How to Hang Crown Molding on Kitchen Cabinets | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva installs crown molding on kitchen cabinets with full overlay doors
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Time: 6 hours
Cost: $100
Skill Level: Moderate
Tools List for Hanging Crown Molding:
Brad nailer
Compressor
Drill driver
Miter saw
Caulking gun
Shopping List:
5/4” Pine
Fast drying spray primer
Super glue
Wood glue
Brad nails
Wood screws
Pencil
Wood putty
Paintable caulking
Steps:
1. Cut strips of the 5/4” pine to length and width, based on the size of the cabinets. These will be the filler pieces.
2. Make rabbet cuts on the filler pieces so that the piece fits tightly on the top of the cabinet and over the door of the cabinet.
3. Once the cuts are all made, spray paint the filler pieces to match the color of the cabinets in case they show through.
4. Mount the filler pieces to the cabinets using super glue to hold it in place and wood glue to more permanently bond it to the cabinet.
5. From the sides of the cabinet, nail the filler pieces in the place. For the front filler piece, drill from underneath the inside of the cabinet, and then secure that piece with wood screws.
6. Hold up the crown molding on the sides of the cabinet. Be sure they’re tight against the wall. Use a pencil to mark from the inside the correct measurement to cut the crown molding. Draw an arrow on the inside to help determine which angle the miter cut should go.
7. Hold the crown molding upside down and backwards so that it presses up safely against the fence of the miter saw. To keep it from slipping, you can use some of the clear polyurethane glue and a couple small pieces of wood to glue on the base of the saw to act as stops.
8. Turn the miter saw to 45 degrees based on the direction of the mark drawn on the crown molding during measuring. Cut the piece.
9. To make the sister cut on the opposite piece of crown molding, turn the saw to the opposite 45 degree angle and cut it again.
10. Nail the two pieces together using the brad nailer and then hold the crown molding back up to the cabinet to get the next measurement. Measure and mark the front piece of crown molding. Be sure to also mark the direction of the angle for the crown molding like before.
11. Make the miter cut for the front piece of crown molding. Then, make the sister cut for the following side like before.
12. Mount the crown molding to the cabinet using the brad nailer. Repeat this process with the rest of the cabinets with outside corners.
13. For any cabinets with an inside corner, cut the miters with the opposite 45 degree angle so that the miter angles on the crown molding cuts into itself.
14. Fill in all the nail holes with wood putty.
15. Caulk around the crown molding where it meets the ceiling to give it a finished look.
Resources:
The homeowner had already purchased shaker-style cabinets that came with the crown molding.
The wood glue and super glue Tom used for the crown molding and the filler pieces are both manufactured by Gorilla Glue (www.gorillatou....
The other materials Tom used to install the crown molding, including the brad nailer, compressor, and spray paint, are all found at home centers. For the spray paint, Tom recommends getting a fast drying spray primer with a dry time of one hour.
Expert assistance with this segment was provided by Universal Factory Direct (universalfacto....
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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Hang Crown Molding on Kitchen Cabinets | Ask This Old House
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[@justintaylor6221]

I’m 40 years old this year. I have been watching “ This Old House” since childhood. My step father and I loved this on public television. I really love the familiarity even after all these years, that if I have questions I can almost always find the solution through the program. Thanks for all the years you guys have been running this show!!!!!!!!

[@edwardjordan3057]

💯

[@DA33MONEYBALL]

this man is a new england treasure. he makes finish carpentry , look easy.

[@pf5658]

It’s always amazing to see how the littlest things makes such a huge difference in the overall look of a project. Great job.👍🏽

[@debmellon5]

Thank you Tom!! You have helped us with so many issues that have come up over the years. You're an amazing instructor with easy to comprehend instructions! Thanks again!

[@tylerhorton8537]

Tom is awesome because he is good at explaining.

[@Robin_Coffins]

Hell yes. I could watch him all day. Is he on tv in USA?!

[@Southpaw07]

Wish there were more skilled craftsmen like Tom These days you pay premium price for cabinet install but would be lucky if the get attention to details like Tom

[@evantykocki3582]

I'm 27 years old in my first home. I'm tackling this project this summer! Can't wait.

