Crown Molding Corner Cuts Like a Pro

Crown molding corner cuts can seem like magic, but look behind the curtain and you'll find they can be mastered with a few simple tips. The geometry of crown molding can create a snarl of angles and reverse angles. One simple tip, however, can allow you and your miter saw to tackle even the biggest crown molding jobs.

The Anatomy Of Crown Molding Corner Cuts
Although crown molding may look like baseboard or other trim, the back is cut in a very special way. Crown molding has a base, which rests against the wall; a back, which sits at a 45-degree angle to the wall; and a shoulder, which rests against the ceiling.

The angle between the base and the shoulder if 90-degrees-the same as the angle between the wall and the ceiling and the same as the angle between the table and fence of your miter saw. By laying your crown molding with the base resting on the table and the shoulder resting against the fence, you can easily cut the molding to the right angle every time.

Here are some other things to consider when making crown molding corner cuts:

• Stop it. Crown stops are designed to hold crown molding in position during cutting on a miter saw. If your saw doesn't have crown stops built-in, check to see if the manufacturer provides them as an accessory.
• Figure the angles. A 360-degree, adjustable protractor will make measuring angles easier. The perfect miter for an outside corner is half the measured angle. Never assume that your corners are perfectly square!
• It's simple on the inside. For inside corners, cut the first piece of molding so that it butts up square to the wall and then cut the second piece to a 45-degree angle. You can then scribe the contour of the molding on the second piece and cut it to shape with a coping saw. Use a small rasp to remove any excess wood left in the cut. Gaps in inside corners are easily concealed with caulk that can be painted over later.
• Look Ma, no miters! If the thought of cutting precise miters leaves you cold, consider crown molding corner blocks. These precut molding elements cover inside or outside corners, allowing the molding itself to be cut to a 90-degree edge and butted against the blocks.