crown molding installation

Crown molding made from high density furniture grade polyurethane. Our cornice and crown molding are exquisitely detailed from handcrafted molds insuring a quality product every time. All crown molding is pre-primed and can be finished with either latex or oil base paint

Tools and Materials for Crown Molding Installation

Tools and Material

- Sponge or clean cloth
- Caulking gun
- Miter box and saw or power miter saw
- Chalk line box and pencil
- Polyurethane construction adhesive [PL Premium® recommended]

Optional Tools and Material

- Putty Knife
- Hammer and nail set
- Elastomeric adhesive caulk [White Lightning® recommended]
- Extra fine sandpaper
- 6d or 8d finishing nails [bright finish or electro-galvanized] fasteners must penetrate substrate a min. of 1/2" to 3/4"

Molding

crown molding

companion molding

crown molding
for Indirect Lighting

panel molding

chair-rail molding

planning your space for crown molding installation

When installing a cornice or crown molding it is important to establish a plan for the layout

Start by measuring your room to determine linear footage of crown molding needed. Add 10% of total length for miter waste

Divide total linear feet by crown molding lengths. For example: if crown molding comes in 8 – foot lengths, divide total linear feet by 8

Round up the number of lengths needed to determine total number of crown molding lengths you will need to purchase

You may also want to consider adding additional length to your purchase to “match the pattern” of molding, ensuring a consistent appearance. For molding with repeats greater than 6” consider adding an additional 5% of total length

ALWAYS store molding in a dry well-ventilated, low humidity area. NEVER store molding outdoors

before crown molding installation

You can finish [paint or faux finish] crown molding before or after installation

After installation touch-up areas as needed

Place crown molding in room for 48 to 72 hours before installation to allow molding to adjust to room temperature and humidity levels of the room

surface preparation for crown molding installation

Clean all surfaces free of dirt and loose particles with a clean cloth or sponge

Make sure area is completely dry before installing crown molding

mitering crown molding corners

The key to successful mitered corners is placing the crown molding correctly in the miter box or power saw fence/rail

Crown molding should be placed in the box so that the ceiling bedding edge of the molding lies against the bottom of the box or saw and the wall bedding edge of crown molding lies against the side of the miter box opposite you. TIP: Before cutting, label the miter box or saw bottom “ceiling” and the side with “wall” (A)

Cut all miters and butt joints before you install crown molding. After cutting, lay crown molding in place around the room to make sure all cuts and joints are correctly measured

mitering inside crown molding corners

Take two pieces of crown molding that will be used for your inside corner

Place the “left” length of crown molding in the box as described above and cut 45° mitered corner – your saw should point left (B)

Next place the “right” length of crown molding in box – before cutting note molding pattern and adjust your cut to allow for continuity of pattern. Cut the right miter with your saw pointing right (C)

Check your cuts by placing the two mitered ends together, to ensure a good fit

mitering outside crown molding corners

Take two pieces of crown molding that will be used for your first outside corner

Place the “left” length of crown molding the box as described above and cut 45° mitered corner – your saw should point right (D)

Next place the “right” length of crown molding in box – before cutting note crown molding pattern and adjust your cut to allow for continuity of pattern. Cut the right miter with your saw pointing left (E)

Check your cuts by placing the two mitered ends together, to ensure a good fit

crown molding butt joints

When crown molding lengths do not span the entire length of a room, you will need to “butt joint” two crown molding lengths together

Note the pattern on the cut crown molding and adjust the pattern on next length of crown molding when cutting to insure pattern continuity

Lay the crown molding in the miter box the same as described above and cut a straight edge (F)

general crown molding installation

First mark the entire length of wall around the room with your chalk line box and pencil. You will mark the bottom edge of the crown molding. ALWAYS start installing crown molding behind a door or at an inconspicuous corner, because the repeat pattern of your last joint will most likely NOT match at the joint

Apply a 1/4" continuous bead of construction adhesive along the backside top and bottom edge of crown molding [G] and at butt joint ends. Use adhesive to fill any gaps . Gently press the crown molding edge and smooth excess chalk with your finger or putty knife, giving the appearance of the crown molding being part of the wall [H]. Wipe any excess adhesive from edges and clean with mineral spirits

Option: You may want to tack or secure crown molding into place with finishing nails. If you want to remove nails after construction adhesive dries, leave approximately 1/2" nail exposed for easy removal.
TIP: Nail crown molding in ornamentation areas of molding into wall. When adhesive dries [approx. 2 -3 hours] either remove the finishing nails or use nail set to countersink nails, making sure that nails penetrate wall at least 1/2” to 3/4”

Fill nail holes with Elastomeric adhesive/caulk – smooth the surface with your finger or putty knife. Once caulk is dry and if needed, lightly sand crown molding rough spots with extra fine sandpaper

Paint or touch up crown molding with paint as needed

Place crown molding in miter box as shown. Mark box as shown

inside left crown molding corner

inside right crown molding corner

outside left crown molding corner

outside right crown molding corner

straight edge crown molding cut
butt joint

apply continuous bead of adhesive to bedding edges and butt or miter joints of crown molding

apply pintable caulk to edges of crown molding

WHILE INSTALLING CROWN MOLDING
ALWAYS FOLLOW THESE SAFETY SUGGESTIONS

- Follow good construction practices.

- When using power tools, adhesive and finishing materials [such as paint or stain], be sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions

- Always wear safety goggles when using a power tool or hammer

- Always use the right tool and/or equipment for the job

General Precautions

Century crown molding function as a decorative element only, and are not designed to support electrical fixtures or provide any load bearing capacity
InvitingHome.com shall not be responsible if any failure to comply with these crown molding installation instructions results in the product failing to perform the purpose intended


Manufacturer Crown Molding Warranty

Century Architectural Specialties warrants all its crown molding to be free from manufacturing defects for a period of three [3] years from the date of purchase. This warranty does not include damage or other problems resulting from improper installation, misuse or normal wear and tear. Century’s liability is limited to product replacement cost. It does not include freight or handling expenses, installation cost or any other costs or expenses incurred in connection with the purchase or use of our products