HOW TO INSTALL CROWN MOLDINGS

Crown moldings and installing chair rails are on the top of the lists for home improvement projects because its significantly changes the over-all look of the room, from being plain and boring to being charming and interesting. Here are step by step instructions on how to install crown moldings;
1. Allow your eye instead of a level to guide the placement of the molding. Make sure that the crown molding is in parallel with a neighboring molding like chair rails for best results. Set up the crown starting with the inside corner working towards the outside corner. Put up a length of the molding and place it above the door or window casing, then adjust it until it looks level with the casing (you will need help from somebody to look it out for you). Mark the position of the molding. This will serve as the guide in installing the crown moldings in this alignment.
2. Place the crown molding in a miter box upside down, bracing it against the side and bottom of the box. Using a miter saw cut the molding at 45 degree angle. The top part of the molding is shorter for inside corner while the bottom part is shorter for an outside corner.
3. Shave the back of the cut using a sanding block to create space for the two corners to fit tightly at the face.
4. Install the molding by using a joint compound. Be careful though as not to use too much joint compound to avoid the molding sliding down the wall. When the compound has set, support the molding with nails. Then using a putty knife, spread a bit of joint compound on the top and bottom edges of the molding.
5. Join the two cut ends together to make the inside corners and make sure that their faces are aligned. Match the detail of the profile then use the joint compound to fill any gap between the ceiling and the molding on both sides. Push the mitered ends together for outside corners and backfill the gaps with a putty knife.
6. Using your finger, smooth out the joints where the molding meets the ceiling and wall. Wipe away the compound and clean the moldings using a wet sponge; however be careful in not removing too much compound or the joints will have a gap once it dries. Cleaning up the compound is easy if you do this while it is still wet.