Hi-
I’m trimming out my trapezoid windows and would like some feedback on the best method of matching the corners of the trim (I am referring to the trim that nails up against the sheetrock of the wall). As far as I can see, the only way to make things look right and get the angles and trim width to match all the way arond is to do the trim on the lower portion of the window just like a square or rectangular window using 45-degree angles on the corners and then place the top piece directly on top if the vertical trim pieces (stiles?)
On the triangle windows, it looks like I need to build the 90 degree portion of the window trim first and then place the sloping portion of the trim on afterward. Problem is this will force me to use a rectangular piece of trim on the bottom of the triangle since if I try to finish out the corner of the trim to a point that follows the same shape as the window it will extend the trim length past that of the rectangular window below causing a misalignment of the window trim boards on the wall.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
SB
P.S.- I can attach some photos if you need clarification of what I’m working with.
Replies
Pictures would be of a great help.
Hi CAG-
I have attached two pictures (one trapezoid and one triangle). I hope this helps explain what I'm trying to do. Thanks in advance!
-=Cliffhanger
Hi CAG-
It appears that the picture files would not attach using Internet Explorer. I'm going to try again using Netscape. I hope it works this time.
-=Cliffhanger
Your trim should match up perfectly if you simple split the difference of each corner angle between the two pieces of trim where they meet at each corner. (see attached)
Is that what you were after?Kevin Halliburton
"One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man." -Elbert Hubbard-
Hi Kevin-
Thanks for the quick reply. I can see how the trapezoid trim will work, but the triangle is still a problem. If you look at the RH corner you'll see that in order to make those two pieces of trim meet using a cut like that the trim will have to extend out from the corner of the window much further than the actual width of the trim board (in my case the trim is 3 1/4 inches wide and using those angle cuts on the RH corner of the window forces the trim out approximately 6 inches from the window itself). Since I am trying to match the triangle window trim to the trim of a rectangular window directly below it you can see how the two window trims will not line up vertically--the triangle corner trim will extend beyond the rectangular window trim by about 2 3/4 inches. So, that is the problem I'm trying to figure out. The only solution I have come up with is to not bring the corner of the triangular window to a point and instead just use a piece of trim on the bottom that has a vertical end cut that matches the trim on the window below it. Does that make sense? I can try to draw it if that would help. Thanks again!
-=Cliffhanger
Cliffhanger,
There are several options, which you have probably thought about.
1) Make the miter in the lower right corner and clip the end vertical to align with the lower unit.
2)Use smaller trim on the upper since it appears that a carrying timber to the left of the triangle will require scribing anyhow.
3) Cheat the reveal of the lower unit as wide as you can, and make that casing slightly wider than the rest. Then, drop the top piece of casing on the triangle below the jamb by an inch or so. It will not be very noticeable at all and you will only lose a small portion of the view of the outside soffit.
4) (What I would do), is to hold a piece of trim in position on the lower unit and project it up to the upper triangle and draw a line along its outside edge so you can see exactly what's going on. Then I would hold up a small piece of trim on this line vertically and tack it in place. If the inside edge of this piece reaches the jamb or goes beyond it, good. Then I would lay the top piece of trim over it, bisect the angles for the miter, lay the bottom piece over it and bisect that angle, and make a trap out of the triangle. The outside edge of the small (transition) piece will align with the lower unit and be vertical as well.
Good luck,
Clampman
Edited 4/21/2003 10:41:10 PM ET by clampman
Clampman-
I'll give your tricks a whirl. Thank you for the help. I really appreciate it!
-=Cliffhanger
If you can stand to look at my bad drawing hre's another.
After marking both (scrap) pieces cut from mark to mark.. "leave the marks" when you cut. use the scraps to layout the trim.
SamT
Sam-
Thank you for the help. I'll give it a try. Much appreciated!
-=Cliffhanger
Ahhhh, now I see your dillema. I knew I was over simplifying it but I couldn't wrap my brain around what you were having trouble with.
I think this is actually what you are shooting for, no?Kevin Halliburton
"One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man." -Elbert Hubbard-
Kevin-
That's it! Thanks a bunch!
-=Cliffhanger
Your picture is so much clearer than my description. My thanks too.
Clampman
It's a job thing, those extentions didn't look like they lined up in the photo, but hard to tell from here.
Lotsa good ideas,
Edited 4/22/2003 1:44:53 PM ET by Qtrmeg