How to Finish a Doorway

After you have installed a new door in your doorway, you might notice that the opening still does not appear finished. This is due to the gap running between the doorway's rough opening and the door jambs. Cover this gap with trim molding to give your door its final, finished appearance. You do not need any prior woodworking knowledge to perform this project, which should take the average homeowner about an hour to accomplish.

Tape measure
Chalk line
Miter saw
Hammer
Finishing nails
Pneumatic nail gun

Instructions

- 1
  Measure 1/4 inch in from the edge of your door's jambs and headers and mark the distance with light pencil marks all the way around the opening. Snap a chalk line along these marks to indicate the reveal -- the portion of jamb that will remain visible after you install the trim.
- 2
  Set your miter saw to a left-hand 45-degree miter and cut off about an inch from the header trim piece's right-hand side. Measure the reveal's length along the header and transfer this measurement to the trim piece's bottom edge. Slide the miter saw blade to a right-hand 45-degree miter cut and cut the trim at the measurement mark.
- 3
  Hit the drywall directly above the gap between the rough opening and door header with a hammer to bend it back. Lift the cut header trim piece in position, above the door. Line up the trim piece's bottom edge with the chalk line. Secure the trim in place with finishing nails using a pneumatic nail gun.
- 4
  Measure the doorway's right-hand side, from the header's top point down to the floor. Transfer this measurement to a piece of trim.
- 5
  Set the miter saw to a left-hand 45-degree angle cut. Set the trim piece flat on the miter-saw table with the trim's outer edge away from you. Line up the measurement mark on the trim board with the saw blade and make the cut.
- 6
  Place the right-side trim piece's mitered end tight against the header's mitered end. Hold a level against the side piece so it is straight up and down and maintains an even 1/4-inch reveal down its entire length. Secure it in place with finishing nails and a pneumatic nail gun.
- 7
  Measure the doorway's left-hand side, from the header's top point down to the floor, and transfer this measurement to a piece of trim. Set the miter saw to a right-hand 45-degree angle and lay the trim on the miter saw table with the outer edge away from you and make the cut.
- 8
  Lift the trim onto the doorway's left side, with the mitered end butted up against the header's mitered end. Hold a level against the trim and adjust it to maintain the 1/4-inch reveal. Secure it in place with finishing nails from a pneumatic nail gun.
- 9
  Paint or stain the door and the door trim in your desired fashion.

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Doors