PAGE 1 OF 2

A built-up molding is a good way to create an elaborate ceiling molding without paying a small fortune for a custom made pieces. On this job, we started with a backer board that supports much of what comes later. We covered this with a soffit board and added a frieze under the soffit. Then a cornice was nailed between the frieze and soffit, and a fascia was nailed to the front of the soffit and backer. We finished up by installing a bed molding along the top edge and a cove molding along the bottom.

Step 5. Nail a full-length cornice board to the backer and frieze boards. Then cut a miter on the end of a mating cornice board to form an inside corner. Cope this miter with a coping saw.

Step 1. Hold a backer board in place against the ceiling, 4 and drill screw pilot holes through the board and into the ceiling drywall. This will mark the location of each spiral anchor.

Step 2. Install a spiral anchor wherever you can’t locate a ceiling joist or other framing member to attach the backer boards.

Step 3. Attach the backer board by driving screws through the pilot holes and into a ceiling joist or a spiral anchor.

Step 4. Mark a level line to indicate the bottom edge of the frieze board. Then screw the frieze to the wall studs. Keep the screws in an area that will be covered by subsequent boards.