Replies

1. 
   Piffin | Oct 21, 2002 08:51pm | #1

   There are various ways. I would rip a piece of backup lumnber to fit behind it to whichever angle your crown needs and use screws ( up into the ceiling perimeter) and construction adhesive ( at the brick wall) to fasten it in place, then you've got a decent base to tack the crown to.

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   Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   kennedy136 | Oct 22, 2002 02:47am | #2

        Piff's  suggestion is excellent,  however you may have to use Tapcons in some areas to hold the backing board.  Also make darn sure of the angle at which your crown meets the wall (most are either 38 or 45 degrees) and rip your backing board slightly thinner than needed to fill the space behind the crown to give yourself some wiggle room.  I would suggest  an eighth to a sixteenth thinner.  Some of those old houses are pretty lax where nailers were  supposed to be.  Good Luck.

                                                                             Mark

1. 
   Piffin | Oct 22, 2002 03:08am | #3

   Another way is to go a quarter inch oversized and create a shadow line space. It gives an illusion of lifting the ceiling in space. Old picture mold was hung down like that too. Here's picture - not exactly what I mean but a hint....

   Excellence is its own reward!

3. 
   Ragnar17 | Oct 22, 2002 06:24am | #4

   If I understand correctly, Piffin suggests installing the backer/nailer at the same spring angle as the crown.  That would work fine, but something that would be even simpler is to install a backer in the same plane as the wall.  I often do this using an inverted base board, so that the profiled edge is on the lower (visible) edge.  It gives you a solid nailing surface, and also increases the overall size of your crown, adding interest and visual weight.

1. 
   kennedy136 | Oct 23, 2002 05:18am | #5

   Ragnar,

             Your idea works well if the crown is not too big, however with crowns of 4" or more you need to anchor the top of the crown as well which can be a real pain in old houses.  The angled backer helps with this considerably.  I have also done it your way many times in new work and it does give a nice effect.  I also did a house once with a piece of base on the wall and ceiling with the crown following and I have observed one job in which I counted 7 layers making up the ceiling treatment, all done in cherry. Needless to say it was impressive.

                                                                                    Mark

2. 
   Piffin | Oct 23, 2002 05:25am | #6

   layered up crown details can be impressive, if the rooom is big enough for them.

   But if I understand you right, you are suggesting placing the first piece to the brick wall. That is hard fastening. Not any easier aat all.

   I screw the diagonal backer up to the ceiling framing with dabs of glue at the brick too. Easy as pie..

   Excellence is its own reward!