If you're building a home, or even if you're remodeling one, one of the easiest and best things you can do to make it look more 'high-end' without spending a fortune is to put up crown molding. There are different ways to address doing that and you'll need to decide whether you feel comfortable doing it or whether you want to hire someone. You'll also have to consider what type of material you want to use for your crown molding, because there are several different options.
Types
Most people think of using wood for crown molding, and it's the most common choice. However, plastic is also used, as are plaster and foam. Plastic and foam are newer options, and they are the most popular with do-it-yourself homeowners who want to put crown molding in their homes but aren't interested in the cost of paying someone else to do it. Foam and plastic crown molding also have lower materials cost than wood or decorated plaster. Some of the plastic and foam options are also 'peel and stick,' which makes it very easy to put up great-looking crown molding when compared to wood or plaster choices.
Other options for crown molding materials include vinyl, aluminum, polyurethane, and MDF, or medium-density fiberboard, which is comprised of wood fibers and synthetic resin.
There are also many different types of crown molding when it comes to the decorative styles that it comes in. These include the egg and dart, the ogee, cove molding, and the dentil crown, as well as the rosevine crown. Listing them all is next to impossible, but it's worth taking the time to look at different molding options so that you can find something that goes with your house and lifestyle. Getting the wrong crown molding material or the wrong crown molding style can actually detract from the look of your home.
Function
The different types of crown molding all have the same basic function, which is to make the room look better. They add class and sophistication to a home if they are done correctly, and they are generally looked for by a lot of people when buying a home, because they are believed to be a mark of quality and higher-end construction. Some of them are used for another function, as well, which is to hide wires for speakers, television sets, and other components that need to be run along the ceiling to reach a remote location. Satellite speakers can be placed anywhere in a room and the wires run under the crown molding back to the television, for example, making them popular with those who enjoy surround sound or home theaters.
Size
One of the best things about crown molding is that there are not only different materials that they are made of but also different looks, so you can find something that really goes along with your house and decor. Crown molding can be a thin, one-inch strip that goes along the top of the wall and meets the ceiling, or it can be up to two or three inches wide. There are also nearly unlimited choices for styles and designs offered when it comes to crown molding. It is usually sold in sticks six or eight feet long, and it can be cut on the ends and fitted together in the corners or corner blocks can be used to avoid inaccurate cuts that will leave the crown molding looking sloppy. Crown molding is sold this way no matter what it's made of, and picking the right size for your room and decorating style will help your crown molding look its best.
Considerations
What type--and what size--of crown molding you choose to use will depend on several factors. Price is certainly one of them, because plastic and foam molding are the cheapest of the options. Plaster and wood are the most expensive. Naturally, foam crown molding cannot be expected to look the same as a high-quality wood molding, but most people don't get up that close to it. If you have high ceilings, plastic or foam might work just fine, but if your crown molding is going to be much easier to inspect, it might be better to choose a type that's higher quality, so that your home looks good and retains its value--especially if you're planning on selling soon. Aluminum crown molding provides a very unique look, and so does vinyl, while polyurethane is a type of plastic molding and MDF gives a look similar to harder, solid wood.
Warning
Installing crown molding of any type can be dangerous, because a ladder is required. You don't want to fall and get injured, and you don't want to damage the walls or ceilings of your home, either. You can avoid those problems by letting professionals install the crown molding for you. If you really want to do it yourself, read all instructions very carefully, make sure you understand what you're doing, and don't rush the job. Take your time to do it right and to avoid injury. Having someone help you would also be preferable, because it's easier than trying to do it alone.
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