kitchen cabinets and uneven / wavy ceiling

11 years ago

we are building a new house and have just installed our upper cabinet boxes with a simple straight "crown" that goes to the ceiling. (see pic) after installing the trim piece on the crown of the cabinets, we saw how bad and uneven the ceiling was. the difference vary's from nothing to 3/8". does anyone have any suggestions on how to finish this so that we can "mask" the issue? we are going for a more modern/transitional look with the white shaker cabinetry so did not want any fancy crown mouldings. we were told that it may be best to add a skim coat to the ceiling, add foam rod, followed by caulking (and sealing with paint). However,i heard that over time this will become a weak point and will crack (which will become visible). the 2nd option presented to us is to add another trim piece (.5") on top of the existing crown trim to hide the gap. however we don't think this would work because if the trim followed the uneven ceiling at the top, then the trim on top of the existing trim will not be straight. our cabinet maker also does not build complex cabinets so a basic solution may be best. Does anyone have any ideas or options they can share? if not, which of the above options do you prefer?

Featured Answer

magada

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

This reminds me of when i built in a 2M long cupboard in an old house with NO right angled surfaces at all: floor, walls and ceiling each doing it's own thing and i soon wished that i'd never started. Came out ok though as it didn't matter much if it wasn't perfect.

I'd say your best solution would be the the rather long winded skim one, (although what i'd probably do myself would be filler in the gaps making sure i get a clean sharp angle to the ceiling, use same paint as wood and would only be noticeable if one was really looking for it i think. But then again i'm not a perfection freak in such matters)

Skim solution probably will show cracks over time but not for sure and anyhow they're so easily filled, although it will obviously incur new paint job but by that time your ceiling should be in need of it anyhow.

Or maybe the PROs can come up with a better quick fix solution.

Good luck anyhow.

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Comments (14)

lucidos
11 years ago
No wall or ceiling is truly straight, plumb or flat. Some are less straight then others. There are 2 ways to do this without plastering.

1. Fill the large gaps with wood putty then run a line of paintable caulk. To do this green tape both the ceiling and the trim in a straight line. Apply and smooth the caulk then remove the tape. This will give you a perfect line.

2. Use a cove molding. Inexpensive and flexible.

Plaster work is an art form. Feathering out a 3/8" deviation with your arms over your head is not going to make you happy. To make that 3/8" disappear you will have to feather it a few feet. It will take a few coats and then depending on your expertise there will be dust from sanding. Lastly you will need to prime and then paint the entire ceiling.
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PRO
PPF.
11 years ago
Foam backer. Big Stretch caulk. Paint to match ceiling.

Or.

Add small trim. Scribe to ceiling -- bottom of trim will match straight lines on cabinets, top of trim will match uneven ceiling.
PRO
Design Set Match
11 years ago
This is a common problem. The most clean and simple way to resolve the noticeability of a wavy ceiling is to purchase "flat stock" crown moulding like you have, but a little bigger and have your installer "scribe" it to fit. Scribing is essentially following the ceiling as precisely as possible. This could be down by adding another piece to layer your crown, but it will be more noticeable the smaller the crown is.
PRO
Circle Goods Reclaimed
11 years ago
lucidos, I'm with you on the caulking idea that or scribe, but do not use wood putty. It will dry out and crack and look pretty rough. Just use caulking or scribe would be the way to go.
lucidos
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I've use wood putty as a filler behind the caulk to give the caulking a foothold..also shims would work. He has a 3/8" gap in places those - spots will need a bit more subsistence to sustain the caulking.
PRO
Antonio Martins Interior Design
11 years ago
That happens all the time - you are not alone. To skim coat to the ceiling is the best solution but also the most complicated. The easy solution Is to add paintable caulking - no one other than you would ever know about it.
PRO
Gilmans Kitchens and Baths
11 years ago
paintable caulk would hide this from most of your friends. Its very common to see this especially after the house settles. Try the caulk in a little area to see if it makes you happier.
cookingistherapy
11 years ago
We have a similar issue. I would live with it for about a year to give everything time to settle in. At our house, in the summer, one cannot see the gap but in the winter, the gap is noticeable but we do not "notice" it anymore. I would also suggest stock molding as I think it would look more finished. Very pretty cabinets.
PRO
Urbanata/Steve
11 years ago
Have you tried removing the crown molding. Normally we set cabinets an inch plus below a ceiling line for this reason leaving a "shadow". Otherwise yes you will need a professional to float mud in these ares to even out the ceiling and no it will not break out over time.
Clare P
6 years ago
What did you decide to do? I am having a similar issue and would love to see a picture of the finished product.
Mark Bailey
4 years ago
I have similar problem, only One side of kitchen cabinets are touching to ceiling but the other side is 3/4" to 1" below ceiling. Top of both sides of cabinets are at 96" from sub floor. Isthetea solution to makeboth sides look like they are the same? Top Cabinets are 42" and a full face. The is probably only 1/2" from top of cabinet door to the ceiling on the side the cabinets are touching the ceiling. I was thinking I could do something with the ceiling but what I'm not sure.
HU-922393369
4 years ago
What did you end up doing?
Ruth House
4 years ago
My house was built in 1895 so nothing is completely perfect. Even after the contractor installed a new ceiling, the cabinet guys were faced with a gap at top. They did what Design Set Match recommended. At the time it bothered me but no one notices it. It’s a simple and clean solution.