Cove Molding Installation

Cove molding provides the finishing touch to a home's decor.

Cove molding is molding that's curved in a concave fashion. The top is butted up against the ceiling while the bottom is snugged up against the wall. Cove molding can be wood or vinyl and can be stained or painted. Stained cove molding should be run the full length of the wall, if possible, while painted molding can be joined. The join can be puttied and painted and will be nearly invisible when it's completed.

Things You'll Need

• Cove molding
• Stain or paint
• Paint brush
• Measuring tape
• Miter box
• Saw
• Stud finder
• Pencil
• Drill
• Ladder
• Nails
• Nail set
• Putty
• Caulk
• Caulk gun
• Painter's tape
• Level

Instructions

Preparation

1. Measure to determine how much cove molding is needed to complete the room. Add some additional length in case of mistakes in cutting or measuring.

2. Cut the cove molding to length prior to installation.

3. Splice sections that meet in the middle of the wall by cutting one section of cove molding with the cove facing out, at a 45 degree angle. Cut the second piece with the cove facing in, also at a 45 degree angle. The two sections will slide together, creating a tight fight when installed.

4. Use a 45 degree angle for corner cuts. Set the blade for a 45 degree left angle and cut one section of cove molding. Flip the blade to a 45 degree right angle and cut the adjoining section of cove molding. The two sections will create a snug fit when installed on the wall.

5. Find the studs and mark. When installing the cove molding, nail into the studs for security.

Installation

1. Start the installation in an inconspicuous corner. This way the installation ends in the same corner so puttying won't be quite as noticeable. Hold the first section of cove molding in place and secure by nailing it to the wall.

2. Snug the second piece of cove molding against the first and secure into place in the same manner. Continue this process until all the cove molding has been installed.

3. Counter sink all of the nails and use putty to fill the nail holes and any joins, seams or gaps in the cove molding.

4. Consider caulking along the bottom edge of the cove molding if there are notable gaps between the molding and the wall. Tape a level line on the wall as close to the bottom edge of the cove molding as possible. Tape another line on the molding as close to the wall as possible. Lay a line of caulk the same color as the cove molding. When dry, remove the tape.

5. Touch up the cove molding with paint or stain to hide the putty and if needed, the caulk.

Tips & Warnings

• Drill holes for the nails to prevent splitting or splintering the cove molding during the installation process.

• For long runs of cove molding, consider asking a friend or neighbor to help hold the molding in place during installation.

• Paint or stain the cove molding prior to installation. It's much easier to touch up the nail holes rather than paint or stain when the molding is at ceiling height.

References

• Lowes
• Cherry Molding