Recreate a Room With Crown Molding

Crown molding, or cornice, is one of the best and easiest ways to add elegance to a room. Often times a ceiling is overlooked when someone is redecorating, but adding crown molding smoothes the transition from wall to ceiling, and enhances a room in much the same way as framing a painting. The numerous crown molding styles available means that the finishing touches provided by molding are available to all homes, from an ordinary ranch style bungalow to a rebuilt 1890s mansion.

If you're thinking that crown molding is just the finishing touch your house needs, here are a few choices you will want to consider.

How Big Should the Molding Be?

Experts say that most people are too hesitant when choosing the size of the molding, which should be determined by both the height of the ceiling and the size of the room. In theory, the height of the molding should be equal to 1 inch for each foot of floor height; for example, choose 8-inch crown molding for an 8 foot ceiling. However, in smaller rooms, this will need to be scaled back so that the molding doesn't overpower the room.

If you are doing both crown molding and baseboards, the baseboards should be at least equal to ½ of the height of the crown molding. Example: 8-inch crown molding should be paired up with at least a 4-inch baseboard.

What is the Best Choice of Material?

The most prevalent molding used in today's homes is made from unfinished wood. Constructed from hardwood or pine, it is generally available in two varieties:

Stain grade molding, created from clear lumber, absorbs tints and colors well. In addition, it has a rich wood grain finish under stains or clear coat finishes.

Paint grade molding, also known as finger joints, is generated from short chunks of pine fingers linked together. Due to the visibility of the intersecting points, this type of molding is not suitable for staining, but fine for painting.

There are also other materials that offer excellent possibilities, including:

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) Molding is a synthetic, wood-like byproduct that works and cuts similar to wood, but is less susceptible to temperature and humidity modifications. MDF can be used anywhere paint grade molding is used.

Pre-finished molding, created from polystyrene, is available in either white or an assortment of patterns that simulate the look of wood grains. As it comes ready for installation when purchased, homeowners save time and money in application.

Installing Crown Molding

Installing crown molding can be confusing, given the problems of miter cuts, inside cuts and outside cuts. Also, if you are not comfortable working with tools or have little patience, it is probably best to let a professional actually install the molding you pick. On the other hand, handy homeowners can handle the job themselves, provided they take their time. If you decide to take on the job yourself, be sure to buy some extra molding, remember to measure twice and cut once and be prepared for corners that are not 90 degrees and walls that are not flat.

Whichever way you decide to install your crown moldings, you can be sure that the elegance of the finished rooms will more than pay you back for any aggravation or expense you went through.