Crown Molding Spring Angles
When cutting crown molding, it is essential to know the spring angle of the molding you are using in order to set the correct saw settings. The spring angle is the angle between the back of the crown molding and the wall – when the bottom of the crown molding is seated against the wall.
The most common spring angles are 38°, 45°, and 52°. With a lower spring angle, a larger portion of the crown molding is visible on the wall. As the spring angle increases, more of the molding is seen on the ceiling when looking up from below.
- 38° is best for low ceilings: 8′ or lower
- 45° is balanced and good for ceilings 8′-10′
- 52° is generally selected for ceilings over 10′
Finding Spring Angle of your Crown molding
You can use a simple protractor to find the spring angle of your crown molding. (Note: the more decorative part is always the bottom that sits against the wall.)
- Cut a small piece of your crown molding.
- On the back of the molding, measure the angle between the flat portion that sits against the wall and the portion that “springs out” away from the wall.
If you find it challenging to get an accurate measurement using the small flat “wall leg” on the molding, trace you molding angle onto a piece of wood or paper. Make sure your “wall leg” is even with the edge of the paper/wood.
Once you know that spring angle of the crown molding you are using, you are ready to cut some crown molding templates.
Hi Gary, The only vaulted ceiling I did was vaulted and angled up to a peak so I had like 4 different angles to work out in one cut. I think I wasted a couple 16′ pieces of crown testing out all my attempts before I got it good enough that caulk would make it ok. 🙂
Haven’t done a vaulted ceiling since. Sorry I have zero tips.
iam doing crown molding on a vaulted wall. ive tried everything and cant get it right . there are things on line to show you but by the time you read half thru it you get bored and dont know what you read frist. just to dern long and drarwn out. i do cabinets and other thing like fancy fire place surrounds and furniture .i can do a square room crown but when it comes to a vaulted ceiling i can kiss my —. is there a way to get it thru my head how with out going to a person to do for you?
I thank you for posting the angles. I am a building trades instructor and our Pearson NCCER text said in a question crown molding “is” set to a 45′ angle, You were a source of confirmation about the differing angles. Thank you.
Lon, same!
Coping is one way to do inside corners. I never do it. I find it’s faster for me to do miters but a lot of people prefer coping. Try it and see if it works for you.