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Spiral Stair Well Finishing

DLightbourn | Posted in General Discussion on September 14, 2002 05:11am

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

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  1. User avater
    CloudHidden | Sep 14, 2002 07:29pm | #1

    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.

    View Image

    1. Snort | Sep 14, 2002 08:47pm | #2

      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!"

      1. Snort | Sep 14, 2002 08:49pm | #3

        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

        1. DLightbourn | Sep 15, 2002 03:23am | #7

          Billy

          Thank you for the link - this looks like a job for the FedEx Man!

          1. Snort | Sep 15, 2002 03:34am | #10

            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!

          2. donpapenburg | Sep 15, 2002 06:31am | #11

            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

          3. DLightbourn | Sep 15, 2002 01:28pm | #12

            Thank you Don, I will give it a try.

      2. User avater
        CloudHidden | Sep 14, 2002 11:21pm | #4

        That's easily solved. I can curve it to fit in my suitcase. One plane ticket, and his worries are over.

        1. Snort | Sep 15, 2002 01:47am | #5

          Dang, I help the guy, and you fly, that makes me cry ;(font color+#61B2E0> It's okay, I can fix it!

          1. User avater
            CloudHidden | Sep 15, 2002 02:52am | #6

            How about this...HE flies to NC to pick up the bead, and we all get together and party!!!

          2. Snort | Sep 15, 2002 03:32am | #8

            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!

    2. DLightbourn | Sep 15, 2002 03:33am | #9

      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

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