If you’re considering crown molding for your house, then you must have heard of the different materials employed in it’s construction — with polyurethane being one of the most popular.
But is polyurethane a good choice for crown molding? Should you pick it instead of a wood crown molding?
Here’s why polyurethane is an excellent materials for crown molding
Polyurethane crown molding is an excellent molding to install for your home. It is very lightweight and similar to wood in terms of texture and sound when hit with the fingers, but it excels better in areas like durability, pest resistance and waterproof when compared to the latter. Polyurethane crown molding exists in various carvings and size which makes it versatile and suitable for a variety of home projects.
What is polyurethane crown molding?
Polyurethane crown molding is a type of molding created from polyurethane — another type of synthetic plastic.
Polyurethane can take on different forms depending on the starting materials used in its production, and for crown moldings, the specific polyurethane is made by combining the chemicals polyol and diisocyanate in the proportion 2:1, even though other secondary compounds may be added to attain the specific characteristics of the end product desired.
Such a combination produces a foam that is of high density (or is strong) and resembles wood in both texture and sound.
The foam can also accommodate the type of ornate carvings delivered on wood, and for a much lower cost which makes it a highly desirable piece for making crown moldings.
As if that is not enough, polyurethane crown molding is also superior to wood in terms of durability, water resistance, and pest resistance.
If you think you’ve heard or seen polyurethane foam somewhere, you’re right, it’s the foam used as the base layer for popular mattresses like memory foam.
What are the benefits of using polyurethane crown molding at home?
Polyurethane has so many benefits for both manufacturers and homeowners why it’s a popular option for making crown moldings.
Here are some of the benefits you can expect to reap when you install a polyurethane crown molding in your home.
- Polyurethane is a highly durable material and will typically last for a long time indoors without degrading.
- Polyurethane is highly resistant to pest attack. It is also highly resistant to fungi like moulds too.
- Polyurethane is by default water resistant which means that water cannot penetrate into it. This is why polyurethane can be used on exterior surfaces without any problems.
- When it comes to installation, polyurethane is very easy to install as most manufacturers include corner blocks or even pre-mitered corners to eliminate the need for cutting miter corners yourself, and all you have to do is secure pieces in place and fix them permanently using an adhesive, a nail or the combination of the duo.
- Polyurethane is very easy to clean too. Simply dust the surface with a clean cloth, then moisten a sponge with water and rub it all over the surface to maintain its clean white look. Do this twice a year or when the cornice has picked up visible dust.
- Using polyurethane molding in your home can also increase thermal insulation as well as offer some degree of noise management.
What are the problems with polyurethane crown molding?
Just as polyethylene is similar to wood in terms of texture and sound, it also exhibits wood’s expansion and contraction properties.
Polyurethane is somewhat sensitive to heat. It can expand and contract with increase and decrease in temperature respectively.
The implication of this is the appearance of seams or gaps at metre joints where two cornice meet.
How does polyurethane crown molding stack up against wood crown molding?
The following is how polyurethane crown molding compares with wood crown molding.
- Polyurethane is resistant to pest attack whereas wood is susceptible to pest attack, and can even be infested by mould.
- Polyurethane is more durable than wood and will last much longer compared to wood.
- Polyurethane is just as safe as wood crown molding.
- Polyurethane crown is easier to install due to its lightweight and especially when it comes with pre-mitered corners or corner blocks because it adheres to surfaces like walls and ceilings quite easily.
- Both polyurethane on wood can be cleaned effortlessly.
- You can have pretty similar types of ornate wood carvings on polyurethane at a much reduced cost, which makes it the more cost effective option.
- Polyurethane is waterproof and therefore will not be affected by leakage from ceiling or elsewhere, unlike wood that has pores that can be penetrated by water and cause swelling.
Can polyurethane molding be painted?
Polyurethane crown molding can be painted using high quality acrylic or latex paint. And there’s typically no need to prime before painting, as most polyethylene crown moldings are pre-primed from the factory.
It is always recommended to paint polyurethane cornice prior to installation, to have the 360° freedom and be able to get into intricate well. Typically, 1 or 2 coats of paint should suffice a polyurethane crown molding.
As for what paint finish to go for, it is best to opt for the more glossy type of finish like eggshell because they are highly resistant to dust and dirt.
How is polyurethane crown molding installed?
Polyurethane crown molding is installed just like wood crown molding is installed.
Here are the most important tips for installing polyurethane crown molding.
Step1: Clean the ceiling and walls to eliminate any dust build up that can irritate the nose when working at the corners. Wearing a nose mask and eye-protection is really advised.
Step2: Place the polyurethane crown molding (as well as the adhesive) in the room where you intend to install it for at least 48 hours before installation, and make sure the temperature of the room is between 50° to 95°F. This is to allow for the material to acclimate before installation otherwise it would expand or contract which can affect the fitting after installation.
Step3: Take measurements of the wall and use a compound mitre box to cut cornice for inside and outside corners.
Step4: Apply adhesive to the back of the crown at the top where it meets the ceiling and bottom where it meets the wall. Make sure to apply only the right amount of adhesive to prevent seeps. For adjoining crowns, apply polyurethane adhesive to mitre joint.
Step5: Press the molding against the ceiling and the wall and hold it in place until it sits. Then use screws to secure the molding permanently in place. Make sure to avoid driving screws close to the edge of the molding to prevent cracks.
Step6: Fill in the nail holes, mitre joints that appear to have gaps, and also the perimeter that the molding makes with the wall and ceiling using caulk.
Can polyurethane crown molding be fixed when it gets damaged?
If you have a polyutherane crown molding that has broken along its length, you can easily fix that using a polyurethane construction adhesive, and then cover up the crack with the aid of a sealant like caulk.