panel molding and framing corners installation instructions

Dating back to the Georgian period of the 17th century, the introduction of the panel molding has provided elegant interior accents. From walls to ceiling and doors, panel moldings visually enhance a room’s sense of space by adding alluring and exquisite decorative elements. The use of framing corners compliments this classic style moldings with a finishing touch that brings elegance and ambiance to any decor. All panel moldings have complimentary crown and cornice moldings, bringing a harmonizing design to all living spaces.

planning your space for panel molding installation

When creating wall or ceiling panels, it is important to establish a plan for the layout of the panel molding and molding corners.

Look at you overall room space and ask yourself:
– Where will the furniture and artwork will be placed?
– Do you wont full panels or split panels?
– Do you want to add to add a chair rail?

Determine what layout you wish to install. Suggestions are illustrated below. Start by planning your feature wall first, than the remaining walls (if applicable.)

Note, panels may consist of a single panel, or variable sized panels, or symmetrically sized panels

Horizontal Panel Layout Plans

panel molding installation instructions

Vertical Panel Layout Plans

panel molding installation instructions

PROPORTIONAL SPACING

Spacing should be consistent throughout the room:

– between the panels, doors, windows and room corners – from 3-1/2″ to 6″.
– above and below chair rail – 1/2″ to 1″ min.
– above the baseboard and below ceiling or ceiling molding – 3-1/2″ to 6″ min.

MEASUREMENTS

– Measure all panels lengths and add 10% to total for miter and join waist.
– You may also want to consider adding additional length to your purchase to “mach the pattern” of molding, ensuring a consistent appearance.

SURFACE PREPARATION FOR PANEL MOLDING INSTALLATION

– Clean all surfaces free of dirt and loose particles with a clean cloth or sponge. Make sure area is completely dry before installing.
– Measure and mark the location where you want to install the product.
– You can finish [paint or faux finish] molding before or after installation.
– After installation touch-up any area as needed.

Tools and Material for Panel Molding Installation

– Sponge or clean cloth.
– Caulking gun.
– Level.
– Circular saw or carpenter’s saw.
– Chalk line box and pencil.
– Elastomeric adhesive caulk.

Optional Tools and Material for Panel Molding Installation:

– Putty Knife.
– Hammer an nail set.
– Extra fine sandpaper.
– 6d or 8d finishing nails (bright finish or electro-galvanized) fasteners must penetrate substrate a min. of 1/2 to 3/4 inches.

Surface Preparation for Panel Molding Installation

– Clean all surfaces free of dirt and loose particles with a clean cloth or sponge. Make sure area is completely dry before installing.
– Measure and mark the location where you want to install the product.
– You can finish [paint or faux finish] molding before or after installation.
– After installation touch-up any area as needed panel molding and framing.

Molding Corners Preparation

1) panel moldings and framing corners can be installed with either butt cut joints or mitered joints. See steps following on how to cut miters and butt joints. On many framing corners you can cut a miter corner of the corner as well as cut a miter corner off the panel molding, giving your panels a cleaner appearance.
2) Next trim ends of each framing corner (1/2″ to1″) with either a butt cut or miter cut. Make sure you cut ends straight and match decorative repeats pattern.
3) Cut all moldings and corners. Assemble pieces on floor – decorative side up. Make sure pieces fit tight and are squared. Make any adjustments by further trimming edges.
4) With molding sections on floor, re-measure panel section to insure all panels are correct.

Installation of panel molding with pre-mitered corners

1) The key to successful mitered corners is placing the molding correctly in the Miter box or power saw fence/rail.

2) Panel moldings are flat and should be placed in the box so that the bedding edge of the molding lies against the bottom of the miter box (A).

3) Cut all miters and butt joints before you install panel molding. To miter corners, use either a miter power saw or hand saw and niter box.

mitering panel molding corners

1) Take the top piece of panel molding that will be used for your first mitered corner.

2) Place the “left” length of molding in box as described above and cut 45˚ mitered corner – your saw should point left (B).

3) Next place the “right” length of molding in box – before cutting note molding pattern and adjust your cut to allow for continuity of pattern. Cut the right miter with your saw pointing right (C).

4) Check your cuts by placing the two mitered ends together, to insure a good fit.

creating panel molding butt joints

1) When installing panel moldings with butt joints, lay the molding in the miter box the same as described below in Miter Installation and cut straight edge (D).

2) Note the pattern on the cut molding and adjust the pattern on next length of molding when cutting to insure pattern continuity.

general panel molding installation

1) Lay the components face down on a surface that will not mar the product face, such as a clean cloth. Start with the top piece of molding.

2) Apply a 1/4″ continuous bead of construction adhesive along the backside top and bottom edges of molding and corners (E) and at butt joint and mitered ends. Use adhesive to fill any gaps. Gently press the top molding piece into place and make sure it is level. than continue working clockwise. Apply caulk to edges of the panel molding as needed and smooth excess caulk with your finger or putty knife, giving the appearance of being part of the wall (F) and wipe any excess adhesive/caulk from edges and clean with mineral spirits.

3) Option: TIP 1: You can tack pieces into place using a nail in the center of molding or corner, and adjust pieces as needed. If you want to remove tacked nails after adhesive/caulk dries, leave approximately 1/2″ nail exposed for easy removal.
TIP 2: Nail molding in ornamentation areas of molding into wall. When adhesive/caulk dries (approx. 2-3 hours) either remove finishing nails or use nail set to countersink nails , making sure that nails penetrate wall at least 1/2″ to 3/4″.

4) Fill nail holes with adhesive/caulk – smooth the surface of panel molding with your finger or putty knife. Once caulk is dry and if needed, lightly sand any rough spots with fine sandpaper.

5) Touch up panel molding components with paint as needed.

when installing molding always follow this safety suggestions:

-Follow good construction practices.
-When using power tools, adhesive and finishing materials (such as paint or stain), be sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions.
-Always wear safety goggles when using a power tool or hammer.
-Always use the right tool and/or equipment for the job.

General Precautions

Century molding function as a decorative element only, and are not designed to support electrical fixtures or provide any load bearing capacity. InvitingHome.com shall not be responsible if any failure to comply with these molding installation instructions results in the product failing to perform the purpose intended.

manufacturer warranty

Century Architectural Specialties warrants all its molding to be free from manufacturing defects for a period of three [3] years from the date of purchase. This warranty does not include damage or other problems resulting from improper installation, misuse or normal wear and tear. Century’s liability is limited to product replacement cost. It does not include freight or handling expenses, installation cost or any other costs or expenses incurred in connection with the purchase or use of our products.

panel molding installation instructions

place panel molding on the bottom of the miter box

panel molding installation instructions

right side corner of panel molding

panel molding installation instructions

left side corner of panel molding

panel molding installation instructions

straight edge molding cuts – butt joint

panel molding installation instructions

apply continuous bead of adhesive to bedding molding edges and to butt or mitered joints of molding

apply pintable caulk to molding edges