We also need to take into consideration the square footage of the room when choosing crown size. For example, it may be tempting to create a large elaborate crown for a formal office. However, even if the room has high ceilings, a large crown will look overbearing if the room does not have ample square footage.
To make a visual impact in rooms with ceilings that are 10 feet or taller, a larger crown is necessary. Even in casual spaces, the crown should be a minimum of 4″ while formal spaces will need a crown of at least 9″. In some cases, you will want a full entablature (cornice + picture mold) that is up to 24″ in height.
As for crown molding, that's less important but if you have the budget for it it can add grandeur to a plain room. It will visually add square footage to the ceiling making the room look bigger and it also makes the ceiling feel taller. Sometimes the corners have a fancy design which just adds a pretty detail.
Now you know how to tell which side of crown moulding goes up. The quick rule of thumb is that the more decorative side goes on the bottom.
Yes you definitely need to nail your crown molding into the ceiling joists as well it will prevent the top edge that is attached to the ceiling from sagging over time. I've done trim carpentry for ever 20 years.
You should not install crown molding on cathedral or vaulted ceilings or in rooms connecting to another room with a varying ceiling height.
Hotter temperatures cause structures to expand, while colder temperatures cause structures to contract. And if these temperature changes occur in quick succession, structures and their paint jobs can break. Even gradual changes in temperature can dislodge or fracture parts of your crown molding.
Keep a Consistent Size
If your crown mouldings are much wider and longer than your baseboards or vice versa, it may throw off the proportions of the room. Even if the two mouldings match each other but are the wrong size for the room, it will still feel unbalanced.
The saw can be set to 45 degrees to the left or 45 degrees to the right. It's a best practice to cut crown moulding upside down on the miter saw.
You can put crown molding in any room — it's more about the architectural design of the space than its function. Additionally, incorporating crown molding isn't an all-or-nothing decision. Some people add crown molding to every room, but you can also install it in some rooms and not others.
Crown molding should never be installed in rooms with a ceiling height of less than 8 feet. A low ceiling accentuated with trim will make the room feel smaller than it is.
Use backer rod for large gaps
For larger gaps between the crown molding and the wall or ceiling, consider using a backer rod before caulking. Backer rods are flexible foam strips that help provide support and fill in larger gaps, ensuring a more durable and long-lasting seal.
Not necessarily, but you want to keep it in roughly the same visual family. Moulding is about creating a consistent appearance from floor to ceiling, room to room, so you may not want to mix and match a classic Victorian or Colonial profile for your baseboard with a sharply angled Craftsman crown moulding.
1) Never leave crown moldings closer than 9 inches from a ceiling. Once you get within a foot of the ceiling you should have the cabinetry and molding meet the ceiling.
HOW TO CUT CROWN MOLDING: COMPOUND METHOD (FLAT) Molding laying with broad back surface down flat on saw table. You must flip the material around to cut both ends of the inside and outside corners.
Crowns in casual spaces should be a minimum of 4″, however formal spaces such as grand foyers , dining, and living rooms will need a crown that is at least 9″ and in some cases a full entablature (cornice + picture mold) that is up to 24″ in height.
A general rule of thumb for your baseboards is the 7 percent rule — they should equal 7 percent of the overall height of your room. So, if you have 8-foot ceilings, your baseboards will look best at around 7 inches high.
If your crown moulding is going into a room with high ceilings, you may want it to be the same color as the ceiling to make the room appear smaller. The opposite is valid for a room with low ceilings, as a trim in a contrasting color will make the room appear more spacious.
Is crown molding outdated 2021? Most people don't feel crown molding is outdated. Crown molding will never go out of style. Keep the above tips in mind when considering purchasing crown molding for your home.
You'll use construction adhesive and a brad nail gun to attach the molding to the wall and, when you can, to ceiling joists.
Fill in gaps between your crown molding and ceiling by using Loctite PL Heavy Duty Sealant or Loctite Polyseamseal All Purpose Adhesive Caulk. Spread the material along the gap and smooth it over. Remove any excess, let it dry, and paint over the molding.