Interior Finishing: Drywall, Doors, Trim, and Cabinetry
Interior Finishing: Drywall, Doors, Trim, and Cabinetry
This domain covers drywall installation and finishing, door hanging, trim joints, and cabinet setting. Exam items focus on sequence, fastener spacing, and tolerances.
Core rules
- Drywall fasteners must be set to the correct depth without breaking the paper; spacing follows the framing and code, commonly 12 in in the field and 8 in at edges for walls and ceilings.
- Use the specified thickness for the framing spacing and fire rating; ceilings at 24 in on center often need thicker or specially rated board.
- Tape and finish joints in stages; corner bead protects outside corners and establishes a straight aris.
- Doors must be plumb, square, and clear at the latch; shim hinges and jambs, not the door slab.
- Cabinets are set level, plumb, and tight to the wall; shim at the high point and scribe fillers to uneven walls.
Worked example
A base cabinet run is 8 ft long. Check the wall for level and plumb with a 4-ft level and a straightedge. If the floor drops 3/8 in over the run, set the cabinet at the high end first, shim the low end, and fasten through the shims. Do not tighten one end down and force the cabinet to twist; doors and drawers will bind.
Traps
Driving screws through drywall paper, hanging doors before the frame is plumb, and caulking gaps instead of fitting trim are common. Also do not assume a cabinet is straight because its face looks flat; check the carcase.