How to Install Crown Molding With Corner Pieces

Crown molding adds elegance and charm to any room. While installing traditional crown molding involves complex cutting and angle work, you can have the beauty of classic molding without all the work. Thanks to lightweight, high-density urethane foam molding corner blocks, you can have the appearance of mahogany molding without having to be a skilled carpenter. With many styles of urethane molding available, design possibilities are endless.

Molded urethane molding, corner pieces and divider blocks if needed
Paint or stain to match existing trim
1-inch paintbrush
Hammer
2-inch finishing nails
Ladder
Tape measure
Fine-tooth handsaw
Stud finder
Caulk to match the molding
Crayon-style putty stick to match the molding

Instructions

- 1
  Paint or stain the molding pieces. Use a high-quality latex or oil-based paint or a thick gel stain. Do not use a semitransparent stain; it is too thin and will not cover the urethane molding. Apply the paint or stain to match existing trim with a 1-inch-wide paintbrush, carefully covering all the molding detail. Allow the molding to dry thoroughly.
- 2
  Nail all the inside corner pieces in place. Use shims, if necessary, to fill in gaps where corners are not square.
- 3
  Nail in all the outside corner pieces, using the same procedure as in Step 2.
- 4
  Measure the distance between one pair of corner blocks. Add 1/8 inch to this measurement and cut the crown molding with a handsaw to match.
- 5
  Push one end of the molding against a corner piece. Flex the molding a bit to make it to fit against the other corner piece. Press the molding gently until it snaps into place.
- 6
  Find the wall studs using a stud finder. Hammer the molding to the wall using a 2-inch finishing nail on every other stud.
- 7
  Insert a nail into the ceiling joist every 3 feet. If your ceiling joists run parallel to the molding, hammer a nail on an angle into the drywall or plaster every 3 feet.
- 8
  Install the remaining molding to fit between corner pieces or divider blocks following Steps 4 through 7.
- 9
  Fill any gaps along the wall and the ceiling using colored caulk.
- 10
  Fill all nail holes with a crayon-style putty stick. Wipe away any excess putty with a damp cloth.

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Floors & Ceilings