Sometimes, the amount of shimming and scribing needed to get drywall or trim to look halfway decent around old framing can get out of hand.
Man, I hear you on that. Had a place where we tried to keep the old beams exposed after a bump-out, thinking it’d be a selling point. Ended up spending way more on labor just to get the drywall to play nice. Looked awesome in the end, but I’m not sure the extra hours penciled out. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it for every project or just the ones with really standout wood.
That’s the tricky part, right? I’ve had clients get really attached to the idea of showing off old beams or original trim, but once you start chasing level lines and tight drywall joints around those wavy surfaces, it’s a rabbit hole. Do you think buyers actually notice the difference, or is it more of a pride thing for us who know what went into it? Sometimes I wonder if just capping things with new wood would save everyone a headache...
Sometimes I wonder if just capping things with new wood would save everyone a headache...
Honestly, I’ve capped old trim more than once just to keep my sanity. Most buyers I’ve dealt with don’t notice unless it’s really obvious or pointed out. Do you think the charm of the original details outweighs the hassle in most cases?
I keep going back and forth on this. Part of me loves the look of old, detailed trim, but after spending hours trying to sand and patch stuff that’s warped or chipped, I start to lose my patience. Is it really worth all that effort if most people won’t even notice? I mean, I get wanting to keep the character, but sometimes I just want to move on to the next project...
I get where you’re coming from—restoring old trim can be a pain, especially if it’s been neglected for years. Have you tried using a heat gun or chemical stripper instead of sanding? Sometimes that speeds things up, though it’s still messy. Personally, I think the character is worth saving if the trim is unique or original to the house. But if it’s just standard stuff and you’re not attached, maybe patch what you can and move on. No shame in prioritizing your sanity over perfection...