Property Repair Maintenance and Decor

How to finish the trim on new Stairs

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 21:52:31 -0400

I redid the interior stairs on my house. It was gunstock fluted pickets and ornate balusters. I went with squared, flat, oak and primed square pickets.

The last 5 pics have to do with the questions.

Questions: - the base board around the column. Where should I end it? Should it stop at the picket base 1x? Should it wrap the column?

the oak tread has some gaps at the sides. Should I mix sawdust and wood glue? Should I put a piece of trim? Should I not give an RCH?

submitted by /u/andrew_Y
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First time building a deck, wondering what the experienced guys would think about it.

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 21:51:03 -0400

I got a steal on some supplies at an farm auction, just under 1200 CAD for everything, 3 YouTube videos, and the neighbour let me borrow his sawstop, compressor and air tools while he is at the cottage. I can’t attach it to the house or put anything in the ground without a permit so I put it on blocks. I was wondering if there is anything sticking out to someone with a trained eye, or if this would be ok for a first timer?

submitted by /u/jerik22
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I’m back and lost: leveling trim for wainscoting

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 21:17:12 -0400

I’ve been posting A LOT here and on some other subs. I’m redoing my entryway. Our carpenter did an outstanding job on new stairs. I did the tile (first try, am happy with overall, but wildly underestimated just how hard tile is on 1950s floors). Next step is new base, picture frame moulding and chair rail.

I’ve asked previously on installing baseboard, picture frame molding and chair rail. The take away was to level the latter two off the base. Some great feedback and I’m appreciative.

Now I’m confused on the base. I am not planning to scribe the baseboard. Honestly, I think it’ll add more complexity for me (not super experienced) in corners/etc and I had always planned on using quarter round to cover gaps (maybe im off or ignorant but I like quarter round).

Issue: my floors or not level. The house is 1950 joists with 3/4” planks then 3/4” hardwood. I am trimming a hallway, and most sections are around 3-4 ft with one 14’ section. Around 3ft of it are also tile.

Question: given I am using quarter round (3/4”), should I just focus on ensuring my baseboard is set on a true level? I have a laser level and I am not sure yet how badly, and where, my floor is bent (eg if the gap will be at the corners or center or wherever). I understand that if a ‘true level’ on my wall could mean a gap that isn’t able to be covered by quarter round, but I don’t think my floors are that off as the previous setup had 3.5” base and 3/4” round that covered any gaps (but I didn’t measure to see if it was level before removing it).

Added pics to show the Reno so far. Did tile myself and our carpenter did the stairs (guy is amazing). Learning everything as I go with the help of this place and some family.

Pic 1: current setup Pic 2: old setup Pic 3: example of area where base/chair rail/wainscoting is going

submitted by /u/Rough_Baby_9818
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What’s style of casing is this? Can’t find it anywhere

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 20:04:35 -0400

My old dog’s anxiety has been through the roof with these summer storms and he destroyed our 100+ year old French doors. I’ve replaced the windows but I can’t seem to find the same style casings anywhere. At this point it’s beyond wood filler. Any idea where to find this style casings aside from having it milled?

submitted by /u/livin_in_the_land
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Rim joist and sill plate

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 19:16:29 -0400

I’m not an expert, just a guy trying to DYI air seal and insulate my rim joist. From everything I’ve seen online, it would seem the rim joist is suppose to be on the sill plate. In my house though, it’s looking like the floor joist are sitting on the sill plate.

Is this correct? How should I go about sealing it? I was thinking of putting rigid foam board laying flat on the sill plate first (butting up to the rim joist, then out this piece of foam board against the rim joist. Maybe stuff some insulation into the open cavity first??

submitted by /u/Kindly-Base-2106
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Suspect outdoor stair construction

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 19:09:22 -0400

I’m a homeowner with limited experience. We hired a deck contractor to r&r some stairs and prep the deck for vinyl. Construction looks Sus. Plywood spacer???

submitted by /u/CloudZ0ne
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Give me a couple of suggestions on why the strike and latch wouldn’t align.

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 18:40:53 -0400

Builder’s “Service Guy” attempted to fix this already, but without success. What could have gone wrong with the install to cause this ?

Regardless on how hard you push, it won’t latch. Door doesn’t seem to be bowed, but there is a large gap between the door and frame at this location.

