Drywall return around windows

Ask your question! Click to Text. Join our mailing list. Send us an SMS. Enter your phone number. For example, you can choose the visible thickness of the jamb extension the edge band that you see from the room.

You can also have a flush detail or have the trim piece extend beyond the face of the drywall, with or without a reveal piece. Another window trim option is to use a thin reveal piece around the window frame.

This creates a thin shadow line surrounding the window frame that delineates the window frame from the wall. Reveals are created using either metal or vinyl trim pieces installed between the drywall and the window frame and come in a variety of widths. Typical reveals come from manufacturers like Fry Reglet and Tim-tex. This is a nice clean modern look without the fussiness of trim. To create a simple modern home aesthetic, all these details should be thought through and deliberately chosen.

If you liked this article, you might also like Modern [Exterior] Window Details. Previous Next. View Larger Image.

Our architect also specified drywall returns. In general I am not noticing the dust any more than usual. I just swiffer it once in a while. Your photoshop images in my mind are counterproductive to the modern aesthetic your architect is trying to achieve. Those examples call to mind "Florida houses" where the drywall return is chosen to save money as opposed to being an expression on its own. I have thought about doing a sill, for the cat and to wipe down but so far the paint is holding up fine except where the cat jumps.

I will try to search for an example of a modern trim that was suggested to me as an alternative. I'm on my phone so it might be a while. We have drywall returns in our apartment in NY.

I hate them because as you mention they are always dusty and they get scratched up. Does your architect have any ideas of what could be used for the bottom of the wall? I have no idea other than granite, marble or quartz. Perhaps the answer is to do "hard drywall corners" instead of bullnose corners. Then I can paint the inside of the drywall return with a super washable paint. I probably won't use super-washable paint throughout the entire house because my experience is it's impossible to paint a touch-up without repainting the whole room Then it would wipe clean!

I ended up re-painting them, and having glass cut to fit each spot so it was easier to wipe clean. I'm wondering if you could paint the insides in a semi gloss of the same color vs whatever you'll paint the rest of the walls. I'd think a semi gloss would be easier to clean? I was thinking the same thing. This is similar to what was suggested, as a "modern" treatment in place of the simple drywall return, which, on doorframes, is somewhat difficult to pull off properly.

He seemed to think it just wouldn't work with the fiberglass windows we've chosen. We are setting our windows into 10" thick concrete sandwich panels and attaching them to the concrete. We will then "cover" the concrete portion that shows with plain wood framing all the way around - no "sills and molding" look, but one that will be linear and clean looking. Of course the interior finish of our windows is wood, so it works. I wouldn't so the drywall returns.

I would also think it would be prone to damage around a window too. Admittedly - I am not a fan of drywall - but I think it's a substandard material for window returns - even though it can be made to have a nice clean aesthetic. I think that windows deserve a little more than drywall. Alternatively - I agree with making the painted surface as durable as possible - even darkening it up to highlight the recess of the window?

If any cats worm their way into our house, we'll be dealing with much bigger problems than dirty drywall, LOL! How would you feel about a glossy black paint on the window return?

Or would that absorb precious light? I like the black gloss paint idea - it will deepen the window look - are the windows themselves dark framed?

If so - you can pretty much make the window itself disappear and focus on the views if you darken them up. And cats - I hear ya What about framing them out with a simple flat wood look and then staining the wood black. I'd use a wood that has a fine grain. I think that would look awesome with the teal walls and it would really highlight the windows will still creating the look you like. The actual windows themselves are solid black both inside and outside.

No mullions, just big rectangles. Most of the living area is north-facing that's where the best views are Yeah- I'd still protect the corners with wood and not rely on the drywall to do that protective function oh and what about if you have a window open and you get a little water inside?

We are going to have a small reveal so it's not just flush - but I think with the minimalist approach - you'd definitely want something dark and have the whole thing just disappear. How would you "protect the corners with wood" and still have a "drywall return? I wouldn't. I'd frame them with wood - even it is was "thin", paint it black and keep it simple.

I think doing those corners with a drywall return are going to be really tricky and hard to get a nice clean 90 degree corner. This is what I love see pic below -- except in a different stain color to match the rest of the house. Is there any truth to that? If not, I'm guessing that the builder and I are just having a communication problem. Maybe show him this set of window trims and see how you can replicate what you like? Perhaps he's just not visualizing it.

I see that with builders - they don't have the vision to execute something that is 'different' I'd just leave the drywall as it is built and paint it the same as your walls. Always considering this to be an inexpensive method to create instant architectural interest. Last year I started getting away from trim appreciating the simple uncluttered look that going trim-less can offer.

Casing is hidden behind a drapery at a window, do we really need to spend that money? And baseboards - well even those have alternatives that create an interesting direction. The ideas we've gathered below are purposefully clean-lined and simple without being boring. In other words, they're meant to be the icing on the cake rather than the cake itself. Intricate crown molding with scroll-work and dentils and multiple layers are all well and good in a traditional or restored historic home, But if you live in a modern house, or even just one where you want to go clean and uncluttered you could skip the crown molding—done right, it can be striking, instead think about using an interesting ceiling treatment.

There are other ways to address doorways and windows some of which I will illustrate below. Drywall Returns. If the goal is to call attention to the opening itself or the window frame, choosing a drywall return is a no-hassle way to trim your window.

This can save on finish carpentry and takes the traditional place of the wood extension jamb and provides a clean, no-frills look. Window Trim Reveal. More expensive to accomplish, requires accuracy and sheet rock expertise.