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Part 2: Installing Moldings

Love crown molding? With the right tools and a little know-how you may be able to install it yourself.

Here are some tips on installing crown molding.

Read up on cutting and mitering moldings if you'll be installing them yourself. Angles and corners can be tricky for a novice.

Place any joins in the least visible areas of a room. Avoid joining molding strips in the center of a wall or over a focal point such as a fireplace.

Bevel all joins in a direction that is least likely to be noticed as you enter or sit in the room.

Mark the location of every wall stud with squares of blue painter's tape. (Fold in a small corner of each piece of tape so it will be easy to grasp and remove.) Stick the tape to the wall a few inches under the location of the bottom edge of molding.

Test fit each piece before nailing. Measure twice, cut once.

Attach moldings with finishing nails using a nail gun or a regular hammer. Avoid denting the molding face whenever possible and use a nail set to countersink each nail.

Caulk gaps between molding and walls or ceilings, using as little caulk as possible and pressing it into the joints with a specialized tool or a finger.

Use wood filler or spackle to cover nail indentations. Let dry and sand excess if necessary.

Use a small foam brush with paint or stain to touch any scratched or filled areas.

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