Trim Carpentry & Built-Ins

531 Pages·2002·20.983 MB·English

by  Clayton DeKorne

Table of Contents

Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Introduction
How to Use This Book
CHAPTER ONE - Project Planning

Sketching a Design
Material Take-Offs
Pricing Materials

CHAPTER TWO - Trim. Materials

Choosing Finish Lumber
Choosing Millwork

CHAPTER THREE - Trimming Windows

Trim Styles
Jamb Extensions
Picture-Framing a Window
Traditional Casing

CHAPTER FOUR - Running Baseboard

Baseboard Layout
Cutting Baseboard
Installing Baseboard

CHAPTER FIVE - Crown Molding

Crown Types
Prepping the Walls
Installation Strategy
Cutting Crown
Built-Up Crown Molding

CHAPTER SIX - Wainscoting
Designing Wainscoting
Installing Backer
Installing Tongue-and-Groove Wainscoting
Installing Modified Frame-and-Panel Wainscoting
Installing Chair Rail

CHAPTER SEVEN - Materials forBuilt-Ins

Plywood
Composite Panel Stock

CHAPTER EIGHT - Basic Bookshelves

Bookshelf Design
Building Cases
Installing Bookshelves

CHAPTER NINE - Built-In Cabinets

Designing Cabinets
Building Cabinet Cases
Drawer Construction
Countertops
Doors

Resources
Index

Text © 2002 by Clayton DeKorne Illustrations © 2002 by The Taunton Press, Inc. All photos © Andrew Kline, except: p. ii,
p. vi (top and bottom two photos), p. vii (top and bottom two photos), p. 6, p. 21, p. 31, p. 32, p. 33, p. 37, p. 38, p. 41 (left), p.
43, p. 44 (right), p. 46, p. 49, p. 50, p. 51 (bottom), p. 53, p. 54 (top), p. 57 (top right), p. 58 (bottom left), p. 62 (top right), p. 63
all, pp. 64-65, p. 66, pp. 68-69, p. 70, p. 75 (top and bottom left), p. 88 (bottom), p. 91 (bottom photos), p.95, p. 97, p. 104, p.
105 (two photos on top, middle photo and right bottom photo), p. 106 (left), pp. 108-109, pp.122-123, p. 127, p. 134, p. 135
(three bottom photos), pp.136-136, pp. 139-142, pp.144-148, p. 149 (top and left photos), p. 150, p. 151 (top left and bottom
photos), pp. 152-153, p. 154 (two top photos and middle photo), p. 155, p. 159, p. 160 (top, bottom right photo, and middle
photo), p. 161, p. 162, pp. 164-165—© Carolyn Bates; p. iii (right), p. 10 (left), p. 13, p. 20 (left), p. 29, p. 40, p. 42 (both top
photos), p. 45, p. 47 (middle), p. 74, p. 76 (left), p. 89 (bottom photos), pp. 92-93, p. 94 (bottom right), p. 96, p. 103, p. 111
(bottom), p. 114 (bottom), p. 116 (left), p. 118 (bottom), p. 120, p. 121, p. 154 (left), p. 158 (left)—© TheTaunton Press, Inc.;
p. 12—© Tim Ebert; p. 52—© Patrick Cudahy; p. 125 (left), p. 126 (bottom right), p. 149 (bottom right)—© Craig Wester; p.
125 (right)—© Jim Price; p. 126 (top)—© Louis MacKell; p. 132 (two left photos), p. 151 (right), p. 158 (right), p. 160 (left),
p. 163—© Chris Holden. Front cover photographs © The Taunton Press, Inc. (top left and right photos); © Andrew Kline
(bottom left).
Back cover photographs © Andrew Kline (top); © Carolyn Bates (middle and bottom photos).
All rights reserved.

