Installing crown moulding on a ceiling is a challenging job, but with guidance it can be completed with professional looking results. Required tools include a coping saw, mitre box, fine tooth hand saw, smooth plane, hammer and a nail set are required tools.
The angle cuts might seem confusing. To make the angle cutting process clearer, imagine the crown moulding turned upside down and viewed below eye level. The whole thing looks like a baseboard pushed tight against a wall.
Positioning the Crown Moulding
To obtain the right placement of the crown moulding against the ceiling, first look at the bevel cuts on either side of the moulding. There is a narrow and wide trench (moulded groove) along the length of the board. The wider width is placed to the ceiling and the narrow end rests on the wall.
Take an off cut piece of crown moulding and place it tight against a 90 degrees wall, then view the end cross-section of the moulding. Adjust the moulding so that the bevel angles of the moulding piece fit well against the wall and make note of the measurements from the inside of the wall to the outside edges of the moulding.
The fit of the moulding to the 90 degrees wall will be the same fit when placed on the ceiling. Therefore, when cutting the moulding in the mitre box or mitre power saw, it is better to duplicate the exact settings of the moulding placement before cuts are made.
Cutting Crown Mouldings
For a rectangle wall, first cut straight cuts (90 degrees) to the crown moulding and nailed to two opposing walls. The crown moulding joints along the perimeter of wall/ceiling should have mitre cuts, however, butt joints can be used too.
To avoid confusion when cutting the crown moulding, place the wide area of groove at the base of the saw bench or mitre box. A strip of wood nailed along either side of the moulding (in the mitre box/power mitre saw table) or a clamp helps secure the moulding as it is cut.
Cut the crown moulding to a 45 degrees angle. The coping saw is then used to cut (coping saw is held 90 degrees to moulding as cut is made) along the 45 degrees contour line of the moulding. Although this method works, the home renovator should experiment with what works best to suit individual needs. Nailing the crown moulding in place is a 2-person job. Locate the wall stud spacing and ceiling joist/truss spacing and transfer measurements to moulding. Pre-drill crown moulding and then nail in place.
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