How to Put Trim Around a French Door

Door trim spans the space between the casing that immediately surrounds the doorway and the wall that surrounds it beyond that. It's both a visual border and a practical one, helping stop air movement around the edges of the doorway. There are several ways to trim out a door, with a simple mitered design being the easiest for the do-it-yourself homeowner. Trimming a French door is the same as any other door, except the top span will be longer.

Tape measure
Pencil
Door trim
Miter saw
Trim nailer

Instructions

- 1
  Measure across the top horizontal span of the doorway, from corner to corner, at the casing (the border immediately around the door).
- 2
  Mark out the measurement on a span of door trim, putting two marks along the top.
- 3
  Set the trim face-up on a miter saw. Position the top edge along the saw rail. Move the trim so one mark is in front of the blade. Turn the blade so it points 45 degrees in, toward the middle of the span. Cut it.
- 4
  Move the trim so the other mark is in front of the blade. Turn the blade so it points 45 degrees in the opposite direction (again facing the middle of the span). Cut it.
- 5
  Hold the trim up to the top of the opening, with the two angled ends coming off the top corners. Secure it with your trim nailer, shooting nails every 10 or 12 inches along the upper and lower edges of the trim.
- 6
  Repeat the process for the two vertical side pieces of trim for the opening, except miter only the ends that will face up. Cut the down-facing ends straight across. Nail in the pieces so the miters at the top butt together to form the corners.

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