How to Remodel a Door Frame Molding
Door frame molding serves two purposes. First it hides unsightly gaps between the walls and the door frame. Second, it serves as a decorative accent to your interior. There are several options for remodeling door frame molding. Complete replacement is of course one, adding or subtracting elements to create a more or less formal effect is another. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Pry bar
- Hammer
- Door casing
- Miter saw
- Finish nails
- Wood filler or caulking
- Sand paper
- Crown molding
- Paint or stain
Please enter your 10 digit phone number only.
A link to this article has been sent to the phone number provided.
Instructions
-
-
1
Remove the old molding by prying it away from the wall using a small, flat pry-bar. Starting at one end pry the molding away from the wall. Shift the bar a few inches and pry again working your way down the length of the piece. Continue prying until the molding comes loose from the wall. Repeat the process with the top and the other side piece.
-
2
Cut your new molding with a miter saw using the original pieces as templates. Mark the miter on the board and set your saw for 45 degrees. Double check your markings before you cut. The top piece will be cut 45 degrees at either end. When using the old piece as a template, focus on the short, or inside edge's length. This will be the same, no matter what style or width your new molding may be.
-
-
3
Nail the new molding in place with a hammer and finish nails. Start with the 2 side pieces, nailing them at the bottom and middle, allowing the top room for slight adjustment. Set the top piece in place and position the two side pieces so that the two mitered corners line up as tightly as possible. Nail the two side pieces first, then nail the top piece in place.
-
4
Caulk or wood fill the seams between the joints and the nail holes. Use painter's caulk if you will be painting the trim and wood filler if you plan to stain. Sand the filler smooth by hand with a 150 grit or finer sand paper.
-
5
Apply two coats of semigloss latex paint or a coat of stain, followed by two coats of clear gloss finish according to the manufacturer's instructions regarding application and drying time.
Creating a Capitol With Crown Molding
-
6
Cut a piece of crown mitered to 45 degrees at both left and right ends. Set the crown with the flat back edge at the bottom against the saw's table and the flat top edge against the fence. Keep fingers well clear of the blade. Cut with a smooth fluid motion in one movement. Allow the blade to stop spinning before moving the piece.
-
7
Cut two, 45 degree pieces to fit the ends , creating corners. You will need one right and one left. Cut the back edges of the them at 90 degrees to fit the wall. Glue and nail these pieces to the ends of the crown to create the capitol.
-
8
Nail the crown into place, centered along the top edge of the door casing trim. Use a hammer and finish nails. Fill the nail holes and sand smooth and paint or stain the crown molding to match.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit hammer, nail set and nails image by Allen Stoner from Fotolia.com
