Installation Guide

Installing your crown moulding using a coped joint
Coped joints are only used on inside corners. One side of the moulding is simply butted against
the wall. The joining piece will be coped to fit the profile of the moulding. A coped cut requires
cutting the back side of the moulding to match the profile of the front side. The coped cut will
then butt up to the profiled front of the moulding once installed. Outside corners will be cut as
detailed above.
1. Make the appropriate miter cut for an inside corner as detailed above. Once the moulding
is cut, you will use a coping saw to cut away the excess material from the back of the profile
to make it fit against the front of the adjoining piece.
2. Using a coping saw held at a five degree angle, cut across the back of the moulding following
the profiled edge on the front of the moulding.
3. Test fit the coped piece by butting it against the previously installed straight piece. It may
be necessary to trim the cut edge with a rasp or file to obtain a tight fit.
*Tip: Highlight the front edge of the profile with the edge of a pencil to make the cutting line
more visible. While coping sounds difficult, it is not. Practice on a couple of scrap pieces until
you are comfortable making the cut before you begin cutting your piece for installation.
Crown moulding can also be installed using SlideFit or universal corner blocks. SlideFit corners are
exclusive to Lowe’s and simplify installation by removing the need to make miter and coped cuts.
Simply install your corner block, cut the moulding to length and install between the corner blocks by
sliding the moulding behind the profiled block and nailing into place. Universal corners are used in the
same manner. Install the blocks, cut your moulding to length and nail into place. Instead of sliding the
crown moulding behind the block, the moulding will butt up to the side of the block. Using blocks
simplifies installation. Only square cuts are needed as the moulding will be installed between the
blocks.