Crown molding can make a dramatic difference in a room's appearance and add value to your home. Unfortunately, installing crown molding is one of the more difficult trim carpentry tasks. Installing wood crown molding requires a good knowledge base and the appropriate power tools for a professional-grade finish, but homeowners without those requirements can still add crown molding to their homes by purchasing and installing foam crown molding.
Instructions
1. Count the number of corners in the room where you wish to install crown molding. Make specific note of inside versus outside corners. Measure every wall, and add all the lengths together to calculate the amount of molding necessary to cover the entire room. Add 10 percent more to the total length to allow for mistakes.
2. Place your order at a home improvement store or on the Internet with a foam crown molding manufacturer. If you have the option of choosing pre-finished crown molding, opt for the finished molding to save you the time of priming and painting.
3. Sweep the room's walls to remove dust and cobwebs, and wipe down the installation area with a damp sponge. Allow the wall to dry completely before installing the molding.
4. Apply adhesive to one of the foam molding corners. Refer to the foam molding manufacturer for a recommended adhesive product as the backing on foam molding differs among manufacturers. If the adhesive is applied like paint, brush a thin coat on the back of the molding corner with a paintbrush or sponge brush. If the adhesive comes in a squeeze tube, squeeze the adhesive onto the back of the molding corner in a zigzag pattern.
5. Press the corner firmly onto the wall, and hold the corner in place until the adhesive sets. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for the length of time necessary for the glue to set. If humidity is high in the room, hold the molding in place about 15 seconds longer than the recommended time. Install all the corner pieces using the same method.
6. Measure the wall space between two corner pieces. Cut a length of the crown molding to the required length with scissors, a kitchen knife or utility knife.
7. Apply adhesive to the back of the length of molding, and firmly press the molding in place between the corner pieces. Hold the molding in place long enough for the adhesive to set. Measure and install the remaining wall length pieces using the same method.
8. Run a thin caulk line at the top and bottom of the molding and the areas where the molding pieces meet to hide cracks.
Tags: , corner pieces, foam molding, molding place, Apply adhesive