How to Install Decorative Molding
Wall molding can add charm to your home, while also helping cover slight imperfections on your ceiling. Wall molding is a hardwood strip with decorative cutting that you place where your wall meets your ceiling or around doorways. Corner blocks can also be installed where the pieces of molding meet in order to hide any scarring that occurs when you cut the molding. Installing crown molding can be made easy with the correct tools and knowledge. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Carpenter's pencil
- Power drill
- Nails
- Hammer
- Measuring tape
- Power saw
- Wood putty
Instructions
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1
Locate the studs in the wall where you will be installing the molding. Mark the stud locations in a subtle way that will allow you to reference them later.
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2
Determine how many corner divider blocks you will need, based on the corners in the room.
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3
Drill small holes into your corner block before installing it into the wall. Nails will be inserted into these small holes, but drilling out the hole first reduces the risk of splitting or cracking on the corner block.
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4
Nail the corner blocks into their respective places. Place nails in locations where the wall molding will cover the holes.
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5
Measure the space between the corner blocks and cut a piece of molding. Leave the molding about one fourth of an inch longer than needed for the space between the corner blocks.
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6
Wedge one side of molding against a corner block and gently mark the location where the other side of the molding is overstretching the corner block.
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7
Take the molding down and cut again, using your markings as a guide. This allows you to have a snug fit.
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8
Drill small holes into the molding, based on the location of the studs. You will insert small nails into these holes later as you did with the corner blocks. You want a nail to be placed in every other stud.
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9
Fit the molding back into place between the corner blocks and begin hammering. You may need an assistant to help hold the molding up if it is a relatively large piece.
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10
If you have a long wall span, separate two pieces of molding by another block. This block will not go in the corner, but rather in the middle of the wall, adding extra support to longer pieces of hardwood molding.
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Tips & Warnings
If you desire stained molding, always stain the wood before it is installed. You do not want to accidentally smear stain on your ceiling or walls. Cover any noticeable holes with wood putty.
Proper safety gear like goggles and gloves should always be worn when handling any power tools.
