subject: Should You Install Polyurethane Crown Molding? [print this page] If you have ever been in an older home or a nice custom home, you have probably noticed that the home has crown molding. Crown molding is a part of the trimwork or millwork of a home and it is essentially a strip of molding in between the wall and the ceiling. Crown molding can create a finished and elegant look, and it comes in many different patterns and styles. You also have a variety of choices when it comes to the material your crown molding is made of. One of the most popular choices today is polyurethane crown molding and, for many homes, polyurethane crown molding is a great choice.
Crown Molding Material Options Available to You
There are three main options for material for the crown molding in your home: wood, MDF and polyurethane crown molding.
Wood molding is typically made from pine, oak or maple, although technically any species of wood can be used. It can be either painted or stained and is the traditional material that molding was made from. However, wood molding tends to be the most expensive of the different molding materials. Wood is also sensitive to humidity and is subject to expansion and contraction as a result of humidity changes in your home. As a result, cracks can develop in the wood over time and make your molding look unsightly.
Wood may also require more frequent painting and maintenance to stay looking nice, and is not a particularly flexible material so it is difficult to find curved wood molding or carved wood molding, at least not without incurring significant expense.
MDF is another option. MDF crown molding may be less expensive than wood molding, although this is not true in all cases. MDF does not have the cracking and expansion problems that wood does, but it is a very dense and heavy material so it can be hard to work with. MDF, like wood, is also relatively inflexible and hard to shape so curved moldings or carved moldings are difficult and expensive to purchase.
Polyurethane crown molding, on the other hand, does not have the problems that wood and MDF do. Polyurethane crown molding is a relatively lightweight material so it is easier to install than other crown molding options. This makes it a good choice for people who are trying a crown molding project on their own. Polyurethane crown molding is also a durable and flexible material that is not going to require a lot of maintenance and that is not going to be affected if the humidity level in your home changes.
Finally, polyurethane crown molding can be much more flexible than wood or MDF. It is possible to find a variety of different carved crown molding patterns from traditional egg-and-dart to ornate carvings and detail, all at reasonable prices.
The benefits of polyurethane crown molding and its unique features make it a great choice for many homes and if you are adding crown molding in your space, polyurethane crown molding is definitely worth considering.