[@nicpedia2432]

You guys should have included Tom making some custom triangle rips we see installed on the crown at 8:02. Those are the kinds of details I have to run into on remodels all the time, guessing their ceiling is sloped or the wall the cabinet is on is way out of square with the ceiling. Looks to be 3/8" of filler at the corner.

[@jasonv9202]

I love when Tom was explaining things to the homeowner Brian about the cuts needed and Brian was all like “ah Ok ... oh OK”. Tom should have been like “Now it’s your turn”. LOL

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

You know the Key? Practice. I'm sure Tom has messed up a few things in his life.

[@Gordangekko257]

This man is the one who started this home improvement craze. He motivated everyone who is currently or was in the home improvement business.

[@mikeg6311]

Pretty sure it was Bob Vila that started the home improvement crazy. He was the face of home improvement in the 80s and 90s

[@danielvinchery1571]

I love to see this guy working that’s pure passion and experience

[@nyplantingsgardendesigners5645]

Good job and thanks for passing along what it took decades to learn. For viewers, knowing how to work vs. copying methods are 2 different things. Godspeed.

[@RicardoJunqueira]

Tom makes it look so easy and simple.

[@seanmcguire7974]

Looks so much better with the molding on it

[@Mekhanic1]

An old house means lots of filler, shims and caulk! Nice job!

[@laurakenney100]

Beautiful. It really makes the cabinets look so custom.

[@beihan286]

I have same problems in my kitchen. This is very helpful. Thanks.

[@clay100]

Tom is so good at what he does

[@artcore9886]

I'm must gonna get a cheap hand saw and eye ball the cuts. LOL

[@bigvegass]

True Craftsman. Always enjoy the teaching aspect if his videos.

[@Firesoccerpicks]

Lol that look he gave when he asked, do you have the crown moulding? Priceless

[@Schm1tty]

HE MAKES EVERYTHING LOOK SO EASY!!!!

[@screweduplife14]

Ryan Schmitt you got a like from this old house you’re up there lol 👌

[@deeplorable8988]

@@screweduplife14 It's easy to make things look easy when you have the luxury of editing the film....So many F bombs were undoubtedly editing out.

[@unclesalty7778]

Ryan Schmitt I have been watching him for a long time! He is a master craftsmen in his own right. Thanks Tom!

[@JF32304]

It is easy. It's really not that difficult.

[@DENIEL381]

BELIEVE ME I CAN'T DO ANY OF THIS TYPE OF WORK IT TAKES TALENT.

[@bobbg9041]

I would have had Tom sign his work, Then put clear coat over it, that way when you sold the house the new owners knew Tom was the person who put in the Crown over the cabnits. It might not be a big deal to some people but it would really impress me. Tom your work will live on in history. Everyone's work at this Old house will. That's not taking anything away from people in the trades all your work will live on it history. Take pride in what you do know whatever it is its going to last for years if the jobs done right. Park your cant see it from my driveway smartass remarks at your door before you go to work each day and do the best job that can be done or learn how to.

[@HaroldMalaby]

A dream to have such a Craftsman come to help! Amazing as usual.

[@jefferyyasenchok3521]

I needed this so bad I can’t believe it came to me days before I need to do the molding in my house

[@cornerstonecontractingserv5161]

You did it again Tom thanks.. always learn something new or a different way.

[@malghawazi]

Very satisfying to watch

[@peterpowers4851]

Tom is an absolutely amazing carpenter. What I would give to be able to work with him for a year.

[@pcm7315]

Tom comes to a complicated situation, looks it over for a couple minutes and says: "I think we can solve that problem...so why don't we get some tools...."

[@alphacentauri7381]

I always learn something from your videos great job "this old house"

[@salvatorerizzo8640]

But the problem is the cabinets are already up. Yes you put a nailer on for your crown molding before you put up your cabinets. So he is right but he showed you on a cabinet b4 it was hung up. So keep that in mind

[@rkivuti]

Tommy is a national treasure !!

[@MoranGuyVideos]

Tom is the best!

[@SilverCymbal]

Such great videos. they gave me such inspiration for my own channel. Thank you

[@piapadmore430]

Mitering is so hard. I am going to share this with my husband. We have same exact issue, and unfinished tops.

