Easy Process To Install Crown Molding On Full Overlay Cabinets
Kitchen cabinet crown molding gives a finishing touch to your interior, making the kitchen look classy & have a more opulent appearance. You can not directly install crown molding on full overlay cabinets, instead, you will have to install a nailing block first on the top of the cabinet. The crown molding will be secured to this block using nails, hiding it for a streamlined finish. The full overlay is usually a modern kitchen cabinetry style where the cabinet doors, as well as drawers, have extra-large fronts. The cabinet frame as well as hinges are completely hidden from view. Full overlay cabinets also have a greater storage space in comparison to all other cabinet styles. Due to the fact that the doors are mounted on the frame exterior rather than inside it, this style offers more room to store large items including pots and pans. Finally, full overlay cabinets are usually more economical to install when compared to other cabinet styles.
Thing's You Will Need
- 5/4-Inch Pine Panels, Wood Screws & Wood Glue
- Brad Nails, Nailer & Drill Driver
- Superglue, Wood Putty & Caulk
- Fast-Drying Spray Paint (Optional)
- Miter Saw, Caulk Gun & 220-Grit Sandpaper
- Wood Or Latex Paint & Paintbrush
Step 1: Cut The Nailing Blocks
When it comes to installing crown molding on full overlay cabinets, there is a major downside that comes with it, i.e, there is no exposed frame to install the molding. Therefore, it becomes important to install nailing blocks first. Nailing blocks are long as well as narrow strips of wood that will act as a support for the molding. Any 1? by 1? stick will work exceptionally well, however, if you want the installation to last for a longer period of time, then take into consideration cutting strips of wood from a 5/4-inch pine panel. Use the miter saw before cutting 1-2 inches wide strips. Cut adequate pieces when it comes to covering the length of your upper cabinets.
Step 2: Prepare The Nailing Blocks
Due to the reason that the nailing blocks only act as support and won’t be visible as soon as you install the molding, then you need to paint them in the color of your cabinets. If that is the case, then you need to prepare an outdoor work area and cover it using a drop cloth. Lay down the wood strips that you just cut on sawhorses before using fast-drying spray paint in order to paint them in the desired color.
Step 3: Install The Nailing Blocks
After cutting and preparing an adequate amount of strips, take hold of some wood screws and your drill driver. Start from one side and start installing the first strip by screwing it to the cabinet frame, right over & above the door. Line up the strips with the frame of your cabinet, the crown molding will add the extra width required for a flush installation with the doors. If you are looking to install longer pieces, making sure to minimize the number of cuts you have to make, use super glue or wood glue in order to fix the blocks in position as long as you fasten them with wood screws. Mount the nailing blocks on the sides as well as in front of your upper cabinets.
Step 4: Install The Molding
Use the miter saw in order to cut adequate lengths of crown molding. Calculate or compute the sides as well as lengths of each cabinet, before cutting each piece into dimensions for a streamlined look. Start from one side and start installing the first crown molding piece with the help of brad nails. Secure the molding to the nailing block you’ve just installed, making sure that the molding base is flush with the top of the doors but doesn’t hamper their movement. Keep installing the other pieces of molding on the front of your cabinets, & finish by installing the last piece on the other side of your kitchen cabinets.
Step 5: Finish The Look
After installing all pieces of molding, complete the look by filling all joints using caulk. Let it dry, before sanding the entire surface in order to achieve a smooth look. Crown molding is usually white in color and therefore it matches white kitchen cabinets. However, if your cabinets have another color, then you need to paint the molding in a matching tone. If you have installed wood molding, then you need to use wood paint. Latex paint works exceptionally well on polyurethane foam or extruded polystyrene molding. If you wish to install PVC molding, then you can generally buy it in a matching color, or you could use plastic paint. Spread two coats of paint, leaving the first coat to dry before you apply the second coat to complete your project.