DIY Guide: How to Fit Coving Like a Pro
Fitting coving is a fantastic way to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any room. It bridges the gap between walls and ceilings, creating a smoother transition and enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal. While it might seem like a daunting task, fitting coving is a manageable DIY project with the right tools, preparation, and a bit of patience. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step, from choosing the right coving to applying the finishing touches, ensuring a professional-looking result.
## Why Choose Coving?
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s briefly consider why coving is such a popular choice:
* **Aesthetic Appeal:** Coving adds a decorative element, softening harsh angles and creating a more refined look.
* **Increased Home Value:** Well-fitted coving can enhance the perceived value of your property.
* **Concealing Imperfections:** Coving can effectively hide cracks, uneven surfaces, and wiring along the wall-ceiling junction.
* **Improved Lighting:** Coving can reflect light, making a room appear brighter and more spacious.
* **Variety of Styles:** Coving is available in a wide range of styles, from traditional to contemporary, allowing you to choose the perfect match for your décor.
## Types of Coving
Choosing the right type of coving is crucial for achieving the desired look and ensuring a successful installation. Here are some common types:
* **Plaster Coving:** Traditional and highly decorative, plaster coving is known for its intricate designs and durability. However, it’s also the heaviest and most challenging to install, requiring professional expertise for larger projects.
* **Polystyrene Coving:** Lightweight and affordable, polystyrene coving is easy to cut and install. It’s a good option for beginners and smaller rooms. However, it’s less durable than plaster and may not be suitable for high-traffic areas.
* **Polyurethane Coving:** A good balance between plaster and polystyrene, polyurethane coving is lightweight, durable, and easy to cut. It’s also more resistant to impact and moisture than polystyrene, making it a versatile choice for various rooms.
* **Timber Coving:** Offers a natural and warm look. Timber coving can be stained or painted to match your décor. It typically requires more specialized tools and woodworking skills to install correctly.
For this guide, we will focus primarily on **polystyrene or polyurethane coving**, as these are the most DIY-friendly options.
## Tools and Materials You’ll Need
Before you start, gather all the necessary tools and materials:
* **Coving:** Calculate the total length of coving needed, adding extra for cuts and wastage (at least 10%).
* **Coving Adhesive:** Choose a suitable adhesive specifically designed for coving. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for compatibility with your chosen coving material.
* **Coving Mitre Box and Saw:** A mitre box helps you cut accurate angles for corners. A fine-toothed saw is recommended for clean cuts.
* **Measuring Tape:** Essential for accurate measurements.
* **Pencil:** For marking cut lines and guidelines.
* **Caulk/Filler:** To fill any gaps between the coving and the wall/ceiling.
* **Caulk Gun:** For applying caulk/filler smoothly and evenly.
* **Sanding Block/Paper:** To smooth any rough edges or imperfections.
* **Spirit Level:** To ensure the coving is level.
* **Ladder or Step Stool:** To reach the ceiling safely.
* **Damp Sponge:** To wipe away excess adhesive.
* **Dust Sheet/Protective Covering:** To protect your floor and furniture.
* **Safety Glasses:** To protect your eyes from dust and debris.
* **Gloves:** To protect your hands from adhesive and dust.
* **Decorators Knife/Utility Knife:** For trimming excess adhesive or caulk.
* **Optional: Laser Level:** Can be helpful for establishing a consistent horizontal line.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Fitting Coving
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. Follow these steps carefully to achieve a professional-looking coving installation:
**1. Preparation is Key**
* **Clear the Room:** Remove furniture or cover it with dust sheets to protect it from dust and adhesive.
* **Prepare the Surfaces:** Ensure the walls and ceiling are clean, dry, and free of dust, dirt, and loose paint. Wipe down the surfaces with a damp cloth and allow them to dry completely.
* **Check for Existing Issues:** Address any cracks or imperfections in the walls or ceiling before installing the coving. Fill any holes or cracks with filler and sand smooth.
* **Acclimatize the Coving:** Store the coving in the room where it will be installed for at least 24 hours before starting the project. This will allow the coving to adjust to the room’s temperature and humidity, reducing the risk of warping or cracking after installation.
**2. Marking the Guidelines**
* **Determine Coving Placement:** Decide where you want the coving to sit on the wall and ceiling. Most coving is designed to be fitted with equal parts on the wall and ceiling. However, you can adjust this slightly to suit your preferences.
* **Measure and Mark:** Measure down from the ceiling at several points along the wall and mark the desired coving height with a pencil. Repeat this process along the ceiling, measuring out from the wall.
* **Create a Guideline:** Use a long, straight edge (like a spirit level or a long piece of wood) to connect the pencil marks, creating a clear guideline along the wall and ceiling. A laser level can also be used to project a continuous horizontal line, ensuring accuracy.
**3. Cutting the Coving**
* **Understanding Mitre Angles:** Coving requires precise cuts, especially for corners. Internal corners (where two walls meet inside the room) require an internal mitre cut. External corners (where two walls meet outside the room) require an external mitre cut.
* **Using the Mitre Box:** Place the coving in the mitre box, ensuring it sits snugly against the back and side. The mitre box will have angled slots that guide your saw for accurate cuts.
* **Cutting Internal Corners:** For an internal corner, the coving piece that will sit on the left wall should be cut with the saw positioned at a 45-degree angle pointing to the *left*. The coving piece that will sit on the right wall should be cut with the saw positioned at a 45-degree angle pointing to the *right*. This ensures that when the two pieces are joined, they form a neat internal corner.
