Crown Moulding is one remodeling product that may seem optional, and in a way, it is. However, to me, it’s quite necessary. Crown moulding is like the cherry on top of a sundae. It is the finishing touch. When you see your space with the moulding complete, you will wonder how you ever did without it in the first place. However, there are so many different sizes and profiles of crown moulding that it can be hard to know which is best for you or your space. Price will also vary with these different options, so your budget may dictate some of your decisions. We’ll cover all of those in today’s post!

Choosing the Right Crown Moulding Size:

The height of your room is going to be the number one determining factor in what size crown you should choose. If you pick something too small, the room will overpower it. If it’s too big, it will seem out of proportion and weird. There is a great size for every room, you just have to find the one that works best for you! You first need to know your ceiling height. Typical ceiling height is about 8 feet. For a room of that height, it’s recommended that you choose a moulding of 3″ – 5.25″. There are tons of options in that height range! If you have 9-10 ft ceilings, you can go from 5.25″ – 7″. With ceilings above 10 feet in height, it is recommended that you build up your moulding by using multiple pieces or types of trim. This stacked look will give you a dramatic appearance, which is appropriate for such a spacious room. While these are the recommended sizes, nothing is set in stone. You can choose the height that you find personally appealing, but these are the industry standards and are designed to help you get an idea of what would be appropriate in your space.

Choosing the Right Profile:

We, like many retailers, just offer a few traditional crown moulding options in stock. They are simple, yet elegant, and will work well for most homes.  Below, we’ve listed a few of the more common crown choices. The traditional is the option that most homeowners are happy with. The craftsman style and french curves are both special order, but are two very different looks that are still slightly more traditional profiles.

Traditional

Craftsman style

French Curves

Here are two styles that we carry in stock, starting at $.99/sq ft – $1.39/ sq ft!

However, if you’re looking for something more unique, you can get a special order profile. We have the ability to order a variety of moulding profiles. Stock profiles will not include things like a rope border, dentils, leafs, or complex etchings or patterns, so those are things you will want to decide on before you’re ready to install your moulding due to lead time on these special profiles.

Choosing the Right Material:

There are four main materials that make up crown moulding. While these are not the only four, they are the most popular. These include MDF, primed pine, pine and oak. You can also find plaster, plaster covered foam, and polyurethane, but these will not be readily available or in stock for you to purchase. There are a few differences between the four major materials. MDF is pre-primed, meaning that it is very consistant, has an even coat, is affordable, and has great workability. MDF is what we carry in stock due to it’s affordability, ease of installation, and beautiful appearance. Primed pine is natural wood. It is paint grade and pre primed, ready to paint. Pine is a versatile wood moulding that can be clear coated, stained or painted. Pine can give a lovely rustic look to your space. Oak is a very traditional wood moulding with a classic and distinctive grain. It can be clear coated, varnished or stained and offers a rich look with superior durability.

How Much Will It Cost?

First, you need to know what size your moulding will come in. Most stores sell it in 14 foot pieces. We sell it in 16 foot pieces, meaning that you need to buy fewer pieces to complete your project, which is a great benefit to you! Our moulding ranges from $.99/sq ft – $1.39/sq ft but crown in general can range anywhere from $.99 to $5.00 per square foot, depending on the material and profile.
Stock profiles are the least expensive and most readily available. Custom work—matching an existing profile or creating a new design—can cost more than twice as much and take up to six weeks to produce.
Crown moulding could also come with an installation fee, depending on your space. Most homeowners can achieve this if they are comfortable with basic wood or repair work. If you have curved ceilings, you will most likely hire a professional. Anything outside of your typical square would be good for a pro to tackle. As always, add 10-20% extra to the materials you purchase for waste. 10% if you have a very standard room, 20% if you have lots of corners or unique shapes in your space.
While there is certainly much more that we could go into (that’s for another blog, another day), we hope we’ve given you the basic information that you need to choose the right crown moulding for  your home!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are one of the leading providers of moulding, trim, casing, and baseboards in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!