1.)  What are the pros and cons between natural wood, engineered wood and plaster? 

Natural Wood:  Profiles are highly detailed and sharp.  Too many inconsistencies like splits, cracks, knots, dark areas, and warpage.  Very susceptible to movement when there is little or no humidity and priming and painting is required immediately.  Pieces come 14 to 16 feet in length.

Engineered Wood (LDF, MDF, Ultra-lite):  Profiles are not as highly detailed or sharp.  Not so many physical inconsistencies as natural wood, but warpage is not an issue.  Very susceptible to movement when there is little or no humidity.  Material comes primed (front only), but the primer is very fragile and susceptible to abrasion during the wipe down process and now there is an urgency to paint.  The pieces come 14 feet long, so more seams are generally required.

Engineered Wood (HDF):  Profiles are highly detailed and razor sharp like plaster.  Very little, if any, physical inconsistencies as compared to MDF.  Warpage is not an issue, pieces are nice and true.  Resistant to movement when there is little or no humidity (humidity still essential for caulk and fill) and there is no urgency to paint because of the high quality primer (front and back) that is not susceptible to abrasion during the wipe down process and painting becomes optional.  The pieces come nice and long at 16 feet, most walls will get serviced with a full piece of material and therefore less seams are required.

Plaster:  Profiles are highly detailed and are available in very wide widths.  However, the length of each piece is 6-8ft long max.  This creates a need for many seams which all have to be compounded, sanded and blended, which is a very messy process.  Post-install, walls generally need to be repainted due to the installation process.  Material looks great new, but does tend to deteriorate and crack over time.
PVC and Styrofoam Material:  I personally do not recommend it.  Not generally used by professionals and is more of a DIY material.  This is most often used in condos, because of the concrete walls and ceilings.

Width comparison:  Natural wood and engineered wood are generally available in 5-8" wide.  Plaster profiles are generally available in small to very large widths.

Cost comparison (highest to lowest):  Plaster, HDF, Natural Wood, LDF/MDF, PVC/Styrofoam

 

2.) What is your method of installation?

1.) Set-up and floor preparation.

2.) Digital measure of each corner angle using digital protractor, including measurement of wall length.

Important Note:  Michael measures each corner digitally.  Unlike faster, more common installation methods where all the right angle corners are cut at 90 degrees.  This is not recommended because for every 1 degree that you are out using 6" material equates to a 1/8" gap on one side equaling a 1/4" gap in corner, which is later filled, resulting in a very unprofessional look.  Right angle corners that are 88,89,91 and 92 degrees are very common.  Also, neo-angle corners are not always 135 degrees or 22.5, so to avoid unnecessary problems, the digital method, in conjunction with the right expertise, ensures perfect results every time.

3.) All pieces of material are cut.

4.) The material is nailed into the wall studs and ceiling joists using a combustion nailer. (no air compressor required).  Combustion nailer is completely self-sufficient and there is no need to have air lines running through the house.  Also, this particular nailer leaves a small, non-evasive, hole in the material that is less noticeable and easier to fill.  Most pneumatic nailers are more invasive and leave distress around the nail holes, which are harder to fill.

5.) All corners are glued together to ensure longevity of the installation.

6.) Once all material is installed, filling of all nail holes and corners with white wood filler begins.  Also, caulking the top and bottom lip begins at this point.   High quality wood filler used dries white and not grey, which makes for a very livable look.

7.) Complete wipe down with clean cloth.

8.) Touch-up and clean-up.

 

3.) Our house has bullnosed corners. How do you install moulding for it?
Bullnosed corners are made up of 1 or 2 corner pieces joined together to wrap around the corner radius or one corner can be created with the gap beneath caulked..

 

4.) About how long does the installation take?
Typically I can install 200-300 Lf of material in a 10hr day (unpainted).

 

5.) How many different styles of crown moulding do I have to choose from?
There are in excess of 50 one piece traditional and contemporary designs to choose from. Widths ranging starting 5" to 7". Our custom 2 to 3 piece venetian designs can range from 12" - 18".

 

6.) Do you service condos?
No, Michaels does not currently service condos.

 

7.) Do I need humidity?
Absolutely.  Humidity is a must (only during the heating season).  HDF material is primed front and back and resists the effects of dry air, and is not as susceptible to move as MDF or wood.  Using HDF, humidity is required, so all the consumables used (caulking and filler) maintain their elasticity, flexibility and do not dry out and break.

 

8.) Do you install baseboards and window / door casings as well?
Absolutely, I have many designs to choose from, in HDF, Poplar and MDF.  All are installed, caulked and filled (priming/painting extra).

 

9.) What is the added value of crown moulding?
When it comes time to sell your home, this added beauty will set your home apart from the others. Not many investments cost so little and brings so much. IF the entire house is done, expect returns in excess of $10,000 at resale time.

 

10.) What does crown moulding add to my home?
Crown moulding adds balance and beauty to the entire home, softening every room and bringing a feeling of warmth and comfort to you and your guests.

 

11.) Can crown moulding be installed on any surface?  Drywall, stucco, brick?
Brick and concrete ceilings like in a condo application are possible but more labour intensive. Drywall and stucco are very common and work very well.

 

12.) Do stucco ceilings have to be shaved down along the perimeter of the wall to allow for the installation?
It's not necessary or time and cost effective to do so.  The top lip of the crown against the ceiling gets caulked.

 

13.) Do I have to paint my crown moulding?
Painting is optional.  When using HDF material, there is no urgency to paint.  The material has a satin finish prime coat that has excellent scrubability and resists abrasion during the installation.  The result is an abrasion-free, clean, white surface that is very livable post-installation.  Nail holes are filled and are no longer visible and caulking lines (top and bottom) and all corners are clean and razor sharp. 

 

14.) Can I elect to paint it myself and save?
Absolutely.  Ceiling paint is recommended because it is flat and there will no contrast between the ceiling and the moulding, creating the illusion of a plaster look.  If you wish to paint the moulding a custom colour please use a flat or matte paint.  I personally do not recommend that you paint the crown moulding anything shiny or with a gloss finish.

 

15.) Are room painting services available?
Absolutely.  Please contact us for a free estimate.

 

16.) Is there an extra charge per corner?
No, there is no corner charge, but installations that are intricate and complex with lots of detail are generally more expensive per foot.

 

17.) I've seen seams/corners come apart/separate, why?
This generally occurs by not using an adhesive in each corner, others elect not to because it takes more time. Gluing the corners is essential and should be apart of every installation. Do it right the first time.

 

18.) Do you move furniture?
I prefer that the homeowner(s) move their own furniture into the middle of each room prior to my arrival.  A 3-4ft wide path around the perimeter is sufficient. Anything really heavy or not movable will be discussed and dealt with accordingly.

 

19.) Is it a messy process?
No, all cutting is done outside, preferably in the driveway. Your garage is treated like a room in the house and will only be used in the event of bad weather.

 

20.) How is the inside of my home protected from damage?
Inside, the hardwood floors get covered with thick moving blankets and all other surfaces get covered with painters' dropsheets.  In most cases, the feet of my ladders never touch your floors.

 

21.) Do you provide free estimates?
Yes, within the GTA and surrounding area.  Estimates that are further away, information and a rough estimate will be provided over the phone.