How to Cut Cove Molding Corners

wall and ceiling where cove molding would go
  • 1-3 hours
  • Beginner
  • 20-200
What You'll Need
Miter saw
Pencil
Tape measure
Coping saw
What You'll Need
Miter saw
Pencil
Tape measure
Coping saw

In order to properly install cove molding at the corners of your walls you need to define precise angles. To do this on cove molding you need to use a miter saw as it is by far the easiest method. Understanding how to cut corners on cove molding, regardless of the sharpness of angle, will help you do so for other types of moldings. The article below will explain the method used to cut corners on cove molding so that each piece is a perfect fit.

Step 1 - Fit the Molding

You first need to determine how long the wall is where the cove molding is going to be installed. Make note of this length when purchasing the cove molding at the home improvement store. You do not want to get a piece that is exactly the same length. If you do, when you cut the corners your cove molding may be too short. The excess length should total no more than two inches. When you get the cove molding home you need to fit it to the wall to check the length. Mark the length of the wall on the back of the cove molding. Center it so that the edges of the cove molding are defined. If the cove molding is going against a door or window frame then only one edge will have to have an angle cut out of it.

Step 2 - The Miter Saw

miter saw

The miter saw is a great tool which allows you to cut even and precise angles without too much of a hassle. There are essentially two angles to cut: inside and outside. The inside angles are the corners in a room that meet in the center. Outside angles are angles that are on the sharp corners of a wall. The miter saw will have an “in” and “out” setting to make this distinction easy. The cut of the angle should be 45 degrees. Set the blade to this.

Step 3 - Cut the Cove Molding Corners

Place the cove molding inside the miter box. To protect the design of the cove molding you want to put it inside with the flat side up. Line up marks you made on the edge of the cove molding with the cutting line on the miter box. Select the type of angle and then slowly cut along the line. For most standard corners, this will be 45 degrees. Lift the blade and then slide the cove molding through until the cut line matches the line on the miter box. Select the type of angle and then cut. Repeat for each piece of cove molding.

Step 4 - Finish the Edges

When the angles are done being cut, test fit them to the wall. The two pieces of cove molding should meet flush. If you need to make an adjustment, use the pencil to mark the differences on each piece. Use the coping saw to carefully remove excess wood from the cove molding. Fit the pieces again and continue trimming the edges until they fit seamlessly.