I am installing 4 1/2" crown molding and am wondering what is the most aesthetically pleasing way of working around hot water heat pipes--They are not insulated--should they be? and how would that change the dynamic of putting up the molding? There are two pipes an inch in diameter, three inches apart and are set out about two inches from the wall. Would one drill a hole at the front of the molding to butt up behind the pipes and stain (they are stained molding pieces) the inside?
Then there is the problem of the holes where the pipes go into ceiling--very tacky. How would one make that look nice since the molding won't wrap around the pipe? I want this to be a "class act" of a molding job. Thanks for your input!

Welcome Dawn.
Would it be possible to post a picture of the project? It sounds like a tricky job for a coping saw. Practice pieces.

Hi Dawn and welcome to Handymans!

I, too think some photos of the problem areas will help the experts to visualize your situation. Once they see what you're up against, they'll fix you right up. If you need help posting pictures, just shout out, it's easy to do! (besides, we love seeing pictures )

Liz

Thinking about this during the wee small hours, I wondered if it wouldn't be best to build a small chase around the pipes and butt the crown molding up to it.

Actually, if a chase means a "box" around it, I had considered it. They set right next to the stairs (next project_need refinishing), so as soon as I figure out how to run the camera , I'll post pictures. Kidding about running the camera...can't run a camera?--shouldn't be running a miter! I guess since the pipes are uninsulated, I didn't know if that should be done first or at all--are there any hazards I should be aware of? A chase would certainly make the "unfinished look" look a lot better!

So about the chase...preference on materials for it?

OH yes...THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!

The chase I would make out of one by stock and rip it to the appropriate width(s). I would fasten the members that are at right angles to the wall with L brackets and screw anchors, nail on the cap and finish it with drywall mud so it looks like part of the wall. The only thing I wonder about is whether the heat from the pipes would cause resin to ooze out of the wood or make the grain stand out. Insulating the pipes before building the chase would probably help that issue. Someone will be along soon to answer that.

Regarding hazards, I can't imagine any but the guy to ask would probably be Harold (Heatpro) He can usually be found in the "Around The Shop" forum. I don't think he checks in here.

DonkeyDave made me aware of the question here; I don't usually post about wood. However, I made a wood front plate cover for hot water baseboard and painted that with latex white. After 20 years of being next to the hot water heat pipes, the board nor the wood panel behind it hasn't warped or otherwise changed from the day I installed it. It seems not a concern, as hot water pipes stand off inside the wall without changing the wood, other than drying it more than wood not near the pipes. Also as the pipes go near the wall they cover, no changes seem to happen there. It seems 200F temperatures have little effect on the wood or paint over time.

There was a concern in a mid-west university town enough for them to recommend that the holes around hot water pipes as they pass through the floor be at least an inch away from the pipes to the wood to prevent possible auto-ignition. But, as no such case of causing a fire has ever happened, and it would have created another part that was never needed before - such as, a grommet to fit the 3-inch hole in the floor devised to pass tubing, the plan was dropped from the code recommendation.

Ok, now I have batteries in my camera and pictures waiting to be seen. I do need help getting them to be viewable. Where do I post them since I don't have a personal web site?

Size your pictures to 650 pixels wide, log on to Photobucket.com and follow the instructions from there. Once you've downloaded your picture to Photobucket,click on "IMG CODE" under the picture then click on "copy". Go back to Handyman and Right click in the window then left click on paste. You'll see a link. When you post it, it will become a picture. Clear as mud?

Things move much faster around here on the weekdays.