Can You Put Crown Molding On Vaulted Ceilings? (Find Out Now!)
Vaulted ceilings are all the rage, and that’s a great thing for people who have a modern home. However, there’s a new trend towards adding a little bit of “historic chic” to modern venues. Adding crown molding is one of the many ways that people are getting that beautiful retro-modern vibe. But, do crown molding and vaulted ceilings mix?
It is possible to put crown molding on vaulted ceilings, but that doesn’t mean that it will be easy or aesthetically pleasing. Installing crown molding on vault ceilings might look awkward and may even lower property values in certain cases.
There is a lot to consider when you want to work crown molding into your home. Our guide will give you a good idea of what to expect and also give you an idea of whether it’s right for your home.
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Is It Possible To Add Crown Molding To A Vaulted Ceiling?
It is, but it’s nowhere near as easy as it would be if you had a standard ceiling. Vaulted ceilings are put at an angle, so if you try to put molding on the ceiling seams, it’s going to have to follow the lines of your ceiling. The same can be said for “cathedral ceilings.”
Most of the time, crown molding doesn’t look right when it’s added to a vaulted ceiling. People tend to see it as jarring. At times, it can make an otherwise airy home look stuffy. We really want to emphasize that you should look into professional design services if you want to go this route. It is very difficult to make this look good.
Can You DIY Crown Molding On A Vaulted Ceiling?
Unless you are an expert in woodworking and laying out crown molding, it’s best not to try to add crown molding to vaulted or cathedral ceilings on your own. There are several reasons why this is a good example of a professionals-only job:
- It requires more tools than a typical crown molding installation will take. Regular crown molding can be done with a basic set of tools. With vaulted ceilings, you may need a specialty compound miter saw as well as a power nail gun. It can get pretty expensive.
- Most people need to have an interior designer look at the molding. Weird as it is to say, crown molding won’t look the way you expect it to in a vaulted ceiling home. Having actual mockups of the ceiling helps you decide if it is going to be a worthwhile endeavor.
- Installation on an angle may require special cuts made to the molding. Fitting crown molding on a vaulted ceiling is a nightmare. Even some experienced woodworkers won’t touch it. If your vaulted ceiling has multiple angles in it, you’re going to have a bad time. The traditional vaulted ceiling cut still may not work.
- Anecdotal evidence suggests that your acoustics might get wreck as a result. If you want good acoustics, avoid this.
How Much Does It Cost To Install Crown Molding On Vaulted Ceilings?
Your crown molding is not going to come cheap, that’s for sure. Standard rates for crown molding installation start at $4 and go up to $15 per linear foot. Since vaulted ceiling crown molding is a specialty task, most firms will do it for close to $12 to $15 per linear foot.
This is, of course, assuming that your molding experts are willing to do it. Many firms won’t touch that with a 10-foot pole.
Do You Need To Hire An Interior Designer To Install Crown Molding?
You don’t have to hire an interior designer or an architect, per se, but it helps. Many people who get molding on vaulted ceilings are shocked (or horrified) with the results. Architects and interior designers both tend to have visualization software so that you can get a more realistic view of what your home will look like.
Does Crown Molding On Vaulted Ceilings Improve A Home’s Value?
Crown molding, in general, does not provide much of a home value increase. This is true, even when you’re adding a nice touch to a regular room in a Victorian home. However, things seem to become worse when it comes to crown molding that doesn’t really seem to belong in a home.
Most vaulted ceilings do not do well with crown molding. If it turns out looking bad, you might have a harder time selling your home. In extreme situations, you might end up having a deduction in your home’s value. This is because people will want to pay less for a home that they will have to remodel.
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Related Questions
Is crown molding outdated?
There are always going to be naysayers when it comes to certain home features, but we can assure you of one thing. Crown molding is not going to go out of style anytime soon. It’s considered to be a staple in stylish homes that helps mimic the look of early 20th century and late 19th-century brownstones.As long as the crown molding is applied to an area properly, you should expect it to work well with your surroundings. No one is going to hate on crown molding!
How do you choose the right crown molding for your home?
This is complex, but there are several rules of thumb you can use. The most common rule to follow involves the ornateness of your surrounding. The more ornate and elegant your room is, the more intricate your crown molding is supposed to be. Meanwhile, streamlined homes are going to need to stick to more simplified designs.
Should you paint crown molding before you install it?
Crown molding should be painted before it’s installed, regardless of the style that you choose. A proper finish is what helps keep the wood intact and adds to your home’s ambiance. This is why many types of crown molding tend to come in pre-finished forms. It’s less work for your installer to do.
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Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
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