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Carpet or Doors First?

corrib | Posted in General Discussion on January 27, 2006 12:37pm

I’m nearing the end (at last!) of my construction project and trying to figure out what I should do next.

I’m having somebody hang the doors and another contractor install the carpet and tile. I’m planning on doing the other trim myself. What should the process be for this project?

I was thinking the bathroom tile should be first, then the trimwork I’m doing, then carpet, and doors last. Is this right or should I rethink?

Thanks for any advice!

Patrick

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  1. capeguy | Jan 27, 2006 12:47am | #1

    I would do the tile first then the doors and trim and the carpet last.

    1. corrib | Jan 27, 2006 01:02am | #2

      I'd intially though that route as I'm not crazy about sawdust on my new carpet.However, it will be difficult to get the door contractor back if the doors aren't the right height relative to the carpet. Do you see this as a problem or not a big deal?

      1. capeguy | Jan 27, 2006 01:14am | #3

        usually doors are about 1" short just for that reason.

        If you are using a thick pad then tell hima and he can cut them a little more.

        It is easier to install the door jambs right on the subfloor than having to deal with the carpet.

        Not only the sawdust but dirty footprints as well on the new carpet.

        1. corrib | Jan 27, 2006 01:20am | #4

          Doors first, hadn't thought of the subfloor issue. In that case, should I wait until the doors are installed before doing any of the trim work?

  2. User avater
    JeffBuck | Jan 27, 2006 01:58am | #5

    hang the doors.

    do the floors.

    run the trim.

     

    Jeff

        Buck Construction

     Artistry In Carpentry

         Pittsburgh Pa

    1. DBlacky | Jan 27, 2006 02:08am | #6

      paint...ceramic, resilient and hardwood...doors/trim/cabinets...carpet always last

      Dan

      oh yea.. areas where other than carpet flooring abuts a door make sure door is up 3/8-1/2" above subfloor on carpet side and jamb and casing is tight to other than carpet side, also all jambs, casing and base on carpet areas is 3/8-1/2" off subfloor

      Edited 1/26/2006 6:13 pm ET by DBlacky

      1. dtgardengirl | Jan 27, 2006 02:35am | #7

        Just two cents here.

        We live in an older home, built when shag was in vogue originally.  The interior doors have high clearance.  (Makes for drafts if you get rid of the shag, which we did).  My in-laws, on the other hand had the opposite problem and the installer wasn't too keen on undercutting the doors.

        I'd say, if you do the doors first, stack a sample  the subfloor, padding, carpet, or tile, and measure the height and make sure you have the clearance and maybe add a fraction to account for an uneven subfloor.  And, since you are capable of doing the trim, you could probably take down the door easily and take it to the garage to adjust if needed thus avoiding the dust and tracking on the new floor covering.

        One interesting thing I learned while in floorcovering, is that with carpet, if the door is often closed, with carpeting, dirt infiltration can cause deposits on the threshold area.  I'd be inclined to allow a tad more circulation room with carpet to minimize this possible problem.  Enjoy your finished project!

  3. sledgehammer | Jan 27, 2006 02:54am | #8

    1) all trim

    2) paint

    3) flooring

    If the door hanger can't adjust  for flooring, get someone else.

    As a side note... this gets trickey especially in hallways where there are alot of doors and different floor coverings in each room. Keeping all the openings the same height  ain't for the novice. Having a bathroom door set 1" higher or lower then the closet door next to it just looks bad.

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