How to Install Crown Molding With a Popcorn Ceiling

crown molding
  • 1-3 hours
  • Beginner
  • 100-300
What You'll Need
Hammer
Nails
Paint
Primer
Crown molding
Mitre saw
Putty
Caulk
What You'll Need
Hammer
Nails
Paint
Primer
Crown molding
Mitre saw
Putty
Caulk

Crown molding is a popular method of hiding the seam between the ceiling and the walls. It can also be used on popcorn ceilings. It is a very fashionable form of molding which is made from wood or sometimes another substance like polystyrene. Hiring a professional to install it can be expensive, but it's quite cheap to do yourself.

Installing crown molding yourself isn't actually that difficult as long as you have the right tools. Don’t be intimidated if you have a popcorn-textured ceiling. Although it does take a bit of extra care, installing crown molding with a popcorn ceiling is much easier than you might imagine.

Step 1 - Prepare

Measuring a piece of molding

The first thing that you need to do is prepare the room for the molding. Measure all of the walls. Concentrate on the angles at which you will need to cut the molding so that it fits properly. It's also worth noting that many walls will not be square, which will complicate things.

To do a proper job, the popcorn ceiling should be removed in the areas where you are placing the crown molding so that there can be a flush mount. The molding can be placed without removing the popcorn ceiling, but it may not result in a precise look. If you do want to remove the popcorn ceiling, do so carefully using a piece of wood to scrape away the area where the molding will be fixed making sure not to scrape away the area that won’t be covered by the molding.

Step 2 - Cut the Molding

When you have everything that you need, set up your work area. You will be cutting very long lengths of material, so you need to have plenty of space. Before you make any cuts, it's a good idea to measure the room again to check that your first measurements were accurate. Start by cutting and mitering the molding so that it will fit around your room. You will find it much easier if you prime and paint the molding before you fix it up on your ceiling.

Step 3 - Install the Molding

If you have done a proper job and removed the popcorn ceiling, then you will be able to use glue to stick the molding up. This will make your life much easier because you don't have to worry about filling any holes. Dry fit all boards to check the angles before mounting. If you have decided to leave the popcorn ceiling intact, then you will need to fix the molding up with small nails. Make sure you carefully nail the molding to keep it in place. We highly recommend a nail gun for this task. Glue can also be used along the wall to form a strong bond.

Step 4 - Add Finishing Touches

crown molding

If you removed the popcorn ceiling then you won't have much more to do at this point. If the popcorn ceiling in untouched, you will have to fill the gap with caulking. Putty should also be used to fill any small nail holes and any gaps in the seams where the molding pieces meet. Touch up any areas where the paint has been damaged and then leave it to dry.