[@christiansmith2104]

Imagine smearing a glued up block of wood to Festool mitre saw

[@mikeschiavone7336]

I glue wood to my saw all the time but I put masking tape down first to protect the saw surface and easly remove the wood once I'm done

[@stevehillier7018]

Tommy nailed it again

[@ecleveland1]

I've seen people go crazy trying to cut crown. I always tell them to cut crown you have to cut it upside down and backwards. I always cope my inside miter incase the cabinets are not square and if the crown is just going on the wall the corners are always out of square and a coped joint is the better choice.

[@alext9067]

Coping is a pain. Make a sample pair and see what's what with the corner. Then shave a degree here and there. I don't see any advantage in coping. Maybe you are better than me. That's probable.

[@core8967]

Never cope on cabinets, only on inside corners if install on a wall

[@rpruneau68]

@@alext9067 Once you know how to do it correctly it can be quicker and tighter than trying to fit a mitered corner. The trick is to finish on the outside corner not associated with coped end. Begin with a longer piece of stock than required and fit the coped end first. Cut the coped piece at a 45 angle perpendicular to the face, or simply lay it flat on the table when cutting the crown, then utilize the front edge as a guide to make your cope. This method allows you to provide pressure to marry the coped end and leave the piece long to mark the back for the outside corner. It is a stronger and cleaner connection. I know it sounds complicated but is truly more difficult to explain through writing than to explain while doing. I am sure there are many videos that do a great job showing the correct coping process.

[@Mike__B]

I love how he doesn't even mention the huge gap between the ceiling and the molding and when installed there is magically a filler strip there. Also awfully brave with the assumption the inside corner is in fact 90 degrees, I did baseboard on an old house and found the inside angle for all 4 corners was larger than 360 degrees, and yeah I double, triple and quadruple checked that number.

[@EtherealGoSu]

makes sense if there's a bow in the walls.

[@tonkatoytruck]

That is why I install one piece at a time and adjust the angle for tight fits.

[@jonathanarnold6240]

That’s why real trim carpenters own a coping saw. Lost all respect for him as a carpenter when he didn’t even mention coping inside corners as an option- let alone the far superior way to install it!

[@MultiSkellig]

Good eye. Funny how it wasn’t even mentioned in the video.

[@jamiebuxton6737]

The filler at the top was just caulk. Tom said "looks good from my house"

[@antonioakiki3716]

Jamie Buxton that what he said?

[@frednatural7310]

Is the "This Old House" gang familiar/west coast master carpenter Larry Haun (RIP)?

[@bigdogmn73]

Tom is the man!

[@adamaddy4661]

Tom is my idol maybe one day ill be at least half the man he is

[@nicholassmith82]

The homeowner sounds like a curator at a museum.

[@James_Hough]

Tommy did a nice job as usual...but the first step is: if you want to put crown molding on your cabinets...choose different cabinets and make your life a lot easier.

[@abrabr6720]

You guys are awesome, thanks for everything.

[@mrgallbladder]

Brian (home owner) is probably the only sane person who doesn't hang his TV over the fireplace.

[@lornethomas7292]

I agree...don't understand why you would want to look up all the time...unless you have absolutely no room to put it anywhere else...

[@Robbievigil]

The moment when crown molding realizes it's just the "side piece"

[@russellevans2446]

How this guy Tom still has all his fingers is a miracle.

[@rickjohnson1632]

Tommy’s a beast , nice job 👌

[@texasfossilguy]

Tom has definitely done this a time or two.

[@japan-e9j]

Very beautiful work

[@rickt2419]

Tommy is Mozart of all carpentry!

[@M_Kitchen50]

I have two questions I hope that you'll see. 1. What gauge nails did you use? 2. If you have sufficient space above the doors, do you need to add backer, or can you nail into the cabinet?

[@MagickalCapricorn]

I wish I had the tools to do this myself

[@lebronjameslol3521]

still dont understand what the point of flipping the molding upside down is for but if he says do it I guess one should do it.

[@jaydencoble1152]

Make sure you glue your miter joints. Tom probably did off camera but they will separate over time if you don’t.

[@isaacjacobs6192]

Mine is similar but I have end panels so my side reveal will match the front exactly

[@libaaxalee]

wonderful job.

