Crown Molding and Popcorn Ceilings: Keys to a successful project

Despite the bad rep that popcorn ceilings have gotten over the years due to the asbestos problems and because most homeowners simply didn’t like the design, this style of painting ceilings is still prevalent. They became popular in the first place because the bumpy texture of the ceilings helps to reduce noise in the home and hide imperfections in the ceiling. Although many strayed away from this style over the years, it seems to be making a comeback.

You may be wondering whether you can put crown molding on textured ceilings, and the answer is yes. However, it requires skill and precision to install the crown molding because it sits at an angle between the wall and the ceiling, making it tricky to install.

Crown molding and popcorn ceilings

So, if you are tired of looking at a bare ceiling or are tired of all the noise reverberating throughout your house, it may be a good idea to add texture to your ceilings. And to give your ceilings a little spark, the crown molding will do the trick. So how can you ensure that your ceiling project goes well?

Start With The Popcorn Ceilings

To successfully transform your ceiling, you should start with changing the ceiling texture. This can be a very messy job, so it is best to get it done first. The first thing you need to do is make sure that you move all the furniture out of the area you will be working on or cover it with plastic. You will also need to drape the walls with plastic so that the mud spray you’ll use to texture the ceiling won’t mess up the wall’s paint.

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You can start by getting some double stick tape from your hardware store and sticking it along the top of the wall near the seam. Once you have done this, you can then stick plastic drop cloth or painter’s plastic to the double-stick tape all along the walls where you will be working. All-purpose canvas drop cloths will help protect your flooring while you are painting the ceiling.

Before starting work on your ceiling, it would be best to make sure that the ceiling is free from dust and cobwebs, and you should also seal any cracks or holes that are present. Next, you will need to apply a sealer. If your ceiling has already been painted before, you may be able to bypass this step. Sealant allows for the paint to bind to the ceiling. In this case, the primer will make the popcorn ceilings stick well to the ceiling. You can use a roll-on sealant, but it may be best to use a spray-on sealant if you want to save some time and energy.

Before applying the sealant, make sure that you use proper equipment such as a respirator, gloves, and goggles. Also, before sealing your ceiling, you can prepare the ceiling mud that you will use to texture your ceiling. The consistency of the mixture should be thick but not so thick that it won’t shoot out of your hopper texture gun. This is the gun that is used to apply your popcorn ceiling.

When your mix has reached the right consistency, you will need to connect your hopper gun to an air compressor and apply the texture to the ceiling. Once the texture is applied, you should allow it to dry for 24 hours.

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Finish Your Project By Installing Crown Molding

After getting your ceiling to look the way you want it to and making sure that it is completely dry, you can start with crown molding. It is best to paint the crown molding before you begin installing it. Then, once it is dry, you can begin installing it.

If you are new to installing crown molding, it would be best for you to get a few extra pieces from the hardware store just in case you fail to cut the molding properly. First, you will need to locate the studs in your room, as this will be where you will secure the crown molding. You should also use a tape measure to measure the wall where the bottom of the crown molding will sit.

The next most critical thing you will have to do is cut the crown molding correctly, preferably with a miter saw. Before cutting the crown molding, make sure that you have on safety goggles so that you won’t have flying pieces of wood getting into your eyes. Then, you will need to look at the crown molding the way it will look when you install it on the wall. From there, you will flip the crown molding and make your cuts upside down.

The cuts for inside and outside corners will be cut at a 45-degree angle. For the inside corner, the bottom edge will be long, and the top will be short. For the outside corner, the bottom edge is short, and the top edge is long. One more piece that may be necessary to install is the scarf joints. You won’t need to turn these pieces upside down to cut them. Instead, these boards lay flat and will both be cut parallel to each other so that they can fit perfectly into place on the wall.

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You can fill inside corner cuts and scarf joint cuts with caulking to hide imperfections. However, outside corner cuts must be cut perfectly because there is no room for error with this cut since it is exposed. Finally, you can install the molding by gluing the ends together and nailing them at the studs for added security. If you notice gaps once you’re finished, you can fill them in with paintable caulk for a seamless finish.