Installing Molding for Interior Doors

When picking out an interior door, many people don't stop to think about the molding and trim that they will use around the door. Often, this is simply an after thought, if a thought is given about it at all. However, the job of installing a door isn't ever truly finished until you have installed this trim. Installing molding for interior doors is actually a fairly easy task, and will often only take you about an hour to do. Just follow these simple instructions to make sure that you get the job done right.

Materials:

• 4 pieces of prefabricated door molding
• 1 box #6 finishing nails
• 1 box # 8 finishing nails
• Glazing putty or wood putty
• Hammer
• Tape measure
• Marking pencil
• Miter saw
• Combination square

Procedure:

1. Measure and trim the top. Take one piece of prefabricated door molding, and cut a 45 degree angle at one end of the piece so wood. This is called a miter cut, and can easily be done with a miter saw. Once cut, hold it in place at the top of the door with the small end of the cut at the edge of the door. Make a mark at the other end of the wood, at the inside edge of the door. Repeat the 45 degree miter cut, using this mark as the starting point.
2. Measure and trim the sides. Repeat the same process for the side portions of the door, with only one small change. Instead of cutting a 45 degree miter cut at both ends of the molding, do it only on the side that will be at the top of the door. Remember to opposing directions for the angle that you cut on each piece, so that you can attach a piece of molding on each side of the door.
3. Attach the molding. Begin installing the molding by starting at the top of the door. To ensure that you get the piece perfectly level, have a friend help hold the molding in place, and make sure that it is flush with the door frame. While holding it in place, use # 6 finishing nails to attach the trim to the door jambs, and # 8 finishing nails to attach the trim to any studs. Repeat the process with the side trim as well.

After you have finished installing molding for your interior doors, all you have to do now is clean up and stain the trim. Be sure that you stain the trim in a color that will compliment the choice of doors as well as the color of the paint in the room.