Suggestions for trimming segmented archway
I am retrimming doorways in our house with a three-piece built-up trim (Photo 1) that includes a 3/8″ base, ogee, and 1×2. There are also a series of segmented archways. I’ve attached a photo of a finished archway in one of the bedrooms that I retrimmed (Photo 2). The interior of the arch is lined with a 1×6 along the vertical walls. I have a segmented archway in the hallway (Photo 3) that I’d like to trim, but have run into a small problem that I can’t figure out how to work around – the stairwell bannister is attached to the wall where the trim would lie to case the archway (Photo 4). My question is how to trim around the bannister? Does a situation like this typically call for moving the the bannister away from the wall to a freestanding newell post, end the trim before the bannister (and how), or fit the trim around the bannister? Any suggestions welcomed.
Replies
I would say normally the handrail would be coped to fit the casing. I don't think you should attempt to trim that opening as you have the one in your photo The opening is too small. Handrail aside you have a lot of other issues to contend with. You will only have verticle casing on one side, and that will be compromised by the handrail, you also have to deal with the baseboard, the head casing will finish with a plumb cut on the left side where it dies into the wall, the head casing on the other side (not shown) will have two plumb cuts and no verticle casing. I think what you have will look better, and make more sense than moulding forced into an opening that wasn't built for it.
chris
If you want to case that opening, think about taking the side casing and mitering it over/down/in at the handrail connection. I had to do that with a wide casing at an unmovable switchbox. While being odd, it didn't look bogus when finished. You have nothing to worry about at the bottom since you'll be removing that board the rails runs into and dealing with the base in a pleasing manner..
The problem I saw with the baseboard wasn't with the piece that will be removed when the casing goes on, but with the piece that mitres into it, I suppose you could always return it into the casing but it would be unusual. I read an article in Finehomebuilding years ago that said you should never have to look at interior trim twice. I took that to mean it should look "normal"- no explanations required. I don't think that willl be the situation if you start casing this opening.
The problem I saw with the baseboard wasn't with the piece that will be removed when the casing goes on, but with the piece that mitres into it, I suppose you could always return it into the casing but it would be unusual. I read an article in Finehomebuilding years ago that said you should never have to look at interior trim twice. I took that to mean it should look "normal"- no explanations required. I don't think that willl be the situation if you start casing this opening.
Yes
I see what you mean now at the bottom where the base comes in from the hall. He won't be able to narrow the opening so the base could attempt to die into the casing on the hall side so I'd guess I do agree whole heartedly, that unless he comes up with a way to deal with that, no to trimming the opening.
Good eye.
As far as the quote from the article.............
Everything should look good, blended together and right. After that-if it looks wrong then it probably is.
Too often people start trimming and keep trimming and then trim some more-because each step of trim requires more to cover something up. A good eye and mocking up some of the transitions will usually weed out the wrong way.
Thanks for your comments.