Scooter T. Klem
The Carlsbad Monitor
June 10, 2011

If you’re looking for a home improvement project with some serious payback, try Foam Crown Molding.   You can dress up your favorite room in less than an hour by installing this easy crown molding solution to mdf moldings.

Did you just say foam crown molding?   Now crown molding isn’t even wood anymore?

Well, here is the deal.  Wood crown molding at the ceiling is complete and total overkill.  Why waste the resources.  Wood and MDF are heavy and well, they are not exactly performing any structural benefit to the room.  So why are you thinking of pounding 100′s of nails into the wall to secure something as simple as crown molding.  Oh and good luck getting Home Depot to pre-cut the corners for you.

Foam moldings install with caulking and they will stick to anything that caulking sticks to, which is just about everything, including block, brick, glass, stucco, drywall, plastic, metal, etc…   Another benefit to foam crown is that it doesn’t expand or contract and is not affected by moisture.  That means no fancy scarf joints at the seams and you can put foam crown moldings in any room, bathroom, basement, sauna, pool room, you name it and foam is on it.  Just glance down at your foam coffee cup.

It use to be that installing crown molding was a job better left to the experts.  Not any more my do-it-yourselfer friend.  Any homeowner who is all  thumbs can install the latest advance in diy crown moldings.

Steps to installing foam crown moldings

Plan your installation. Measure the lengths of all the walls in the room.  Don’t multiply anything,  just add the lengths to get an idea of how much molding you’ll need. For example a 10×10 room will need 40 linear feet.  Then count your corners.  Most rooms have either 4 inside corners or 5 inside corners and 1 outside corner.

Buy the molding pieces. You are going to have to pick the style and size of the molding you want.  The rule with crown molding is that there are no rules.  Do what you think will look the best.  8 foot ceilings can handle from 3 inch molding to 4 inch molding very well.  With that I have a 7 inch molding in my entryway that looks awesome.  And just because you have a dentil crown in one room doesn’t mean that you have to keep that theme throughout the entire house.  Change it up and let each room be unique.  If you want to see the biggest seller in the country click here.

Choose a Color. While you are waiting the 4-5 days for delivery get some paint for the molding.  It comes bright bright white and a coat of semi-gloss latex paint is all it needs.   Most people just get the same color as the ceiling, just a bit more glossy.    Caulking is the glue you use to install the molding.  Use water-based latex caulk for easy clean-up.  Alex Plus from Dap works just fine.  2 tubes for a 10×10 room.

Start in the Corner. Once you get the molding, start in the corner.  They will be clearly marked “Inside Left” or “Inside Right”.  Run a 1/4 inch bead of caulking along the two contact surfaces on the back of the molding.  Making sure that the two contact surfaces are flat against the wall and the ceiling, put the corner up with the point and “Inside Right” markings on the wall side, the shorter edge of the molding goes at the ceiling.  After the first stick the learning curve is over.  By stick 2 you have reached “expert status”.  Trim to fit the next stick with a miter box and hack saw or fine tooth saw.  $7 at home depot, but check the garage first.

Finishing Touches. Once the molding is all up, there is one last tip that  relly gives your install the professionally finished look.  Take your last caulking tube and just cut off the last 1/8th inch of the tip.  Use that small bead of caulking it produces to finish the molding where it meets the wall and the ceiling.  Follow with a wet finger for a smooth transition.

Here is all the stuff you don’t have to do if you choose Foam Crown Moldings over wood, mdf or Polyurethane.

• fill nail holes.

• find studs.

• buy a nail gun, compressor, miter saw, stud finder, backer board, nail hole filler, sand paper, primer, miter finder, angle finder, pole brace, laser level.

• fix he electrical and plumbing behind the wall you damaged with the nail gun.

• borrow a truck to get the 18 foot lengths of mdf home from the hardware store.

• Take the wood molding back to the hardware store out of frustration. (biggest return item in the hardware store)

• buy a book on how to cut crown molding corners.

• hire a contractor to clean up your mess.

1. Adding crown molding to a room gives it character and charm. Profiles range from simple to decorative, and some can create the illusion of a multi-level or tray ceiling. Run a line of flat molding or “chair rail” just a few inches inside the crown molding along the ceiling to give it a whole new dimention. I recieved this picture today from one of our more adventerous customers.  He is fixing up a baby room for the expectant wife.  Look what a difference that extra line made on the ceiling.  That flat molding didn’t cost him more than $15.

   

2. Install a chair rail to add elegance and definition to a space. This element also creates the opportunity to combine complementary colors or a solid color and pattern for additional visual interest.  It also works to protect the wall from damage by heavy chairs or furniture.  Imagine that!

3. Use crown molding and parallel flat trim piece dropped down 4-10 inches to make a frieze along the top perimeter of a room, and paint a border design or apply texture  between the moldings. You can now purchase paintable wall paper for this very purpose.  It has a pattern stamped into the paper so that it looks like a plaster work of art on the wall.  Very exciting product from Europe and now available here at most paint stores.

4. Apply beautiful pieces of wallpaper directly to a wall and then trim out with decorative molding for a pretty framed-art effect. Or swap in solid color as a backdrop to a collection of framed photos or other keepsakes.

5. Change a room’s mood by painting crown molding with multiple colors from a tone-on-tone palette or by using contrasting colors for dramatic effect.For example I installed 13G crown molding in a girls room, it was a flower detail and then painted all 64 flowers pink and yellow. What an affect!  It really turned a boring room into a jazzy preteen room!

Installing these molding is also becoming simpler as smart manufacturing responds to the do-it-yourselfer crowd. For example, So Simple Crown Molding is made out of foam and can be help in place with just caulk.  It also comes with pre-cut corners and they will go as far as precutting the entire room.  Perfect if you are all thumbs when it comes to projects around the house.

-Scott M

It was easy to install and looks beautiful.  We are looking forward to doing another room!

-Karen

Well the moulding is installed and it was everthing you said it was went up quick looks so good too thanks.
-Lou

It all came out amazing!!!

-Josh

I can’t believe how easy and nice your product is. I could even not paint it and get away with it.  I score major points with the girlfriend.
Thank you,

-Jose NYC

We absolutely love it. It looks so beautiful. It really looks like very expensive wood.

-Lorraine

I think you have the most amazing product.  You’re great.

-Marie

Your product took away the uncertainty and replaced it with confidence, simplicity and ease.  Thanks.
-Cooper

Thanks so much for offering such a great product at an affordable price!

-Colleen

Well, I put the moulding up that I ordered In January, It came out great, love it.
Will be ordering again as I redo each room.

-Deborah

“ I would have never been able to afford crown molding or been able to install it myself if it were not for Villa Deco.”

-Annette

Pre cut corners

End Caps

Installs with caulking