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NEWS CORNICES
INSTALLATION TIPS Mitring the cornice: The cornice
are to be joined – this will provide
is always placed in the mitre box
a strong join and prevent any
‘upside down’, so that the edge that
cracks from appearing in the future.
will be fixed to the ceiling lies on the
Be sure to remove any excess
horizontal base of the box. Place the
adhesive with a damp sponge.
cornice at the angle in which it will be installed. A good way to determine
Fitting the cornice: One of the
the right angle to place the cornice in
most common mistakes you can
the mitre box is to note the specified
make is to follow the ceiling when
size on the cornice. Sizes are printed
installing the cornice. Do not be
on the back of the cornice in the case
tempted to do this, as ceilings are
of Cornice Maker products. If the size
often not entirely level. To ensure a
spec is 105mm x 35mm x 110mm for
properly horizontal line all the way
instance then the 35mm means the
round a room, determine the drop
distance from the wall to the edge
down from where the cornice will be
that is applied to the ceiling. This
fixed, down to the floor, and using
means that a mark must be made
the chalk line, draw a line around
More ornate cornices tend to fill the
INSTALLING POLYSTYRENE CORNICING
35mm away from the mitre’s upright
the room marking this position.
emptiness effect that can be caused
One of the many benefits of polystyrene
side so that the cornice is placed in
Then, using the chalk line as a guide,
cornices is that it makes for easy
the exact position.
push the cornice firmly in place, but
by high ceilings or large spaces. Normal to low ceilings, and more
installation. All you require is a mitre
There are two main cuts that
maintain some adhesive between
compact rooms, however, should be
box, a polystyrene saw, a tape measure,
will be necessary to complete any
the cornice and application surface,
finished with minimalistic or thin
a caulking gun, a chalk line, a sponge,
cornice installation. The first is the
adjusting as necessary. You will
polystyrene adhesive, a ladder or
simple straight cut or butt end cut,
have approximately two minutes
the height and size from visually
elevated platform and of course the
which is when you cut the cornice
to adjust the cornice before the
shrinking even further.
polystyrene cornicing.
straight across using a 90° guide –
adhesive begins to dry. If there is
it is used to join two straight lengths
a gap between the cornice and the
of cornicing. The second type of
ceiling in places, small pin nails can
cut is used to cut the cornices at
be used to hold joins together in
an angle of 45° to fit in the corners
areas where they tend to move a
– or in other words, to mitre them.
bit. The nails should be removed
For the corners, there are internal
again before painting. Fill the
mitres, which fit in the corners of
gaps with cornice adhesive for
a room, as well as external mitres,
a smooth finish. Refill all joints
which run along corners that jut
where adhesive receded slightly
out, such as a chimney column.
due to curing. If sanding over
When cutting polystyrene cornices,
joints are required then use a
always use firm, positive strokes,
very fine grid sanding paper.
cornice profiles so as to prevent
and never try and force the cut, or Painting cornices: Allow cornice
to cut too quickly.
adhesive to cure for at least 48 Application of adhesive: When
hours to 72 hours after installation
applying adhesive to the cornice, it
before painting. Any water-based
is essential that sufficient adhesive
or acrylic paint can be used to
is applied along the full length of
paint directly onto the polystyrene
the back of the edges of the cornice
cornice. You cannot use solvent-
where it will meet both the wall
based paint, as it will damage the
and the ceiling. To be sure – you
polystyrene material. If, however,
should always check the suggested
it is necessary to use solvent-
coverage on the adhesive’s
based paint for installations in
packaging and apply accordingly.
wet areas, such as in bathrooms,
Also, when joining two lengths of
kitchens or outdoor patios for
cornice to one another, it is highly
example, then applying a minimum
advisable that you also apply
of two coats of water- based primer
adhesive to both surfaces that
first is recommended.
SOURCE: Swartland - Call: 0861-10-24-25 | Visit: www.swartland.co.za 5265.C Eureka FortKnox 4 x 1/4pg Padlocks DIYTN DEC17
MARCH 2018 DIY & INDUSTRIAL TRADE NEWS
Cornice Maker - Call: 0860-995-000 Email: info@cornicemaker.co.za | Visit: www.cornicemaker.co.za