Join between supporting wall and plasterboard.

[Dan S. MacAbre]

Our staircase goes straight up the middle of the house (as opposed to, what I think is more usual, an outside wall). Consequently, there is a join between supporting walls downstairs, and the thin walls upstairs. I've tried, over the years, to make a smooth filling between the two, but eventually, it gets more uneven and visible over time. Can someone suggest the best way to deal with it? Next thing I'm likely to try is expanding foam, but is there anything better, or a completely different approach (like putting a strip of wood in, and turning it into a 'feature', instead)?

[John Rumm]

I think I would go with the last option... I had a similar problem on a loft conversion where I transitioned from the masonry wall of the house to the stud wall of the new gable. This left a pronounced step out of several inches. I ripped down some timber and rounded over the edge to make a ledge to cover the join. See the last photo here:

[Dan S. MacAbre]

Okay, thanks. I thought it may have been a silly idea, but it sounds like it's not.

[Bob Eager]

It's exactly what I would do, and have done (but in different situations and with different solutions) in the past. Lateral thinking!

[rick]

In this situation, normal to fit a expansion joint cover .... piece of wood to match stairs for example ... fixed at one edge, and free to accommodate any movement of wall .. and hide it. Piece of ogee profile or similar usually used.

[Dan S. MacAbre]

Okay, thanks. I'll go ahead and do it.

[Dan S. MacAbre]

Great idea. I'd imagined doing it with a plain piece, but profile would look better.