Cheap Crown Molding Buying & Installation Guide

How & Where to Get the Best Prices on Crown Molding

Adding height and visual interest to any space, crown molding can cost as low as $.70 per linear foot for hardwood, around $1 to $3 per linear foot for MDF or PVC, totaling about $2,000 to $4,000 for whole-home professional installation. While traditional crown molding can be expensive, these budget options help balance cost with design.

If you choose to DIY your crown molding installation, you can save further on the costs. Make sure you’re comfortable with power tools and understand how to measure each room installation.

On This Page

1. Cheap Crown Molding
1. Best Value Crown Molding
2. Reclaimed Molding
3. Peel and Stick Molding
4. Disadvantages of Low-Priced Crown Molding
2. What Are Some Cheap Crown Molding Options?
1. MDF
2. PVC
3. Polyurethane
4. Polystyrene
5. Hardwood
3. Discount Crown Molding Pricing and Suggestions for Every Room
4. The Best Place to Buy Crown Molding
1. Where to Buy Cheap Crown Molding
2. Cheap Crown Molding Installation and Replacement
3. Questions to Ask
5. Best Time to Buy Budget Crown Molding
6. Hiring Affordable Crown Molding Installers

Cheap Crown Molding

To find inexpensive crown molding ideas, you’ll need to choose materials based on your lifestyle and home design. Measure the desired area to know how much material to purchase.

Best Value Crown Molding

Although you’re saving money, you’re also covering any minor flaws in the wall and ceiling. Best buy or value crown molding provides:

• Enough surface area to cover flaws
• Easy to measure and cut materials
• A variety of colors or a paintable surface

It often costs between $1 to $3 per linear foot, not including labor costs.

Reclaimed Molding

Reclaimed molding is sourced and saved from previous builds and renovations. It offers a discount way, at around $4 to $15 per linear foot (depending on the wood type and age) to get traditional crown molding, but you may not have much say in the amount or the lengths. This option is best if you have standard room measurements or you’re following historic guidelines.

Peel and Stick Molding

Peel and stick molding is a viable cheap crown molding alternative that costs as low as $1 per linear foot and uses a plastic form with sticky backing for ease of installation. It’s useful for rental spaces or children’s rooms because you can remove it easily.

Disadvantages of Low-Priced Crown Molding

Low priced crown molding will require some sacrifices:

• May not last
• Sizes and measurements may not match nonstandard rooms
• Lack of design features
• Mismatched design if there’s existing crown molding in place

What Are Some Budget Crown Molding Options?

You have a few different cheap ceiling trim choices at your disposal to save on your budget, including MDF, PVC, polyurethane, polystyrene, and hardwood.

MDF

Medium-density fiberboard is a lightweight material designed to mimic real wood. It cuts well, but it may dent easily, so be careful during installation. It costs around $1 to $3 per linear foot and is suitable for low moisture areas.

PVC

Polyvinyl Chloride is a moisture and humidity resistant material suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. It’s plastic-based and often hollow, allowing you to hide unsightly wires. It doesn’t offer intricate designs, but it comes in at an affordable $1 to $3 per linear foot.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane resists mold and installs well but can dent if you aren’t careful. It’s around $2 to $4 per linear foot and comes in many designs, from simple to elaborate. It may be easier to match to existing molding in other rooms.

Polystyrene

This is a cheap ceiling molding option at $1 to $2 per linear foot, but it’s difficult to cut. It’s best if your ceilings are taller and small imperfections won’t show in the normal view, but it may not work if you need to do a lot of cutting.

Hardwood

Not all hardwood molding will break the bank. Cheaper wood molding choices, including species like poplar, oak or cherry, could cost you as low as $.70 per linear foot. Thin versions and discount sales help improve your bottom line.

*Does not include labor costs

Discount Crown Molding for Every Room

The price range for most budget crown molding is $1 to $3 per linear foot . You have quite a few options for saving on crown molding, but not all budget molding is the same. To get the best results, use crown molding suited for the particular room you’re remodeling.

Living Room

Finding cheap hardwood can be worth it for the living room because it will look the most authentic for as low as $.70 per linear foot. Another good option is MDF at $1 to $3 per linear foot. It looks like wood but won’t come in contact with moisture or humidity.

Kitchen

Moisture resistant molding is critical here. Choose PVC for around $1 to $3 per linear foot to ensure you avoid mold and mildew. Polyurethane may offer more designs for just a bit more at around $2 to $4 per linear foot and still look great.

Bathroom

Much like the kitchen, bathrooms need a mold-resistant, moisture-resistant material. Again, PVC ($1 to $3 per linear foot) and Polyurethane ($2 to $4 per linear foot) make the best types of materials for this highly humid environment.

Bedroom

Hardwood or MDF are great options for the bedroom, especially the master, where you want to make a good impression. Budget hardwood varieties help you design while saving money, costing as low as $.70. Alternately, Polystyrene could be appropriate if the room isn’t used very often.

Children’s Rooms

Children’s rooms typically don’t need to make a huge splash, but you might want materials that last. MDF is a solid bet for lightweight, clean molding that won’t break the bank. It’ll set you back around $1 to $3 per linear foot for a simple, wood look.

Best Place to Buy Crown Molding

Shopping for crown molding from different distributors could provide you with a variety of styles or colors. If you can’t find the right style at a big box store, for example, you might try a local distributor or an online option.

Where to Buy Cheap Crown Molding

The best options for cheap crown molding will be online retailers, where you have the best chance of balancing your budget with design, or big box stores where you can often find sales to help reduce your costs to as low as $.70 per linear foot.

TIP: Look for seasonal discounts or returned items at big box stores to find a better price for your crown molding, no matter the material.

Cheap Crown Molding Installation or Replacement

If you decide not to DIY, crown molding can cost $4 to $8 for material and labor, on average. You may be able to lower this cost by bundling installations at a big box store—installing carpet and molding together, for example—or purchasing materials and labor together from the same place.

You can also contact who are better able to negotiate a quote. Local installers may also adjust costs based on seasonal constraints or a combination of DIY and professional solutions.

When Is the Best Time to Buy Crown Molding?

Big box stores and large franchises will often run specials around the holidays. Look for sales on home products around Memorial Day or Labor Day when people are gearing up for home improvement projects.

Hiring Affordable Crown Molding Installers

Local crown molding installers can help make even budget materials look great. If you have no experience with cutting or power tools, an installer can get the job done well and safely.

Where to Find Cheap Molding Companies Near You

Purchase your materials and your installation together to get the biggest bang for your buck. Large home improvement franchises could be the best option in this case.

Questions to Ask Your Installer

• Do I have to purchase materials directly from you?
• Will I get a final estimate, including contingencies?
• Are there multiple-room discounts?

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