The average cost to install crown molding ranges from $5 to 8 per linear foot. This is equivalent to $500 – 800 for 100 linear feet. Prices vary depending on the material you use and complexity of installation.
Crown molding offers a beautiful and effective way to conceal the unattractive transition between your walls and ceiling. There are many different styles and materials to choose from, which work equally well in modern and traditional style rooms.
If you want to install crown moldings in your house, contact your local trim pros for FREE estimates.
How Much Does Crown Molding Cost?
The average cost to install crown molding in a single room ranges from $575 – 1,000 depending on the size and shape of the space, quality of crown molding materials and local professional labor costs.
Installing crown molding in an entire house (about 800 linear feet) will cost $5,000 – 8,000+
Custom crown moldings made of exotic wood or plaster installed in an entire house can easily cost $12,000-18,000+
Crown Molding Prices Per Linear Foot
Across the US, homeowners report spending about $5-6.5 per ln.ft. on basic types of molding.
Fancier materials, such as wood or plaster, as well as more complex labor can increase the total cost to $8-12+ per ln.ft. It is not uncommon to pay as much as $15-20 per ln.ft. for premium designs and materials.
For example, building a custom molding out of plaster is a highly skilled and time-consuming process, so labor rates alone run $6-10 per ln.ft.. Your total cost can be as high as $12-15 per ln.ft.
Moreover, if the room has uneven walls and ceilings, or there is an irregular layout with many corners, a carpenter may charge 30-50% more for his labor, depending on complexity of the work, prep time, etc.
Similarly, using exotic woods will cost significantly more, because of a much higher cost of materials. Prices for these woods may start at $10 per ln.ft and go all the way up to $40 per ln.ft.
Installing three piece crown molding is another expensive option. It starts at about $9-10 per ln.ft. for labor, and the total cost can be $14-18 per linear foot.
Cost Of Crown Molding Materials
There is a wide range of crown molding materials that can fit any aesthetic and budget. Here is a list of the most popular options, and how much you can expect to spend on each one.
1. Medium-density fiberboard (MDF): one of the most popular and budget friendly crown molding choices. MDF costs only $1-3 per ln.ft.
It is lightweight and you can paint it to create any look you want. Also, you can also stain it to replicate the look of wood. However, MDF not moisture resistant, so its best to avoid installing it in a bathroom or kitchen.
2. PVC: great, inexpensive option if you are looking for white hollow crown molding to hide wiring. Prices start at $1-3 per ln.ft.. In fact, PVC is a good option for kitchens and bathrooms as it’s moisture resistant. On the downside, PVC molding is typically manufactured only in white color and cannot be painted.
3. Polyurethane: easy to install and does not warp, scratch or rot. Average cost is $2-6 per ln.ft.. Polyurethane crown molding can be painted and stained, and offers a cheaper alternative to wood molding.
4. Solid Wood: only your imagination and budget can limit the countless designs that can be achieved with wood. Cherry wood ranges from $4-6 per ln.ft. Maple wood costs $2-5 per ln.ft. Exotic woods are $10-45 per ln.ft.
Keep in mind that many wood species are heavy and therefore will be more difficult and expensive to install. Wood can be carved, stained and painted to fit any aesthetic from contemporary to classic.
5. Plaster: can be cast into very detailed and elaborate designs. Pricing ranges greatly, depending on the complexity and scope of labor involved.
Typical costs for plaster crown moldings are $12-15 per ln.ft. installed, but can be significantly higher. Professional plaster craftsman charge at least $70 per hr for their work.
Crown Molding Enhancement Options
There are a number of ways you can enhance your crown molding design, if you are willing to spend extra money.
1. Painting & staining: offers a great way to add color and visual interest to the space.
Professionals charge an average of $30/hr to paint crown molding and can typically finish about 50 linear feet in one hour. So if you have 500 ln.ft., you would spend an additional $300 to paint it.
2. Manage wiring: installing crown molding can be a very convenient way to completely conceal all the ugly wires around the room.
Wire management systems cost about $1-5/ln.ft. and are designed to bundle wires inside tracks that are hidden behind the molding. Most people use hollow PVC molding to hide the wiring.
3. Add lighting: installing lighting together with the crown molding can greatly improve the ambiance in the room. You can either choose rope lighting at $1-6/ln.ft. or strip lighting at $12-36 per spool.
Flexible LED strip lighting can cost $50 per spool or more. It costs $65-95/hr to hire an electrician to do the install, depending on where you live.
4. Crown molding on doors: expect to spend $150-350 per door (materials and labor)
5. Crown molding on windows: costs $125-200 per window (materials and labor)
Crown Molding Advantages
While outfitting your home with ceiling crown molding can be a very expensive part of the house remodel, it can go along way to enhance the value of your home. You just need to make sure that your new molding matches the architectural style of your house.
The hardest spaces to work with are contemporary and mid-century modern style homes, built after 1980. They were specifically designed to have a seamless flow between the floor, walls and ceilings, so it can be a challenge to find a matching crown molding that will not make the space look strange.
Here are the top reasons why people want to have crown molding in different rooms of the house:
– Adds elegance to a space
– Preserves a classic look in traditional or historic homes
– Makes the room appear larger
– Conceal ugly wires
– Increase the amount of light in the room by installing lighting together with crown molding
– Makes the home feel more upscale
– Conceals cracks near the joining of walls and ceiling
– Create distinctive architectural detail in an otherwise bland and boring space
– Makes for an appearance of a well-built, solid home, which is very appealing to buyers.
Is Crown Molding Outdated?
Many homeowners who are considering adding crown moldings wonder if they are no longer in style, and whether installing them will actually make their house look dated?
The truth is that it all depends on a number of factors:
– In some regions of the country, crown moldings are less popular and you don’t see them installed as often. For example, crown moldings are more popular in New England homes, or historic homes across the country.
– Higher-end classic style homes tend to have crown moldings, while lower value properties (under $400,000) often don’t have them.
– It really depends on the crown molding style and material you select. It really has to work with the overall interior design and architecture of your home, otherwise it will look out of place and outdated.
-More often than not, new construction, modern style homes do not use crown moldings. Its a better fit in traditional or transitional style homes.
If you are considering installing new crown moldings before putting your house up for sale its best to consult an experienced real estate agent who can tell you about specific trends in your area, as well as what buyers prefer.
Is Crown Molding Worth The Cost?
While installing crown molding is definitely an optional and even a luxury update that does not necessarily translate into a direct return on investment, there are some instances in which adding crown molding is the right decision:
– You are renovating a high-end property and planning to put it up for sale. Crown moldings will certainly add an air of sophistication and beauty that will surely attract buyers.
– The rooms of your house have low ceilings and crown moldings can help elevate the look of the space
– You are renovating a historic home where most likely crown moldings are an important part of preserving the original look of the home.
-The overall interior design of your home is very plain and boring and you are looking for a simple way to add visual interest without making any major updates.
If you don’t overspend on expensive crown molding materials, installing new crown molding can be a great way to boost the interior design of your home and make it stand out in the eyes of prospective buyers.
