About Crown Molding

Crown molding is a decorative trim used to cover the joint between the walls and the ceilings. It not only makes the room attractive, but also gives the illusion of more height.

Crown moldings are available in different types of materials and styles. You can get anything from a plain molding to the ones with intricate carving in hardwood, softwood, plaster, polystyrene, or polyurethane. The choice of material depends upon your budget, style, and décor.

The trims made of hardwood like mahogany, maple, and oak and plaster are the most expensive. You may not find them in ready stock, because of the same reason. You have to place an order to get them custom-made. The trims made of polyurethane are the least expensive. The mid-range includes trims made of softwood like pine and spruce, medium density fiberboard, and PVC.

Besides the affordability and décor of your room, also consider the climatic conditions of your area while deciding the best material for the trim. Wood is not a suitable option if your room is exposed to high humidity. Since high humidity can cause the wood to expand, it poses risk of cracking. In such cases, it is best to use materials like plaster, PVC, polyurethane, or polystyrene.

While deciding the material of the trim, keep the cost of installation also in mind. If you are planning to install a crown molding by yourself, then you should know that hardwood and plaster trims are very difficult to deal with. Both are heavy, and therefore difficult to handle. If you want to install a trim by yourself, look for trims in materials like polystyrene, PVC, and polyurethane that are light in weight and easy to install.

PVC and polyurethane are the best for a pre-finished trim to reduce the hassles of painting. Not only are these products easy to install, but also termite and pest proof.

Shopping for crown molding is not difficult. Decorative trims are available with almost every home improvement store. Several online stores also sell them at reasonable rates.

One of the most important things while ordering trims is the size. Carefully measure your walls before placing the order. If you are not the DIY type, take help of a professional. Check the size and number of corners that you require. Decide the height of trim that you want. You can use trims with a height between three inches and 12 inches.

Most home improvement stores have catalogs of decorative trims. You can browse through the catalogs to find the best suitable trim as per the décor of your room. To create an old world charm, carved wood trims work best. For maintenance free trims, PVC and polyurethane are the appropriate ones.

Apart from ordering the right size and type of crown molding, it is equally important to get the right supplies and tools for installing it. Some of them are adhesives, true angle measuring gauges, miter saws, and caulking guns.

If you choose the proper crown molding and install it properly, it will definitely add charm and warmth to your room and make it visually appealing. You may also consider using decorative corbels and ceiling medallions to further enhance the beauty of the moldings.