7 Types of Crown Molding for Your Home

What Is Crown Molding?

Crown molding dates back to ancient Greeks and Romans. It’s decorative and functional trim usually found where the top of the wall meets the ceiling. Today, you’ll see crown molding in all styles of homes. Here, we’ll focus on the different materials crown molding can be made from.

When choosing crown molding, consider the following:

• Where will it be installed? The room dictates, to some degree, the type and style you choose. If it’s bathroom, the material needs to withstand high humidity. If you’re putting it outdoors, it needs to be weather resistant.
• What’s your home’s style? A highly ornate molding might be startling in a modern home, while one with simple lines might be lost in a home with detailed woodwork. Molding can be found in lots of design options, including step, leafy, bead, dentils, egg-and-dart and cove. Your home’s architectural style should ultimately dictate the style you choose.
• Do you want to DIY it? Most crown moldings can be a DIY project, but some are best left to pros, like plaster molding. (More on this below.)
• Do you want to paint or stain it? How you plan to finish the molding determines what materials are best.
• What’s your budget? Molding prices vary according to the design and the material. Determine your budget and let it guide. Material prices range from $1 to $40 per linear foot, according to Sean Chapman, a professional carpenter in Eugene, Oregon and founder of Tools ‘n’ Goods.