Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 1/13/2011

Question
Dear Bruce,

    Thanks for the help with the closet.  We've got it up and are starting the drywall.  The ceiling is stucco.  We took off the stucco right above the studs.  Do you have any suggestions for connecting the ceiling with the closet walls.  also the closet goes right up to the inside of the window opening.  There will only be molding on 3 sides of the window.    Any ideas on how to finish that off?   Thank you again.


                                 Sue and Karl

Answer
Hi guys, I wouldn't have removed the ceiling stucco over the studs.  That way you could have attached your walls to the stucco using expansion anchors.  It's possible to install backing over the walls by spanning between rafters with wood and then attaching the walls to that wood. In your case at this point it may be easier to remove the stucco in the closet ceiling, install the "deadwood" or backing necessary to secure the walls and then put a piece of drywall on the closet ceiling.  Without knowing what kind of ceiling framing you are up against I can't really tell you the best method for securing your closet walls to the ceiling. If there is a ceiling joist crossing the wall you can attach to that.  If there is one within an inch or so you can scab a two by four to it and attach the wall to that.  You can put a two by four between joists from joist to joist and attach the wall to that.  Those are the most common scenarios. I like to use long framing screws instead of nails for this kind of work, they hold better and they don't cause a lot of vibration when installed like hammering a nail tends to do.

As far as the window finish goes I thought your wall was going to finish outside of the moulding. But you can put a J bead on the edge of the drywall that butts into the window and finish it off that way.  You can take all the window trim off and finish the window with drywall returns so it doesn't look out of whack having a window with only three sides of trim on it.
Another great way to finish drywall up against wood is using a "zip" bead.  You finish up to the zipper and then once the finish work is done you pull the zipper off giving you a nice finished edge.  This method is recommended for persons with decent drywall finishing skills.

I hope this info helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com