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which first? trim, paint, stain, carpet

| Posted in General Discussion on March 15, 2003 10:04am

I’ll be finishing off a home office space (same one as in the ripping plywood thread…thanks again for all the suggestions there) in an attic and am trying to decide best order of finish steps.  I seem to remember somewhat similar questions in the past, but I can never find much when I do searches here. 

Space is roughly 20 x 20.  The old and damaged tongue and groove pine floor will be carpeted.  Dry wall is already installed.  I’m doing the painting, trim, stain, and bookcases.  Carpet guy said to paint first, then carpet, then trim (bookcases can come before or after carpet).  Keeping in mind I’m not a professional, which order might be best?  

While I see the advantage of painting before trim, trimming would be easier before painting with the stud locations evident on the drywall.  Does making a “map” of the stud locations seem silly?  Then I could prime and paint first.  Should carpet come before or after trim?  And is it better to put bookcases on rough floor or carpet.  There won’t be backs on the bookcases, so I’m considering having them on the carpet and against the baseboard with a cleat or rail on the upper backs.  And the trim will be stained and finished, or maybe just a couple coats of shellec.  Should I finish it before installing and then touch up? 

Lot’s of options in my mind, but hopefully simpler to all of you.  What are the usually followed rules of thumb for all of this?  Thanks alot for any ideas or suggestions.        

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  1. User avater
    NickNukeEm | Mar 15, 2003 11:36pm | #1

    If it was my job, this is what I would do:

    Sub it all out.

    Just kidding.

    1.  Mark stud locations on rough floor (In bathroom renos, I do map out stud locations and take digital photos, in addition to marking on ceiling, etc.)

    2.  Prime/seal walls with good drywall primer/sealer, preferably 2 coats to prevent photographing through paint, then paint walls

    3.  Finish trim before installing (less messy-no drips, runs, errors-more professional looking), set nails and putty

    4.  Trim out room prior to carpet being installed

    5.  You might get a debate on the bookcases.  If this is a permanent setup, put the bookcases in after painting the walls, then install your trim and then the carpet.  Scribe case to wall for a gapless installation.  If the bookcase might be moved, install it after the carpet is laid down.  It would look A#1 to remove some baseboard and set the case against the wall.  (I did something similar last year, tacking up a length of baseboard coped on both ends in a multifunction room so the carpet could be put down, then removed it when we installed some cabinets, reinstalling the baseboard cut to fit.) 

    Good Luck.

    I never met a tool I didn't like!



    Edited 3/15/2003 4:38:38 PM ET by NickNuke'em

  2. xhammerandnailsx | Mar 16, 2003 12:08am | #2

    We normally do trim before any flooring has been laid. we just use blocks to hold it up 3/4" before nailing it in.

  3. wallyo | Mar 16, 2003 08:12am | #3

    It depends if the bookcase are built in as kitchen cabinets.  If they are I wood.

    1. Paint ceiling and walls

    2. prefinish bookcases

    3.  Install bookcases

    4.  Pre finish all trim base board and casings

    5. carpet

    6.  INSTALL TRIM

    Yes most people would do it in the order of 6,4 and 5  but I have not yet found a carpet installer who will do an install with out marring and denting the trim with a stretcher and kicker.  If the bookcases are not built in then set them on the carpet but if they are never to leave the house then carpet around them.  If the room were ever to be recarpeted it is no fun to empty them move them, carpet and put them back.  Just protect the toe kicks with some thing if they go in first then get the carpet laid that kicker can be nasty.



    Edited 3/16/2003 1:15:55 AM ET by wally

  4. CAGIV | Mar 16, 2003 09:42am | #4

    Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr  Carpeting over Old Hardwood is practically a sin but...

    Paint,

    Trim

    Carpet

    Touch up.

    (By the way if your studs fall on a regular lay out all you need to know is the location of one, then just lay tape on the ground extend it out  and follow the red numbers if you cant see the marks on the wall.)

    View ImageGo Jayhawks
    1. Handydan | Mar 16, 2003 10:29am | #5

      Well now you know how it can be so entertaining around here, we agree to disagree often, and most will believe that they are right/proper/best.  Any of the orders will endup with some backtracking or touch up work, but you are in an attic, so don't sweat it too much.  My opinion, for what it's worth. 

      1. Prime and Paint

      2. carpet

      3. trrim-  notice the stutter while deciding where the bookcases go

      4. bookcases- between the gap in the trim

      5.  Now get to work in that fancy new office

      Dan   And the stud map is a good idea, just don't lose it

  5. andybuildz | Mar 16, 2003 01:57pm | #6

    Paint walls with primer and one top coat. Add tint to primer to match top coat...(just something I always do)....paint trim off the walls(unless the trim and walls are the same color..shame if they are) with primer and one top coat. Install cabs, install trim with 1/2" - 3/4" plywood shims under them to be taken out later., caulk trim to walls and fill nail holes. Decide to do crown moldings then get a flash after THAT looks so good to use some chair rail....then the wife comes in with curtain rods and and and....Last coat walls and trim. Carpet and then touch up where the carpet guys screw up.

    Sit on the carpet and have a brew or six

    Be finished

                 Namaste

                            andy

    "As long as you have certain desires about how it ought to be you can't see how it is." 
    http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

  6. r_ignacki | Mar 16, 2003 11:03pm | #7

    1.  carpet

    2. paint.

    3. trim

    4 drywall ( you'll have to temporarily hold it up untill you can get the...)

    5. roof shingled

    6. roof built

    7 stud walls

    8 slab poured

    9. ground cleared( which you have to ask God too..)

    10. create the ground

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