Crown Molding Adds Style to a Room?

Crown molding adds style and a finished touch to rooms that need a little help with decor.

Crown molding is the topmost molding that is installed where the wall meets the ceiling

and adding it can change the look and feel of a room instantly. There are many types of

crown molding available in various woods and synthetic materials like Styrofoam and

plastic. With new lighter weight materials, installing crown molding is no longer a tedious

job for a carpenter and can be a home project that the homeowner can do with some

direction and skill.

Choosing The Crown Molding

Crown molding is available in many different designs and heights, so the style of the

room is important. Tips for selecting the right crown molding for the space:

* Ceiling height - the lower the ceiling height, the simpler and smaller the molding.

Adding a heavy, ornate crown molding to a room with an 8’ ceiling is not a good idea

because crown molding will visually lower the ceiling height. Keep it simple and small for

low ceilings. Heavy, decorative molding is great for ceiling heights above 10’ that can

afford the loss of height.

* Room style - coordinate the style and feeling of the room with the style of the crown

molding. If the house is extremely modern, a heavy, decorative traditional molding will not

blend well with the decor and will visually detract from the simple image and feel of the

modern space.

* Finish - decide on paint or stain. The finish should coordinate and complement the

decor in the room. If stain is better, crown molding is available in a variety of woods such

as pine, poplar, oak, maple and cherry. If paint is better, wood or synthetic moldings are

appropriate, but the synthetics like foam, Styrofoam or mdf are much lighter, cheaper and

easier to install.

Making The Purchase

* Estimating material - measure around the room on the floor or the wall. Measure each

wall length, then total it and add another 10 - 15% for waste. Crown molding comes in

precut lengths: wood moldings are usually in 12’ or 16’ lengths; foam moldings are 8’.

Example: if all 4 walls (15’ each) total 60’ + 15% waste (addl. 9’) = 69’ needed. If the

molding comes in 8’ lengths: 69 divided by 8 = 8.625 pieces - round up to 9 pieces.

* Delivery - remember that crown molding comes in precut lengths, the smallest is 8’.

Most local companies will allow customer pickups, but if you can’t accommodate the sizes

it’s best to schedule a delivery. Most local companies will deliver materials either free or

for a nominal charge.