We are in the final stages of completing a clients house – finishing drywall, installing cabinets etc., and I have been putting off the installation of the spiral stair to the loft/home office. Installing the stair kit should be simple enough, but I am not sure how to finish the circular opening.
It is a 48″ diameter stair, and the instructions suggest a 50″ diameter opening. My thought is to bend in a piece of 1/8″ tempered hardboard to line the opening. I am hoping that this will give us a better finish than scoring and bending a piece of 1/2″ drywall (the thinnest available locally).
My carpet guy assures me that he can finish the transition from the loft floor to the opening with a flexible metal carpet edging strip “..no problem mon..” but I cannot find anything like an “arch bead” to finish the bottom edge where it meets the ceiling drywall.
Any help would be appreciated.
Edited 9/14/2002 10:13:28 AM ET by Dennis Lightbourn
Replies
A drywall supply house should have a flex corner bead. I've found square and bullnose there. It's kerfed every inch or so.
Finished two such openings in two different ways. On one we did expanded metal lathe and 3-coat plaster. On another I ripped and planed 3/16 strips of the flooring I was using and glued/nailed them so it almost looks like a curved gluelam there, but it matches the flooring.
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Dennis is in the Bahamas, so stuff may not be so readily available off the rack. Strait-Flex, I'll look up the link..."It's okay, I can fix it!"
http://www.straitflex.com/ ...comes in a little box, oughta ship real easily...strange link, click around
"It's okay, I can fix it!"
Edited 9/14/2002 1:49:50 PM ET by bucksnort billy
Edited 9/14/2002 1:52:04 PM ET by bucksnort billy
Edited 9/14/2002 1:53:08 PM ET by bucksnort billy
Billy
Thank you for the link - this looks like a job for the FedEx Man!
Dennis, in your case, wouldn't it be the FedEx Mon!?
Let me know if you need any help, Cloud and I have a plan... It's okay, I can fix it!
1/2 drywall will bend that radius even smaller in a humid climate. It can't bee more than a foot tall cut it across the grain (48"side) it bends easier that way than the 8' long .Don
Thank you Don, I will give it a try.
That's easily solved. I can curve it to fit in my suitcase. One plane ticket, and his worries are over.
Dang, I help the guy, and you fly, that makes me cry ;(font color+#61B2E0> It's okay, I can fix it!
How about this...HE flies to NC to pick up the bead, and we all get together and party!!!
You think I'm pretty easy don'cha...well, okaaay, but only if there's some Yer Ho' rum involved...hey Mrs. 'Snort's in Boone this weekend, some music festival thing, do you think mountain music 'd be any good? oh man, the painter can caulk that!
The party in NC sounds like a great idea, but for now the only party I'm planning is the one next month for the crew when we FINISH this house!
I like the flooring idea - hey maybe the client will go for matching carpet! :>)
Seriously guys, what about the tempered hardboard idea - easy to bend and it should take joint compound and paint well?
Edited 9/14/2002 8:39:06 PM ET by Dennis Lightbourn