interior-finishes-trades

# Interior Finishes Trades Comprehensive trade knowledge for managing interior finish work from rough framing through final punch list on commercial and institutional construction projects. ## Quick Reference Tables ### Gypsum Board Selection | Board Type | Thickness | Primary Application | |------------|-----------|---------------------| | Regular | 1/2" | Standard residential, light commercial | | Regular | 5/8" | Standard commercial walls | | Type X | 5/8" | 1-hour fire-rated assemblies | | Type X | 2 layers 5/8" | 2-hour fire-rated assemblies | | Type C | 5/8" | Enhanced fire performance | | Moisture-Resistant | 1/2", 5/8" | Bathrooms (not in wet areas) | | Mold-Resistant | 1/2", 5/8" | High humidity areas | | Abuse-Resistant | 5/8" | Corridors, high-traffic areas | | Impact-Resistant | 5/8" | Gymnasiums, detention | | Shaft Liner | 1" | Elevator/stair shaft walls | ### Drywall Finish Levels | Level | Description | Typical Applications | |-------|-------------|---------------------| | Level 0 | No finishing | Temporary construction, concealed | | Level 1 | Tape embedded | Above ceilings, service areas | | Level 2 | One coat on tape/fasteners | Tile substrate, concealed areas | | Level 3 | Two coats, tool marks OK | Heavy texture, heavy wallcovering | | Level 4 | Three coats, sanded smooth | Flat/eggshell paint, light texture | | Level 5 | Skim coat entire surface | Gloss paint, critical lighting | ### Metal Framing Gauges | Gauge | Mil Thickness | Decimal (in) | Common Applications | |-------|---------------|--------------|---------------------| | 25 ga | 18 mil | 0.0188" | Light non-load-bearing | | 22 ga | 27 mil | 0.0283" | Standard non-load-bearing | | 20 ga | 33 mil | 0.0346" | Heavy-duty non-load-bearing | | 18 ga | 43 mil | 0.0451" | Light load-bearing | | 16 ga | 54 mil | 0.0566" | Load-bearing | | 14 ga | 68 mil | 0.0713" | Heavy load-bearing | ### Paint Sheen Levels | Sheen | Gloss Units | Typical Applications | |-------|-------------|---------------------| | Flat/Matte | 0-10 | Ceilings, low-traffic walls | | Eggshell | 10-25 | Office walls, residential | | Satin | 25-35 | Corridors, moderate traffic | | Semi-Gloss | 35-70 | Bathrooms, kitchens, trim | | Gloss | 70+ | Doors, trim, accent areas | ### Floor Moisture Limits (Concrete) | Flooring Type | Calcium Chloride (lbs/1000 sf/24hr) | RH Test (%) | |---------------|-------------------------------------|-------------| | Carpet - Permeable | 5.0-8.0 | 80-85% | | VCT | 3.0-5.0 | 75-80% | | LVT/LVP | 3.0-5.0 | 75-80% | | Sheet Vinyl | 3.0-5.0 | 75-80% | | Rubber | 3.0-5.0 | 75-80% | | Hardwood (engineered) | 3.0 | 75% | | Epoxy/Urethane | Varies by manufacturer | 75-80% | ### Tile Setting Requirements | Tile Size | Trowel Notch | Coverage Required | Back-Butter? | |-----------|--------------|-------------------|--------------| | Mosaic (<2") | 3/16" V-notch | 80% min | No | | Up to 8" | 1/4" square | 80% min | No | | 8"-12" | 1/4" x 3/8" | 80% min walls / 95% wet | Optional | | 12"-16" | 1/2" x 1/2" | 80% min walls / 95% wet | Recommended | | 16"+ / Large Format | 1/2" x 1/2" or 3/4" | 95% min all locations | Required | ### AWI Quality Grades | Grade | Description | Typical Applications | |-------|-------------|---------------------| | Economy | Basic quality, functional | Back-of-house, utility areas | | Custom | Industry standard quality | Most commercial projects | | Premium | Finest quality, meticulous | Executive areas, high-end | ### Fire-Rated Assembly Requirements | Separation Type | IBC Section | Typical Rating Required | |-----------------|-------------|------------------------| | Occupancy Separation | 508 | 1-2 hours (varies by occupancy) | | Dwelling Unit Separation | 420.2 | 1 hour | | Corridor Walls | 1020.1 | 1 hour (occupancy dependent) | | Shaft Enclosures | 713 | 1-2 hours (height dependent) | | Exit Stairways | 1023 | 1-2 hours (stories connected) | | Exit Passageways | 1024 | 1-2 hours (stories connected) | | Fire Barriers | 707 | Per Table 707.3.10 | | Fire Partitions | 708 | 1 hour minimum | ## Interior Finish Sequence ``` Typical Commercial Interior Finish Sequence: 1. ROUGH FRAMING └── Metal studs, blocking, backing installed └── Inspection: Framing and blocking complete 2. MEP ROUGH-IN └── Electrical, plumbing, HVAC in walls/ceilings └── Inspection: MEP rough-in complete 3. INSULATION └── Thermal, acoustic, fire safing └── Inspection: Insulation complete 4. DRYWALL HANG └── Board hung, fire-rated assemblies complete └── Inspection: Fire-rated assemblies before tape 5. DRYWALL TAPE & FINISH └── Taping, finishing to specified level └── Inspection: Finish level acceptable 6. CEILING GRID (if ACT) └── Main tees, cross tees installed 7. PAINTING - WALLS & CEILINGS └── Prime and paint