Doors and Windows - widened doorway -- need to finish it

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luigisdad
05-23-07, 02:31 PM
Hi:
We moved into an apartment with one of those tiny stack washer/dryer combos in a closet that worked horribly. We already had a full size washer and dryer that was stackable. In trying to remove the old stacked w/d combo from the closet, I had to remove the door and remove the door trim down to the door frame (the 2 x 4s framing the doorway). This also allowed me to fit our washer and dryer in the closet. As it stands today, you see the door frame and the gaps between the door frame and the drywall.

Now, after my landlord saw this two years later, I need to fix it but I still need to be able to remove our washer and dryer once we leave.

1. Will I need to remove the 2x4s assuming that they are non-load bearing, and completely widen the doorway from scratch?

2. Is there a way to finish the doorway without narrowing it considering all I have left is the door frame?

I'm trying to do this myself so that my landlord doesn't bump up our rent -- so please don't comment that I should let my landlord worry about it.

Thank you very much in advance for your help.

Roy


Just Bill
05-23-07, 04:14 PM
Technically, you are not allowed to make any changes without approval, but that ship has sailed. If you plan on staying a while, I would just trim out the doorway, knowing that you have to untrim it when you move. Modifying the doorway is not advisable, since the property is not yours.

luigisdad
05-23-07, 04:18 PM
Hi:
A friend of mine suggested that I paint the casing and then screw it in rather than nail it, and then paint it. When I leave, unscrew the casing and then nail it back on. Does that make sense?

Roy


Wirepuller38
05-23-07, 05:27 PM
Using screws will make it easier to remove the trim when you vacate the apartment.