Replies

1. 
   Troy | Oct 07, 2006 02:32am | #1

   Here in the Bay area there are several good mill shops and they sell very nice poplar crown molding in many sizes, paints very nicly.

   Troy

2. 
   nikkiwood | Oct 07, 2006 02:42am | #2

   For paint grade stuff, the plastic molding works fine. No problems cutting or nailing, takes paint well.

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

3. 
   Hainesportwoodworker | Oct 07, 2006 03:18am | #3

   Poplar is very nice, but for a first job it will be hard to cope the inside corners as it's usually thicker. Go with basic pine or a composite like MDF or foam.

4. 
   SteveSchoene | Oct 07, 2006 04:54am | #4

   But compare the profiles of the cheap plastic with the wood.  I'll bet you find the plastic shallow.  If you are going to the trouble of installing crown, it ought to be right, not a weak imitation.  Its not the material that is wrong, but the profile.  You won't find descent crown at the big box stores for the same reason.  Go to a real lumberyard.  (It may have high quality plastic, but it won't save nearly as much cash, I'll bet again.)

5. 
   hammer1 | Oct 07, 2006 04:33pm | #5

   There are many types of manmade materials used for crown moldings. Many of them move more than wood, causing corners and joints to open. The synthetic materials don't take glue very well, if at all. Filling nail holes can be another problem. The smooth surface gets abraded with any sanding and the marks can show through your paint. Nails can also blast right through the material. The synthetics also only come in short lengths, you will be making a lot of scarf joints if walls are longer than 8'. The few dollars you save now will come back to haunt you in the future, use real wood.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

6. 
   willyx2 | Oct 08, 2006 02:52am | #6

   MDF usually comes pre-primed and is easy to work with, comes in 16'+ lengths.  It is consistant in shape and I recommend going to a moulding shop with many choices and options (build ups).  The big box stores are limited.  When nailing MDF it will dimple on you so filling holes when painting takes a little more time than wood.   Plastic is brittle and I have never worked with it , some friends I know dont care for it.

7. 
   user-211435 | Oct 08, 2006 07:39am | #7

   Please don't use the plastic.  It is bad for the environment.

   Thanks!

   Hal

   http://www.rivercitywoodworks.com

1. 
   SCMedLion | Oct 09, 2006 11:10am | #8

   Hal,

   Wow!  Your website photos show you do beautiful work.

   Matthew

1. 
   user-211435 | Oct 09, 2006 08:13pm | #11

   Thanks Matthew!

   I need to put more photos on though. 

8. 
   Isho | Oct 09, 2006 07:49pm | #9

   Thanks for your help, looks like I'll go w/ wood as attachment of the plastic sounds troublesome.  Now if I can get a mill shop to bother with selling to me, most don't want to deal with amateurs.  I dislike the big box stores too, but at least I can go in and pick somehting out. 

1. 
   user-211435 | Oct 09, 2006 08:10pm | #10

   A good source of moldings is usually a door shop.  Specifically the ones that supply doors and moldings to builders.  You can probably find them in the Yellow Pages.  They usually have a large selection of crown molding.

   Hardwood Industries in Tualatin, Oregon is another good source.  They will probably ship to you too.  Their number is 503 692-3322.

   Or McCoy Millwork in Portland, Oregon.  They have a larger selection.

   Hal

   http://www.rivercitywoodworks.com

    

    

9. 
   mudman | Oct 10, 2006 07:20am | #12

   The plastic costs more, is harder to work, moves more, and the profiles are shallow and not crisp. Wood (finger jointed poplar and cyprus are popular here) will have much sharper edges in the profile and stand out more. Don't buy the cr@p at the Big Boxes go to a lumber yard and the product will be higher quality and cost less.

    

   Pardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.