How the hell do I trim this? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

rusty1986 · 09-09-2008, 03:59 PM

I'm trimming some skylights and I'll do my best to describe the situation. I'll run by the house later today and get some pictures.

There are 3 skylights, and they were all framed (as per GC's instructions) to finish flush with the truss, and not lead into the drywall channel of the skylight. The skylights are slightly off centre between the trusses. So the GC has decided to run 1X5 poplar into the drywall channel and finish it off with shoe molding. Fine.

The problem is that, since the skylights are off centre, the reveal between the shoe mold and the 1X5 won't be equal on both sides.... OR.... I could shim the 1X5's at different angles to the skylight to make an equal reveal all the way around, but they would be at different angles, and still not symmetrical.

Since I'm sure a lot of guys on here have been trimming since before I was born, I'm hoping there's a better solution besides splitting the difference between reveal and angle.

rusty1986 · 09-09-2008, 04:35 PM

I could also rip the shoe mold.But again, not symmetrical.

rusty1986 · 09-09-2008, 04:39 PM

Here's the skylight.

Here's what I have to work with.

Aframe · 09-09-2008, 04:40 PM

Pad out sides of shaft so you get same reveal on both sides.

If the sides of the shaft are angled you will end up with different opening widths when you come through the ceiling plane, trapezoid through the ceiling.

I have some other ideas for you, but will wait for pics.

bert0168 · 09-09-2008, 04:44 PM

If I follow you correctly, you will have to pack out each side all the way down to the ceiling so your reveal is the same. Each pack out sounds like it will be different. Since it is in a truss, you could use different thicknesses of plywood (or combination of plywood depending on thickness) to give you solid nailing for the 1x.

Quote:

I could also rip the shoe mold.But again, not symmetrical.

I think ripping trim to fit looks like crap and I will only do it if I absolutely have no other option

rusty1986 · 09-09-2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bert0168

If I follow you correctly, you will have to pack out each side all the way down to the ceiling so your reveal is the same. Each pack out sounds like it will be different. Since it is in a truss, you could use different thicknesses of plywood (or combination of plywood depending on thickness) to give you solid nailing for the 1x.

Well packing or furring out the opening would have been my choice, except it's already drywalled and taped

I'm also going to have to get creative at the bottom of the skylight because the drywall leads up to the drywall channel but the boarders put a corner bead on it about an inch below the skylight. So I'm going to have to rip the 1X5 and come out at an angle to the edge of the drywall.

Hard to picture, I know. But I'll get some more pics later and put them up.

bert0168 · 09-09-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Well packing or furring out the opening would have been my choice, except it's already drywalled and taped

Even better.

Add some strips that will run perpendicular to the 1x, you can glue them on w/ construction adhesive, nail into that. You'll get a solid nail into framing at the top and bottom.

bert0168 · 09-09-2008, 04:56 PM

Maybe I don't understand how you want it trimmed. Is the 1x going to run from the skylight down the trunk to the ceiling face?

bert0168 · 09-09-2008, 04:58 PM

Quote:

I'm also going to have to get creative at the bottom of the skylight because the drywall leads up to the drywall channel but the boarders put a corner bead on it about an inch below the skylight. So I'm going to have to rip the 1X5 and come out at an angle to the edge of the drywall.

Hard to picture, I know. But I'll get some more pics later and put them up

Definitely need better pics

Aframe · 09-09-2008, 05:10 PM

never mind, only way to make it right is to redo openings. Just make sure your name isn't on it when the HO sees it.

looks like you could board over whats there, new corner bead and tape it again

rusty1986 · 09-09-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aframe

never mind, only way to make it right is to redo openings. Just make sure your name isn't on it when the HO sees it.

looks like you could board over whats there, new corner bead and tape it again

Unfortunately, re-boarding the opening isn't an option. It's a very long story to how I got stuck with this job, but the HO is my girlfriend's dad.

I was told to "make it work".

Tom R · 09-09-2008, 06:18 PM

Pad whichever side you need to to get symmetrical, - - run your 1 X 5 jambs flush with the ceiling, - - then picture-frame with window-casings.

neolitic · 09-09-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusty1986

Unfortunately, re-boarding the opening isn't an option. It's a very long story to how I got stuck with this job, but the HO is my girlfriend's dad.

I was told to "make it work".

Don't marry her, until dad dies!

naildriver · 09-09-2008, 07:44 PM

Is the ceiling vaulted?, cathedral?, flat? If the ceiling is cathedral then I would jamb the openings with the 1*5 and case it out with a decent looking trim. Not shoe mould. I really can't get the jist of whats going on with the pics you showed. Looking forward to new pics.

Aframe · 09-09-2008, 07:55 PM

given that your stuck with whats there, make it as plain/low key as possible. You don't want the trim to draw attention to itself.

paint it out same as the walls, hopefully it will disappear

rusty1986 · 09-09-2008, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neolitic

Don't marry her, until dad dies!

Solid advice. Although I have to make sure I seal the deal, because he's rich.

Quote:

Originally Posted by naildriver

Is the ceiling vaulted?, cathedral?, flat? If the ceiling is cathedral then I would jamb the openings with the 1*5 and case it out with a decent looking trim. Not shoe mould. I really can't get the jist of whats going on with the pics you showed. Looking forward to new pics.

Flat. All three skylights are in bathrooms (two in the master, one in the common).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aframe

given that your stuck with whats there, make it as plain/low key as possible. You don't want the trim to draw attention to itself.

paint it out same as the walls, hopefully it will disappear

Great advice...... Thanks.

rusty1986 · 09-09-2008, 09:46 PM

Hopefully these will clear things up a bit.

Brown is the channel on the skylight
Dark grey is drywall
Green is trim
Light grey is glass

Here's the side view.

Alwaysconfusd11 · 09-09-2008, 10:17 PM

I think thats ugly as hell. Why cant you just add to the rock to make it symetrical with the other side? That would be the easiest and best option. If you need to rip something to trim it out it should be maybe like shoe, take your 1x and just route a roundover on it. It should be smooth and let the eye ease right past it.

rusty1986 · 09-10-2008, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alwaysconfusd11

I think thats ugly as hell. Why cant you just add to the rock to make it symetrical with the other side? That would be the easiest and best option.

I completely agree. Unfortunately the HO and GC don't. They're cheap, and want things done fast. They look at the price tag, and could care less about the quality of work

Right now my job is to make it look as good as possible.

Jason W · 09-10-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusty1986

Right now my job is to make it look as good as possible.

The only option you have is to build out the larger sides to equal the smallest size. Otherwise it will look crappy.

On another note, the GC should be fixing this at no cost since it's his poor work causing the problem. Why should there be an extra cost for doing things right?