[@IM-mk1si]

I wish I could hire this guy!👏

[@fireblaster9961]

This guy is either an actor or well rehearsed

[@dustinnygard3076]

Amazing video, thank you for the help

[@goldenrule4388]

Tom only covered basics. My question to to Tom would you use shims on the top of the molding in your own house? I certainly wouldn't. Keep it as tight to the ceiling as possible and work the miter from there. Blunt cutting molding then useing a pencil for a cut line is a huge waste of material. Measure cut maybe leave a eighth of an inch to work the miter. Might need to cut longer but the molding that is being used is not very tall and easy to work miters.

[@LoveStallion]

Curious there was no mention of what appear to be shims used extensively to square the molding with the ceiling.

[@Ernesto91763]

I love these videos thanks

[@frankiefigzz1]

I wish my job was to watch Tommy work all day....I'd be rich!!!

[@martingo2680]

So disappointed that he didn’t show how he cut out that small Notch

[@Jesse-do4nm]

They didn't even show all the steps they took and they didn't cut those at 45, otherwise the side pieces on the first cabinet wouldn't be like that (not flush with the ceiling). You can see they had to cut a long triangle on all of the side pieces to fill the gaps (perhaps that could be from the cabinets not being hung properly). Either way, its never easy and always requires improv.

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

The key? The blocking behind the crown molding. Also, a nice pin nailer.

[@newwavepressure6478]

Should have shown the inside corner cut and maybe the shimy shims

[@OOOHBILLY]

Looked really good. Nice!

[@sweetiepienumber1]

Nice trick. But how did they get a can of spray paint to match the cabinet paint? Thanks.

[@MShrader211]

Now the cabinet face extends past the end of the cabinet carcass by a bit... but you say to have the side fillers flush with the side of the cabinet carcass. That appears to leave a pretty good gap when you put the side crown molding on, a thin triangle gap beginning at the back and getting larger as the molding goes to the front of the cabinet. How did you handle this gap?

[@jonathanspencer5141]

I have the same concern and question

[@deaneng8540]

@@jonathanspencer5141 Maybe they filled it in with caulk but on nonwhite crown what do you do?

[@jimsz3130]

Good observation, like you said it's not addressed in the video. Watched and paused about 10 times to see how it looked in the end but no good shots of it.

[@deaneng8540]

I install cabinets about once or twice a month. Not too fancy but was working for a cabinet company last job and what the owner does is that he fills that void with the scribe. And that is what I did on the job I did for him recently. Looks fine!

[@alonzojohnson7955]

Super Tommy

[@tycobb8621]

I like using hot glue behind the miter to hold it fast.

[@thebigdoghimself]

Very cool. A little surprised that the Festool saw did not have a laser on it.

[@wileysanders3709]

Nice work

[@Anoncore1]

This old house using import prefab Chinese kitchen , , I guess they are great great stuff after all .....if in Canada Ontario , try Cowry kitchen in Toronto , they have these cabinets for $5500 for a full kitchen like this, and they deliver everywhere in Canada .including quarts countertop sink and taps .....

[@texpatriot8462]

Why didn’t you explain the shims used at the top of the crown moldings?

[@mattdwojak]

Can’t give all the trade secrets away. 😉

[@mattdwojak]

If he had even ceiling it’s a non issue.

[@joedirt22222]

As a trim carpenter I am disappointed in this video.

[@genocideomega]

@@joedirt22222 Me too

[@junkstough6622]

This is a youtube edit. Its quite likely that the complete episode contains a description of how to size and cut the shims to make up for the uneven ceiling.

[@hungle-fs8mm]

You can do that with the ceiling is level and even,,if not it not looking good

[@watchfast1]

For the backer boards, it looks like Tom ripped 2x4 down the middle, making 1-11/16" x 1-1/2". He leaves 5/8" projection (door thickness). So the rabbet is 1/8" deep by 1-1/16" wide. I was surprised that he set the fence so close to the blade. Norm always made a sacrificial fence so that the blade did not damage his fence.

[@steveknol3105]

I would have did the front cut like the side cut and used a 3/4" rabbet

[@abbzitro]

Great job!!!

[@samados1]

I did see any cuts for a wall that’s in a corner of the wall

[@jlacson74]

Nice kitchen.

[@dougguinn7699]

Tom you made it look so easy I have been doing remodeling for over 18 years and still not good when it comes to crown molding.

