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How to Replace a Wood Header

Over the course of time, the wood above a doorway, called a header, is subjected to a lot of stress. As the house settles, pressure can be put on this header, causing it to crack. Damage is also possible to the header if you aren't careful when bringing tall items through the doorway. You can replace just the header of the door, without having to replace the rest of the trim, but you will need to paint or stain it to match the rest of the wood trim around the door.

Things You'll Need

  • Pry bar
  • Measuring tape
  • Replacement wood board
  • Circular saw
  • Fine-grit sanding block
  • Wood stain
  • Polyurethane
  • Paintbrushes
  • Hammer
  • Nails
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pry off the header with a pry bar. Insert the edge of the pry bar underneath one corner of the header and pry out. Loosen around the header until it pops free of its nails. Remove any nails that are still in the framing wood around the door.

    • 2

      Measure out the replacement board for the header with a measuring tape. Lay the old header over the back of the new board. Trace around it and then double-check your measurements.

    • 3

      Trim the new header to fit with a circular saw. Put the blade guard down on the saw to protect your fingers. Feed the board through the saw, following your trace marks.

    • 4

      Sand the edges and surface of the header with a fine-grit sanding block. These should all be smooth to the touch.

    • 5

      Stain the new header to match the rest of the trim. If you cannot find a matching stain, you can paint both the header and the trim to match. Brush the stain on with the grain of the wood and let it dry for four hours. Rough up the surface gently with the sanding block.

    • 6

      Clear coat the header with polyurethane. Brush on a clear, non-yellowing coat of polyurethane. Let this dry for eight hours.

    • 7

      Hang the header back on the door frame with a hammer and nails. Fit the header above the door frame. Pound in nails in each corner and in the top and bottom of the middle of the board.

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Woodworking
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