The Taunton Press
®
Inspiration for hands-on living
The Taunton Press, Inc., 63 South Main Street, P.O. Box 5506, Newtown, CT 06470-5506 e-mail: [email protected]
Distributed by Publishers Group West
COVER AND INTERIOR DESIGN: Lori Wendin
LAYOUT: Jeff Potter/Potter Publishing Studio
ILLUSTRATOR: Mario Ferro
TM
Taunton’s Build Like a Pro is a trademark of The Taunton Press, Inc., registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office.
Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

The following manufacturers/names appearing in Trim Carpentry and Built-Ins are trademarks and servicemarks:
Accuride© 3017,Amana Tool® Corporation, Andersen® windows, Blum®, Bondo©, Bosch© DWM40L Miter Finder,
Cabinet Factory©, CMT® USA, Inc., Collins Quality Tool®, Color Putty Co.®, DeWalt®, Disston®, Eagle® windows,
Formica©, Fuller® countersink bits, Georgia-Pacific® Fiber Ply, Hartville Tool©, Jesada Tools©, Liquid Nails®, Minwax®,
National Hardwood Lumber Association , Phenoseal®, Quik-clamp®, Rockler®, Roto Zip®, Scotch® tape, Speed Rip
Square™, Stanley®, Surforrn® plane, Titebond®,Titus® connector, Wilsonart®, Woodcraft®, Woodworker’s Supply, Inc.
”

About Your Safety: Construction is inherently dangerous. Using hand or power tools improperly or ignoring safety practices
can lead to permanent injury or even death. Don’t try to perform operations you learn about here (or elsewhere) unless you’re
certain they are safe for you. If something about an operation doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. Look for another way. We want
you to enjoy the craft, so please keep safety foremost in your mind whenever you’re in the shop.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
DeKorne, Clayton.
Trim carpentry and built-ins : expert advice from start to finish /
Clayton DeKorne. p. cm.—(Build like a pro)
Includes index.
ISBN 1-56158-478-9
1. Trim carpentry—Amateurs‘manuals. 2. Built-in furniture—Amateurs’manuals. I. Title. II. Series.
TH5695 .D45 2002
694’.6--dc21 2002004331
For my daughters, Helen and Cecelia, who waited patiently while I was hunched over
the computer, saying far too many times, “Just a minute, I’ll be right there.”
Acknowledgments

TO WRITE THIS BOOK, I am indebted to both of my fathers: Jim DeKorne, who taught me
to be a good mechanic in every trade I’ve undertaken, including writing, and Rick McKinney
whose unconditional love for me has been a constant source of renewal. I am also deeply
grateful to J. Ladd, who shared his carpentry expertise and shaped my practice in the trade.
I could never have completed this book without the loving support of Robin Michals,
whose partnership over the last few years has sustained me more than words can say. I also
greatly appreciate the excellent friendship of David Crosby, Christopher Pierson, John
Wagner, and Pete Young, as well as the inspiration to do great work, as shown by Karel
Bauer, David Dobbs, Jen Mathews, and Steph Pappas.
To complete this book, special thanks goes to Carolyn Bates and Andrew Kline, whose
photographs provide far more insight into the work presented than my words ever could, and
to Andrew Wormer, who provided editorial guidance and supreme patience for the duration
of this project.
Finally, I wish to thank the many carpenters, contractors, building suppliers, and other
trade experts who shared their knowledge and never hesitated to give me their time and
attention. Chief among them are Larz Allen, Tom Morse, Clark Sargent, Craig Tougas, Paul
and the rest of the crew at Gregory Supply, and Dave and Bruce of Sterling Hardwoods. In
addition, I owe great appreciation to a number of excellent teachers of the trades, including
Sal Alfano, Charles Berliner, Butch Clark, Jed Dixon, Don Dunkley, Steve Farrell, Carl
Hagstrom, Will Holladay, Mark Luzio, Craig Savage, and Dave Severance. If you ever get
the chance to be on a crew with any of the characters I’ve mentioned on this page, count
yourself extremely lucky.