How Do I Cope a Joint for Crown Molding?

Function

• Crown molding serves a distinctly decorative purpose in interior design, but it can also serve a structural purpose. Crown molding can help prevent excessive expansion and contraction within wall structures and cover up less-than-perfect drywall finishes.

Types

• Crown molding is available in many types of materials and styles. Solid wood is the most common type of crown molding, made frequently of oak, mahogany and poplar. Medium Density Fiberboard is comprised of compressed sawdust and resin. MDF is often painted, but is available in a wood veneer finish. Plaster crown molding is the most intricate and expensive type of crown molding, usually found in older structures with plaster walls. Plaster molding must be custom made.

Installation

• Crown molding is installed using a cope cut at inside corners. A coping saw is used to remove all the wood behind the leading edge of one piece of the crown molding trim. The wood is removed at an angle to allow the joining piece's edge to fit behind it. This gives the finished corner a nearly seamless appearance. When coping a corner, be sure to follow the design on the face of the crown molding.