Assuming one of the problems is the incorrect hinges.

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Stay safe, I can't seem to accomplish it.

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 17:38:31 -0400

submitted by /u/drolgnir
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Identification

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:56:00 -0400

Customer is looking to replace cathedral ceiling tile damage. Any thoughts on to where I can find identical? They believe it’s an insulated panel

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Advice on stairs/landing

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:39:17 -0400

Hey All,

GC here (decks and pergolas mostly) working on a family members house. I have to rebuild the front stairs, landing and probably most of the outer wall. The space underneath with be partly yard storage and partly an interior closet, so it has to be waterproof. I'm in the Northern California Bay Area, so we don't get rain most of the year, and when we do it's pretty light.

I'm planning on using painted wood again for the treads and risers. I'll glue/screw PT plywood on the stringer risers and tread faces and want some input on waterproofing membranes. Would you go with a roll on rubberized membrane like Semco or similar? Or a stick down underlayment, like an ice and water shield running continuously down the stairs? Or something else I'm not thinking of? There will be screw penetrations where the treads and risers are attached. But all the edges and seams will be caulked before painting.

Second, I'll likely do tile on the landing. Would exterior cement board (like durock) over PT plywood subfloor work well enough, or should I go for a full uncoupled membrane system (like Schluter Ditra)?

Appreciate any input from personal experience.

submitted by /u/bukweetus
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What do I need to start my career in carpentry?

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 15:22:06 -0400

Good afternoon!

Im a 31yr old man, have been soul searching for a job that I can develop skills that could benefit me, have worked in social work, steel mills and warehouse but I have noticed that none of these have any actual carry over skills unless you transfer within the bubble of those careers. I stumbled across Carpentry, but I have no idea what I can do to get started. I looked at the NCCR certification but im not sure if that's the right move. I work weird hours 5:30pm to anywhere from 1-3:30am sun-Thursday so tech school or trade school would be very hard to pull off. Thank you in advance for any advice you are willing to offer. Have a good day!

submitted by /u/jbr1230
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Mdf display with bondo

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 15:03:27 -0400

Mdf displays for a store. used bondo to make it all even, flush and have pretty corners. Fuck bondo its so hard to use especially in large surfaces. am i missing something? Any product thats going to have the same resistance to wear and tear/ movement in the display themself? How hard will it be to sand ? Used primer where the bondo is applied. Is it going to be strong ? Tried the wood filler from varatane and its shit for filling gaps and resess.

submitted by /u/Far_Use_1866
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How would you finish this AC return vent with the baseboards?

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 14:24:24 -0400

I am considering swapping out the metal vent for wood, but unsure how to transition it with the baseboards. Recommendations?

submitted by /u/carsonfisher
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How would you finish this AC return vent with the baseboards?

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 14:23:38 -0400

I am considering swapping out the metal vent for wood, but unsure how to transition it with the baseboards. Recommendations?

submitted by /u/carsonfisher
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Wood ID pressure treated?

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 14:05:54 -0400

Project used reclaimed wood throughout the house. Nervous about CCA (copper chromium arsenic) treated wood or pentachlorophenol as to me it has a green hue. Anyone have experience with this?

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Modifying existing cabinets

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 12:15:55 -0400

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Modifying existing cabinets

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 12:15:34 -0400

submitted by /u/Houseofthestone
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Fine Homebuilding’s Author Guidelines

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:25:26 -0400

Fine Homebuilding is a bimonthly magazine for builders, architects, contractors, owner/builders, and others who are involved in building new houses or reviving old ones. What makes Fine Homebuilding unique is…

Tool Review: Bow Products 5-pc. Bandsaw Resaw Master Pack

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:10:16 -0400

Bandsaw Helpers Work on a Variety of Machines

Ideas on how to case these windows?

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:09:15 -0400

Hi everybody, I finally finished my downstairs floor. Now it’s time to do a bunch of other things lmao! My next big thing is probably casing all my windows, I don’t like the renter drywall return look. I’m curious how anyone here would case these windows considering the tops are only about 3 inches from the bottom of this trim I have. It’s the same for pretty much every window in the house. Before it was just a single 1x board as a windowsill but that was rotted so I popped it out.

