Installing and Painting Crown molding – A classic New England touch

Crown molding and other fancy wood trim are prevailing architectural elements in many South Shore, Plymouth, and Boston homes. Crown molding finishes the room while also creating the look of higher ceilings.

Crown molding is typically made of plaster, wood, or polyurethane attached to the top of the wall where it meets the ceiling. Crown molding has been used for centuries to add a touch of sophistication and charm to homes.

There are many different styles of crown molding to choose from, ranging from simple and understated to grand and ornate.

In addition to adding visual interest to a room, crown molding also serves a practical purpose. Crown molding helps cover any imperfections at the junction of the wall and ceiling and can also help hide wiring and cables.

When to paint crown molding:

If your crown molding is in good shape, and it often is because it sits high on the wall, away from traffic and sticky hands, you may not need to paint it when you’re painting your walls. If you’re not changing color on the rest of the trim in your home, the paint on crown molding can last 20 years or more.

Stacking crown molding:

Installing molding underneath your existing crown molding makes it look unique and even “beefier.” Stacking two or three crown moldings together means the molding you have in your home is unique to your house. Stacking crown molding makes more of a statement in the room than generic crown molding that builders tend to use.

How to stack crown molding for a unique profile:

• Inexpensive stock trim can be used to build up crown molding profiles and costs less than large and intricate shapes of crown molding.

• To make your own unique crown molding profile, mock up a small piece of crown molding and layer in baseboard trim and other stock and crown molding in any size and shape you like.

• Test your stacked molding profiles on the ceiling and see which one gives the room the right feeling.

• On the South Shore, you can purchase crown molding at Home Depot, Lowes, Goodrich Lumber, and Hingham Lumber. You may visit a few stores to mix and match the perfect crown molding “stack.”

Does crown molding always touch the ceiling?

In the Boston area, we tend to install crown molding in one of two ways:

1- Crown molding that touches both the wall and the ceiling.

OR

2 – Crown molding installed against the wall a few inches lower than the ceiling. (See photo to the right for this look)

Does crown molding add to the home’s value?

Crown Molding is one of those easy projects that often help increase a home’s value because it allows a room or home to feel more finished.

Very important, though:  Be sure you don’t spend more installing crown molding before you move than the home’s selling price boost.

As 2022 winds down and the housing market cools, spending money on crown molding and other finishing touches, such as exterior and interior painting, may make more sense for sellers.

Does CertaPro Painters install crown molding?

Yes, we have carpenters on staff that install crown molding, wainscot, doors, windows, and trim.

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Written by: Paige NeJame – Franchise Owner

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Meredith “Paige” NeJame is nationally known in the painting community and has written and published dozens of articles about painting and running a small business for publications such as The Washington Post, Forbes, Sherwin Williams’ blog, and Apartment Therapy.