The Trades

“When you put a coped joint into the corner, it gives you a couple of degrees of tolerance— meaning if your wall is not 90 degrees, a cope will still look good and be a tight joint.” -Aaron Butt 

A coped joint is used to join inside corners of crown moulding. A coped piece of trim is cut so that the profile on one end fits against the other piece snugly. These pieces fit together like a puzzle, allowing for a tight fitting joint even if the corner is not a perfect 90 degrees or if the ceiling is not completely level to the wall. 

Coping a corner will ensure a tight fit with out of square corners and ceilings. The ability to hide irregularities and join corners quickly is why most professional builders cope crown moulding over mitering inside corners. 

Coping crown moulding can seem like a daunting task, but rest assured—it’s a carpentry task you can master. Read on to learn how to cope crown moulding like a professional, as taught...

Installing traditional crown moulding requires patience and effort. Precise measurements and quality cuts ensure a smooth joint between segments. Read on to learn how to cut crown moulding like a professional, as taught by professional carpenter Aaron Butt in his MT Copeland online course Coping Crown Moulding and Trim. 

Measuring for crown moulding cuts

The most important thing for measuring crown moulding is consistency across a job site. Most builders choose to measure inside corner to inside corner. 

Tools needed

• Measuring tape
• Protractor or angle finder
• Pencil and writing surface

How to measure length

1. Measure for length first and create a cut list that includes length, type of corner, and type of cut. Also consider drawing a chart of the room with all the corners and adding the measurements to it—this can be very useful.
2. Take the length measurement from where the crown hits the wall, not the ceiling. This is the bottom run of the crown.
3. The first measurement...

Everyday we spend hours surrounded by trim. It borders ceilings, floors, doors, and windows, but how familiar with it are we? There are several different types of trim that all serve a unique aesthetic and functional purposes. One of the main types of moulding is crown moulding, which is a category all of its own.  

Usually installed at an angle, crown moulding is used to disguise the transition between walls and ceilings. It is a decorative moulding that does more than covering the right angle where the wall meets the ceiling. It adds architectural character to a room; it can draw the eye up, giving height; or it can even become its own focal point, if it is intricately designed. 

Crown mouldings are made in a variety of materials, come in many different design styles, and can be used in a multitude of ways.  

6 Common uses for moulding in a home

The traditional use of crown moulding is to transition the wall to the ceiling. It serves the functional...

“Aesthetic and functionality are tied together when it comes to moulding.” -Aaron Butt 

Moulding is the general term for the type of trim used to cover transitions from various surfaces, like walls to ceilings, and around windows and door frames. Crown moulding is typically installed at ceiling height to disguise where the wall meets the ceiling. Adding crown moulding to a powder room, living room, or any interior space is a simple home improvement that can serve both practical and aesthetic purposes while adding elegance and value to a home. 

What is crown moulding?

Crown moulding is a type of trim style that dates back to Greek and Roman column design. Wall crowns were used in temples to join an interior wall to the ceiling, usually at an angle. Functionally, crown moulding finishes the space where the wall meets the ceiling.The angle of crown moulding disguises imperfections and hides gaps and flaws that develop as the walls shift over time. 

Crown...