Do yall think a 2 inch trim all the way around would be sufficient enough? That’ll give a little gap.

submitted by /u/RuffProphetPhotos
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Yo why does my OSHA training look like a South Park episode???

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 07:57:15 -0400

submitted by /u/jasonmcook
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How’d I do?

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 07:16:10 -0400

I did some live edge hickory countertops for my cousin, and a tile backsplash. Obviously in this picture it’s not quite done yet as I still needed to caulk the backsplash to the countertop, and install the outlets; etc. But whatchooall think?

submitted by /u/GooshTech
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Improving the finish

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 06:23:06 -0400

Hello, this is my very first DIY project, so i am an absolute beginner. I have mostly just watched a lot of YT videos.

This is a plank of oak that I want to use as an indoor shelf. I first sanded with 80 grit, then 120, and finally 180. I do this in my balcony, the weather has been mostly fine (15-20C, mostly sunny) and i've always brought the plank inside if it started raining and in the evenings when it got more humid.

I have passed two hands of finish, it's a "hard wax oil" finish (https://herdinsfargverk.se/produkt/trabehandling/inomhus/lack-oljor/herdins-hardvaxolja/), supposedly made with a mix of vegetable oil and wax. I have used a brush (pretty shitty perhaps, as it lost some "hair" in the process) doing back and forth motions. I don't think I have put too much, but the result is that the plank feels a bit sticky to the touch. Sticky perhaps is not the right word, but my hand feels a fair amount of friction when sliding on it (as opposed to being very smooth as it was post-sanding). I have not passed the finish on the bottom face of the plank yet, so I have space for making a better attempt on that side,

Potential issues: - the product says it should be applied on 120 grit. I assume this might be the biggest offender, as I always read "just do what the product says", but i did get the finish after I sanded and the store person told me it was fine with 180. In this regard, does it mean I need to resand to 120 and then redo the 2 layers? - I did not vacuum the plank after layer 1, I did just gently pass a rag. When I passed layer 2 I did get the feeling that there were some tiny bubbles or fiber leftover.

As I said, I am doing this on my balcony, I don't have very advanced tools and I am OK with it not being perfect, but i am trying to get pointers on two things: 1) how do I improve the current situation? 2) what is the best approach for the bottom face of the plank, that I have still not finished?

Thank you

submitted by /u/AlexKalopsia
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How did I do?

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 22:39:26 -0400

Pavilion I posted about earlier regarding shoring up.

Now that I am building on my own, I am learning what I actually know, (and what is unclear); so criticism is welcome; how did I do?

submitted by /u/-Untwine
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Quarter round miter return/cap end point

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 21:16:36 -0400

Hey all. Quick question - I’m doing 1x6 pine baseboards with 1x4 door casings. I ran quarter round with a miter return that ended where the base meets the door casing, which is what I’ve typically seen done. But since the base and casing are both flat stock (and the same thickness), I feel like it looks kind of wonky (especially for short runs, like a 1’ run between two closets) and that it should end differently - maybe even at the far end (door opening) of the casing. Is that crazy? Am I overthinking this?

submitted by /u/BeneficialChapter399
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Help

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 20:50:24 -0400

Hello all!

My father is a hardwood floor finisher/carpenter, I was wondering if any of you have any suggestions on how to keep cool in the summer. With all the dust flying around portable ACs aren't an option or personal cooling devices. I just bought him a cooling vest but even that didn't hold up. I was wondering if you all have any tips on staying cool while working indoors in building/homes with no AC or duct work to help in this process. Thanks all in advance for any tips!

I am not a construction worker at all so forgive me if this isn't the place to post this, I'm just trying to help my dad

Shed door replacement

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:20:04 -0400

I need to replace my shed doors and am considering using Azek or similar material for durability. I’m wondering if that type of material is sturdy enough to use for the vertical boards if braced properly, or should I use some other composite material or simply wood. I’m not that handy but the current doors don’t look too complicated to reconstruct. Thanks in advance for any advice you can share.

submitted by /u/Icy_Barracuda3411
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Just for giggles

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 17:58:19 -0400

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How would you fix this door?

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 17:19:11 -0400

My boss has a door that’s over 50 years old perhaps 100…

The hinges at the bottom are pretty much off. The wood on the side is torn. How would you repair it?

