3 Tips for Painting Moulding

Moulding is a vital element for every home that can be easy to overlook during your renovation project. While painting moulding may appear to be a simple task, there are several elements that must be considered to produce optimal results and minimize the risk of errors. As a leading provider of quality mouldings for every type of project, the team at Country Lumber knows how difficult it can be to paint them without proper preparation. That is why we have compiled a list of 3 tips for painting mouldings to help you achieve optimal results for your project.

Learn about some common mistakes to avoid when installing moulding.

3 Key Considerations When Painting Moulding

To ensure optimal results and a smooth process when painting interior moulding elements, keep the following considerations in mind:

1. Degrease and Sand Surfaces

If you want to repaint your current mouldings, it is crucial to perform all required preparation work first. If your moulding elements are several years old, they are likely holding onto a significant amount of dirt and grease. This means that you will need to completely degrease all moulding in your home to ensure that it is clean. Once this is complete, you will need to scuff sand the surface of all moulding to promote better paint adhesion. By completing these steps, you will ensure that your paint adheres properly and evenly, giving you appealing and long-lasting results.

2. Mask Other Surfaces and Paint Carefully

If you will only be painting your mouldings and not the walls or ceilings around them, you will need to ensure that these surfaces are sufficiently protected from paint splatter. Mask adjacent walls and ceilings with painter’s tape and apply paint slowly to minimize the risk of splatter or accidental application to undesired surfaces. It is often best to use a brush for mouldings as rollers and sprayers cover a much higher surface area and can cause splatter more easily.

3. Use High-End Products and Equipment

While you may be tempted to cut costs and choose cheaper paint products, this can significantly increase the risk of imperfections and other flaws in the finish. Cheaper products also tend to require additional coats when compared to premium options, increasing the duration of your project. By selecting high-end brushes and paint, you will reduce labour requirements while producing a more appealing finish, making the extra cost well worth it.

To learn more about our selection of moulding products or to discuss the details of your project, get in touch with the team at Country Lumber. We can be reached through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our products.

Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Moulding

Crown moulding, baseboards, and other types of moulding can significantly enhance the appeal of every room in your home. While installing moulding may seem like a simple task, there are several mistakes that can be made during the process. As a leading provider of quality moulding products, the team at Country Lumber knows how detrimental any mistake can be during cutting, installation, or the finishing touches. That is why we have compiled a list of mistakes to avoid when installing moulding to help make your project as seamless as possible.

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4 Common Moulding Installation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When installing moulding throughout your home, it is crucial to be aware of the following mistakes and understand how to avoid them:

1. Getting Paint on the Wall

While most people attempt to paint their trim or crown moulding after they have been installed, this drastically increases the risk of getting paint on your walls. To ensure a high-quality finish for your moulding while reducing the risk of paint on your walls, consider painting your mouldings and letting them dry before installing them. While this may delay installation slightly, it is well worth your time as painting your moulding after it is installed will take more time and require more masking.

2. Not Smoothing Out the Edges

Whenever you cut a piece of moulding down to size, it is important to ensure that the edges are completely smooth since every piece of moulding needs to meet with another in the corner of the wall. Taking the time to sand the edges of each piece of trim will help to ensure that every edge matches up perfectly, increasing the quality and appeal of the finished product.

3. Using the Wrong Tools

The tools you use for cutting and installing moulding will have a substantial impact on the amount of labour required and the quality of the finish. While you could use a small power saw to cut moulding and a hammer to install it, this will require more labour while increasing the chance of causing damage to each piece. To ensure optimal results, it is strongly recommended to use a compound mitre saw to cut each piece of moulding and a nail gun to install them.

4. Not Hiding Nail Holes or Joints

While you may be tempted to leave nail holes and joints exposed due to their size, these imperfections will stick out more than you may think. Cover nail holes with wood filler and fill the gaps between each piece of moulding with putty or another type of joint compound. Once dry, sand off any excess material and carefully paint over them for a seamless and high-quality finish.

To learn more about our selection of moulding products or to discuss the details of your project, get in touch with the team at Country Lumber. We can be reached through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our products.

How to Install Crown Moulding

Crown moulding is one of the best projects that you can do to make a big change to upgrade the look and feel of your home’s interior without making any structural or layout changes to the space. At Country Lumber, we know that, once you know how to install crown moulding, this job can be done by a confident home handyperson, and we provide all of the tools and supplies needed to finish any crown moulding installation.

How to Install Crown Moulding

Crown moulding installations can be frustrating and tiresome, as they require the installer to hold materials above their head for long periods of time and make mitred cuts that can be difficult to get exactly right. Despite these frustrations, crown moulding installation is a task that can be completed by many novices with the right tools and instruction. To install crown moulding in your home, adhere to the following procedure:

1.     Prepare Supplies and the Space

Start by measuring the room to ensure that you buy enough crown moulding to get the job done. Plan out the different walls and make sure that you get long enough pieces so that you have as few seams as possible. You will also need:

·       Construction adhesive

·       Wood filler or spackle

·       A pneumatic or electric brad nailer

·       A mitre saw

You can also prepare by marking the walls with masking tape so that you know where studs and joists are. This will make it easier to install the crown moulding. Use a chalk line to mark a straight line along the walls and ceiling where the edge of the moulding will lie.

2.     Start with the Longest Wall

Begin by cutting and installing the longest piece of moulding. Cut the ends at a right angle, as the first wall does not require the ends to be coped to fit. Drop a bead of construction adhesive along the edges of the crown moulding and lift it into place. Have a helper assist you in holding the board in position while you nail it into every stud and joist, starting at one end.

3.     Work Around the Room in a Circle

Moving to the right, cut and install each piece of crown moulding on each wall. One end of each board will need to be coped and mitred to fit over the previous piece of crown moulding. Coping and mitring can be done most easily by creating a custom fence for your mitre saw that holds the crown moulding at the angle at which it is going to be installed on the wall.

If you are going to use a mitre cut to fit each piece of moulding, it may take some trial and error to get the cuts right, as most corners in homes are not perfect right angles. Coping allows you to avoid this, but it can be a bit complicated if you have not done it before. Make sure that you look up a tutorial on coping and practice with some scraps.

4.     Fill in Holes and Clean Up

Use the wood filler or spackle to fill in nail holes along the pieces of crown moulding. You can also use these materials to fill in seams or touch them up after crushing the seams together. Touch up everything with paint or wood stain. Once all of this is finished, you are ready to clean up and enjoy the new look.

If you are interested in finding out more information about how to install crown moulding, or if you would like to find out about any of the other services and supplies available from Country Lumber, please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.