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.
I have a really hard time to do inside corners I was thinking to just a tot Can I cut that inside corner square ? And the other side 45 and scribed? To that square piece?
I’m only responsible for killing half of the Earth’s pine forests.
I’ll get on a roll and get like 2 cuts correct. Then all hell breaks loose, and the confusion sets in.
I made templates, but in my confused state I argue with myself that I need to use the ‘other’ one. More confusion then I cut… #@×÷$=/% wrong cut again.
I would like to thank you for your willingness to help the novice wood worker. Me, especially me.
Lon
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Please let me know if this ok with you. Many thanks!
Cindy I’m not sure what you mean by bullnosed angle. Are you talking about going around a rounded corner? If so, you can try splitting the corner up into 3 cuts and then caulk.
Hi Sawdust girl,
My husband and I used your templates for crown molding recently and they were awesome. It mase out lives so much easier. However we ran into the problem of the bullnosed angle. We arent sure how to cut thr crown molding for this. Do you have any tips that you can share? We have a miter saw that cuts the crown molding flat.
Thanks,
Cindy Wheeler