Installing a Ceiling Medallion

Ceiling medallions are a great way to add elegance, sophistication, and charm to any room. Whether you decide to go with an antique style, French accent, or post modern, there is a ceiling medallion for you. Thanks to the advent of modern foam and plastic products, moldings have become much more intricate than their former wood or plaster counterparts. Because of the lack of weight with foam and plastic, they have become very easy to install for any able-bodied homeowner.

As with any project, you need to begin by prepping the work area. Begin by cleaning the area of the ceiling where the medallion will be placed. Use a damp sponge or rag to remove any dirt or debris that may be on the ceiling. Paint any parts of the ceiling first before you begin installing the ceiling medallion. Paint the ceiling medallion at this time also.

Depending upon the size of the ceiling medallion, you may need to get someone to help you hold the ceiling medallion while you center it. With a tape measure find the center of the room or area and mark it with a pencil. Always test fit the ceiling medallion first before committing to the final installation. Once you are happy with the placement of the ceiling medallion you can secure it in place.

Depending upon the manufacturer’s specifications, you will more than likely need to secure a large ceiling medallion with screws and a cordless screw gun. Read all the installation directions before final installation. If the ceiling medallion is small, it can be secured with adhesive or a two-part epoxy. Special foam or plastic adhesive will be required. It can be purchased at any hardware store in a small tube for small jobs or a larger tube that will fit in a caulk gun. If you are using screws to install the ceiling medallion, you should still use adhesive to secure the medallion to the ceiling.

Spread the adhesive onto the back of the ceiling medallion. Use a ladder and several blocks of scrap wood to support the medallion while the adhesive dries. You can also use long boards such as a 2×4 to help support the ceiling medallion while it dries. Just remember to place a towel or rag on the end of the boards to prevent damage to the ceiling medallion. Allow the ceiling medallion to dry overnight before removing the braces. Caulk the edges around the ceiling medallion to create a seamless meld between the ceiling and the medallion. Fill any holes you may have made with the screws with foam putty. You can also use painters caulk to fill the holes. Paint the caulk or foam and enjoy your new ceiling medallion.