Crown Moulding: Inside, Outside and Overlapping Miter Cuts

Crown molding calls for two kinds of corner cuts, and the tricks for getting them right are simple: measure from the bottom, cut upside down, and check the real angle of the corner. Amanda from Lowe's demonstrates the method in a room with both an outside and an inside corner.

Measure and find the true angle

She measures from the bottom of the crown molding, since that edge touches the corner. Wall corners are not always a perfect 90°, and she notes movement in the foundation can throw them off. An angle finder gave 92° for the outside corner, and splitting that in half gave a 46° saw setting.

Cut upside down

A compound miter saw is the best tool for the job. The bottom of the molding has a ridge and the top is smoother. It is cut upside down against the saw fence: the fence is like the wall and the saw base like the ceiling, so the bottom goes on the wall and the top on the ceiling.

To make every piece sit at the same spot and angle, she puts tape a couple of inches from the fence on each stationary side of the saw, sets the piece in place and draws a line where it sits.

Outside and inside cuts

The first wall measured 31 1/2 in. on the outside corner. For outside corners the bottom of the molding is shorter than the top, and for inside corners the bottom is longer than the top. The rule holds even when cutting upside down. An outside cut shows no exposed wood, while an inside cut shows exposed wood. For the matching piece she turns the saw the opposite direction, also at 46°. The inside cut is made by flipping a cut board around.

Overlapping cuts

When a wall is longer than the board, an overlapping cut joins two or more boards so the joint looks seamless. The finished molding is secured to the walls with a nail gun.