Simple Crown Molding

Simple crown molding is often a term used by manufacturers for a group of non-wood crown molding products. These products, usually made from foam or plastic, are marketed as an easy way to add architectural detail to a room. Also called no nailing crown molding, this type of molding is often more expensive than traditional wood trims in less expensive woods. However, the real allure of this product seems to be the ability of the homeowner to add it to any room without needing nails, paint, or a saw.

Most no nail crown molding come in kits designed to cover a single room. A typical kit includes all you need to complete the installation, including glue, decorative corner pieces, and enough linear feet of trim to cover a modestly sized room. Additional lengths of trim can often be purchased for an additional price.

1. Start by installing two of the corner pieces that share a common wall. Use the glue provided in the kit to fit them into place.
2. Next, take a tape measure and find out the distance between the two corner pieces. Be exact, you may need help for this step in order to get an accurate measurement.
3. Measure the amount of trim required on a piece of crown molding from the kit and cut it to fit. Be sure to use the tool recommended by the manufacturer in order to make a clean cut edge.
4. Continue this process until all of the trim is in place.
5. Using a latex caulk, run a bead around the edges of the trim. This helps fix the trim into place as well as give a more finished appearance.

In most cases, this type of crown molding is available prepainted, so no other finish work is required. However, extra work is needed if you must have a seam between two pieces of trim on a wall. This often happens when installing crown molding in a particularly large room.

1. To hide the seam, miter the edges of the two pieces of trim, so that cut edge is much wider than in a simple cut.
2. Glue the two pieces together using glue from the kit.
3. Next measure the trim to figure out the exact length required and cut it to length.
4. Glue the crown molding into place.
5. Using a light spackle (often not included in the kit) and cover the exposed seam.
6. Sand the surface of the seam to hide the patch. Some touch up painting may also be required to truly hide the cut.

While no nail crown molding may be tempting, traditional inexpensive crown molding has several advantages. Perhaps the most important advantage of traditional crown molding is the lifespan and usability of the product. Traditional wood crown molding can be painted or refinished with ease. If it must be taken down for any reason, such as ceiling work, it is easy to restore once the job is complete.

No nail crown molding, on the other hand, is not easily removed once applied. If the homeowner decides to remove the molding at a later date, it is often a very difficult task. Chunks of drywall often come off with the crown molding, making it essential that the tops of the walls be refinished before painting. Painting the crown molding is also difficult and may require particular types of paint to achieve good coverage.

Simple crown molding may be enticing for homeowners who have no woodworking experience, but may not offer the most value for the home. Refinishing these products is often difficult, making it hard to change the color scheme of a room. Learning how to install crown molding may be a better option unless there is a compelling reason to use one of these convenience products.

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