26 August 2015
 Categories: , Blog

Custom kitchens are all the rage. One simple and inexpensive way to create a custom kitchen is to install crown molding to the tops of your upper kitchen cabinets. This ingenious idea is affordable and can be completed in a weekend. The following guide will make customizing your kitchen cabinets as easy as 1-2-3.

Tools and Materials

Very few tools will be needed for this project. Many homeowners will have most of these tools on hand. One item that you will need that you may not own is a miter saw. This saw is needed to cut the angles. Other tools that are required include:

• Nail gun or hammer
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• 1x2 furring strips equal to the length of crown molding needed
• Construction adhesive
• Crown molding
• Nails
• Wood glue
• Safety glasses
• Ear plugs

Measure

Before you begin this project, you will need to measure the distance between the top of your cabinets and the ceiling. This will ensure that you purchase the correct size molding. In addition to measuring the height, you will need to measure the length of your cabinets. Make sure you measure any sides of the cabinets that are exposed because you will want to wrap the molding around the corners to complete the look. Finally, when determining how many linear feet of crown molding you need, add several feet to the total to cover waste.

Cut

Before beginning any home improvement project, it is essential that you think about safety. Always wear safety glasses and hearing protection when using power tools. To help prevent injury, keep your fingers away from saw blade.

Because cabinets are manufactured using stringent production standards, the cabinets will most likely be square. This helps make the job of installing crown molding much easier. All cuts will be at a 45-degree angle.

Measure the distance from the kitchen wall to the first corner of your cabinets. Then, take your crown molding and make a 45-degree cut at the predetermined length. Grab another piece of trim and make another 45-degree cut ensuring that the two pieces fit together tightly.

As you measure and cut each piece of crown molding, use a pencil to label the pieces. This will help ensure that you install the pieces in the correct order.

Install

You will need to attach the furring strips to the top of your cabinets. This makes the crown molding sturdy and prevents nailing the crown molding directly into your cabinets. Cut each furring strip so that it fits snugly on the top of the cabinet. Then, glue each furring strip to the top of the cabinet using the construction adhesive. Make sure that the edge of the furring strip is flush with the edge of the cabinet.

To begin the installation of the crown molding, butt the first piece up against the wall. Push the molding up against the ceiling and nail the crown molding to the ceiling. Then, nail the bottom of the crown molding to the furring strips. This technique will ensure there are no gaps at the ceiling.

When you come to a corner, glue the corner pieces together using the wood glue. Then, while holding the joint together, install a couple of nails in the crown molding to help strengthen the joint. Once the joint is nailed, wipe away any excess glue. Continue this process until the crown molding has been installed on each run of cabinets. If you need any help with installation, talk with a place like Rynone Kitchen & Baths.

Once you are done with installation, you can say goodbye to a builder grade kitchen and hello to beautiful custom cabinets. Adding crown molding to the tops of your upper cabinets is a great way to update your kitchen inexpensively. This simple project will create a visually appealing kitchen by adding architectural detail to your cabinets.