I haven't used it, but I looked at their website and I'm not impressed. For one thing, they show colonial pattern crown installed upside down; I don't know why so many people get that wrong, but it's inexcusable for a manufacturer. And, like so many of these plastic molding "systems" geared toward weekend warriors, they supply 10 or 12 foot lengths and expect you to use bulky plinth blocks to join them together for long spans. You might as well get a tee shirt that says, "I use cheap ugly trim."

Don't sell yourself short. It doesn't take a genius to cut crown. Anyone can cut, cope, and install it with a little practice. Go get 'em, tiger.

There is a E book on www.askthebuilder.com plus a bunch of articles on installing crown molding

Here is a link that might be useful: ask the builder -crown molding

Lumber yards, even the big box stores have small pieces of trims in a bin where im sure you could buy or if you're lucky, might be given to you.Get some crown scraps and take the advise of the two posts above. Read up on how to do it and practice. Nothing beats the real deal when it comes to trim(s).

Real carpenters dont work with plastic unless forced to by gunpoint or forced by their wife. I'd take my chances with the gun!

found another site on crown molding

Here is a link that might be useful: crown molding

Agree. If you are going to go to the time and effort of putting up crown, you should end up with something that looks good and professional. IMHO, if it is going to be painted, you are best off using MDF. It's cheaper, comes in larger profiles, is primed, and is less prone to expansion and contraction than natural wood.

I just started looking at crown, something to do when all the other jobs are done. I saw wood, MDF, and something that looked like foam and was really lightweight. So this is the bad stuff?

I was attracted to it because I thought it is so lightweight my husband would not object to putting it up! (holding it up over his head). I would have to do the cuts (he hates mitering) and he would have to install (I'm shaky on a ladder).

Linnea56:The foam you are referring to is either the same as kaysbelle mentioned, or similar, and imho,looks way too fake.They have adjustable pole clamps that hold the moulding tight to the cieling on one end,(or both if using two), but you probably would not want to purchase for a one time project, as they are fairly pricy.You could possibly rig up your own pole clamp by using something lightweight with an attachment on the end that would coenside with the angle of the crown. This would keep you off the ladder and still give your husband a hand.

So this stuff looks fake even after painting? I wondered how it would look. Can you tell me in what way it looks fake? Is it the texture, or is it too flexible, curvy, or whatever?

I know my husband will zero right in on this when we go shopping...

In my opinion, it looks too "perfect",if that makes any sense.I have somewhat the same opinion of mdf. Wood is not perfect even with crown mouldings, and the slight variations in the graining of the lengths is what gives real wood mouldings character,even when painted.As far as durability, i would be leary of the possibility of the foam/plastic crown buckling or losing it's shape with varying temperature and moisture in the room.If you like the "perfect" look,as a lot of people do, i would take ventupetes advise and go with mdf.Its as easy to work with as wood and is a durable product with little chance of warping,and it accepts paints nicely.My thoughts on the durability of foam/plastics may be way off base. Maybe someone out there that has used it can advise. Please understand that im a funky old carpenter who is geared towards real wood, as im somewhat old school,and always put real wood(s) first.I have taken mouldings that were to be painted and dampened them down in order to raise the grains so that the graining would be more dimensional. Gave it even more of a real wood look,but took away that "perfect" look that is hard to achieve with real wood, but easy with mdf and i would assume with foam/plastic.

I apologize for the term "fake".Everyone has their own tastes and opinions. That's what makes the world go spinning.Some folks like the smooth,clean look, so whatever works for you. You might consider the advise of getting some scrap pieces at your supplier of wood,mdf, and the foam/plastics.Besides honing in on your cutting skills, you could also play around with painting them to get the look you are after. Great luck on your project and have fun. You'll appreciate the fact that you did it yourself and will give you a sense of accomplishment!

Don't apologize for calling plastic fake! Molding, until recently, was always wood. Plastic molding IS fake. It's pretending to be wood.

Now maybe if it came in bright colors like kids' plastic Little Tykes toys, and we put it up there next the ceiling in all its Day-Glo glory, THEN it wouldn't be fake. Then it would be plastic, unashamed to be what it is: plastic.

Somehow I don't see that as a coming trend. However, if it takes off, I want credit.

Just out of curiosity I did a google to find out about this. One company has a section on their web about why foam is better and references a GW thread on why wood crown is hard to put up. LOL!

Here is a link that might be useful: Scroll Down

Sierra: >

Heard Cream's 2005 reunion concert at the Royal Albert Hall? It's on CD and DVD. I recommend the DVD, because you can see as well as hear them. Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, and Eric Clapton are all in their 60's now and I never expected they'd play together again. It's been 37 years, but they still burn up the blues.

Just like a good whisky,they get better with age! Some technojunkies will claim it's because of better electronics, but rust never sleeps, and if you do something long enough, you just gotta get it right!

This new work platform makes doing crown molding so much easier to do

it is a new platform by safetec

check out the link

Here is a link that might be useful: LineBacker

Have we just been spammed?

"Molding, until recently, was always wood."

Lots of it was plaster also. Run in place right on the walls.
You can buy pieces of fancier patterns know and attach them, or just run it in place the old way.