Do you have a gap between cabinet and ceiling, if so then you need to know how to install crown riser on kitchen cabinets. This molding provides a solution for any construction modification and it produces an elegant design that makes regular wall cabinets appear high-end.
- What is the purpose of having a crown starter / riser on top of cabinet?
- How do you install the crown on the riser or starter molding?
Can you install this molding on full over lay cabinets?
Everything you need to know about how to install crown riser on kitchen cabinets
The crown riser is the same as the crown starter, all it is a long cabinet filler panel that comes in 8ft pieces in between 3 and 6 inches wide and 3/4 inches thick.
Measure and Cut to Length
When you install the crown riser first cut it length on top of the kitchen cabinet face frames in straight line sections, at the corners cut down the edge at 45 degrees making sure the riser molding does not exceed the edge of your kitchen wall cabinet. if your space between the cabinet and ceiling is less than 6 inches then rip your crown riser down on table to saw to proper width.
Screw and Align into Place
Next it will be screwed on to the top side of the wall cabinet face frame and flush with the front. Pre drill for the screws that will go through the cabinet face frame and attach to crown riser. If you have a 12 inch cabinet only place 2 screws close to the opposite top corners and if the wall cabinet is larger than 16 inches then place a screw in the top center spot as well.
Side Crown Riser Add On
Now for your sides measure back to the wall on to the front edge of wall cabinet, normally they are just 12 or 15 inches deep, also cut down to width. Install a scrap wood as a support block a 1/2 inch back from cabinet wall to allow for your crown riser to fall into place with proper overhang. Maintain the corner edge at a 45 degree cut an if your face frame has a 1/4 inch overlay then your crown riser on sides will have that same 1/4 inch overlay on top of wall cabinet as soon as it passes the little 3/4 inch thick face frame.
Range Cabinet Stagger to Ceiling instructions
You do not have to install this crown starter across all your wall cabinets. Some home owners only do it above the range stove area to cover any vent pipe or electrical wiring running through that section. All you need to do is stagger the range or microwave cabinet 6 inches on top (for standard cabinet) . Then add the crown starter above as instructed to achieve a distinct focal point of your kitchen.
Do you have an uneven gap between cabinet and ceiling
If you have an uneven gap above your kitchen wall cabinet this means your ceiling is bowing down either for age of home or just the way your home is built. Sometimes this is done to cover up space over other mechanical, plumbing, electric, HVAC, or Venting solutions on the inside of ceiling and walls.
The best solution for covering these uneven gaps is adding the crown riser or crown starter ( Same Molding) to the top of the wall cabinets and to close all the gaps up top making the cabinet blend in to the uneven ceiling and hiding any eye sores or unpleasant gaps. Once your cabinet riser is installed the crown will take over and finish it off in a real professional manner.
How do I fill my space above my kitchen cabinets
You can fill the space above your kitchen cabinets by adding a filler that will make your wall cabinets look taller and if your ceiling is only 9 inches away from the top of your present kitchen cabinets then you can go ahead run the crown molding all the way up until it touches the ceiling and the bottom lays flush with crown starter/riser below.
How do I make my cabinets look like soffits
You can make your cabinets look like soffits above them by adding the crown starter across the top and closing any gaps between the cabinet and ceiling. This will allow you to cover an imperfections left behind.
Benefits of installing crown riser on kitchen cabinets
Another reason why you may want to cover the top space above the kitchen wall cabinets is because it will stop all the dust accumulation on top of the wall cabinets that never get cleaned, especially if they get greasy or oily up there who knows. So removing the area for dust and grease to settle in now it will slide off the cabinet starter on top of wall cabinets so you can simply clean that extra dust or debris off your face of cabinet or countertop below. Some hospitals install these dust stoppers on top of their cabinetry or storage units to prevent any dust from forming up there.
How to disguise kitchen soffit
If you already have a kitchen soffit above your cabinets because it is vent for range stove area or it was designed in place by architect then you have the option to cover the soffit.
There is nothing attractive about an abnormal drywalled soffit in the middle of your kitchen. So any surrounding areas should be decorated with the matching wood trim and panel board that will reflect the beauty of your kitchen cabinet design as it extends the surface area vertically until it touches your ceiling.
Let us just say that your kitchen ceiling is too high for a a 6 inch wide crown starter to reach including the 3 inches for crown, then consider adding another row of smaller wall cabinets above your existing furnishings. This would now allow you to build up to the ceiling using the crown starter molding.
Installing crown starter / riser on full overlay cabinets method 2
The second method you can install crown starter is to add a nailing support piece above your full overlay cabinets and then instead of adding the crown starter on top you nail it on to the top side of your wall cabinet face frame by just barely overlapping the edge by an 1/8th of an inch to prevent any gaps. Make sure you are nailing on to the support blocks added above cabinets. This will give your cabinet finish a new look as it will make the starter pop out that 3/4 inch to now make it end flush with face of cabinet doors. This will create more dimension as your crown will also protrude past the cabinet door making the trim molding come closer to you visually.
Overview
Now that we have explored all the options of the crown starter molding you will not be intimidated when you hear some ask how to install crown riser on kitchen cabinets. It is simple once you get the gist of how these decorative wood fillers work above your kitchen cabinets. It is all about better looks and functionality out of your workspace and we recommend adding this design anywhere the option exists.
Thank You.
