How to Make Door Casings

Premade door casings are found in hardware stores or already attached to the door frame of prehung doors. If you have a creative side and want to save money, consider making your own door casings. With a little practice and skill, you can make casings to match any trim or doorway. Use medium density fiberboard (MDF) for a uniform appearance and durability against temperature and moisture changes to prevent warping.

Table saw
1 sheet of 3/4 inch MDF 4 feet wide by 8 feet long
Router
Decorative router bit
Orbital sander
120- and 220-grit sandpapers

Instructions

- 1
  Set the guide fence on your table saw to 3 15/16 inches.
- 2
  Measure 12 lengths of 3/4-inch-thick medium density fiberboard (MDF) 96 inches each. Mark the measurements.
- 3
  Cut the 12 pieces according to the measurements on the table saw. Each piece should measure 96 inches long by 3 15/16 inches wide.
- 4
  Sand smooth the long edges and the face of each plank using an orbital sander with 120-grit sandpaper for efficiency and to get uniform results.
- 5
  Carve detailing, curves and lines into one of the long edges of each plank with a router. Move the router along the edges in the opposing direction to the bit. The carved edge becomes the outside edge of the casing.
- 6
  Sand smooth the nondetailed long edge and face of each plank with 220-grit sandpaper on the orbital sander. Hand-sand the detailed edge with 220-grit sandpaper.
- 7
  Line up the casings along the frame over the gap between the frame and wall. Install the casings with finishing nails nailed into the door frame.

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