Fat drywall returns at windows

7 years ago

In my addition, the drywall returns at the windows will be 8”. It will be block, plus 2x4 with insulation and electrical. The existing house has just block with plaster and drywall. There are long expanses of window and block, with <2” returns.

I love how minimal the existing returns are. I dont like how the 8” returns look. I asked the contractor about flipping the 2x4‘s to for 6” returns but it sounds like he doesnt think the electrical will fit.

Below is a pic of how it is on one wall. I can live with this wall, but the South facing wall is a mixture of block and glass like the existing house, and I’d love it to be minimal returns like the rest of the house.

-does the insulation add much, with all the glass on this wall (it is south facing and gets a lot of sun-windows are double laminated units).

- Am I being too picky? Thanks!

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Comments (3)

PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
7 years ago
It will be just fine. Devote your attention to other issues.

Good luck on your project.
rockybird thanked Virgil Carter Fine Art
lkbum_gw
7 years ago
I like the smaller returns also. My daughter and son in law just did a massive Reno in south Florida. The Electrical on the block walls was put in 1/2" conduit attached to the block wall, then a furring strip was added to the block wall to bring the inner face of the sheetrock flush to the conduit. The block was chipped out around the electrical box and recessed into the block. This would give you what you are looking for (the sheetrock was basically 1/2" off the block wall). Rigid foam insulation was added between the furrings strips (SW Fl does not have that much of an insulation requirement).
rockybird thanked lkbum_gw
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rockybird
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you Virgil and ikbum! I just met with the contractor and he is going to discuss turning the 2x4’s on end with the electrician. This would make them 6” or a little more. I wished these things would have been considered before construction. :(