[@lanejohnson8552]

Great video as this is exactly what I am doing now but the front cabinet frames stick out on the sides and the video doesn't really show what was done there. Did he cut a filler piece or just fill it in with caulking? Also since they were painting the could just caulk but I'm thinking that inside corners are often times coped. Still enjoyed the video.

[@abrown3912]

At 8:16 it looks like he added a filler piece.

[@SpencerDavis2000]

looks like he is using two different types of nailers. a Senco that is a regular trim nailer maybe 16 to 18 gauge. And then it looks like a Bostitch 23 gauge nailer range 3/8" to 1 3/16" of an inch for the outside corners. the smaller one is a headless pin nailer. Great work Tommy.

[@victorcastro9440]

Did you paint the caulking.... if not that’s collect dust and look darker within months

[@rpruneau68]

That would be optional if you utilized a "paintable caulk". The crown and top of the kitchen doors and any raised edge will collect dust over time as well, so not sure f painting the caulk would be a high priority with respect to the collection of dust.

[@chriskennedy5620]

Tom you do great work, but why would you glue wood to your saw?

[@ecooke21]

A 5 out of 10 install at best. Why install the nailers flush with the side? You now have a 1/4 inch gap due to the face frame being wider than the cabinet box. Why now just rabbit the side nailer to overhang to side 1/4" then spray it white like the front. nailer.

[@tvojslauf]

No mention of this. Looks like he trimmed the frame or just left the gap and installed at an angle. Weird.

[@jonathanspencer5141]

I have the same concern and question

[@786otto]

Nice job.

[@rbeygarcia]

How come his nail gun is so quiet? Mine sounds like I’m shooting someone next door, and it’s cordless!

[@robbie6625]

My guess would be that in reality it isn't that quiet. There was probably some post processing done to reduce the volume of the brad nailer.

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

It’s a pin nailer running small, short nails and with the compressor set to low psi. Trim is usually very soft and doesn’t require long, thick, high compression fired nails.

[@thesaexplorer]

Bring back the original theme song of this old house to the show!!!

[@jej3451]

Like I said when you posted this comment on a previous video: This isn't "This Old House". This is "Ask This Old House". It never used the TOH theme.

[@thesaexplorer]

@@jej3451 I know but I couldn't find a recent this old house clip to say this on. And I don't remember saying this before

[@Boo-pz7li]

Poor Tom is thinking "I wish I could have put these nailers on before the cabinets were hung". Something every trim carpenter knows. I'm sure if he would have been on hand for the cabinet install, those nailers would already be there.

[@nicholasspinicelli2911]

Watch till the end for a special guest appearance by Dan Marino! Great vid too :)

[@randymcarn]

Hilarious

[@kevinandkjt]

Glue brands and nail or brad size information would be extremely helpful. Using my hammer ruins my joint alignment and is tough working alone...

[@mikez4132]

18ga brads. 23 gauge pins. No hammers or finish nails. That is for door casing and things you can hammer on. Many many other techniques for crown. They showed the basics here for average diy duty.

[@JF32304]

Stop being a beta male. Just do it. You're making it too complicated.

[@gdblackthorn4137]

My problem is that I can't find any 5/4 stock. I guess I will have to find something close to a 2x2 and cut it to size. All I have where I live is Home Depot and Lowes. These cabinets are almost exactly the same as mine.

[@stephaniem.2909]

Ok, where to find crown moulding that goes with my existing cabinets?

[@user-pe6cv6wc9b]

OR....you lower the door down so it's flush with the bottom of the cabinet then you have room to attach the drown and the door will look centered

[@juanojeda2982]

So do you just leave the gap from the face frame ? Looks like you went over it being you dropped the front down a little to leave the gap smaller ?

[@marksteele45]

And notice how the crown molding spacers on the sides of the cabinet magically appear!

[@tvojslauf]

There’s no spacers. It sits above the face frame of the cabinets. I was wondering too. He doesn’t explain it and he explains the front wrong. It doesn’t sit flush with the bottom of the front piece. Look at it at 8:14

[@DJaquithFL]

8:05 Wow either that ceiling is bowing down or that wall is bowing out. Interesting there's no mention to that filler piece.

[@robbie6625]

You can see that they just left it like that at 8:26 ... Not sure what's happening here? edit: You can also see that there is a large gap still at the "finished" reveal. 10:01

[@danquestnorth768]

Caulk will fix that. 😉