What is so good about crown moulding?

[Pandamonium]

I've been watching HGTV too much, but I've noticed that many people comment about/desire crown moulding. I don't see the allure.

Maybe it's because I'm a minimalist/no-frills kind of guy. Or maybe it's because my taste is more in-line with warehouse condo conversions. Maybe I'm defective. Either way, I don't see the appeal of crown moulding. Does it do anything? It just seems like it provides more crevices for dust and webs to settle on. Someone enlighten me.

 

[Tiamat]

it provides a visual transfer between vertical feature (cabinets/walls) and horizontal (ceiling) without being too abrupt. It is solely for looks.

 

[Aharami]

a room looks much nicer with it. But it doesnt jive well with ultra modern designs

 

[Pandamonium]

So if it's just for looks, why would the average Joe care to bother? I would think that they'd go along with it if their wife liked it. I find it weird that HGTV seems to feature a lot of couples where it's the husband making the comments about how he likes the moulding, and the wife is the one concerned with more practical things like potential repairs and layout. Hell, my wife doesn't really notice crown moulding either. I just find it hard to believe that all these people place so much value in something that adds no structural or functional value to a home.

 

[vi edit]

If you are a no frills guy then no explanation will convince you of it's value. Same thing with taller/thicker baseboards and iron balusters.

 

[GTJoe]

It also covers up many mistakes between the two surfaces, which is why most older houses had it.

 

[ArJuN]

I like it so I don't have to worry about getting clean paint lines on the ceiling and wall.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

So if it's just for looks, why would the average Joe care to bother? I would think that they'd go along with it if their wife liked it. I find it weird that HGTV seems to feature a lot of couples where it's the husband making the comments about how he likes the moulding, and the wife is the one concerned with more practical things like potential repairs and layout. Hell, my wife doesn't really notice crown moulding either. I just find it hard to believe that all these people place so much value in something that adds no structural or functional value to a home.

Most people do prefer the effect it provides, but also keep in mind that it's a project that Joe Average can do, and that's the kind of people HGTV appeals to. I'd like to see Lonnie Bird's construction of a Pennsylvania Tall Clock in glorious detail, but that would lose most people.

 

[lxskllr]

It's traditional. I like molding of all types. Door jamb molding used to look great until the 40s or so when they went with the plain stuff. I assume it was for cost reduction, but it also gave everything a style reduction in the proces.

 

[WelshBloke]

It also covers up many mistakes between the two surfaces, which is why most older houses had it.

This.

I lived in a Victorian house and soon realised why they were there after I removed them.

(they weren't original)

 

[grohl]

Fun DIY project until you deal with junctions besides 45 degrees/45 degrees.

 

[rh71]

So if it's just for looks, why would the average Joe care to bother? I would think that they'd go along with it if their wife liked it. I find it weird that HGTV seems to feature a lot of couples where it's the husband making the comments about how he likes the moulding, and the wife is the one concerned with more practical things like potential repairs and layout. Hell, my wife doesn't really notice crown moulding either. I just find it hard to believe that all these people place so much value in something that adds no structural or functional value to a home.

I also find it weird the guys comment on it. But now that we're in the middle of renovations, I notice it. I was watching Paranormal Activity 2 and with all the camera positions up high, I couldn't help but notice the crown mouldings in each room. They definitely make it look nicer. I don't think I would've cared for them a couple months ago.

 

[vi edit]

Fun DIY project until you deal with junctions besides 45 degrees/45 degrees.

Heh I can do base boards and other basic mitre cuts just fine. Crown is a completely different beast. I gave in and went with the cheater blocks in the corners. Didn't help that my corners were way out of whack.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

It also covers up many mistakes between the two surfaces, which is why most older houses had it.

Very much this.

 

[JimW1949]

Crown moldings would not look good in every house, and it would not be advisable for everyone to have them installed. But in many older homes crown moldings seem to fit right in with the decor and enhance the beauty of the rooms. It can, in some cases, increase the value of the home, or at least enhance the chance that you will be able to sell the home quickly and for the price you want.

Crown moldings look especially really nice around cabinets. It just sets them off beautifully. As has been mentioned, the compound miter cuts are not easy to make, and if you have corners that are not perfectly square, it can be a real nightmare to get the joints to look right. It helps if you use a coping saw and back-cut the joint.