| Make Two Rooms Into One: Build New Soffit, Place Electrical Boxes for Lights and Drywall New Soffit |
From "Weekend Remodeling"
episode WKR-110 |
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Prep Work, Drywall Removal and Cutting Studs for New Soffit = 3 hours
Build New Soffit, Place Electrical Boxes for Lights and Drywall New Soffit = 4 hours
Install Outlet, Patch Wall, Install Base Cabinet and Reroute Air Vent = 4 hours
Install Countertop and Trim, Paint, and Hang Lights = 5 hours
Total hours = 16 On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult, this project is a solid 3. We spent $1,200 on this project and if you hired a contractor, the cost would be approximately $2,100. Materials: Hammer
Crowbar
Level
Drywall knife
Speed square
Cordless circular saw
2 x 4's
1 x 10's
Nails
Screws
Primer
Paint
Saw for removing studs
Countertop
Lights
Electrical boxes - Screw the loose paneling to the cut off 2 x 4's.
- Turn off the circuit to the existing can lights in the kitchen. Pull out the can light nearest your wall.
- Drill a hole that will be covered by the new soffit.
- Measure and cut supports to use in the new soffit. Drill 1/2-inch holes to run the non-metallic building electrical wire through (figure A).
- Nail the 2 x 4's to the old wall studs and, using them as a brace, attach the new 2 x 4's to build out the new soffit (figure B).
- Place blocking in between the studs where the light fixtures will hang (figure C).
- Measure out 2-1/2 feet from the wall for the first fixture, and 5-1/2 feet from the wall for the other and then drill holes to bring the non-metallic building electrical wire through.
- Set the pancake boxes for the fixtures (figure D).
- Pull the non-metallic building electrical wire into the boxes (figure E).
Expert Tip: Electrical codes vary from city to city and county to county. Before you begin any rewiring, it is a good idea to check with your local building inspectors. - Once the frame for the new soffit is up and the electrical boxes for the lights are installed complete with wiring, you need to put up new drywall. Attach the drywall to the new frame with drywall screws.
Note: A new soffit was a better solution instead of trying to patch and repair the ceiling where the wall was removed. - Apply a thick layer of joint compound to the seam, making sure to fill the space between (figure F).
- Press the drywall tape into the mud, and smooth it out. Go along and fill in each screw head.
- Rip a 12 foot 1 x 10 foot fascia board to 8-3/8 inches wide on the table saw. Measure off the same distances as your electrical boxes and cut out holes to accommodate it and install it under the soffit (figure G).
- Once the fascia board is in place, secure it with 2-1/2 inch finishing nails.
- Once the drywall mud is dry, apply a second layer of mud over the tape. When the second layer has dried, smooth everything out by lightly sanding over the mud.
Expert Tip: Drywall is a very versatile material. It comes in 5/8 thickness all the way down to 1/4-inch. It can be bent, shaped or drilled and the best part about it is that any do-it-yourselfer can do this job.
RESOURCES :
Walls and Ceilings: Build, Remodel, Repair
ISBN: 1580110304
Author: Christopher Hoolihan
Order this title from Amazon.
Creative Homeowner Press
Website: www.creativehomeowner.com
Cabinet (My Cabinet Shop)
My Cabinet Shop
Phone: 865-755-3525
Ortho's All About Cabinets and Countertops
Model: 0897214765
Author: Ortho Books Editor
(August, 2002)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Ortho Books
Columbus, OH 43216
Carpentry, Remodeling, Framing and Installing Doors and Windows ...
Model: 0865737215
Author: Cy Decosse
(1992)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Creative Homeowner Press
Website: www.creativehomeowner.com
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