complete 8. MILLWORK & CASEWORK └── Cabinets, trim, millwork installed 9. FLOORING └── Hard surface flooring installed └── Carpet last (protect until occupancy) 10. PUNCH & TOUCH-UP └── All trades touch-up and corrections ``` ## Key Coordination Points ### Blocking Verification Checklist - [ ] Grab bar backing (verify ADA locations) - [ ] Casework backing at all cabinet locations - [ ] TV mount backing (verify heights with owner) - [ ] Toilet accessory backing - [ ] Toilet partition backing - [ ] Handrail backing (continuous) - [ ] Marker board / tack board backing - [ ] Wall-mounted equipment backing - [ ] Window treatment backing ### Pre-Drywall Checklist - [ ] Framing inspected and approved - [ ] All MEP rough-in complete - [ ] All blocking installed and verified - [ ] Fire blocking and draft stopping complete - [ ] Inspection hold points cleared - [ ] Photos of concealed conditions ### Pre-Floor Installation Checklist - [ ] Concrete moisture tested and documented - [ ] Substrate flat within tolerance - [ ] All overhead work complete - [ ] HVAC operational (temp/humidity controlled) - [ ] Flooring acclimated to space - [ ] Transitions and edge conditions defined ## Reference Files ### Rough Carpentry & Framing - [Wood Framing](references/rough-carpentry-wood-framing.md) - Lumber grades, wall/floor framing, engineered lumber, hardware - [Metal Framing](references/cold-formed-metal-framing.md) - Steel studs, gauges, load-bearing, deflection details - [Blocking & Firestopping](references/blocking-backing-firestopping.md) - Backing requirements, fire blocking, firestopping systems ### Drywall & Insulation - [Gypsum Board Systems](references/gypsum-board-systems.md) - Board types, applications, shaft wall, installation - [Drywall Finishing](references/drywall-finishing-levels.md) - Finish levels, compounds, techniques, defects - [Fire-Rated Assemblies](references/fire-rated-assemblies.md) - UL listings, construction, inspection, documentation - [Acoustic Assemblies](references/acoustic-assemblies.md) - STC, IIC, assembly design, weak points - [Insulation Systems](references/insulation-systems.md) - Batt, blown, spray foam, rigid insulation ### Finish Carpentry & Millwork - [Finish Carpentry](references/finish-carpentry-trim.md) - Trim types, materials, installation, quality - [Architectural Millwork](references/architectural-millwork.md) - AWI standards, paneling, species, finishes - [Casework & Countertops](references/casework-countertops.md) - Cabinet construction, hardware, countertop types ### Painting & Coatings - [Surface Preparation](references/painting-surface-prep.md) - Prep by substrate, moisture, temperature - [Paint & Coating Types](references/paint-coating-types.md) - Paint types, sheens, primers, stains - [Specialty Coatings](references/specialty-coatings.md) - Antimicrobial, anti-graffiti, intumescent, industrial ### Flooring - [Carpet & Resilient](references/flooring-carpet-resilient.md) - Carpet types, VCT, LVT, rubber, installation - [Hardwood & Specialty](references/flooring-hardwood-specialty.md) - Hardwood, polished concrete, epoxy, access flooring - [Floor Preparation](references/floor-preparation.md) - Substrate prep, moisture testing, underlayments ### Tile & Stone - [Tile Installation](references/tile-stone-installation.md) - Tile types, setting methods, grout, movement joints - [Waterproofing & Substrates](references/tile-waterproofing-substrates.md) - Substrates, waterproofing, shower systems ### Project Management - [Code Compliance](references/code-compliance.md) - Fire-rated, flame spread, ADA, VOC, slip resistance - [Testing & QC](references/testing-qc.md) - Moisture testing, inspections, mock-ups, standards - [Coordination & Sequencing](references/coordination-sequencing.md) - Finish sequence, phasing, trade coordination - [Protection & Punchlist](references/protection-punchlist.md) - Floor protection, punch standards, final cleaning - [Safety Hazards](references/safety-hazards.md) - Trade-specific hazards, dust, chemicals, ergonomics - [Specifications & CSI](references/specifications-csi.md) - Division 06, 07, 09, 12 specification guidance ## Related Skills - **doors-frames-hardware** - Door/frame/hardware coordination with trim and millwork - **construction-safety-management** - OSHA requirements, PPE, respiratory protection - **vdc-bim-coordination** - Interior coordination and clash detection - **procore-project-management** - RFI, submittal, and daily log workflows - **schedule-management-cpm** - Interior finish sequencing and phased turnover - **quality-control-closeout** - Punch list management and final inspections - **electrical-systems** - Blocking coordination with electrical rough-in - **mechanical-plumbing-systems** - Blocking coordination with MEP