Easy Tips for Cutting Crown Molding

Basics

• When you cut crown molding, it is important not to treat it like baseboard, rail or casing. These types of wood are flat; therefore there are not multiple angles to worry about when you are trying to cut them precisely. Crown molding, on the other hand, is an angled piece of molding requiring a precision cut and a different point of view.

Plan Right

• Before you purchase the crown molding and break out the saw to cut it, you need to plan how you are going to install it. Plan to install your first piece of crown molding on the wall opposite the door of the room. This will not only give you a plan of attack, but also ensure that the best piece of crown molding installed is the first thing someone sees walking into the room. The least visible areas of the room are just above the door frame where someone enters. Measure the room carefully by linear feet to ensure that you have the right measurements and amount of molding before you begin. Find the studs on the walls and mark them so you'll know where to secure the molding to the wall.

Get Help

• Molding can be difficult to install on your own since there are large strips of molding that have to be held in place for measurements and installation. Have at least one person to help. If you cannot find help, purchase hooks or ropes that can be affixed to the wall to hold the molding in place during measurements and installation.

Cut Right

• A piece of molding should be cut using a miter box and a hand saw or a miter saw. Always turn the molding face up and cut toward the back of the molding versus cutting from the back to the front. This will prevent any tears, splintering or other imperfections on the front side of your molding.

Measuring

• Install the first strip of molding and keep the ends square. Ensure that the ends butt up to the corner of both sides of the room. Place a second strip of molding so that the edges butt up against the first strip. The squared edge will already have created a natural angle. Therefore you only need to angle the second piece of molding to match the first. Cut the joints at 45 degree angles. Hold the cut joint up against the first strip of molding to ensure it is correct before installation.

Precut Joints

• In the event you cannot cut an accurate joint, use precut joints. These blocks are joined together and simply installed into each corner of the room. Strips of molding are then attached to the precut joints and finished with lacquer to hide the seams. These take the guesswork out of measuring your molding and give a flawless finish.