Step By Step Process Of Installing Window Trim Over Drywall
Installing interior window trim or casing over drywall is an easy task, making it an excellent DIY job. However, you need to take extra care when prepping the drywall. Properly preparing your drywall will make sure that your trim lies flush with the wall. This will help prevent unsightly gaps between the drywall and trim. There are several tactics for making sure a snug fit for your window trim. These include getting rid of excess drywall, clamping the casing to the wall, and planning the window jamb, if necessary.
Materials Needed
- 4 Pieces Window Casing
- 1 Piece Window Stool
- 6d Finishing Nails
- Painter’s Putty Or Spackling
- Caulking & Sandpaper
- Primer And Paint
Tools Needed
- Measuring Tape
- Miter Saw
- Hammer & Nail Set
- Pry Bar & Utility Knife
- Caulking Gun
- Paintbrush
Step 1: Remove Window Stool & Cut It To Length
You need to remove the window stool, and the apron molding underneath it by cutting through the caulking with the help of a utility knife, then using a pry bar and hammer to take it out, if in case the current window stool doesn’t stretch or elongate past the drywall on each side by the width of the new wood casing plus 1/2”. Cut the new window stool to length, in order to make sure that it elongates 1/2” past the width of the casing (casing width x 2 + 1” = stool length).
Step 2: Notch Window Stool & Attach It
Center the stool on the window opening, before marking the edges of the drywall return on the stool. Calculate from the window to the wall before transferring that distance to the inner side of the stool. Cut the notches on the stool to fit with the help of a jigsaw. Slide the new window stool on the window, before nailing it in place.
Step 3: Cut Top Casing To Length & Attach It To Wall
Add 1/8? to the width of the casing before marking that distance on the wall on each side of the window opening in order to ascertain or establish the length of the top casing. Miter the top window casing on each end at a 45° angle, in order to make sure that the short mitered edge is 1/4” longer as compared to the width of the window opening to allow for the 1/8” reveals on each side of the opening. Align the top casing evenly 1/8” above the opening before nailing the casing in place, leaving a 1/8” reveal betwixt the casing and drywall opening.
Step 4: Cut Side Casings To Length & Attach It
Measure or compute from the window stool to the top of the top casing in order to find the length of each side casing. Miter the top end of each side casing before cutting the bottom square to length. Align as well as nail each of the side casings in place with the help of a 1/8” reveal between the inside edge of the side casings and the drywall edge.
Step 5: Cut Window Apron To Length & Attach It
Cut the window apron to the same length as the top casing using a 22½° angle bevel cut on each end. Center the apron below the window stool, making sure that the long edge is facing up, and attach to the wall with nails.
Step 6: Putty And Caulk Molding
Use a nail set in order to set the nails underneath the surface of the molding, before filling the nail holes with the help of painter’s putty or spackling. Caulk the molding where it meets the wall before filling any gaps in the mitered corners.
Step 7: Paint Molding And Return
Sand the filled nail holes smooth before wiping off any sanding dust. Prime as well as paint the molding & drywall returns to match the trim in the room.