Crown Moulding: Everything You Need to Know

Crown moulding has been a decorative staple dating as far back as ancient Greece. This is likely due to the fact that they understood how much it can help liven up a space. The name refers to a family of mouldings which are aesthetically designed to shape and accentuate the top edge where the ceiling meets the wall. 

Moulding has always been a popular way to highlight the transition between wall and ceiling on interior walls because it tends to add a lot of visual detail and depth to a room. In fact, crown moulding is so versatile that it alone can transform the atmosphere in the drabbest of rooms!

The anatomy of the crown moulding

Crown mouldings are made of three main parts. First, you have the baseboard which rests flush against the wall as a backing. The next part is the bed moulding upon which the crown moulding rests. Lastly, you have the decorative crown moulding itself. For all intents and purposes, all three parts together are generally referred to as the crown. It is also important to note that crown moulding is most often measured by the linear foot.

Stock or custom crown moulding: which is best for you?

When choosing your crown, it is essential to have a proper budget set out. This is because the price can fluctuate considerably when choosing between stock and custom options. Stock crowns are available in multiple materials from pine to foam and even flexible polyurethane. Custom crowns will naturally cost more because ultimately it should match the existing wall profile and this will easily double the cost and take as many as six weeks to construct. Therefore, if your budget allows for a custom crown moulding you should account for the length of time it takes to choose and have it produced.

Photo: Wikimedia

Crown moulding materials and prices

One of the great aspects of a crown moulding's beauty is that it is available in a plethora of materials and finishes to match any style.

• Wood is a very common crown material found in many homes. This is because wood is a lightweight material that is also quite flexible, making it easy to install. Wood mouldings can be made from hardwood, pine, oak and are easily milled to go with any room style.  There are two categories of unfinished wood; stain-grade which is great for staining and paint-grade which not suited for staining but is already primed to be painted. Prices of wood mouldings start at around
  • $5/linear foot for hardwood;
  • $6/linear foot for pine;
  • $9/linear foot for oak
  • exotic woods like walnut costing upward of $24/linear foot. 
  • Remember, these prices reflect the cost of prefabricated mouldings and custom solutions will undoubtedly go up in price.
• Plaster is a great solution if you’re seeking white moulding to accent a room. But if you aren't looking for white crown mouldings, plaster is ready to be painted any colour you like! Unfortunately, a big downside of plaster is its weight which necessitates a professional for proper installation. On the upside, plaster that can be greatly detailed if you wish to have very ornate crown mouldings. The cost of plaster mouldings starts at around $12/linear foot.
• Plaster-covered foam is a great alternative to traditional plaster. This is due to the fact that it’s equally durable to standard plaster but considerably lighter in weight. It is also one of the least expensive crown moulding materials, making it a great choice for smaller rooms that could use some nice accenting. Prices for plaster-covered foam mouldings are roughly $7/linear foot.
• Polyurethane foam is another very lightweight and affordable option. This material holds up quite well and is resistant to scratches, rotting and warping making it a great contender. The major drawbacks are that it can dent easily during installation and it isn’t really designed to be painted or stained. Therefore, if you’re looking for a very utilitarian option, polyurethane may be just what you’re looking for. The prices for polyurethane mouldings begin at around $9/linear foot on upward.
• Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is a very lightweight option that has been designed to mimic the look of wood. It holds up against humidity and high temperatures better than wood making it well suited for humid climates. MDF can also dent easily during installation so it is recommended to hire a professional. Excessive moisture can damage MDF causing it to warp or bow so it is not recommended for high moisture areas like the bathroom. Prices for MDF start at around $6/linear foot.

Photo: Flickr

Carefully consider your design options

As with other decorative trimmings, you should always try to match the moulding with the setup of the room.  Carefully consider the layout, furniture style, colours and all around vibe in order to pair the right moulding. Although moulding can look great in any room, it really enhances spaces with high ceilings. A great rule of thumb guideline, go for visual balance and try to keep the moulding choices in harmony by using other trims within the space as a gauge.

Choosing the right size for your crown moulding

Making sure you choose the correct size for your crown moulding is one of the most crucial steps since you’re installing it to enhance the room. Use the crown's drop (measured from the ceiling to the lower edge of the crown) as an indicator of appropriate size.

A rule of thumb when measuring for moulding is to measure the perimeter of the room and then to add roughly 10 to 15 percent in case mistakes are made when laying down the crown. If the room you are working in is particularly large or has lots of cornered edges, you should aim to add 20% to be safe.

Installing crown moulding in your house will immediately change the atmosphere while adding more visual depth. If your budget allows for it why not splurge on crown moulding with intricately milled designs? It's sure to garner compliments from guests and should you ever wish to sell it will definitely catch the eye of prospective buyers. In any case, installing moulding is a significant decision that will remain for quite some time so we recommend taking as much time as possible determining which room(s) you’ll want to do. While some moulding materials can be installed on your own, for jobs of this nature we always suggest you hire a licensed professional contractor.

Overview of the prices of crown mouldings

*Please note that prices above are an estimation and do not reflect the added cost of labour.

To find out about the average prices of different home renovation projects, check out our Home renovation price guide. 

Author: David Ben-Zaken

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