How to Deinstall a Door Frame

Replacing a door frame and its accompanying trim substantially alters the look of a given space, whether it be a bedroom entrance or the front door, making such a replacement a key feature in any big remodeling project. Before the door frame can be replaced, however, the old frame and trim must be removed, and sometimes that calls for preserving it for reuse elsewhere. In such cases, simply ripping the old frame out is not good enough: You must "deinstall" it.

Prybar
Felt pad
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Insert the prybar under a spot near the top or bottom corner of either the right or left piece of door frame trim. Work the prybar in slowly and gently, being careful to not damage the woodwork. Once there is enough space, insert the felt pad between the prybar and the wood of the trim. Pull out that end of the trim. Repeat the process for the other corner and then remove that piece of trim. Set the trim aside.
- 2
  Repeat Step 1 for the other piece of side trim (if you have pulled the left piece of trim, now pull the right piece).
- 3
  Pull out the top piece of trim by hand. The top is held is place by the side pieces of trim, so if removing these has not already taken the top trim down, it should come out with a solid pull or two.
- 4
  Tap the prybar under the door frame, wedging it between the frame and the doorway in a position near the bottom of the frame on either the left or right side. Once the pry bar is in place, push against the bar to detach that part of the frame. Use steady, even pressure to avoid damaging the frame.
- 5
  Continue prying that side of the frame off in stages. Once it is removed, pry off the other side of the frame in stages, which will also loosen and free up the top part of the frame.
- 6
  Tap out the nails and/or screws that were holding the frame to the doorway with a hammer, striking the pointed side as before.

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