Hanging crown moulding

[JHZR2]

Hi,

My enclosed front porch which is roughly 25 x 8 ft is all stucco. It was stucco over the old plaster and lathe.

Many old homes of similar age had tongue and groove beaded board that is shellacked, so we took down the ceiling that was there to joists and put up individual planks in the old-fashioned style (looks like the old ones). Problem is I need molding between the stucco and the ceiling.

What is the best way to hang the moulding???

 

[demarpaint]

The short version, for someone who is handy and understands what I'm saying. PM me for more detail if you like. Please understand I'm not insulting you, I just don't know your skill level.

Try a strip of 1"x1", or 1"X2", the actual size will depend on how big a crown you use. Use this around the top of the room, you'll have to calculate where exactly to place it once you have the crown in hand.

Anyway take that strip and screw it into the stucco, into the beams if possible, if not use the proper anchor. Then you'll have a nice nailing surface for your crown. A little construction adhesive behind the nailing strip it won't hurt either. HTH

 

[tom slick]

I agree with demarpaint.

 

[JHZR2]

OK, that makes sense. A small piece, with countersunk screws in through the stucco to the wood behind it.

Actually, I have 45 degree moulding already, shaped kind of like a shallow "C" with a flat edge for the wall and a flat edge for the ceiling (very simple single concave). it is one of the coves as shown here:

http://www.fieldshc.com/lumber/moulding_styles03.gif

Ive done all the miter cuts and all. I had to do a butt joint too but it is all cut and well. likely too small for a 1x1 to fit in there. Need more of a triangular strip. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[LS2JSTS]

Why do you want to fill that space in? It doesnt need to be filled in at all, that I can see.

If the quest is to gain a smooth nailing surface, I wouldnt even worry about that either. Just install the crown or the cove moulding, to a straight line along the ceiling, then use caulk at the bottom edge to hide any run in or out vs what the wall does. Sorry if I'm misunderstanding here.

Did you cut the butt joints at a slight angle, that will help hide the joint as the wood shrinks or expands due to age/temperature.

 

[bepperb]

Buy latex caulk, you'll be real good at caulking trim after doing that.

 

[demarpaint]

If you have a table saw you can make tiangular strips from a 1x6 or anything for that matter. Just rip them don't cross cut them! Cut your stips at 45* on the saw, 1' lengths. Then space them like this - - - -. All you need is a nailing surface.

Then decide where to place them for the best nailing surface. HTH

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
Why do you want to fill that space in? It doesnt need to be filled in at all, that I can see.

If the quest is to gain a smooth nailing surface, I wouldnt even worry about that either. Just install the crown or the cove moulding, to a straight line along the ceiling, then use caulk at the bottom edge to hide any run in or out vs what the wall does. Sorry if I'm misunderstanding here.

Did you cut the butt joints at a slight angle, that will help hide the joint as the wood shrinks or expands due to age/temperature.


Well, I need to know how to hang it. Hanging it via tiny trim nails will be a challenge going through the stucco on the vertical side. Not sure if nailing it on the horizontal (ceiling) side will be good enough. Having some intermediate to nail into would be helpful.

Also it is an 80 yo home, so nothing is straight... Adding to the challenge.

I dont think caulking a smooth bead into the rough stucco will go very well, and I dont want to learn on something that I may not be able to clean up well... Caulking may not be in the cards, we will see...

 

[tom slick]

You could also add a wider flat piece on the wall that hangs below the crown that adds detail to the bottom of the molding. It may help to hide the rough joint between the wall and crown and still give you a good nailing anchor.

It would be a similar idea to the diagram on this page:
http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/article.asp?article_id=60699

 

[LS2JSTS]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
Why do you want to fill that space in? It doesnt need to be filled in at all, that I can see.

If the quest is to gain a smooth nailing surface, I wouldnt even worry about that either. Just install the crown or the cove moulding, to a straight line along the ceiling, then use caulk at the bottom edge to hide any run in or out vs what the wall does. Sorry if I'm misunderstanding here.

Did you cut the butt joints at a slight angle, that will help hide the joint as the wood shrinks or expands due to age/temperature.


Well, I need to know how to hang it. Hanging it via tiny trim nails will be a challenge going through the stucco on the vertical side. Not sure if nailing it on the horizontal (ceiling) side will be good enough. Having some intermediate to nail into would be helpful.

Also it is an 80 yo home, so nothing is straight... Adding to the challenge.

I dont think caulking a smooth bead into the rough stucco will go very well, and I dont want to learn on something that I may not be able to clean up well... Caulking may not be in the cards, we will see...


OK...gotcha.

Have you considered a simple quarter round of adequate size to cover the gap? That and some paint may be a simpler solution than the crown and IMO will match the look of the simpler bead board as well.

 

[JHZR2]

Im using molding that matches how it was done in my parents and gret aunt and uncles' homes...

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
If you have a table saw you can make tiangular strips from a 1x6 or anything for that matter. Just rip them don't cross cut them! Cut your stips at 45* on the saw, 1' lengths. Then space them like this - - - -. All you need is a nailing surface.

Then decide where to place them for the best nailing surface. HTH


So what kind of screws should I use? Would I p;re-drill with a hammer drill bit to get through the stucco? Countersink the screws? One or two per nailing strip? Can I use long drywall screws, since I have them?

Not all areas along the edge are flat and even due to tring to preserve the stucco on the walls. In spots where I cant put a nailing strip, should I nail the moulding to the ceiling?

Is it possible to caulk between the moulding and the ceiling or wall? Id use brown caulk I guess... Isnt that just asking for a mess?

Thanks!

 

[doitmyself]

I think Dermapaint has the best solution. That wood ceiling is likely to expand and contract a lot and his system will allow for that movement. I would not nail into the ceiling. Caulk along the ceiling line will probably fail for the same reason (expansion/contraction).

If you go with screws, they make tiny head "finish" drywall type screws if you search for them. But, the drywall screw would work if they don't get in the way of the moulding. Pre drilling may be required.