How to Hang Ceiling Molding

Ceiling (crown) molding is the trim that goes around the top of the room, joining the upper edge of the walls with the ceiling to create a clean and finished look. Ceiling molding is measured, cut and installed in a manner similar to floor molding, with the important difference that, because of its position along the ceiling, it has to be cut upside down and backward from the way it will be installed.

Things You'll Need

• Stepladder
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Ceiling molding (prefinished)
• Miter saw
• Trim nail gun

Instructions

1. Measure the length of the first wall, from one corner outward. Transfer that measurement to a piece of ceiling molding, putting two marks on it with the appropriate measurement between them.

2. Lay the trim on the miter saw, positioned upside down and backward from the way it will be on the ceiling. For example, if the trim is coming off the left side of the corner, you should set it on the right side of the blade, and the edge that will be facing down from the ceiling should face up from the saw platform.

3. Swivel the blade 45 degrees inward, so it points toward the middle of the piece. Cut it at the mark you made on the molding.

4. Move the trim to put the other end under the blade, again positioning it upside down and backward. Turn the blade 45 degrees toward the middle of the trim, which will be in the opposite direction as before. Cut it.

5. Hold the molding at the top of the wall and secure it with trim nails, shooting them every 12 inches.

6. Repeat the process to cut and hang molding for each edge of the ceiling. The mitered ends of each piece should butt up against the adjacent pieces, forming the corners.

Tips & Warnings

• If there are "outside" corners that jut out into the room, follow the same procedure, but turn the miter blade 45 degrees outward instead of inward for both cuts that will meet at that corner.

References

• Ask the Builder; Cutting Molding; Tim Carter
• Install-Molding: Using a Miter Saw