How to Remove & Replace Door Trim Molding: Easy Tips from Experts

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Beginner friendly tutorial for updating door molding
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Door trim (or molding) can become damaged or worn over time, especially when exposed to the weather. Luckily, with some carpentry skills and a miter saw, it’s not too difficult to replace. We interviewed handyman Barry Zakar and interior designer Mitchell Newman to teach you all the steps to remove old trim and cut and install new trim . Plus, learn how hard it is to replace door trim and how much the project usually costs.

Quick & Easy Steps to Replace Door Trim

  1. Cut through the old trim’s caulking with a utility knife and carefully pry the trim off the wall.
  2. Purchase new trim and measure it against the door
  3. Wearing protective gear, use a miter saw to cut the new trim down to size.
  4. Nail the trim pieces into place with a finish nailer.
  5. Caulk around the new trim, then sand and paint it as desired.
Section 1 of 5:

Removing Old Trim

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  1. Work your utility knife ’s blade under the outside edge of the trim. You may also cut through some paint while doing this, but that’s okay. Cut all the way around the trim to free it. Make sure to cut all the way through the caulking to avoid damaging the paint when you pry off the trim. [1]
  2. Slide the edge of the pry bar under the trim near a nail. If needed, tap a hammer against the back of the bar to help wedge it in. Pull back one piece of trim at a time, taking care not to damage the walls and door jamb. It doesn’t matter which side you start on, as long as you remove all the pieces you want to replace. [2]
    • To protect the walls, hold a scrap of wood against the wall and rest the back of the pry bar against it as you work. There’s not really a way to protect the jamb besides being very careful when leveraging the trim.
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  3. Use the utility knife or a chisel to remove any old caulk left over. You may also need to scrape down thick layers of paint to level out the space where the new trim will rest. [3]
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Section 2 of 5:

Cutting New Trim

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  1. First, purchase some trim from the home improvement store. Most trim comes in 8 or 10 ft (2.4 or 3.0 m) sections. If you want to install the same type of trim as your original, Zakar says, “I would take a piece of it with me to the home store and get a new trim.” [4] Use your old trim as a sizing guide or hold the new trim against the door frame. Mark the measurements with a pencil so you know how to size the trim. [5]
    • Alternatively, measure out the space around the door with a tape measure if the other options aren’t possible. Measure out the length and width of the trim space on all sides of the door to find out how much trim you need.
    • Narrower trim can be a good choice for simplicity and appearance, but make sure you leave enough material to cover the gap between the door frame and the wall.
    • Wider trim stands out more, but it’ll cover more of the wall. Make sure you have enough space for it.
  2. Cover your eyes with a pair of polycarbonate safety glasses . Miter saws are loud, so put on a pair of earmuffs or foam earplugs to protect your ears. Do not wear gloves or any other loose clothing that could get caught in the saw. [6]
  3. Set the miter saw to cut at an angle of exactly 45°. Line up the trim and cut from the inside edge diagonally upwards to the outside edge. Cut a large piece of trim into the top piece and one of the sides. [7]
    • It’s okay to leave the trim a little long at first. You can adjust this as needed later.
    • It’s helpful to practice using the miter saw on scrap wood first. You are usually able to adjust the saw more than you expect to get a better-fitting joint.
  4. Line up the side pieces of trim against the door. If the trim is long, measure up from the bottom to mark how much length needs to be removed. Cut the bottoms of the side trim pieces evenly so they match and fit on the door frame. [8]
  5. Hold the header against the two side pieces. This piece has miter joints on both sides, which should fit snugly against the rest of the trim. If you have to reduce the header, make sure the miter is set at a 45° angle. Redo the cut until the header fits in place. [9]
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Section 3 of 5:

Installing New Trim

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  1. Without attaching them, place the pieces against the wall to double-check the fit. Pay attention to how the header piece fits on top of the side pieces. Make any adjustments needed by further cutting down the size of the trim. [10]
  2. Use a finish nailer to secure the trim. On the inside part, which covers the door jamb, use 4d or 1.5 in (3.8 cm) finishing nails . On the outside part, which attaches to the wall, use 6d or 2 in (5.1 cm) finishing nails to secure the trim. [11]
    • Avoid placing the nails close to the ends of the trim.
    • Depending on the thickness of your trim, you may need larger nails. Hold the nails up to the trim to see if they're long enough to go all the way through to the wall.
  3. Stand on a stepstool to reach the top part of the door. Place the top trim, checking one last time to make sure it’s the right size. When finished, attach it the same way you did the other pieces. [12]
  4. Push the trim pieces together to tighten them a little more. Measure about 1 in (2.5 cm) from the sides of the header, then drill a 1 ⁄ 16  in (1.6 mm) hole down through the top of the header. Measure down the side pieces and drill a hole through each from the outside edge.
    • Hold a piece of cardboard against the wall to prevent your tools from damaging it.
  5. Stick 3d or 1.25 in (3.2 cm) nails in each hole. Start on one side of the door, and alternate striking the top and side nails so that the trim doesn’t fall out of alignment. When finished, move on to the other side. [13]
    • Depending on how much trim you’re replacing, Zakar adds that you may “have to reinstall the latch hardware, the strike plate. If you’re replacing just the trim that’s on the wall, you don’t need to replace the strike plate because that’s on the original.” [14]
  6. Fill the holes and miter joints with painter’s putty , wood filler , or a paintable acrylic or silicone caulk as needed. Spread the caulk with a putty knife or your fingers, then go around the outside of the trim, squeezing a small bead of caulk between the trim and the wall. Zakar advises, “If you’ve got a new tube of caulk, be careful that you don’t cut the end too large. You don’t want too much caulk coming out, or there’ll be too much excess, and it makes a mess.” [15] Run your finger along the bead of caulk to smooth it out, then wipe it clean on a wet rag.
    • Let the caulk dry before painting or staining. Check the label information to find out how long this takes.
    EXPERT TIP

