Interior window trim – so many nails
Is there a standard number of nails for interior window trim?
Mine seem to have too many one –into the window and the jam about every foot.
And whats the deal with nailing a single nail through the outside edge of the 45 degree angle such that it goes through both trim pieces at he corner? Makes it impossible to take the trim off without cracking it. Is that common practice?
Replies
Wain
The standard # of nails is the amount it takes to secure the trim on properly. I don't know if every foot sounds out of line.
The idea of the nail in the miters is called pinning the corners and yes its necessary unless you don't want the job done right. Yes it may make the trim crack when you take it off but it will also help hold the joint together for a long time. Without pinning the corners the joint may open up and that's a lot worse than cracking the trim when you are taking it off, not sure why you would want it off if they just put it on?
Doug
Wain, if you "gently" pry little by little around the all of the trim you can usually stop the corners from cracking out. Some are still going to crack but not all. That is unless they are also glued in which case its a lost cause to save it.
I pity the guy that has to try and remove my paint-grade trim work. Trim-head screws every 18 inches or so, countersunk and filled with bondo, screwed and glued at mitred corners, biscuited and glued at butt joints. heh heh.
Steve
I just bought another case of titebond last Thursday.<g>
For your garden variety trim work, 1' intervals would be pretty common. Wood has a mind of its own. If you want it to lay flat and look good over time, you have to do what you can to keep it in place. If you just want to hang the trim up there, so a man on a fast horse won't see any problems with it, you could get by with fewer fasteners.
Like Doug said, as many as it takes. The thinner the trim, the more nails. Miters are usually glued and nailed, I've even seen casing glued on to save on nail holes.
Use a small flat bar and knife to take trim off. You should be able to remove all 4 pieces like a picture frame.
good luck, and don't knock a good job.