Your crowning achievement: Fixing and installing crown molding

Whether you’re installing crown molding in rooms or on cabinets, it turns a nice interior into an exceptional one. This guide gives you tips and tells you how to install and fix these elegant design elements by yourself.

• Installing crown molding for a unique interior
• How to do crown molding: Tools to get started
  • Adhesives for installing crown moldings
• How to put up crown molding in rooms
• How to install crown molding on cabinets
  • How to fix broken crown molding

Installing crown molding for a unique interior

Do you want to add elegance and architectural character to your interior spaces? Installing crown moldings can help you do that: they create a visual separation between walls and ceilings, add a touch of class to cabinets, and can conceal cracks. These decorative elements come in a variety of materials and designs, so you are bound to find one that fits your tastes and furnishings.

How to do crown molding: Tools to get started

For installing crown molding, you need the following supplies:

• Molding pieces
• Paintbrush
• Paint/varnish
• Miter saw
• Chalk or a pencil
• Caulk gun
• Bubble level
• Tape measure
• Ladder
• Caulk
• Scraper
• Masking tape
• Adhesive and sealant

You may want to add sandpaper to the list for smoothing any rough surfaces. To play it safe, wear goggles and gloves while cutting the material.

Adhesives for installing crown moldings

Did you know Loctite Power Grab All Purpose and Loctite Power Grab Ultimate have excellent grab that reduces the need for nailing in many projects? Many of the Loctite PL products listed here are also great for interior use and construction joints. These premium formulas were developed using advanced technologies. If you’re looking for a product specifically for molding and paneling, reach for Loctite Power Grab Paneling Construction Adhesive.

How to put up crown molding in rooms

Installing crown molding in rooms is a great way to add depth and contrast to the walls. It also adds class and value to your property. Here’s how to install crown molding in rooms.

1. Decide whether you want to paint or varnish your crown molding before or after installing it. If you think you will have a difficult time reaching all areas of the molding after installing crown molding, paint the pieces before hanging them. If you will have joints in the middle of your wall, painting after installation can help make them less prominent. You may want to apply a primer and possibly a first layer of coating first, then install the crown molding and paint another layer over it later.
2. Next, you need to create a template so you can mark the walls. If you create a corner as explained here, you can use it to ensure the angles of your cuts are correct. Use a miter saw to cut the molding so your pieces join at the proper angle, then join them using Loctite Power Grab All Purpose or Loctite Power Grab Ultimate and position them below the ceiling. Now you can mark where the edge of the molding will be and apply similar markings everywhere you want to hang the crown molding.
3. Now it is time to measure, cut, paint (optional), and install the crown molding. Proceed as you did when creating the template, then apply a sufficient amount of adhesive to the molding or wall. Press the molding into place, hold it there for a moment, and repeat the process until the room is done. Apply some mechanical fasteners to support the crown molding, then use Loctite Polyseamseal All Purpose Adhesive Caulk to finish the seams at the top and bottom. Remove any excess and let everything dry.

How to install crown molding on cabinets

Nothing tops off a cabinet like the right crown molding! Here’s how to install crown molding on kitchen cabinets.

1. Creating a template is a good idea because you can make sure you have cut the angles correctly and the pieces fit on your cabinet. You may want to transfer measurements directly from the cabinet – this process shows you exactly where you need to cut.
2. Cut the molding using a miter saw so the miter joints have the appropriate angle for your cabinet.
3. Position your molding pieces on the cabinet (you can use masking tape to help hold them in place) and check whether they fit properly before gluing them.
4. Use Loctite Power Grab All Purpose or Loctite Power Grab Ultimate to glue the first piece to your cabinet, then join the next piece to it in a similar manner. Repeat this procedure until you have glued all the pieces in place. On bigger projects, mechanical fasteners are also required to keep everything in place.

How to fix broken crown molding

With the right materials and procedure, you can repair cracks, dents and gaps between individual pieces of crown molding as explained in the four procedures listed below.

1. Fill in gaps between your crown molding and ceiling by using Loctite PL Heavy Duty Sealant or Loctite Polyseamseal All Purpose Adhesive Caulk. Spread the material along the gap and smooth it over. Remove any excess, let it dry, and paint over the molding.
2. Fill gaps between the pieces of your crown molding or cracks in the molding with a gap-filling adhesive. Remove any excess and let the material dry. If needed, cover the material you have applied with appropriate spackle. Use sandpaper to even out the surface, and then paint over your changes.
3. If your crown molding is stained and has many flaws, consider painting it. Paint can hide imperfections in crown molding better than glossy finishes.
4. Replacing the molding may be the best solution if your crown molding is heavily damaged or has been cut too short.