    Barry Zakar

    Handyman
    Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Little Red Truck Home Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of experience, Barry specializes in a variety of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry also holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy University.
    Barry Zakar
    Handyman

    Take your time with caulking. Make sure what you’re caulking is clean and dry. Try to maintain an even pressure on the gun as you move along and place the caulk. Then, wet your finger and run it along the bead to get a nice, smooth, even result.

  7. Sand the door frame lightly to make it smooth and even. If you want, further customize your trim by staining or painting it. Color the trim with primer and a layer of paint, or retain the appearance of the wood by using a commercial staining product . [16]
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Section 4 of 5:

How hard is it to replace door trim?

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  1. Replacing door trim is easy to do if you have basic carpentry skills. This DIY task requires basic carpentry skills, like measuring, cutting, and nailing. As long as you have basic tools and a willingness to learn, you'll be able to tackle the project easily. The hardest part is making precise cuts to ensure the trim fits snugly.
    • In general, replacing interior trim is easier than replacing exterior trim, especially if you’re dealing with rotting or damaged wood.
    • If you don’t have carpentry skills, it’s probably better to hire someone to replace the trim until you gain more experience.
Section 5 of 5:

How much does it cost to replace door trim?

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  1. Replacing door trim typically costs between $35-$100 per door. The cost varies greatly depending on the quality of the material you use and how much material you need to buy. In addition to buying trim, consider whether you’ll also need to purchase things like sandpaper, caulk, paint, or nails, as this will increase the cost. [18]
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      Tips

      • Measure more than once before cutting trim to reduce the chances of making an error.
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      • Narrower trim can stand out less and fit in tight spaces, but if you cut it too narrow, it’ll leave unsightly gaps around the door.
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      • Wider trim stands out more and ensures that door frame gaps are covered. Make sure you can fit the trim around the door and are okay with covering more wall space than usual.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-remove-and-replace-exterior-door-casing/
      2. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/22775184/how-to-replace-exterior-door-trim
      3. ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-remove-and-replace-exterior-door-casing/
      4. ↑ Barry Zakar. Handyman. Expert Interview. 16 July 2020.
      5. ↑ http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/door/door-repair/how-to-install-exterior-door-trim/
      6. ↑ http://www.finewoodworking.com/2009/04/01/safety-manual-miter-saw
      7. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/21193688/installing-trim-around-a-door
      8. ↑ http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/door/door-repair/how-to-install-exterior-door-trim/
      9. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/22775184/how-to-replace-exterior-door-trim
      1. ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-remove-and-replace-exterior-door-casing/
      2. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/21193688/installing-trim-around-a-door
      3. ↑ http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/door/door-repair/how-to-install-exterior-door-trim/
      4. ↑ https://www.architecturaldepot.com/blogs/how-to-install-door-and-window-trim-for-beginners/?srsltid=AfmBOopeLnoX-8lnk8nofl-wlwZ46vPENVlLuaqsAFKmhIX-57B96jen
      5. ↑ Barry Zakar. Handyman. Expert Interview. 16 July 2020.
      6. ↑ Barry Zakar. Handyman. Expert Interview. 16 July 2020.
      7. ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-remove-and-replace-exterior-door-casing/
      8. ↑ Mitchell Newman. Construction & Interior Design Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 June 2019.
      9. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/doors/21193688/installing-trim-around-a-door

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Replacing a door trim involves removing the old one, cutting your new trim to the right size, and nailing it to the doorjamb. Start by cutting the caulk from your door trim with a utility knife. Then, use a pry bar to remove each side of the trim. Slide the bar in near each nail to help you lever it away from the jamb. Once you’ve removed the trim and any leftover caulk, measure your door jamb to help you cut the new trim. You’ll need a miter saw to cut the corners at 45 degree angles so the pieces fit together. When you’ve cut all of the trim pieces, use 1.5-inch finishing nails to secure the inside part of the trim to the jamb. On the outside part, which attaches to the wall, use 2-inch finishing nails. After you’ve finished nailing the trim in place, apply caulk over the nail holes and around the edge to make the trim look flush. For more tips, including how to paint and stain your new door trim, read on!

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      • K Kanie

        Dec 28, 2020

        "I replace the door trim with wider trim, it turned out great, thank you for your information."
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