Curious how y’all would do it & Looking for someone who can repair doors in nyc if anyone knows one

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Is a basic door sweep the best solution here?

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 16:51:37 -0400

I don’t have much experience on this (clearly). Wondering with the size of gap (and ugly transition) if there’s a better and more insulated solution than a basic vinyl door sweep. I’ll definitely be adding a transition piece to fill the floor gap but more immediate concern is the door gap.

submitted by /u/Phrikshin
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What is this type of trim for?

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 16:35:53 -0400

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What do I do?

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 16:01:04 -0400

I'm 18. I was in college and I did a level 1 diploma in carpentry and joinery then a level 2. Now I'm so confused on what to do and it's really upsetting me. Based in Maidenhead, UK.

submitted by /u/Dry_Drama_9015
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how fucked am i

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 14:22:42 -0400

so i have this handyman over right now and he seems to think we should replace the really bad parts and can save alot of whats here.

submitted by /u/C0me_Al0ng_With_Me
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Question about door casing

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 14:21:25 -0400

Question from someone who does some trim work but not primarily a trim carpenter. What do you guys do if you have a wider profile casing that won't fit on the inside and outside of the room. Is it common to have two different casings on the inside and outside of rooms. I hate the look of ripped casings and would like a wider more decorative casing but it wouldn't fit on every side of every door. When I frame rooms I usually leave a little extra room in the corners where doors are so that I don't have to rip down trim.

submitted by /u/thefamilyjewel
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Toe Nailed Interior Staircase

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:23:09 -0400

I purchased a 1980s home and am redoing the flooring. As part of that, I had to cut the existing treads flush. Looking at the stringer to block attachment here, it appears to only be toe nailed. What would be the best way to add support? I’m thinking about using angled hurricane ties to reinforce. How worried about this should I be?

submitted by /u/GodlessThoughts
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14x14 pergola

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 12:41:01 -0400

Im building a pergola with 4x4 posts . I know i know. I was 4 posts in when i realized its too long and the posts too small but i decided to commit to something for once. I got 6 posts 3 8ft ,4ft underground 3 6 ft 2 ft underground Going to run 2x8x16 across , 2 x8x16 as sides to connect low to high. and 1 middle 2x8x16 Im connecting the middle beam to side beams for support As well as bracing

The extra 4x4 with the shovel was at 16 ft,so im going to run 2x4s instead of removing it

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Lintels were installed too short and have been that way for 27 years. This is the end of a window with brick facade above and a deck. My thought was to add a steel post and slowly Jack it up to get everything back into position. It’s come down about 3/4”.

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 12:40:15 -0400

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Overkill? Corners have me worried.

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 12:03:53 -0400

Doing a porch addition on a masonry house. I'm a bit concerned about the outside corners in case someone ends up walking over there, so I wanted to get a sanity check on the framing. It already felt like overkill even before I add blocking in that area. I'm an architect, but once a builder is selected, I'm sure they'll have some framing input. For now, I just want it to look close enough for a pricing set.

Rafter spacing is 20".

All ceiling joists and rafters are 2x6's.

Blocking between is 2x4.

Planning for 3/4" decking on top.

(2) 2x12's for the beams

submitted by /u/Love3dance
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Built and installed a shaker style two sided cabinet for a client. The left side is a garbage receptacle. Solid oak face frame and top

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 11:11:55 -0400

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Folding Table Supports Bandsaw Outfeed

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 10:10:59 -0400

With this simple auxiliary table, you can use your workbench to support bandsaw work.

$30k Covered Patio + 11k Cedar Pergola Additions; Sound on Par?

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 09:39:28 -0400

I added pictures of the covered patio and pergola inspo pics I provided the contractor, as well as a picture somewhat resembling what they’d look like together in my yard. I then added a picture of my yard and a breakdown of the quote that was given to me. For reference, I live in Kentucky, the covered portion is roughly 16x16 (his listed measurements were a little off) and the area for the pergola is 12x14. This is with cedar car siding for the ceiling, 8” wide boards wrapped around the columns, using 4”x6” cedar beams for the pergola, and 2”x10” for the cedar rafters (though I’m considering dropping that down to 2”x8”; thinking 2”x10” may look too tall??). Just looking to see if people agree this price sounds reasonable. Thank you!

