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Remodeling Design Dilemma

Door/window casing width

6 years ago

We're renovating an old Chesapeake Bay cottage. Upper level is completely new (changed out old roof for higher roof w/dormers.) Main level is original with a few moved walls. I had hoped to have 4-inch casings, traditional craftsman/Shaker style. My "dilemma": electricians installed light switch boxes too close to doors, we'll need to cut into trim to accommodate switches. (Husband will NOT have electrician back to move boxes...) But if we do 3-inch casings, in most/all cases it will accommodate the switches. [My assumption: door and window casings on the same floor should be the same width.) SO: is it okay to have 3-inch door and window casings on main level (tho I don't like the look nearly as much it seems better than cutting into the trim), and 4-inch on the upper level (which is master bedroom, bath, and closet - no public space)? Many thanks!

Featured Answer

Judy Mishkin

6 years ago

its just wrong to have larger trim on an upper floor and smaller on a main floor. do the right thing. move the boxes. you will NEVER have a chance for a redo on this.

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Comments (13)

PRO
JAN MOYER
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
It's okay....... but honestly, for the price of relocating some switches, why would you trim a house ( a permanent detail btw ) in a way that you don't like? Especially a first floor? Move the boxes: )
Lili Sheeline thanked JAN MOYER
Lili Sheeline
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Thanks, Jan! That's my argument, too, but I think we're at an impasse b/c the drywall is already in... :-)
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The purpose of extension jambs is to allow the installation of casing trim. If you want drywall returns you must omit or remove the extension jambs. Photos from your phone are too small to read well but it appears you are installing casing trim on the outside so I would think you would use them inside too.. Drywall returns with casing trim at the doors looks inconsistent to me. I've seen rimless doors and widows done well in Europe but the door frames are more like window frames (narrower than the walls).
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What did the folks that designed this for you envision there? ... You could put mull cap (wide flat stock) between the units and only case the perimeter, but that would look better if those flanking windows were full length. The other obvious option is the back to back casing, but that looks kind of unnatural as well. One could maybe get a little creative under the windows as well. It looks like you are going for a paneled look on the wall with those "boxes" , something on a smaller scale could be done under these window to make this appear to be a full length, three paneled unit. In that case, once again I'd go back to mull caps that extend all the way down, casing that extends all the way down on the perimeter, and then some creativity in between
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A picture of the whole room is what I would need to see. Are you planning drapes or what kind of window covering? I don’t think it would look right to paint the trim like the walls in fact I think the baseboards and the trim could be wider.
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There are too many decisions when you’re building a home (I assume it’s a new build, but even just a reno has so many decisions). Who is installing your trim? Sometimes you can have someone who is good with suggestions or can put together different profiles for you to consider. In general, you want your home style to coordinate outside and in. That’s why I asked what the outside looks like. From the windows, I am imagining something that’s more transitional - something between traditional and contemporary. It doesn’t look craftsman, but sometimes the simplicity of the craftsman profiles work well in a transitional home. Here is a guide to different moldings. It starts out very traditional, which I don’t imagine your house being. https://kelleher.com/wp-content/uploads/Catalog_Web_DesignGuide.pdf Here is another: https://www.metrie.com/the-finished-space/baseboard-styles For my personal home, I have shaker cabinets and went fairly simple with moulding. 9” baseboard with a simple chamfered top. No crown moulding. Built up window moldings (taller since there is no crown), but still pretty simple. Your cabinetry style can help inform your choices. Are yours flat panel or are those just paint samples?
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User
6 years ago
In older house the public areas (entry hall, dining, living rooms) have the nicest widest trim. Areas that aren't public (kitchen, laundry, basement) have the smallest plainest trim. The bedrooms would fall in the middle.

I have had the same issue and made custom returns around the switch plate. Being a woodworker I did the cuts and the crew did the install.
Lili Sheeline thanked User
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
Really moving boxes is really not a huge issue even with the added expense of patching drywall, IMO the wider trim should be on the mainfloor and if anything the narrow upstairs so I would stick to my guns and have it done properly or just warn hubby this will be an ongoing argument for ever.
Lili Sheeline thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
PRO
PPF.
6 years ago
Drywall makes it simple.

Move the switches.
Lili Sheeline thanked PPF.
Lili Sheeline
Original Author
6 years ago
These comments are so helpful - thanks to all of you! I'll work on the moving-the-switches option. Raye Smith - do you have any photos of how you designed the custom returns?
User
6 years ago
No pics but I did a three piece molding. I cut a rectangle into the middle molding and mitered the outer molding around the inset. Sort of like this...
Lili Sheeline thanked User
User
6 years ago
Oops, didn't stick, try, try again
Lili Sheeline thanked User
Lili Sheeline
Original Author
6 years ago
Got it, Raye, thanks so much!
PRO
JAN MOYER
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
For heavens sake move the switches!!! Please! Are these pages not full enough with problems resulting from " lipstick on a pig" shortcuts??? Yes! And most cost more to fix and could have been done right the FIRST time!
Lili Sheeline thanked JAN MOYER
User
6 years ago
Sometimes you can't move the work box due to corners, shower walls, etc. Too many contractors only know how to plan for the "contractor special" sized items instead of custom. Another question, are you using the smallest size of switch plate covers?
Lili Sheeline thanked User
Lili Sheeline
Original Author
6 years ago
I guess I'll look for them. Thanks very much, Raye -

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