Blog Articles by Athas Kometas From ezcrown.com

CROWN MOLDING MADE EASY... Confessions of a DIY Weekend Warrior by Dr. Athas N. Kometas

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 14:05:00 EST

Crown Molding Made Easy Confessions of A DIY Weekend Warrior by Dr. Athas N. Kometas As a dedicated DIY weekend warrior, the details of construction have always fascinated me. Understanding ‘the why’ and ‘the how’ things are done consumes my mind. I’ve done pretty much every kind of home improvement project from bathroom to kitchen remodels, to reinventing a room, so I decided to challenge myself with crowning my ceilings. I had heard installing crown molding was a difficult undertaking. And I wasn’t disappointed. I quickly found out there were no real systems on the market that helped you, just books and YouTube videos to make sure you didn’t make the ‘huge mistake’. I remembered a chapter that I had read in Jay Silber’s book Decorating with Architectural Trimwork. Silber’s technique involved cutting individual wood triangular blocks with the correct spring angle and attaching those blocks to the ceiling/wall interface every 16”. The blocks would then be nailed to the double top plate with two long finishing nails. It made sense, but having an older block house in Florida, I knew that the external walls would have minimal wood backing. And I was right in that I found a 1” X 2” horizontal furring strip close to the ceiling and a vertical 1” X 2” every 16” that didn’t even come close to the horizontal one. The interior walls mostly had a single top plate. Attaching these blocks would be difficult as I quickly realized that the wall framing rarely lined up with the ceiling framing. In my house, the ceiling trusses are at 24” intervals and the walls were at 16” intervals. Where the walls were parallel with the trusses, there was no wood ceiling backing at all. I remember thinking ‘It’s no wonder why the drywall tape was starting to separate!’. I soon realized that installing crown molding would simply hide a poor drywall job. I began by attaching the triangular blocks to the vertical 1” X 2” furring strip at 16” intervals. Then I discovered that the vertical 1” X 2” was often missing towards the ceiling. I started to wonder about my sanity in undertaking this project. Then, after a great deal of frustration, I started attaching the blocks to the ceiling joists and the horizontal wall furring strip. That worked until I hit the first overhead dormer. Nothing was easy because the ceiling of the room had 3 dormers above it and there were missing ceiling framing in three 8’ sections. What became extremely apparent was that my house had minimal consistent wood backing to attach anything to whatsoever. I knew I had a choice to make. Either nail the block to the wall framing (on the interior walls) with nothing to nail to the ceiling; or nail to the ceiling joists if present and not to the wall framing. I own this home…so I wanted these blocks to be securely fastened. Relying on one flimsy nail did not make sense since I was putting up some pretty heavy crown molding. I realized that the blocks had to be secured to the walls and ceiling and decided to pre-drill all the blocks in a perpendicular manner. I decided that where I had marked the vertical wall or ceiling framing, I would confirm the wood backing by drilling through the predrilled block into the framing and, without moving the block, drill through the other pre-drilled hole into the drywall. In this drywall hole I placed my drywall anchor. With a #6 2-¼” furniture screw slightly protruding from the back of the block, the drywall anchor was easily centered. The other hole in the block received the #6 screw into the framing. Generally, where the trusses were parallel with the wall, there was no ceiling backing, so I used drywall anchors. The evolution continues. The upstairs of my home is built as part of the truss on 24” centers. This was too far apart for the molding I was using. Using my pre-drilled blocks, I just decided to place the blocks where I needed them and then use two drywall anchors and forget about the framing. In some areas, I went 12” on center with some of the blocks attached to the truss system, and with the remainder I used only drywall anchors. By the time I got to the last room in my house, I realized that I should not be cutting triangular blocks at all, as the wall/ceiling corner of the block often pushed the block one way or another due to poor drywall finishing. I should have used a truncated block that has no corner at the wall/ceiling juncture. Since I had finished my house, it wasn’t until a year later that I was able to refine my truncated block technique. I have a large 4-bedroom home with 6 dormers which adds significantly to the irregular framing issue. It also has extensive outside corners and plenty of coped inside corners. I know that some carpenter’s place the crown quickly without wood blocks and shoot finishing nails at angles, sporadically hitting backing. I didn’t want to ‘pray’ that the ‘adhesive’ caulk would take care of everything. Moreover, as a homeowner, I did not want to have to re-caulk and paint every few years because the adhesive caulk was asked to act both as a nail and a filler. Since I am not a classically trained finish carpenter, I knew that there had to be a better way. What if the truncated blocks were already attached to a truncated frame? The entire frame could easily be placed into the ceiling wall interface and fastened using drywall anchors. I wouldn’t even have to worry about finding any studs at all. The only consistent thing in most homes is a single top plate, so I decided to attach to it. Then I would simply attach the crown molding. So that’s what I did. The following describes the first ever ‘crown framing assembly made easy’ technique. And the beginning of the EZCrown Molding Installation System™. Truncated Frame and Block with Ceiling Member Pre-Drilled for Lead Drywall Anchor The frame is truncated, eliminating the problems with the ceiling/wall juncture irregularities. The frame has holes in the ceiling and wall segments so that it is easily secured by drywall anchors without even having to search for wall studs or wood backing in the ceiling. The frame can also be secured to the top plate which is almost always present. 4 Foot EZCrown Framing Sections The frame block assembly comes in 4-foot sections and is extremely lightweight. Using the EZCrown system, one person can now install crown molding. An additional bonus is this frame is ideal for placing crown in all masonry condominium construction. All you need is a few tap cons! The frame is easily cut with tin snips. I made the frame 4’ (actually 46-⅞”) and because each covers 5-1/2 linear feet, eight are what is required for a 10’x10’ room. 5-¼ Inch Crown 6-¼ Inch Crown The EZCrown Molding Installation System™ accommodates crown molding from 5-¼ " up to 7-¼”. The spring angle must be 45°/45°. The wood blocks are every 14” on the frame. As the system uses anchors to secure the frame, there is no need to find any studs or wood backing in the ceiling. Just fasten the frame to the top plate! All the necessary fasteners are included.

