Installing wooden crown molding on your walls is an excellent way to add character and depth to a room. While this feature is affordable and long-lasting, it does require a bit of woodworking skill to prepare and install correctly. Once crown molding has been installed, any minor repairs needed over time can be completed by any homeowner who has the right tools and a bit of patience.
Instructions
1. Replace any badly damaged pieces of trim. Use the claw end of your hammer to pry these pieces off the wall. Measure the pieces before discarding them so you know which size pieces you'll need to create to replace them.
2. Cut new lengths of wood to these sizes using your miter saw. If the new pieces will be touching a corner of the room, you will need to cut the edge of that piece at a 45-degree angle.
3. Use your coping saw to shape the new wood pieces to match the profile of the existing ones. For inexperienced woodworkers, this may require some trial and error using practice pieces of wood.
4. File the new trim pieces using a wood rasp until they are smooth and even.
5. Drill pilot holes in the molding and the wall where you will drive your nails. You will need holes only every 8 inches or so.
6. Attach the new molding pieces to the wall using a hammer and finish nails. Countersink the nails to ensure a nice finish, then use bits of wood putty to cover the nails.
7. Cover any gaps between the molding pieces with a paintable caulk. You may also caulk any large seams that are visible between the ceiling and the molding.
8. Paint or stain the trim to match existing trim.
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