Library builder

There are several finishing options for interior trim. Instead of paint, the wood can either be stained or finished with clear polyure­thane. Both options allow the grain of the wood to show. If you like the look of natural wood against painted walls and ceilings, plan to install solid stain-grade trim rather than less expensive […]

The two basic techniques for painting both ceilings and walls are cutting in and rolling. “Cutting in” means brushing paint onto areas that can’t be reached with a roller. Painters usually begin working from a ladder, cutting in the corners where the ceilings meet the walls. Use a 3-in. or 4-in. brush to make a […]

My hand likes the fit of a long-handled brush. But bristles, not handles, are what make a good brush. Brushes with natural bristles, usually hog’s hair, work best with oil-based products. Synthetic-bristle brushes work best with water — based paints. Soft nylon bristles are a good choice for finish work, whereas stiffer poly bristles are […]

Years ago, painters who worked with oil-based paints, lacquers, and varnishes in poorly ventilated spaces didn’t last long in the trade. A serious whiff of the solvents in those products would spin your brain and stagger your feet. Fortunately, most of the paint sold in this country today is water based, which is a lot […]

Drywall compound must be applied in sev­eral thin coats because thick applications tend to shrink and crack. Also, thin coats can be feathered or tapered very gradually so that they’re invisible (or nearly so) after the drywall surface is painted. Before applying the second coat, remove any lumps, high spots, or ridges of hardened compound […]

Before you start taping and mudding, make sure that all fasteners are below the surface of the drywall. You can do this by running your hand or a wide drywall knife over the fasten­ers in the walls and ceiling. If any fasteners are proud of the surface, they will show when you apply the first […]

Install J-bead Window trimmers and headers are often wrapped in drywall. The same is true of trim­mers and headers in closets where bifold or bypass doors will be installed. In these loca­tions, drywall can replace the wood jamb as the finished surface. This is a good place to use up some of the scrap you’ve […]

Hold screws or nails back about 5/s in. from the edges of the panel, and drive them in straight so you don’t break the paper. Follow the fastening schedule for drywall that applies in your area. When ceiling joists are 24 in. o. c., nails or screws are usually driven every 8 in. along the […]

Before you install the first panel on the ceil­ing, it’s important to understand how to fasten drywall to the joists, studs, and other framing members. Whether you’re using nails, screws, or both, you must leave a dimple in the panel with every fastener you drive. This small recess will later be filled with drywall compound […]