Everything You Need to Know About Crown Moulding Sizes Dimensions

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 17:30:00 EST

Crown molding will lift any room in your home, drawing your eyes up, making the ceiling feel higher. They also give the space balance and proportion by establishing a decorative transition between the walls and ceiling. Crown moldings offer an easy way to add a wow-factor and resale value to your home.

CROWN MOLDING Put These Five Tips Into Practice Enjoy Better Faster Results

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 10:12:13 EST

If you’d like to install crown molding at your place, this article can help you do it better. You’ll learn tips that I’ve found helpful over four decades of working with wood, including a recent innovation that solves one of the main challenges of installing crown molding well. After reading the crown installation tips below, check out the Q&A’s later in the article.

SANDING BETWEEN COATS The 1 Most Important Wood Finishing Step

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Sat, 07 May 2022 11:55:00 EST

If you are staining your crown, this is a great tutorial...

14 Expert Tips for Tight Miters

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 18:20:00 EST

Pro tricks for air-tight joints.

How to Use a Coping Saw to Cut and Cope Molding Video

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 10:35:00 EST

This is the easy way to get tight-fitting joints on inside corners. Discover how to create perfect, tight-fitting inside joints on chair rail molding. The same techniques work for crown and base molding. Learn how to use a coping saw and you can make difficult-looking trim joints with ease. Tackle any trim project with the skills you’ll learn in this video.

Tips and Techniques for Finishing Trim

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 10:40:00 EST

This article has some great DIY tips & tricks on how to repair and finish trim around your house (whether it’s baseboards, window trim or crown molding). If you are going to spend the time and money - even using EZCrown - it is critical that your crown molding is finished properly andinstall it securely.

Mill Your Own Wide Crown Moulding Free Plans Download

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Sat, 02 Oct 2021 08:30:00 EST

The process Steve Maxwell explains is fast and the profiles you get are crisper and more intricate than what comes off a lumber rack. You can also make use of wood species beyond all that ordinary pine and oak stuff. And if you ever choose to sell your house, explain to prospective buyers the benefits of your particular shop-milled crown molding, and the mystique may even let you talk up the price a bit, too.

14 Expert Tips for Tight Miters

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 07:09:06 EST

Pro tricks for air-tight joints.

Reproducing Traditional Moldings

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 12:35:00 EST

Historic restoration can be challenging for a trim carpenter. Standardization of molding profiles did not become the norm until early in the 20th century, so a trim carpenter working on a historic house usually has to choose between having molding knives made, removing certain details, or replacing original moldings with whatever is available. In this “Master Carpenter” article, Bill Rainford demonstrates how he re-created some molding profiles for a historic house in Boston using several planes and a tablesaw. His first step was to copy the profile onto the new trim stock. From there, he figured out how to remove as much material as possible with a power tool. On this job, he used a dado stack on the tablesaw, but a router is a handy tool for some profiles. He then removed the remaining material with the planes. A shoulder plane smoothed up the dadoed area and squared up the perimeter edges; a narrow plow plane defined the outer edge; a snipe’s bill plane defined the inner lines; a round plane cut hollows; and a hollow plane cut rounds. Rainford kept the stock in place with a sticking board, which he made from a length of 3/4-in. plywood, an MDF fence, and four machine screws threaded into brass inserts.

