Crown molding is a decorative trim applied where walls meet ceilings. Homeowners, tenants, and real estate investors like this fancy decor for its polished and elegant finish. It creates a seamless and visually appealing transition that adds character to your home. Also, it seals any gaps, cracks, or imperfections, blending with the interior decor. With numerous options in the market, how do you settle for a crown molding ideal for your home?
Let’s get to the guide: –
Why is Crown Molding Popular?
Gives Character to Your Room
Crown molding is a timeless aesthetic that creates architectural sophistication, transforming a dull space into a charming and elegant one. It is an eye-catching accent feature retailing in vast styles, materials, and sizes, allowing homeowners to personalize and draw attention to their living spaces.
Adds Value to Your Home
The depth and character of a crown molding installation exude timeless architectural traditions that add value to your home. The aesthetic detail can increase a home’s resale value in areas where buyers prioritize crown molding.
Complements Other Features in Your Home
Crown molding can create visual harmony, highlight architectural features, match or contrast your interior decor, balance room proportions, and introduce new themes in your home. For example, crown molding can fill the space between the ceiling and cabinet tops to unify your kitchen. It frames a brick fireplace, customizes your cabinets, hides lighting fixtures or a false wall, and doubles up to add flair to your luxurious bathroom or laundry room.
Selecting the Right Crown Molding Size for Your Home
Crown molding retails in different sizes to fit varying ceiling heights. Hence, use the recommended crown height for your ceiling to maintain proportion and scale, establish a visual balance, and introduce your preferred architectural style. That is, opt for
- 2 ½ to 6 inches crown height for 8-foot ceilings
- 3 to 7 ½ inches crown height for 9-foot ceilings
- 3 ½ to 8 inches crown height for 10-foot ceilings
- 4 to 12 inches crown height for 12-foot ceilings.
If you need more clarification, ask an expert to confirm the ceiling height in your home.
How Many Pieces Do You Need?
Purchase sufficient crown molding units to cover the entire trim between your ceilings and walls. To do this, measure the perimeter of your room. Then, add a 15% provision for the trimming and waste. For example, if the room has a 48 linear feet perimeter, ensure you get crown molding pieces that sum up to at least 55.2 feet.
Hence, you will need seven pieces when purchasing 8-foot lengths for 12-foot ceilings, ten for 6-foot lengths for 8-foot ceilings, and so forth. Alternatively, talk to the manufacturer’s representative to confirm the measurements before paying and picking the pieces at the retail store.
What Style is Right for My Home?
Once you determine your space’s ideal crown height and pieces, pick a crown molding profile to match your taste and preference. Most popular styles include smooth, ornate, egg & dart, and dentil. An Egg and Dart crown molding will resonate with the curves in your overall design.
Likewise, use the traditional Federal style to hide flaws in the room. Next, consult an expert on how to install and fix these elegant design elements for the perfect finishing touch. The professional will guide you on the correct tools for the installation, measuring, cutting, and assembling the crown molding pieces, fixing them onto the trim, and putting final touches to guarantee an excellent job.
What Material is Right for My Home?
Crown molding material varies depending on moisture resistance, stainability, smoothness, and decorative appeal as follows: –
- Plaster crown molding is heavy and made to order for elaborate plaster walls.
- Solid wood crown molding opts for natural wood with warm colors and patterns that are hard to imitate.
- Polyurethane crown molding is less expensive and ideal for most installations.
- Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) crown molding is an affordable alternative to solid wood, preferable in rooms that need painting afterward.
- Flex crown molding is suitable for window bays and curved walls.
- The moisture-resistant PVC crown molding works best for bathrooms and other rooms where moisture is a concern.
- Polystyrene crown molding is cost-effective and easy to install.
Final Thoughts
Are you ready to upgrade your home using crown molding? Ensure you pick crown molding pieces that complement your current theme. Such a decorative trim opts for high-quality materials in the right size and length to maintain balance and visual appeal. And always engage an expert to get the job done the right way.