Crown Molding

Crown molding can add charm and beauty to just about any room, and while it is usually used as decorative trim, it also has been used as part of several cheap home decorating ideas to hide a flaw. Whatever the reason, most homeowners would like to install crown molding as part of a DIY project, but cutting crown molding angles can be intimidating.

With many different special tools on the market for cutting angles correctly, the truth is that all of the special tools available are limited to their specific applications. Without prior knowledge of the limitations, these tools may end up money wasted.

The best cheap home decorating ideas involving trim molding are going to take learning the correct methods and using the correct tools for the job. Saving money means spending a little time learning the right way of cutting and installing your trim and we are here to help you do just that.

1. Upside-down and Backwards – using a miter saw without a blade tilt, prop the molding against the fence. Then set the miter angle.

2. OR using a compound miter saw – lay molding face up, flat on its back. Set the miter and blade tilt. Set the tilt at zero for use as a plain miter saw.

3. There are two types of corners: Inside corners or Outside corners. Corners are not always an exact 90 degrees (inside corner) or 270 degrees (outside corner).

4. To create a tight fit when cutting angles, you will need to know the angle that is formed by the two walls. This can be measured with a 360-degree adjustable protractor.

5. When cutting your corner angles prop the molding against the fence and the bottom must be held tight against the fence while the top rests on the miter saw table. Use crown stops when making the cut if you have them.

6. For an outside corner, set the saw blade at the desired angle – most likely 45 degrees, and then cut carefully. Rotate the saw to the right, set at the desired angle and cut the second piece. Use a file and sandpaper to make small adjustments and finish the edges for a tight fit.

7. Cutting crown molding angles for an inside corner, square-cut the first piece and butt it tight into the corner. Miter-cut the second piece at the desired angle (usually 45 degrees). Hold up the second piece against the first and mark the front edge using a pencil, top to bottom, following the profile. Use a coping saw to back cut and follow the profile. Once this is done, slide this piece into the corner to make sure it’s a good fit. Use a file and sandpaper to make small adjustments and finish the edges for a tight fit.

And always remember

if you want to know how to DIY we can help over at Dime Decorating where we offer tips on home improvements and interior decorating. Come on by and check us out and while you are there let me know where I can send you free Budget Decorating Guide. If you would like to learn the art of cutting crown molding angles we would love to help.

Gail J Richardson
http://www.dimedecorating.com/1474

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