Dialing in Accurate Miter-Saw Cuts

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Sun, 24 May 2020 16:05:00 EST

We came across this tip by T.D. Culver, Cleveland Heights, OH in Fine Homebuilding Lining up the blade of a miter saw with the cut mark on a piece of molding can be difficult to do perfectly. Rather than sneaking up on the mark, try this trick. Put a piece of masking tape on the saw’s table right over the slot where the blade extends below the table. Blue tape works well here. Now slowly lower the spinning blade through the tape. The resulting blade-wide slit in the tape shows the exact placement of the blade at whatever angle you set the saw. When the tape gets ragged, apply a new piece.

36 Miter Saw Tips and Tool Reviews

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Sun, 03 May 2020 06:55:00 EST

We haven't used all of the tool brands mentioned, but there is some good information contained in this article.

Slotting Baseboards

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 16:20:00 EST

A great tip about Slotting Baseboards from Fine Home Building...

Duct Tape Keeps Miters Together

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 13:35:00 EST

Here is a tip we came across from Fine Homebuilding. It is a great and easy way to keep miters together if your corners don't align.

How to Use a Miter Saw

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 11:20:00 EST

Miter saws are designed to make angled cuts for molding, trim work, rafters, and other general carpentry applications. The saws also make straight crosscuts and, when equipped with the right blade, the versatility of a miter saw is an important part of a tool arsenal for professional carpenters as well as DIYers.

How to Cut Extreme Angles on Your Miter Saw

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 12:45:00 EST

The process becomes fairly simple if you make a simple jig from scrap wood to make safe easy cuts at angles greater than 45 degrees with your compound miter saw or chop saw. In fact, that is part of the manufacturing process for the construction of an EZCrown metal frame.

Creating perfect miters is hard but this tip makes it really easy to fix them.

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 07:05:00 EST

Miters Are Hard. Here’s An Easy Fix from Harrison Kral and Construction Pro Tips Cutting a miter joint that closes up perfectly and maintains a 90-degree angle is really satisfying. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always happen. Here’s a quick fix for a slightly open miter joint; rub the shank of a screwdriver along the miter at a steep angle, from both sides of the joint. Chances are, you’ll be the only one that knows it wasn’t perfect to begin with!

Tips and Techniques for Finishing Trim and Crown Molding

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 07:20:00 EST

Once you have installed your EZCrown frames, your next step is to add the crown molding. Achieving a flawless finish is all about proper prep, taking the correct steps, and applying the right product with quality tools.

Save Your Next Shoe Box and Save Your Eyes Too

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Sun, 23 Feb 2020 06:45:00 EST

I read this a few months ago and saved it but don't recall where I found this useful tip. Even though most of our customers simply attach our EZCrown frames to the top plate, in some cases they do need to drill their ceiling. Getting dust in your eyes is potentially dangerous and just all-around not very much fun. And when you are drilling in the ceiling, sometimes even the best eye protection does not quite seem to be able to catch all of the little particles that flutter down from above, intent on finding and lodging themselves in your pupils. Not to mention how upset your spouse will be if you make a mess of your home. Thankfully, there’s an easy fix. The next time you have to drill a bunch of holes into a ceiling, grab a left over shoebox and poke your drill bit through it so that the box’s opening faces the same way as the point of the bit. Then, attach the drill bit to your drill and get to work. The box will catch a majority of the dust that falls from your newly-created hole, saving both your eyes and time on clean up.

14 Pro-Approved Tips for Tight Miters

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Sun, 16 Feb 2020 05:50:00 EST

Here are some pro tricks for air-tight joints...some we found very useful.

How to Cut Crown Molding

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 16:30:00 EST

Follow a few basic techniques described by Aaron Fagan and there should be no guesswork involved in cutting crown

Drywall Texture Types You Need to Know

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 09:05:00 EST

If you’re like most DIYers, you’re probably familiar with a handful of drywall textures. But, there is a wide range of drywall texture types, from the deceptively simple to shockingly complex. Whether you’re thinking about incorporating a new texture into your home, or simply want to identify that unusual pattern on your ceilings, this is the list for you!

How To Drywall A Finishing Shortcut

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 07:35:00 EST

Most home improvement shortcuts lead to trouble. But here’s an artile that makes drywall finishing faster without regrets later.

How to Cut Crown Molding Using Easy Templates

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 07:04:58 EST

Cutting crown molding can be frustrating and confusing. Inside and outside corners are cut with different settings. Usually, the right side of the cut is the left side of the corner. Sometimes you need to flip the crown upside down to cut. Using templates gives you a visual reference for which piece you need to cut and how to cut it.

The Dos and Donts of a Bathroom Remodel

drkometas@gmail.com (Athas Kometas) — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 08:15:00 EST

The average bathroom remodel runs between $9,600 to $11,000, according to Angie’s List and high end remodels can run much, much higher. If you’re getting ready to embark on a bathroom remodel, you want to get it right. You know you need to set a budget (and stick to it), have a plan and set a realistic timeline, but there’s so much more to think about. Here’s a look at some dos and don’ts of a bathroom remodel.