I am replacing/upgrading the builder’s trim in my new tract house, but this is my first trim experience. I have figured out solutions to most of my problem areas (before cutting!), but I don’t know what to do about the door trim.
Many of the doors are so close to adjacent perpendicular walls that there is very little room to install wider casing. I think it will look strange to just run casing to the adjacent wall and stop there. I have considered running the trim around the inside corner, but that may look strange too. I have been looking through books for solutions, but so far all the pictures show doors placed conveniently in the middle of a wall and not at the end.
Any suggestions?
Replies
you're right, if it is well thought out, usually a door is placed convieniently with enough room for trim on either side. in your case, one thing that might buy you some room would be to re-hang your door. usually, there is enough room in the rough opening to move it over some. beyond that, you will just have to rip the trim down some.
What docW said.
How many doors are close to inside corners, and are the doors in "public" areas?
Doug
OK... I hadn't really stopped to count until now, but ten doors are in tight positions. I might be adventurous enough to try repositioning one, but ten is out of my league. Three are close enough to each other that I have considered placing simple butt-joined head and side casing around/between them in the available space and encompassing all three with a continuous back-band. The only door in the whole house that I can easily put wider trim on is the front door. I am tempted to upgrade the front door trim, replace the baseboard, install crown molding and call it quits. And maybe window casing... the windows only have a stool and apron. After all, I bought the saw. I may as well use it.
I've been through new construction before, but this is my first (and last) house built by one of the really big national builders. It's one of the neotraditional designs with an alley and rear-entry garage; the style seems to call out for more substantial trim. However, the interior trim is minimal and almost modernistic.
Maybe go with a trim that is as narrow as what you have but yet has some detail to it. Should be able to find something.
I dont think I would want to change 10 doors either, thats why I would look at other options.
Doug
or, to expand on what docW said, I've sometimes removed a liner on one side and added it to the other side to shift the door over. Just be sure its not a bearing wall.
it may be more work than you want, but it will look better than ripping casings ( which I've done plenty of, too )
If you house is new, I assume you have 30 inch doors. An option is to go to 28 inch doors and get an additional 2 inches on the wall side. You would need to nail in an extra 2x4 to rough the door out correctly, then shim it.
Edited 10/30/2005 8:12 pm ET by TTF
That's a clever solution; I will consider it.
>> I am replacing/upgrading the builder's trim in my new tract house... <<
Be aware that the interior doors are very possibly only held in place by the casings being nailed to the walls, so, when you start removing the casings the whole door assembly may likely come loose. Just a warning...