easy crown molding, no nail gun, corners all done

[gychang]

wife wants a nice ceiling crown molding for large traditional living room. I am into an easy method, already have a miter saw.

1. Like to use polyurethane? based to avoid direct nailing on the studs (takes too long to locate) but just using a glue (liquid nail).
2. decorative corner ready to purchase. (saw a great "DIY to the rescue" segment, but can't seem to locate it again).

where is a good place on the web site to get the materials?, thanks in advance.

GYC

[cabinetman]

Could be this site.
.

[JimD]

If you don't want to find the studs, I don't think you're in the right frame of mind to do crown moulding. Maybe it will work out with the corner blocks but I've always had a tough time unless I spend the time up-front to find the studs and mark where I want the edges of the moulding on the ceiling and walls. I find the studs and then use a piece of scrap I cut a notch out of for the position of the crown and put faint pencil lines at each stud. Then and only then I am ready to start with the crown. I also like to cut 2 to 3 foot pieces as scraps to try each corner and recut until I get the scrap to fit right. Then I cut my long piece of moulding. These steps sound like they would cost a bunch of time but my experience is that they do not. It is very easy to get the angle of the crown wrong against the way and ceiling and that makes it impossible to get the corners right. Even with blocks in the corners I think you will see an angle that is off.

Jim

[Powercat80]

Materials

Try this site and check the section under moulding for plain and decorative crown. All polyurethane that can be glued and nailed.

I agree with Jim D on finding the studs. Although most of this material is lite-weight, I always find it easier to nail and fill instead of gluing and hoping the adhesive cures enough while holding in place before it moves on me.

http://www.wishihadthat.com/index.as...S&Category=780

Good luck!

[cdub101]

You can get pre made corners at Home depot. I did those with mdf crown, a nail gun and a circular saw. I was also by myself. They came out good. But I did locate at least a few studs to start. So that I could get it nailed to hold while I went up and down the step ladder.

[stormdog74]

I agree that you should nail. I use a backer board made out of 2x (cut at the same angle as the crown) nailed into the top plate. Leave a small gap between the board and crown for adjustments, and then nail the crown into the backer board - works great.

[Rslaugh]

If you don't have a stud finder use a drill in an area that will be covered by the crown anyway. Once you locate the first you one you should be able to measure 16" on center (modern construction - 23 1/2" give or take an inch in my house) and locate the rest.

[JimD]

I also like to put a plywood or waferboard backer over joints in long runs. I hold the crown against a square and decide how wide I can make a backer. Then I cut it from scrap and use short staples to attach the two pieces of crown to it (I also use glue). I have several joints that the "professionals" did in my house that open up seasonally but my joints do not.

Jim

[gychang]

I agree that you should nail. I use a backer board made out of 2x (cut at the same angle as the crown) nailed into the top plate. Leave a small gap between the board and crown for adjustments, and then nail the crown into the backer board - works great.

I think I know what u r saying, visually is there a photo somewhere?, sounds like a great advice from several folks, I will follow the advise of findings few studs, put a piece of plywood or backer board so the long runs of molding can be nailed while the glue dries.

I am still trying to locate where I can get "corner" molding accents that will match with the particular molding, recall seeing few in Lowes.

gychang

[Cheeky]

I think I know what u r saying, visually is there a photo somewhere?, sounds like a great advice from several folks, I will follow the advise of findings few studs, put a piece of plywood or backer board so the long runs of molding can be nailed while the glue dries.

I am still trying to locate where I can get "corner" molding accents that will match with the particular molding, recall seeing few in Lowes.

gychang

here's a good article from my favorites

foam corners

i've seen the corners and middle pieces at HD and Lowes.

[iceman61]

Even with blocks in the corners I think you will see an angle that is off.Jim

This is exactly right. If you ever find a 90º corner in any house it will be short of a miracle. If you are using paintable grade, you can get creative with paintable caulk. Come on & use that nice miter saw for what it's great at! Cutting crown molding!

Seriously though, crown molding is not as daunting as it seems once you get into it. Get some coffee, & do an internet search on "installing crown molding." There are several good sites on this as well as so very good info the guys on this site have already given you. The biggest trick is to know which way to turn the molding when you make a cut.

Something else that might help you. In my house I installed baseboard with the decorative edge down, the installed the crown molding on top of this. Once it's up it all looks like one piece & had more decoration to it than just crown if you get the right width base board you can also add some small flat decorative between the bottom of the crown & the routed edge of the baseboard. Visitors will really sit up & notice it.

If you do decide not to go with the prefab corners this might help you.
http://www.dewalt.com/us/articles/article.asp?ID=2

[JSUPreston]

I wouldn't use glue unless absolutely necessary. What if you wanted to change it out in a few years for some reason? You'd destroy the rock pulling it off. With nails, you may have a few holes to fill and paint over, but nowhere near the damage caused by the glue.

[Bruce Cohen]

Mr. Preston,

You beat me out. using Liquid Nails directly on sheetrock is literally "chiseled in stone". Because if you try to remove it, the paper face of the 'rock comes along with it. Can you say, "New Sheetrock". gychang.

I agree with the consensus, it's a heck of a lot easier finding the studs, or getting someone who's done it before to do it for you.

Bruce

[lebomike]

crown molding

I put up crown molding in all our downstairs rooms. I never located a stud. Used a large crown from Lowes and installed with my air nailer. All the help I had was my wife would hold the opposite end up for me with a small broom while I got the nailer started we did 4 rooms on a Saturday . No but joints, miter all and corners.
We have had a number of builders in our home and they all commented on the crown with no visable joints.
I love doing crown molding.

[stormdog74]

I wouldn't use glue unless absolutely necessary. What if you wanted to change it out in a few years for some reason? You'd destroy the rock pulling it off. With nails, you may have a few holes to fill and paint over, but nowhere near the damage caused by the glue.

Agreed - do not glue if at all possible.