How to Replace Door Casing

A front door to a house.
  • 1-2 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 75-500
What You'll Need
Measuring tape
Hand square
Door casing molding
8d finish nails
6d finish nails
Sharp pencil
Miter saw
Nail set
Pry bar
What You'll Need
Measuring tape
Hand square
Door casing molding
8d finish nails
6d finish nails
Sharp pencil
Miter saw
Nail set
Pry bar

The reason people replace the door casings in their homes is simple: they want to change the overall look of their surroundings without spending too much time, money, or effort. To make things simple, practical, and convenient, one should think about carrying out the procedure without the help of a professional. That being said, keep in mind that there are different shapes of casings available in the market, which is why it is necessary to select one that satisfies your preferences and complements the house's décor. Replacing door casing is fairly simple, as long as you have the required materials.

Step 1 - Remove the Old Casing

Remove the existing door casing carefully, and if you find yourself getting confused, ask a professional for some tips or refer to the instructions in a reliable handbook or manual. To put it briefly, a pry bar will be used to forcefully remove the casing from the frame of the wall.

Step 2 - Measure the Area

The previous casing will have left behind a line. Measure this area, but if you want to increase the size, you can use the hand square to carefully etch out the reveal starting from the upper portion of the jambs.

Step 3 - Cut and Place the Casing

With the help of the miter saw, you should then trim off a bit of the casing at a 45-degree angle. Place the piece at the mark you made in step 2. The interior should clasp the jamb in such a way that there is a distance of ¼ inch between the casing and the jamb. The 6d finish nails should be used in this step.

Step 4 - Measure the Horizontal Width

The distance between the left and right corners should then be measured, after which another casing piece will be cut out. The size should exceed the dimensions that were discerned in the first few steps by about ½ inch. The casing should again be at an angle of 45 degrees.

Step 5 - Attach the Piece

Attach the casing first from the left side and then the right. The 6d finish nails will hold it together but make sure that they are placed at least 8 inches away from each other.

Step 6 - Add the Finishing Touch

The last step is firmly attaching the exterior of the casing to the wall with the help of the 8d finish nails, which should again be placed as far as 10 inches from each other.