This post is a continuation of last week’s topic where I shared how we converted unused space above our garage to valuable STORAGE by installing drop down attic stairs. Click here if you’d like to check out that post first. In this post, I cover how we wrapped up the project by adding trim moulding around the attic door to clean up the look on the ceiling.
The workshop has been idle for the past couple of weeks while I’ve been finishing up some long overdue drywall repairs around the drop down attic stairs that we installed several years ago. I finally wrapped up the drywall work last weekend and the last step to the project was installing some trim around the attic stairs. I didn’t plan on documenting this one, but the camera was close by, so why not?! If you’re thinking about taking on this project, then make sure to follow the instructions below in conjunction with watching the video, as I didn’t take many still shots during this project
Step 1: Measure and Cut top side
Cut a 45 degree angle on a piece that will be used for the top of the attic stairs opening (one of the short ends of the rectangular opening). Leave the other end at a 90 degree cut, about 3 inches longer than the corner of the opening. That way, you can hold up the trim and make a pencil mark where the next angle should be. Leave about a 1/8″ gap between the edge of the attic door and the inside edge of the trim.
Top Tip: Since we’re dealing with finish work, use quality blade to get clean, smooth cuts (I recommend using a blade with at least 60 teeth)
Top Tip: Always cut the pieces a little long and check the fit; the power miter saw gives you the ability to cut very slight amounts off with a high degree of accuracy
Step 2: Nail trim to door jamb
Cut the second 45 degree angle on the first piece of trim and hold it in place along with a test piece to complete the corner. At this point, you’re just going to fasten the top piece, but holding a test piece along the next edge makes sure that you have everything positioned correctly for the next cut. Nail the trim into the door jamb of the attic stairs (by driving the 4d nails through the bottom of the trim where it is thinner, it should make contact with the jamb (frame) of the attic stairs). Note: don’t nail into the ceiling joists just yet – that steps comes last once all four pieces have been loosely installed).
Top Tip: If you don’t have access to a pneumatic nail gun, then I highly suggest you predrill nail holes to avoid splitting the trim. Use a 1/16″ bit for 4d nails, 3/32″ for 6d nails and 1/8″ for 8d nails
Step 3: Measure, cut and nail long sides
Measure from the inside corner of the first piece of trim to where the inside corner should rest on the other end. Transfer that measurement to the next piece of trim (this will be one of the long edges of the rectangle). Make the cut and install the trim, nailing into the jamb of the attic door.
Top Tip: Go ahead and make the same measurements on another piece that will be used for the other edge of the opening (on the opposite side), since they should be the same length.
Step 4: Measure, cut and nail bottom side
Measure outer edge to outer edge to determine the length needed for the final piece of trim. Note: I ran out of trim pieces long enough for the final cut during my project, so you’ll notice in the video that I tried to be resourceful and mitered two pieces together (I needed this project to be over and didn’t have time to make yet another trip to Home Depot!) 🙂
Top Tip: Save yourself some time by painting the trim before installing. Overhead painting is awkward and can be messy. You’ll still need to do some minor touch ups, but that will go quick.
Step 5: Nail trim to ceiling
Once all 4 trim pieces have been tacked up to the stairs casing with the 4d nails, secure the trim to the ceiling joists using stronger 6d nails. By driving nails through the outer edge of the trim, it should be secured into the studs behind the drywall.
Step 6: Touch Up
All that’s left now is some touch up work. First, caulk around the outer edges where the trim meets the drywall to fill any gaps. Next, fill nail holes with wood putty. Once the wood putty has dried, sand and touch up with paint.
-Chris
