Experts in real estate often recommend installing crown moldings as a way of increasing visual appeal especially in an entryway or at least one major room. When sales are slow, homes and buildings with enhanced moldings sell faster than plain ones. While some home improvements cost more than they add to a property’s value, crown molding is frequently mentioned as one upgrade that increases value beyond the cost of installation.

“When you’re comparing two houses, the one with the crown molding is going to show better.” according to Steve Berges, author of 101 Cost Effective Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home.

RealEstate.com’s consumer expert Holly Slaughter says, “Trim work can really add interest, depth, and sophistication to your house, and put money back in your pocket at resale.”

Did you know that crown molding doesn’t have to be expensive? While six inch crown molding in rare woods can run six dollars a foot or higher, prices for the least expensive woods start as low as only sixty cents a foot.

Adding crown molding to one average sized room can cost as little as $300 to $500 including installation, materials, staining or painting. Installed prices can be as little as $8-$12 per running foot.

Retailers and some installers only stock a very limited selection compared to all the widths, thicknesses and shapes a moulding manufacturer offers. Millwork companies can match existing trim mouldings regardless of when the original was created.

Some molding manufacturers stock hundreds of different wood species. Did you know that it actually costs less to custom order from the manufacturer?

There are hundreds of Crown Molding profiles specifying style, shape, width, thickness and height. Available in widths from two to twelve inches, the wider and thicker the more impressive and generally the more costly.

The most popular wood moldings are made from pine, poplar, oak, mahogany and cypress including rare sinker deadhead cypress. While we prefer the warmth and distinction of wood moldings, they are also available in cured polyurethane (flexible plastic), polyvinyl chloride (recycled cellular pvc) and polystyrene (foam).

Crown moulding installation is a job for an expert or a talented do it yourselfer. Most rooms do not have true corners and even a simple room requires the installer to be able to cut accurate angles. One popular installer says moulding is cut “upside down and backwards”.

Be sure to have your new moldings stained, sealed or painted on all surfaces before they’re installed. Don’t let anyone talk you out of doing this because any unsealed surface can deteriorate or warp from moisture. Greatly prolong the life of your moldings by insisting all sides be sealed, stained or painted.

If you are talented and want to do your own crown molding installation, there are specialized tools including True Angle measuring gauges, compound mitre charts, and specific mitre saws that make installing crown molding far easier.

Wayne Drake’s book Crown Molding and Trim, Install It LIke A Pro shows you better ways to cut angles and install crown molding through the use of hundreds of examples and 350+ photos.

The difference moldings make in the appearance of any room is spectacular. Visit or look at photographs of any favorite historical building and you will immediately see the impressive moldings around doors and windows and how the crown moldings set off the ceiling from the walls.

You can surround yourself with that same beauty by adding crown molding to any favorite room. Whether you install it yourself or hire an expert, few home improvements can enhance the look and feel of a room as much.

Frank Wright recommends reading more about buying Crown Mouldings. Use the same free Architectural Mouldings search tool Frank does. Architects can download free approved CAD drawings. Visit the Uber Article Directory to get a totally unique version of this article for reprint.

To be considered an Energy Star efficient new home, these new houses must meet these guidelines set by the government at www.energystar.gov:

1. Effective Insulation 2. High-Performance Windows 3. Solid Construction 4. Efficient Cooling and Heating Equipment 5. Energy Efficient Appliances 6. Third-Party Validation

What exactly is an Energy Star rating and how is it the green choice?

We’ll talk about green options. Unfortunately, the term is tossed around so often that many companies claim many products are “green” simply because they cause less damage to the environment than another product. When we discuss about green, we’re talking a major impact of contaminants or a significant conservation of energy.

With homes, the main green impact is energy savings. Electricity and heat can be conserved in a number of ways, reducing the demand on fossil fuels. Electricity, which is clean when used, still needs to be produced. Generally, it is produced by coal or other fossil fuels with tremendous negative effects on the environment. By reducing the electric demand, you effectively reduce the amount of toxic fuel that needs to be consumed. By doing a few things in your new home, you can significantly reduce the electric demand.

First, you need to take advantage of high quality insulation in new homes. Use enough insulation to adequately protect your new home from the weather. Ideally, you should insulate your walls, attic, floors and basement to help maintain an even inside temperature. The more consistent the temperature inside, the less often your heating system needs to go on, using energy to level the temperature.

Next, consider your windows. With new construction, you can use higher efficiency windows that reduce drafts, insulate outside cold air and help block ultraviolet light (which can fade fabrics, paint and carpets, requiring you to replace them sooner).

Tight construction is key. Small cracks and holes can create significant air flow points that allow heat to escape in the winter and air conditioning to escape in the summer. When this happens, your heating and cooling systems need to work overtime to compensate. Plugging these holes will significantly reduce your energy expenses. With new construction, tight and solid construction, especially around ducts and pipes leading outside, you will have a major impact.

Finally, as you choose a builder, for example www.EmmyHomes.com on Long Island, be sure the new houses have a verification of their Energy Star rating. This protects you to make sure that you are getting the energy benefits that you should get from your new construction.

Craig Axelrod is one of the senior developers from Emmy Homes. Emmy is which is one of Long Island’s premier real estate builders. Emmy’s Commack real estate features new construction in Commack. Visit EmmyHomes.com for information.