How to Trim a Wood Entry Door

Adding trim to a wooden entry door will finish off the entrance to your home and create an inviting appearance. Aside from being decorative, the trim covers over the doorjamb or doorframe. The door trim consists of side casing, which is placed on either side of the door opening, as well as the head casing, which is placed above the door opening. The head casing covers over the ends of the side casing to complete the look. The casing can be as decorative or simple as you need to match the rest of your home's exterior.

Tape measure
Protractor
3 trim boards, 1-by-4-inch flat casing, 96 inches long
Miter saw
Window and door caulk
Caulk gun
Box, finish nails
Hammer
Nail set

Instructions

- 1
  Measure from the doorsill to the top of the side doorjamb or frame. Make note of the measurement. This is the measurement for the side casing.
- 2
  Check the angle of the sill at the bottom of the door jamb with a protractor. Make a note of the angle. This is the angle for the bottom of the side casing.
- 3
  Measure the width of the door opening from side jamb to side jamb. Add 7 inches to the measurement. This is the measurement for the head casing.
- 4
  Measure, mark and cut the 1-by-4-by-96-inch trim boards to the length required for the side and head casing. Cut one head casing board and two side casing boards. Cut the angle on each bottom end of the side casing boards. The long point of the angle should be on the front side of the casing.
- 5
  Apply a bead of caulk around the outside edge of the doorjamb or frame using window and door caulk and a caulk gun.
- 6
  Place the side casing boards with the inside edge of each board flush with the edge of the doorjamb so that it covers the jamb. Center the head casing board over the top ends of the side casing.
- 7
  Nail the casing onto the exterior of the home every 6 to 8 inches along the length of the casing using a hammer.
- 8
  Set the nails 1/16-inch below the wood surface of the casing using a nail set.

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