Fitness
      • COVID Resources
      • Managing Your Home
      • Moving Your Family
      • Pets
    • <blank>
      • Family Finances
      • Work
      • Families and Food
  • NewslettersNewsletters
    Newsletters

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Family Life
  3. Managing Your Home
  4. Home Improvements and Maintenance
  5. How To Install Crown Molding

How to Install Crown Molding

Install crown molding in your home with these simple instructions.
  • facebook share icon
  • pin
  • twitter share icon
  • email share icon
  • Print page icon

In this article, you will find:

  • Page 1
  • Page 2

Page 1

How to Install Crown Molding

Crown molding-or cornice molding-is trim used where the wall meets the ceiling. This decorative touch can add a note of class and completion to a room. Because crown molding highlights irregularities in the wall or ceiling, use a long level or straight board to check that the walls and ceiling are straight enough so any gaps will be tolerable. Repair the surfaces before you start so the molding does not highlight the irregularities.

Crown molding comes in several sizes, made to complement different rooms. In our 12' x 10' dining room, 3⁄4", 38° molding looked just right. Crown molding requires sequence, patience, and jigs. Sequence, because it's easiest to work your way around the room. Patience, because it will be seen by a V-I-P, namely Y-O-U. And jigs, because you'll cut the molding in a homemade jig. I buy extra molding. Although I generally paint or stain molding first, if you don't stain the extra molding, you can always return it.

Step 1: Been Workin' on the Nailer

Instead of nailing crown molding to the framing (the studs, plate, and joist), attach it to a nailer-a piece you attach to hold your nails. If you cut the nailer to fit the angle and size of the molding, it will practically fall into position on the wall.

Crown molding may rest at either 38° or 45° to vertical; cut this angle on the nailer, as described in a moment.

Position the nailers 4" away from the corners, to leave room for molding at the corners. Attach the nailer to the plate at the top of the studs with screws or staples 16" apart and slanting upward. Fasteners must grab 1" of the plate.

Step 2: The Nailing Sequence

With the nailer attached, turn your attention to the attaching the molding in the most efficient order, starting with corner.

Position the nailers 4" away from the corners, to leave room for molding at the corners. Attach the nailer to the plate at the top of the studs with screws or staples 16" apart and slanting upward. Fasteners must grab 1" of the plate.

Most pieces of crown molding get a butt (square) cut at one end and a coped or mited joint at the other. Use this sequence for fastening:

  1. Cut two 4" scraps of molding and tack (lightly nail) them into position at corners A and F, along the walls shown.

  2. Miter (angle cut) one end of a piece of molding longer than dimension A-B. Cope one end and test it against the block at F. When it fits, make a butt cut at the other end so the piece fits wall A-B.

  3. Tack this piece to wall A-B, snug against the block at A. Remove that block.

  4. Continue around the room, using scrap blocks for each coped joint.

  5. Make a miter joint at the outside comer, D.

  6. You can't test the coped joint on the long side F-A, because the molding would be longer than the room until you make the butt cut. If you are worried about cutting an accurate joint, cut side F-A in two pieces, joined with a scarf joint.

Next: Page 2

What's hot

  • Eye color genetic chart Family LifeWhat Color Will My Baby'…
  • 10 Signs of Divorce Family Life10 Signs Your Marriage is Over
  • woman standing on scale Family LifeWhat's a Normal BMI for…
  • Young girl eating a oatmeal with berries after a workout Family LifeCalorie Intake for Weight…
NewslettersNewsletters
Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning.
Family Education
FamilyEducation does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Information on our advertising guidelines can be found here.

FE Footer

  • Newsletter Center
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Editorial Team
  • Expert Panel
  • Cookie Policy
  • Site Map
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info (for CA Residents)
sandbox learning logo
Family Education is part of the Sandbox Learning family of educational reference sites for parents, teachers, and students. 

factmonster logoinfoplease logoTeacherVision logo

sandbbox logo
©2022 Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved. Sandbox Learning is part of Sandbox & Co., a digital learning company.