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Bifold–Drywall or wood trim finish

Sailfish | Posted in Construction Techniques on January 21, 2005 05:41am

I’m closing a closet off in one room and opening it in the adjoining room. The “new” closet will have a single 36″ pine bifold door (which we will paint). 

I’m unsure if I should have a drywall finish, or trim with wood.

I imagine the rough opening I create will vary depending on which way I go.

I believe wood trim requires 1″ on each side?

And drywall  1/2″ on each side?

I’m much more “experienced” working with wood.

Would that be the one factor that decides the way I go? Or are there any structural things I should know about. IE A drywall hung bifold will fall off, crack etc?

 

Your thoughts, opinions, observations are greatly appreciated.

—————————————————————————–

“It is so, because Piffin tells me it is.”

 

 

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Replies

  1. RalphWicklund | Jan 21, 2005 09:17pm | #1

    Is it your house? Ask your wife what she prefers.

    A customer? You could ask but you're already supposed to know the answer.<G>

    How are the rest of the closets done? Follow the leader.

    If the rest of the openings, passageways, windows, etc., are cased, then case the new.

    I've seen closets with drywall returns and then a casing was nailed up around and overlapped the opening, giving the impression of cased while hiding the edges of the door and the bifolds track.

  2. 5brown1 | Jan 21, 2005 09:21pm | #2

    You will also have to frame the rough opening higher than normal if wrapping it in sheet rock. Also the RO sides must be plumb and the header level as there won't be any adjustment. I have the measurements I use but cannot find them at the moment. I usually set the height to where the bottom support sits on a piece of 3/4" block. This keeps it up to where the carpet will not rub the bottom and the carpet hides the block very well. Personally I like the wrapped look. If I come across those measurements I'll pass them along.
    Aha, found them. RO Width is door size plus 1 1/2" and Height is 82".

    1. User avater
      Sailfish | Jan 21, 2005 09:41pm | #3

      Yeah, after I finished posting, I thought that I really should do like the rest of the house. ALl the closets are cased.

      It's our home.

      We have wood floors throughout the house.

       

      THanks for the exact measurments!!!

       

      What do you mean exactly by level :-)

       

       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

      "It is so, because Piffin tells me it is."

       

       

      1. MojoMan | Jan 22, 2005 12:53am | #5

        Make your rough opening about 2" wider and about 1" taller than the door, harware and carpet clearance. Assemble your jambs, place them in the opening and use tapered shims to get the jambs plumb and level. Then apply the casings. 

        Al Mollitor, Sharon MA

  3. User avater
    JDRHI | Jan 21, 2005 09:42pm | #4

    Match the rest of the house.

    If you`re simply wrapping with drywall, be sure studs are plumb and header is dead level.

    J. D. Reynolds

    Home Improvements

    "DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"

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