Crown Molding Q & A

Working with crown molding is not one of the easiest things to do in the realm of home improvement. There are many things to take into consideration, like the bevel, the miter, the spring angle and so on and so on. Hopefully, this crown molding Q & A will help you get a better grasp of these terms and how to work with crown molding in general.

What is the Spring Angle on Crown Molding?

The spring angle is the angle degree of the gap between the backside of the crown molding and the wall. It can easily be determined using a special protractor designed for measuring the spring angle. This type of protractor features two sets of numbers, a red set and a black set. The red set of numbers indicates the angle of the miter cut and the black set indicate the spring angle. Crown molding is usually represented by these two numbers. The most common types are 45/45 and 52/38.

What is the Bevel?

The bevel is the tilt of the blade being used to make the cut.

What is the Miter?

The miter is the angle on the saw’s table.

How do I Know Which End of the Crown Molding is the Top?

Most crown molding features two distinct sections – a common element (a flat or curved area) and a more decorative element. The common element is called the “ogee” or “Cyma Recta” and the decorative element is called the “dentil.” In most installations, the dentil is considered the bottom part of the molding.

What is a Scarf Joint?

A scarf joint is used when you need to make an in-line straight connection between two pieces of crown molding. When cut properly, one section of crown molding will fit seamlessly over the other, like an overlapping joint.

What Size Nails Should I Use to Install Crown Molding?

For most installations two-inch finishing nails work best. The reason for this is that drywall is usually ½-inch thick and most common crown moldings are that thickness as well. Two-inch nails will allow the nail to enter the stud securely but prevent the risk of accidentally hitting any electrical wires which by code are installed along the center of the stud.

With this basic understanding of crown molding, you’ll be better prepared for tackling this one-time difficult task with ease!