4 min read · · by Luke Adkins
Crown Molding With No Visible Nail Holes
One of the reviews on this site says the crown was installed “in a way we can’t see the nail holes.” Clients notice. Here is how it is done.
Cope, don’t miter, inside corners
A mitered inside corner opens up the first winter. A coped joint, where one piece is cut to the profile of the other, stays tight because it does not depend on the corner being square. It takes longer. It is the only way.
Nail into framing, not drywall
Crown is nailed to the wall plate and ceiling joists, found with a stud finder and a layout. Nails into drywall alone hold nothing and leave bigger holes because the nail wanders.
Use the right nail
An 18-gauge brad or 16-gauge finish nail, set just below the surface with a nail set, not blown through with a gun on high pressure. A blown-through hole is a crater; a set nail is a pinprick.
Fill, sand, prime, paint
Holes get filled with a lightweight spackle, sanded flush, spot-primed, then the whole run is painted. Painting only the holes leaves a sheen difference you can see from across the room.
Caulk the top and bottom
A fine bead of paintable caulk where the crown meets the ceiling and wall, tooled smooth, is what makes it look like plaster. Skip this and every ceiling wave shows.