How to Install Your Crown Molding
- 1). Measure the length of the walls where you will install the molding. Cut the strips of molding to the measurement of the walls (leave an extra inch on each side that will cover a corner facing into the room). Cut your crown molding backing strips (strips of wood that set behind the crown molding against the wall) into the same length.
- 2). Place your molding so that you are facing the top (the side that will meet the ceiling). Draw a 45-degree line, starting at the end and moving toward the front or back depending on the corner it will rest. If the corner faces inward, pointing away from the room, draw the line so it angles in toward the center of the back of the wood. For corners that point into the room, angle the line so it points to the center on the front of the wood.
- 3). Cut the pieces of wood along the 45-degree lines on the wood. Sand down the edges afterward to remove splinters.
- 4). Match the lengths of molding with their matching lengths of backing. Set the strips near the walls where you will install them.
- 5). Run a stud detector across the wall. Mark the location of the studs right under the area where you will install the molding.
- 6). Place the backing strips against the wall and ceiling. Secure the backing to the walls using a nail gun. Position the nails over the studs in the wall.
- 7). Hold the strips of molding over the molding backing. Nail the molding to the backing using carpentry nails (position the nails above where you placed the nails for the backing so you do not hit them). Cover the holes it creates with wood putty.
- 8). Lightly sand the putty after it dries to make it smooth. Dab the wood with tack cloth (sticky cloth that picks up debris) to remove the leftover dust.
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