Easy DIY Home Improvement: Learn How to Flawlessly Join Two Pieces of Crown Molding Trim

Installing crown molding trim to cover up the plain intersection of walls and ceiling adds an extra touch of elegance to your living space. The most difficult part of its installation is cutting the molding to the correct length. However, when the need arises to join two pieces of molding in the middle of the wall, known as a scarf joint or splicing, this task can be accomplished with the right tools.

Before you begin, measure the wall or space that the crown molding must span and mark where you will make the cuts. Set up a power miter saw with a jig in order to make the exact cuts. The jig holds the molding in place against the fence, with the top edge of the molding on the cutting table and the bottom edge against the fence. Without a jig, you can still hold the molding in the cut position against the fence with your hand, but ensure that the edges stay flush.

Set the first piece of molding to the left of the blade and make sure the bottom line of the trim is flush against the fence. Adjust the saw blade to 45 degrees in the direction of your left and carefully make the cut. Place the second piece of molding to the right of the blade and reset the saw blade to 45 degrees in the opposite direction. Once more, carefully make the cut. When both pieces are cut to a 45 degree angle, one should overlap the other and make the joint nearly invisible. If needed, slight shaving or sanding of one of the pieces may be needed to ensure the desired length and fit.

With the right tools, a scarf joint between two lengths of crown molding trim is a fairly straightforward process. All that’s left to do is finish your trim and enjoy the added elegance it has brought to your living space.