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doors or drywall first?

dap | Posted in Construction Techniques on January 19, 2005 02:56am

For you finish carpenters:

Would like to know which comes first, and why.

Should I hang door casing before drywall, or after drywall is up?  Can see merit either way, but would like your opinion as you do it everyday and can tell me which is the best and why.

Thanks.

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  1. woodguy99 | Jan 19, 2005 02:59pm | #1

    Dap, install the door casing after sheetrocking is up and, ideally, after a coat of primer is on the walls.  It's just the way all the parts are designed to go together.  Sometimes in a remodel you can run 1/4" or 3/8" rock over the old wall, but it's not ideal.

    1. dap | Jan 19, 2005 05:10pm | #4

      Mike,

      This is the traditional way that I have used.  Doesn't hurt to have a professional opinion.  Always looking for good info.

      Thanks for the input.

      dap

  2. User avater
    BossHog | Jan 19, 2005 03:44pm | #2

    I can't imagine any reason to put the jambs up first.

    They'd likely get scratched by having sheets of drywall drug around from room to room.

    You'd have to cut the drywall before it was put up, rather than hanging the sheet and then cutting out the opening.

    The jambs would be covered in dust that would have to be cleaned off.

    Any particular reason you're thinking about putting the jambs up first?

    If money is the root of all evil, why do churches beg for it?
    1. dap | Jan 19, 2005 05:06pm | #3

      Boss,

      Have an owner who is impatient.  Thought was that could hang jambs plumb, and then drywall and mud to jamb which would then be flush to drywall.  No worry about jamb being proud of wall, or drywall to shave down.

      Have always installed after drywall, but couldn't think of reason not to hang first.  See potential problem with scratch and dent from drywall hangers, and lot of cussing from them if they have to cut rock first but could be done this way I guess.

      Just wanted some advice from pros. 

      Thanks for info.

      dap

      1. Nails | Jan 19, 2005 05:25pm | #5

        D ...Assertiveness.....You are the pro not the homeowner. Once had a HO tell me the carpet layers were going to be there at 2 O'clock tommorrow DW had not been hung.If you think about it and the doors are not split jamb $$$ how are the DW's going to finish the butt to casing $$$$ how much more time is it going to take to hang $$$ let alone finish$$$$ Usually the HO will back off and let you do your job when you show him cost. Sometimes we have to be polite teachers.

        1. dap | Jan 19, 2005 06:52pm | #6

          Thanks Nails.

          Assertiveness... Like that, have to use more of it. 

          Appreciate the info.

          dap

  3. Mooney | Jan 19, 2005 08:41pm | #7

    Actually the hanging would be quite a bit more expensive .

    We hang over windows and doors and router.

    Your jambs would be proud of the drywall and in the way. It would have to be all precut. Then there are finishing problems along with texture and painting.

    Tim Mooney

  4. gyhr | Jun 18, 2020 03:48pm | #8

    I have seen houses where window and door casings are installed before drywall, and in those instances, the casings have the sturdy look of being "embedded" into the wall, rather than merely attached to the wall. Think of outside window casings. With window casings on the outside, you always put up the windows and casings before the siding. Otherwise, the windows look like they could be popped off with a putty knife. However, on the inside, I know that generally, you find windows and casings installed after drywall.

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