Crown molding is usually nailed to the wall studs along the bottom edge and into the ceiling joists above–a lot of stud-finder work.

How far apart should you nail crown molding?

For crown molding that is fully flush to the wall and relatively small, it is acceptable to nail just to the top plate. The plate usually hangs into the wall by about 3/4-inch. So nail the molding into the top plate every 12 to 16 inches.

Does crown Moulding need to be nailed to studs?





Crown moldings, or any corner trims really should be nailed to a stud, not simply into unbacked drywall. Without good support, the molding will warp out from the wall causing gaps in coverage to open along the edges.

How far does crown molding stick out?

For standard 8-foot-high ceilings, the crown/cornice height should be 2½ to 6 inches; for 9-foot ceilings, 3 to 7½ inches, and for 10-foot ceilings, 3½ to 8 inches.

Where do you nail trim?

Nailing into the lower third of the molding increases the chance that you’ll hit the bottom plate inside of the wall. If installing crown molding, you’ll want to nail into the joists and studs at the top and bottom of the molding, which are usually every 16 inches.

How do you hammer crown molding nails?

Assuming you aren’t using the 16d nail trick, nail the top of the crown either to the blocking or to the ceiling joists, again using 6d finish nails. Drive the nail heads to just above the surface of the molding with a hammer, and set them just below the surface using a nail set.

How do you secure crown molding to the ceiling?





Installing Crown Moulding

  1. Measure the wall again.
  2. Cut the moulding 1/8-inch longer than measured. …
  3. Make a square cut on the uncoped end of the crown moulding.
  4. Flex the moulding in place.
  5. Nail or glue the moulding to the wall and ceiling. …
  6. Putty any nail holes.


Do Finishing nails have to go into studs?

As long as you’re inserting the nails into the top 3 inches of wall, locating studs isn’t necessary. The exception to this rule is when the crown molding is unusually wide, or features multiple pieces that extend farther down the wall.

How do you nail molding to a wall?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Get the finish nailer. Put it in a place like this I'm going to try to hit the corner. So I can get the stud right there and then drive the nail. – it's like that.

How far should nails go into wood?



The accepted rule of thumb is the nail length should be 21/2 times the thickness of the wood you are nailing through.

How far apart should Finishing nails be?

According to current building codes, they should be 16 or 24 inches apart (though older homes may be less reliable). Once you know the distance between studs, you can place a brad nail that same distance across the wall. You should be able to hit a stud regularly with each nail.

How long should trim nails be?

So it’s best, before you begin the project, to be absolutely sure you’re using the right nail size for baseboards in your home. As a general rule, baseboard nails shouldn’t be any longer than 2 inches. The ideal length is between 1.5 inches and 2 inches.

Can I install crown molding without nail gun?



Installing it is as simple as buying a box of itty-bitty finishing nails and hammering in the molding. Seriously, you do not even need a nail gun. Here’s the whole step-by-step for how to install baseboards and crown molding—note that most of the work happens in the planning phase.

What type of nail gun should I use for crown molding?

If you’re planning on installing heavier pieces, like heavy crown molding or anything that needs to be able to bear a little weight, pick 16 – 15 Gauge Finish Nailers. Some DIY users recommend the 16 gauge finish nailer as the most versatile option.

Can I use 18 gauge nails for crown molding?

18 gauge should work fine unless you’re putting on a really huge crown mold. 15 gauge is meant more for doing outdoor trim, like window trim or corner board. 16 gauge might be a little big if your trim is thin, you risk having a split, and the holes to fill in will be bigger.

Can I use a brad nailer for Crown Moulding?

For crown molding that includes a backing strip, you can use the 2” long 18-gauge brad nails. If you drive one nail up at a steep angle to secure the molding to the backing material, you can then fire the next nail horizontally just above it into the stud.

Can you use a pin nailer for crown molding?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: That not only are the pin nails small and disappear. But they're definitely strong enough to hold anything in place even without wood glue.

How long should brad nails be?

The rule is simple: a brad should be three times as long as the thickness of the material you are fixing. Example: if the material is 15 mm thick, the brad should be 45 mm long. Choose a brad gun that takes the length of brad you need.

Can you hammer in Brad nails?

Luckily, you can definitely use a hammer with brad nails! But there’s also a reason many people prefer brad nailers. Hand nailing brad nails comes with a lot of challenges and is rarely the right solution. It’s easy to scuff or damage the wood swinging a hammer, and it can be tough to use a hammer on brad nails.

What is the difference between a brad nail and a finishing nail?

Finish nails are stronger than brads, so choose them if your project needs to be durable. Brads are thin, 18-gauge nails made for more delicate woodworking jobs. They’re available in collated strips for nail guns or individual pieces. Brad nail length ranges from 1/2-inch to 2 1/2-inch.