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Beam and Joist Question

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 09:17:28 -0400

I'm putting up a deck(well, porch really). The current plan is for it to be 12' x 4' and it's pretty low to the ground (12-14") on one end and about 26-27" on the other end. It's also going to be a floating deck.

I was planning on running the decking itself the long way along the 12' side

Using 2x8" for both beams and joists isn't feasible because of the short side. Can I safely use 2x6s in the situation? Assuming 10" cantilever on the joists and 18" for the beams?

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I want to make wood shutter

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 03:31:52 -0400

I want to do a wooden shutter but i have two question. 1- Can I use terrace board, which are larger than regular shutter board ? The terrace board are 145mm of large and the regular one are 90mm. The terrace board are 27 mm thick It made of douglas. (I'm on french so sorry for bad vocabulary)

2- can I use regular shutter hinge on the cladding of my house ? Or there is a risk? By regular I mean the one on the third photo. I've see other shutter hinge which are fixes on the window frame, like on the 4 photo, it's better for me ?

Thank you all for your time :)

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Stair tread gap

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:44:01 -0400

How much gap is too much gap. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t the stair tread cap supposed to to basically hug the actual stair tread. We had one already broke upon I’ve in and the there one broke while we where living in the rental we were in from just going up and down the stairs. (Most of my family walks up by stepping in the edge of the stairs tread.)

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Contractor creating pony wall. Thoughts?

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 20:21:54 -0400

Backstory - this was a full wall by a shower. We are taking it down to 4 feet to a pony wall, then tiling.

I walked in and the studs were like an inch off of level and I made them fix it and he blamed his helper. Wall is wobbly. He tells me the glass on the shower will keep it sturdy. I hope he is joking. I won’t let them continue if they aren’t planning on fixing this wall before they Sheetrock

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Thanked and thankful

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 20:10:05 -0400

Got thanked by a customer today for a job well done. Senior living condo community, generally very conservative. Picture a lot of heavy Buicks and heavier people. ........Until today, when this old boy about 75 busts out his front door to shake our hands for performing a simple repair on his gutters. He's got long gray hair and he's wearing a sleeveless Lynyrd Skynyrd t-shirt. I've never been that cool. 'Prolly never will be. Made my day. Trying' to absorb the small things more these days.

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How to hang heavy bag in garage?

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 19:54:14 -0400

I got a 130 lb heavy bag and hung it to some ties in my detached garage. Well upon testing it and further inspection it turns out there is a 2x6 that runs the full length of every tie in the garage which holds some wires and outlets. Because of this when my heavy bag moves the vibration carries through every single tie in the garage as they are all connected to the one 2x6. So I realize I need to change this setup which is disappointing after doing it just last night. I will include some pictures and if anyone could give me the easiest and safest way to hang this without attaching to the ties I would really appreciate it. In the photo you can see I put a 2x6 just for the bag and then there is another 2x6 next to it running the entire length of the garage. Is it possible to attach some 2x6 from the joists in the roof vertical so they come down between the ties and then hang from that without touching the ties? Any better ideas I’m very interested. Thank you.

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Advice for a novice please

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 19:07:04 -0400

Here is my situation. I have this building on my property i use for nothing because the back wall is shot. The other 3 sides are ok. I've decided to fix it.

I am planning on using steel floor jacks inside while I complete the demolition and reframe.

My plan is a 2x6 treated sill, double layer. A 2x10 laminated header and standard 2x4 stud framing for the wall at 16 on center.

Sheething will be horizontal 1/2 inch osb topped by vertical zip sheets. This is for the bottom portion of the building.

Ill deal with the gable after the bottom is done.

Is my plan OK?

Any advice would be appreciated.

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Window installation - is this normal?

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 16:51:03 -0400

Lowe’s recently installed this new Pella window. However, after they were done, I noticed it looks different than my others, almost like the window was ordered too short or something and they had to install this white piece at the top. I tried to highlight what I’m talking about in the pics (other window for comparison). Please forgive me, I don’t know the technical terms. But when you are looking at it, you can tell the glass pane is shorter on my bedroom window than the others. Is this something I need to ask about? It is very noticeable.

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Pocket Door Trim

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 13:24:15 -0400

Is there anything wrong with how these pocket doors were trimmed out? Specifically the head trim detail that hides the track.

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