Cracked and Separated Cornice Runs
Movement at the wall-ceiling junction opens the cornice first. We secure the run, fill the gap with setting plaster and re-profile the joint.
Heritage plaster in Kingston, ON
Plaster Crown Moulding and Cornice Repair in Kingston
Kingston Drywall repairs and restores plaster crown moulding, cornices and ceiling medallions in the century homes of Kingston and Eastern Ontario. This is restoration work in real plaster, not replacing original detail with MDF crown.
Our plaster work draws on more than 20 years of hands-on experience in older homes. We repair runs in place where the moulding is sound, and cast replacement sections from moulds taken off your own profile where it is not.
We are licensed, insured and WSIB covered. Every cornice job starts with an on-site assessment, because no two profiles are the same.
- 20+ years
- 2,500+ jobs
- Licensed, insured, WSIB
20+ years of drywall
in Eastern Ontario
in Eastern Ontario
Restoration, not replacement
Specialist Work for Kingston's Century Homes
Ornamental plaster was run by hand in many of Kingston's 19th and early 20th century houses. Once a section cracks or falls, most contractors suggest tearing it all out and nailing up foam or MDF.
We do the opposite. We keep every sound section, repair what is damaged and recreate what is missing so the run looks continuous again.
Both methods are available: we repair and fill profiles in place, and we cast new sections from silicone moulds on the bench, then fit them into the run.
What we repair
Ornamental Plaster Work We Repair
Missing and Broken Sections of Moulding
A section is cast from a mould of your own profile, so the replacement matches the original run exactly, then set in place and blended.
Ceiling Medallions and Roses
Chipped petals and broken rims are rebuilt by hand or recast from an intact part of the same medallion. Loose medallions are re-secured to the ceiling first.
Corner Blocks, Returns and Mitres
The hardest part of any cornice repair. Inside and outside corners must be mitred by hand so the profile turns the corner cleanly.
Detail Lost Under Layers of Old Paint
A century of paint softens sharp detail into blobs. Careful paint removal often brings the original profile back without any recasting.
Water Damaged Cornice After a Roof or Pipe Leak
Wet plaster softens and lets go. We remove failed material to sound plaster, allow the area to dry fully and rebuild the profile.
Free written quotes with the finish level spelled out.
The method
How We Match an Existing Profile
Profile matching is the proof of the craft. This is how a missing section ends up indistinguishable from the original.
- 1
Take a Template
We take a profile from a sound section of the run, or a silicone impression of the detail.
- 2
Cut a Running Mould or Reverse Mould
A running mould is cut for plain profiles; enriched detail gets a flexible reverse mould.
- 3
Cast or Run the Section
Plaster of Paris or lime-based plaster is cast on the bench or run in place, depending on the moulding.
- 4
Fit and Blend the Joint
The new piece is set, the joints are filled and re-profiled by hand until the seam disappears.
Our work
Cornice and Medallion Repairs in Progress
Choosing a method
Repair in Place or Cast and Fit?
| Method | Best for | Cost and disruption |
|---|---|---|
| Repair in place | Cracks, small chips, separated joints and short missing lengths | Lower cost, work done in the room over a few visits |
| Cast and fit | Long missing runs, broken enriched detail, medallion parts | Higher cost, most of the work done off site, shorter time in your home |
Many jobs use both methods: new cast sections for missing lengths, and in-place repairs to the rest of the run.
Send us a few photos for a faster estimate.
Heritage properties
Working in Designated and Listed Properties
Kingston has a substantial heritage register and several heritage conservation districts, including Old Sydenham and Barriefield. Work on designated properties can require a heritage permit from the City under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Interior plaster repair is often outside the scope of a permit, but that depends on the designation. Check with City of Kingston heritage staff before work starts, and we will provide the scope and method details they ask for.
Pricing
What Ornamental Plaster Repair Costs
Cornice repairs are priced per linear foot, and medallions and corner blocks per piece. Every profile is quoted individually, because the detail, size and condition vary so much.
This is the one service we cannot price from a photo. A site visit is needed to see the profile, check how sound the run is and decide between repairing in place and casting.
FAQ
Crown Moulding Repair FAQs
Straight answers to the questions we hear on site visits every week.
Can you match a plaster cornice profile that is no longer made?
Yes. We take the profile directly from your existing moulding, so it does not matter whether anyone still manufactures it.
Is it cheaper to replace plaster cornice with MDF?
Often, yes, at least up front. MDF or foam crown is quicker to install.
What you lose is depth, crisp detail and the original fabric of the house, and the new crown rarely matches the scale of the room. For heritage homes that loss usually costs more in value than it saves.
How long does a cornice repair take to cure before painting?
Gypsum plaster sets within hours but should dry fully before painting, typically a few days to a week depending on depth and humidity. Lime-based plaster takes longer.
Can a ceiling medallion be repaired in place?
Usually. Chips and small breaks are rebuilt in place. If a medallion is badly damaged or loose, it may be taken down, repaired on the bench and re-installed.
Do you work on heritage designated buildings in Kingston?
We repair plaster in older and heritage homes. For designated properties, confirm with City of Kingston heritage staff whether a permit is needed for your specific work before we begin.
Talk to a drywall specialist, not a call centre.
Related services and areas
More Heritage Plaster Work
Cornice work usually goes hand in hand with plaster repair on the walls below and ceiling repair on the plaster above.
We also restore ornamental plaster in Brockville and Gananoque. Learn more about our team.
Free written quote Prefer to talk it through? Call us (343) 504-7975
Arrange a Heritage Plaster Consultation
Ornamental plaster starts with a conversation, not an instant quote. Book a consultation visit and we will assess the moulding, explain the options and follow up with a written proposal.
Photos of the damaged run and a sound section help us prepare for the visit.
- Hours
- Mon to Sat: 7:00am to 9:30pm
- Sun: 9:00am to 8:00pm
- Service area
- Kingston and towns within about 45 minutes, plus larger projects further afield.
- Licensed
- Fully insured
- WSIB covered
- WHMIS trained
- Working at Heights trained
- Drywall specialists