How to Install Styrofoam Crown Molding
Posted on January 1st, 2009 by monsterguide
Loading ...
Crown moldings add a touch of elegance to any room. Putting in traditional wooden ones however, can be a large financial investment and can also be difficult and costly to change if you decide to remove them, or change to a different design. It is also difficult to put in wooden crown moldings. Styrofoam crown molding is the answer to this difficult and sometimes costly decorative addition. They are less expensive, look just as nice and you can easily install them yourself.
Required Materials
-
Molding
- Spackle
- Adhesive
- Caulk
- Sanding pads
- Paint
Required Tools
-
Sander
- Measuring tape
- Level
- Caulking gun
- Ladder
- Pull saw
- Angle finder
- Brush
Instructions
-
The first step is to find out how much molding you need and to count the number of corners you have in the room
-
Each corner has an angle, so it is important to use the angle finder to locate the angle of each corner
-
Order your molding
-
Paint the molding *Note: See Tips and warnings for types of paints to use and which types to avoid.
-
Allow the paint to dry completely
-
Install inside and outside molding corners
-
To install inside and outside corners, place a zig-zag strip of adhesive on the back of each piece and install them into the appropriate corners.
-
Watch the pieces for about 20 minutes to make sure that the alignment stays level while the glue dries enough to hold the pieces in place.
-
Take the central pieces and test fit to make sure they fit
-
If not, cut to fit using the pull saw.
-
Test fit again to make sure of the fit.
-
Place zig-zag line of adhesive on central piece
-
Put each molding piece in place and keep an eye on the alignment until the glue sets
-
Use caulking for each of the joints
-
Allow the caulking to set
-
Sand smooth, this to obtain a seamless look
-
Use spackle as necessary
-
Repaint or touch-up as necessary
-
Repeat this process for each wall
Tips and warnings
Paints: There are some paints to avoid when painting crown molding
-
Avoid lacquer based paints
- Avoid spray can enamel paints
Paints to use on Styrofoam crown moldings:
-
Water based Paints
-
Latex or Enamel
-
When painting, you can use both a primer and a finish coat
-
If necessary, thin the paint with a little water to gain a workable consistency
-
You can use either a brush to brush paint on or spray provided that it is water based
When using adhesive, it is a good idea to let the adhesive sit at room temperature for at least 24 hours before using it. This will permit the glue to set up faster.
The glue takes about 20 minutes or so to set to the point that it will be able to hold the weight of of the Styrofoam and maintain its position.
Make sure to watch the molding until the glue sets in order to ensure that the alignment remains level and straight.
Related Articles on How to Install Crown Molding
Ask a question
Comments