How much extra length to “spring” trim
BryanSayer
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
When installing trim and you want a nice tight fight, how much extra per foot do you allow to “spring” the trim in place? Say a four foot length of stop bead. Should I cut 4′ 1/16″? or maybe 2/16″ (1/32″ per foot)?
I ask because I did the windows once before, but don’t like the looks. Too much gap.
Replies
That's kind of hard to say. On some things, like the stop bead you mention, a 1/32" or so should be fine. On longer runs of crown, a 1/16" to 1/8" might be right.
On some mouldings, if you try to spring them in, you push something else out. This is more typical on moulding that are mitered, like door and window casings.
However much you add on, once you've got the trim snapped into place, it should lie flat, or nearly so, before you nail it. If you have to really push it into place, it's too long.
Its one of those things you develop a feel for with experience.
Edited 1/16/2009 6:45 pm ET by Shep
a feel for with experience
Boy, that should make the quote file. Both in application and time spent along with standing the test of time.
I'm being a little esoteric, but that's what it's all about.
No?
Honest, only 1/2 a beer.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Somehow, your reply to me got lost in the thread shuffle.
But anyway, many times it would be much easier and faster to be able to show someone how to do something they ask about, rather than try to describe the process.
especially with my typing speed <G>
"a feel for with experience"I agree...that's generally the only reason I get hired. Anyone can buy a saw, measure accurately, cut precisely, and nail efficiently in place. Quite a simple operation really. Funny that it is so difficult to most.I wish more homeowners would realize that you pay tradesmen for their experience above anything else. It seems that the many in the DIY crowd is a bit egotistical in that regard, believing that they can save money and get the same results by figuring it out for themselves.DC...not a fan of DIYBTW: if your trim is properly acclimated and your interior conditions "normal" then you just cut the trim at the exact length and it will fit perfectly.....there is really no secret other than being perfect.
After 36 yrs, my current worry for the future is when the vast amount of experience starts to be hampered by the equally vast toll age and use has taken on the system.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
I agree...my advice is to start learning earlier next time.DCan advocate for college degrees in carpentry
Next time?
Hindu eh?A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
not hindu....just optomisticDC
Considering all the screw-ups I've made in this life, I was either a total and complete moron the "last time around" or I'm one of those guys who's learning curve is a flat line...or maybe even has a negative slope.Or perhaps last time I existed in the southern hemisphere, so now when I try doing the opposite here in the northern hemisphere to make things better I'm actually doing them "opposite-opposite". So I'm still wrong. But on a grander scale?Once is enough for me. And should you ask my wife, once is probably more than I deserve!Ready for the compost pile,
Mongo ;^/
Ready for the pile?
Get the hell outta here...............
The least you can do is take up space for a while.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
"2/16"
how much?
You were too slow on that delete.
Nice.
I wouldn't spring a 4ft piece.
4ft is easy enough to hold, check and nail off of good or take down for one last cut.
I only spring pieces that need a third hand to hold. I can install a 14ft piece of crown easily solo if I added just the right amount of "spring" to hold the far end as I nail my end.
measured tight as could be ... aka ... perfect ... a 16th might be good for that 14'er.
if it's cut perfect and it's a 4ft stick of casing ... it's not "sprung" ... it's "friction fit"
no nails needed!
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa