We’re continuing the process of rehabilitating our 1881 Italianate–it’s been a long haul. I’ve gotten such great suggestions here, I thought I’d try again…this time the question is about crown molding–specifically what I should do about backing.
Currently the inside is gutted (we just got done with electrical/plumbing/and spraying closed cell poly insulation). We are about to drywall, but I got to thinking…
In the Tauton book, they suggest using plywood (the same thickness as the drywall) for backer for wainscotting.
- Should I also apply a plywood backer for crown molding too?
- Would it be best to install the crown (and wainscotting, for that matter) before installing the drywall (that way the drywall and mud would come up to the crown)? I thought this might cut down on DW costs as well since there wouldn’t be any ceiling “corners” to mud/tape
- Any good recommendations as to books, web sites, etc?
We’ve got quite a few rooms to do and want to put in some “substantial” sized crown, so we’d like to do this right.
As usual, I appreciate the information.
Replies
Putting up ply in place of drywall as an attachment backing wainscotting is really a saver, especially if you're installing planking. I've also worked where they've installed ply backing for base, that was with metal studs, but it was nice. For crown, I'm happier with a fillet strip (generally a 2-by riped to the crown angle and attached with nails and adhesive).
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
Forgot you extra question - IMHO, I prefer having the walls painted before putting on the base and crown - I can think of so many things that could go wrong if the drywall went up last that I just have to believe it's a bad idea. Let's see what opinions others have.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
I'm with Phil on another vote for do the drywall and paint the walls first.
I always paint right after drywall. There is always touch up and cleaning once the job is done, but I can tell you that if you do it this way you will notice a bazillion places where you saved time by not having to cut in around things and get into tight spots, etc. For me at least, the touch up and cleaning (dusting, really) is much faster than all the cutting in that would otherwise need done.
Another thing I recently started is prefinishing all the trim. Same thing -- there's filling and final coat, but, again for me at least, I save a boatload of time by having everything prefinished before I start. Fill the nail holes and one last coat of thinned poly and it's done.
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
ply backer for the wainscote is fine, but I wouldn't do it for the crown.
Its much easier to run the sheetrock across the ceiling and up the walls without having to fit it tight to the crown/ backer. You don't need to tape the corners behind the crown, anyway.
And the labor will be less for the sheetrock without the crown up. The difference in material costs is minimal.
Once the room(s) is rocked and taped, rip some angled fillers, glue and nail them to the wall/ceiling intersection, and install the crown, nailing it into the fillers.
As everybody suggested, DW first, you'll regret doing it the other way.
A 1881 Italianate? What's the original trim? I would imagine a run-in-place plaster crown would feel more at home. Can you post a pic of the exterior? Love to see it.
Thanks all for the feed back--good stuff. Always nice to get the input from y'all.
Tom--Most of the interior details were eliminated years ago--In the 1970's the lowered the ceilings, eliminated most of the tall windows, stuccoed the place, removed most of the details...On the exterior, we have mostly brought the place back--lots of custom trim, hand-turned balusters, removed stucco, etc...It looks nice...Wish my digital camera worked--love to show it off, but alas, no go.
Wish my digital camera worked--love to show it off, but alas, no go.
Well then barrow the neighbors camera! We need pictures.
If I had the walls gutted and intended to add crown I'd put backer up before the rock went back up. We used to do that on new homes that were going to get crown and it was a god-send when time came to install.
Doug