* **Cutting External Corners:** For an external corner, the coving piece that will sit on the left wall should be cut with the saw positioned at a 45-degree angle pointing to the *right*. The coving piece that will sit on the right wall should be cut with the saw positioned at a 45-degree angle pointing to the *left*. This ensures that when the two pieces are joined, they form a neat external corner.
* **Straight Cuts:** For straight runs of coving, use the 90-degree slots in the mitre box to ensure a square cut.
* **Practice Cuts:** Before cutting your actual coving, it’s a good idea to practice on a scrap piece to ensure you’re comfortable with the mitre box and achieving accurate angles.
* **Cutting Technique:** Use a slow, steady sawing motion to avoid splintering the coving. Apply gentle pressure and let the saw do the work.
**4. Applying the Adhesive**
* **Apply Adhesive to the Back of the Coving:** Apply a generous bead of coving adhesive to the back of the coving, along both edges that will contact the wall and ceiling. Also, apply a bead along the centre of the coving for added adhesion. Don’t overdo it, but ensure there’s enough adhesive to create a strong bond.
* **Position the Coving:** Carefully position the coving along the guidelines you marked earlier. Press the coving firmly against the wall and ceiling, ensuring it’s aligned with the guidelines.
* **Hold in Place:** Hold the coving in place for a few seconds to allow the adhesive to grab. For longer lengths of coving, you may need to use temporary supports, such as nails or tacks, to hold the coving in place while the adhesive dries. You can also use masking tape to secure the coving to the wall and ceiling.
* **Remove Excess Adhesive:** Use a damp sponge to wipe away any excess adhesive that squeezes out from behind the coving. This will prevent the adhesive from drying on the surface and creating a mess.
**5. Installing the Coving**
* **Start with Corners:** Begin by fitting the corner pieces first. This will make it easier to align the straight runs of coving between the corners. Ensure the corner pieces fit snugly and create a neat, seamless joint.
* **Butt Joints:** When joining two straight lengths of coving, create a butt joint. Apply adhesive to both ends of the coving and press them together firmly. Wipe away any excess adhesive.
* **Work Your Way Around the Room:** Continue installing the coving, working your way around the room. Take your time and ensure each piece is properly aligned and securely attached.
* **Support Long Lengths:** For long lengths of coving, use temporary supports, such as nails or tacks, to hold the coving in place while the adhesive dries. Remove the supports once the adhesive has fully cured, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
**6. Filling Gaps and Smoothing Joints**
* **Inspect for Gaps:** Once the adhesive has dried, inspect the coving for any gaps between the coving and the wall/ceiling, or between the coving pieces themselves.
* **Apply Caulk/Filler:** Use a caulk gun to apply a bead of caulk or filler along any gaps. Smooth the caulk/filler with your finger or a damp sponge to create a seamless finish.
* **Smooth Joints:** Pay particular attention to the joints between the coving pieces. Smooth the joints carefully to create a seamless transition. You may need to apply multiple coats of caulk/filler to achieve a perfectly smooth finish.
* **Remove Excess Caulk/Filler:** Use a damp sponge or a decorators knife to remove any excess caulk/filler.
**7. Sanding and Finishing**
* **Sanding:** Once the caulk/filler has dried completely, lightly sand the filled areas with a fine-grit sanding block or sandpaper. This will create a smooth, even surface for painting.
* **Dust Removal:** Remove any dust from the coving and the surrounding surfaces with a damp cloth.
* **Priming (Optional):** If you’re using polystyrene coving, it’s a good idea to apply a primer before painting. This will help the paint adhere better and prevent it from being absorbed into the coving.
* **Painting:** Paint the coving with your chosen paint. Use a brush or a roller to apply the paint evenly. You may need to apply multiple coats to achieve the desired coverage.
* **Clean Up:** Once the paint has dried, remove any masking tape and clean up any spills or messes.
## Tips for Success
* **Measure Twice, Cut Once:** Always double-check your measurements before cutting the coving to avoid mistakes.
* **Use a Sharp Saw:** A sharp saw will help you make clean, accurate cuts.
* **Don’t Rush:** Take your time and work carefully to ensure a professional-looking result.
* **Use the Right Adhesive:** Choose an adhesive specifically designed for coving.
* **Practice Makes Perfect:** Practice cutting and fitting coving on scrap pieces before starting the actual project.
* **Seek Help if Needed:** If you’re unsure about any aspect of the project, don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional.
* **Safety First:** Always wear safety glasses and gloves when working with coving and adhesive.
## Troubleshooting Common Issues
* **Gaps between Coving and Wall/Ceiling:** This is usually caused by uneven surfaces. Fill the gaps with caulk or filler.
* **Poorly Fitting Corners:** Ensure your mitre cuts are accurate. Use a mitre box to guide your saw.
* **Coving Falling Down:** Make sure you’re using the right adhesive and applying it generously. Use temporary supports to hold the coving in place while the adhesive dries.
* **Uneven Joints:** Smooth the joints with caulk or filler and sand them smooth once dry.
## Conclusion
Fitting coving is a rewarding DIY project that can significantly enhance the look and feel of your home. By following these step-by-step instructions and tips, you can achieve a professional-looking result and add a touch of elegance to any room. Remember to take your time, work carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. With a little patience and effort, you’ll be enjoying your beautifully coved rooms in no time! Good luck!