Typically crown moulding gets nailed to a framed stud wall. Studs are generally 16” on center for 2X4 walls and 24” on center for 2X6 walls. The ceiling joists are usually stick framed 12”, 16” or 24” on center trusses. Nailing into the top plates or studs at the bottom of the crown fastens it.
Each piece of crown moulding will need to be custom fitted to your wall and each other. No room is perfectly square, so measuring accurately is essential. You'll also want to nail the crown moulding into a stud for a secure hang. Measure the wall from corner to corner.
Crown molding should be nailed into the studs, but for baseboards it's probably okay to go rogue since you've got gravity on your side and all. If the corner pieces seem like they'll have a teeny gap between them, add a dab of wood glue before you hammer them in.
Use an X pattern with two nails crossing over each other to attach trim to the wall that won't go into a stud. This will securely anchor it in to the drywall.
Crown moulding is installed in the reverse fashion of base moulding. The deeper grooves go on the bottom, and shallower grooves belong on the top. Generally, crown moulding extends further down the wall than on the ceiling. The concave (cove) side goes down, and the convex (rounded) side goes up.
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. Don't create spaces that look odd and that can't be cleaned. Molding too close to ceiling without reaching it.
You can still install objects on walls — even if there's no stud available. You just need to use drywall anchors. Drywall anchors live up to their namesake by anchoring into drywall panels.
Typically crown moulding gets nailed to a framed stud wall. Studs are generally 16” on center for 2X4 walls and 24” on center for 2X6 walls. The ceiling joists are usually stick framed 12”, 16” or 24” on center trusses. Nailing into the top plates or studs at the bottom of the crown fastens it.
Glue is less forgiving than nailing when removing or repositioning baseboards. The potential damages from the glue can impact the appearance of your baseboards and lower the quality of your home.
If your vertical boards do not hit studs, you can angel your brad nails into the wall so that they better grip the drywall. However, if you do not know what is behind your wall, then nail off of the stud at your own risk, as you could hit plumbing, etc.
All edges of all sheets of drywall must land on a solid surface such as a stud. A hanging drywall edge may work in the short-term, but in the long-term it can result in cracks and other serious wall issues. Sometimes, the drywall does not horizontally reach a stud.
Baseboards allow us to level this area, and there are a few installation methods you can use, including screws, nails, or glue. Nails are still the most popular technique, though. Many standard baseboards on the market are now plastic, but composite materials like urethane baseboard moldings are preferred.
The general rule is to insert nails into the studs when another type of framing is not available. For example, chair rail molding, a decorative horizontal strip of trim that extends from wall to wall, requires nailing to the studs to hold it in place.
Lighter or smaller items, such as: picture frames, canvases, shadow boxes, clocks, decorative plates, can safely be hung with a nail or brass picture hanger without a stud. Make sure to choose a nail sized according to the weight of your piece.
Crown moulding is meant to be tied into the ceiling and the wall for strength. Also, by putting it on half and half you will hide the imperfections of the wall IF installed correctly. From the original questioner: Yes, I agree crown should be fastened to the ceiling when doing a room of crown.
For the corners, use glue and 1-inch brad nails. For crown molding that is exceptionally thick (or if you have plaster ceilings), 16 gauge finish nails with a length of 2 ½” “ is recommended.
While drywall alone can hold about 1.6 pounds to 2 pounds per square foot, mounting an object to the stud with the proper hardware allows the drywall to support up to 100 pounds.
Mounting a TV with drywall anchors or bolts is a great option if you can't drill into a stud.
How to hang heavy objects on drywall without a stud. Use a toggle bolt or anchor to hang the piece on areas with no studs, This Old House says.
You'll use construction adhesive and a brad nail gun to attach the molding to the wall and, when you can, to ceiling joists. Mark where to position the molding on the walls and ceiling with the help of an L-shaped gauge you make from scrap wood.
You should not install crown molding on cathedral or vaulted ceilings or in rooms connecting to another room with a varying ceiling height.
Crown molding is an inexpensive and easy way to add visual interest and value to your home. With just a few tools and basic carpentry knowledge, you can achieve a stylish upgrade within any space.