Crown Moulding?

Question

Does crown moulding have to form a triangle when it touches the ceiling...or can it just be flushed against the wall...will it look bad?

all corners are inside since they will be installed in a bedroom

Answer 1

There are 2 basic types of crown molding, the 45 degree type and the 52 degree/38 degree which is more common. Either type will require a compound miter saw. You can buy a cheap one for about $125 or a fairly good one for $200+. These saws have built in stops at the required degree angle cuts (31.62 degree miter and 33.86 degree bevel.)

Proper cuts and installation can be tricky, espescially when your corners are not exactly 90 degrees. Plan on making a few mistakes and take it slow. Buy an extra piece in case you make mistakes.

An alternative to all this is to use blocks in the corners. They are available in the same section as the molding and the block takes the place of the miter so you simply nail the block in and cut your crown at a straight 90 degrees so it butts up to the block. Nice look without all the math.

Chair rail molding sits flush against the wall and only requires 45 degree cuts, but I don't think it would look good in place of crown.

Answer 2

Typically crown molding is flush to the ceiling, but also can look very good if you install it lower then the ceiling level (except it will catch a lot of dust where you can't see it). Most rooms do not have exact 90* corners, so 45* compound miter cuts don't work like you might think they should. The corners should be compound miter cut on on side and coped to remove the reveal, then tacked and glued carefully in place. Flushed against the wall or tilted out, either way, the above method of installation will work if you can get a skilled carpenter who knows how to do it. I like the lowered tilt out look myself.

Answer 3

Crown moulding's designed to acentuate the juncture of the ceiling and the wall. Since the beauty is in providing relief to both of these surfaces, the effect is primairily lost on attempts that address just one such surface-like when you put a moulding flush to the top of the wall, and not angles outwards, towards the center of the room.
That is what gives dimension to the moulding's look, the angle. Eliminating the angle by flushing the strip against the wall'ld look pretty, uhh...ineffectual.(stupid?)

Answer 4

It was designed that way. If it's the 45 degree cuts your having trouble Matching up..u can buy pre cut corners and just butt your 90 degree straight cut to the prefabricated cut corners. If it's going to be painted..your in luck..caulk hides boo boos well..if it's stain..U best make a jig and get ya miter box set dead nuts so u get a perfect cut. practice with some scrap crown if ya can. Buy some cheap pine to practice on if your going to be cutting oak. Or like i said..go with the pre fab corners. Good luck

Answer 5

I've seen magazines with similar styles and the cupboards that go all the way to the ceiling would not have the crown molding of the rest of the kitchen.

Answer 6

It has to be mitered into the corners or it looks bad.

Answer 7

the miter will not fit unless angled aginst the ceiling.

Answer 8

Listen to JWagoner. He gave you excellent advice.

Answer 9

I believe it is made to make the triangle to look best.