In the last two articles, we’ve helped you get a perfect fit in your crown molding corners. Here are a few more tips to help you through the job.
Getting a grab with a nail isn’t always easy with crown molding. You can try and locate the studs or hope to hit the top plate. But you can help yourself along in a couple of other ways.
One technique is to install an angled filler strip in behind the molding. Screw or nail this into place, and then nail your crown onto it.
Another trick kills two birds with one stone. By installing a strip of 1/4″ stock around the room on the ceiling you can do your initial level adjustment using this stock. You can also screw it into the ceiling joists and nail your trim to it.
If you’re using paint-grade trim, you can countersink for screws, which can be easier than nailing.
Are you coping?
One disadvantage of mitering versus coping is that you need to measure very carefully for each section to insure a tight fit. If you are coping, you do still need to miter, and the flat-cutting method we discussed last time will do the trick.