Crown Molding Installation Mistakes

The process of crown molding installation is simple compared to some of the other jobs that you might have to do at some point. However, there is still some room for error. Here are a few crown molding installation mistakes that you will want to avoid.

Making a Mis-Cut

One of the most important aspects of installing crown molding is making sure that you cut the molding to the accurate dimension. You have to fit the molding into an area the size of the wall. Therefore, you have to get an accurate dimension of the wall and then transport that dimension to the crown molding itself. Many people will forget the exact dimension and mark the crown molding inappropriately. When this happens, you could end up with a piece of crown molding that is too short to fit in the opening.

Once you install it, you might see a gap between it and the other crown molding. If the cut was far too short, you will most likely have to go buy another piece of crown molding which can get very expensive. Therefore, you will want to make sure that you measure twice and cut once when dealing with crown molding installation.

Not Sanding the Edges

When you make a cut on a piece of crown molding, you will want to make sure that the edges are completely smooth. Crown molding has to meet up with another piece of crown molding in the corner or in the middle of the wall. Therefore, you will most likely want to sand down the edges of the crown molding after you make a cut. Many people will simply make the cut and then try to stick it up on the wall. Then they cannot figure out why the two edges will not go together smoothly. Simply use some sandpaper to sand down the edges of the crown molding before sticking it up on the wall. This can make a big difference in how the job looks when you are finished.

Painting the Wall

Another common mistake that many people make is accidentally painting the wall or ceiling when trying to paint the crown molding. Many people will install the crown molding and then try to paint or stain it. While you can do this, it is usually much easier to paint or stain the crown molding while it is on the ground. Trying to paint something that is up above your head, can be difficult. The fact that it is touching the wall and the ceiling also makes it more difficult. Consider doing your painting or staining before you actually install the crown molding. This can save you a lot of hassle overall.

Not Fixing the Joints

Where one piece of crown molding meets another, you will need to try to cover the joint. Many people leave this undone and it looks very unprofessional. Cover the joint with some putty or other type of joint compound and then paint over the joint. This will give it a very finished look.