Installing door trim is simple with our guide. The best part is, you can pull it off without using nails. We’ll explain which tools you need, and how to achieve flawless results.
Installing trim around doors and windows adds an extra touch to your home. Plus, it’s fast and simple. All you need are the right tools, here’s your list…
- Door or window casing, either wood or PVC
- Construction adhesive
- Caulk gun
- Measuring tape or set square
- Pencil
- Miter saw – available for rent at most hardware stores. Alternatively, some stores will cut the wood for you. It just means an extra trip back to the store.
- Protective glasses – if you’re cutting the trim yourself.
Before you purchase door trim, examine the space around the frame. Is the reveal wide? Or is there an adjacent wall that requires a smaller strip of door trim? Measuring the space you’re working with will help you choose the appropriate size casing.
Once you have all the necessary tools, installing interior door trim is simple! Here’s what you do next.
- Hold the door casing in place over the reveal. Leave sufficient space at the bottom for carpet, tile, or baseboards.
- Measure 1/8th of an inch away from the inner side of the door jamb. That’s where the edge of the casing will lay on the frame. Make sure the casing doesn’t interfere with the door hinges, or the latch on the opposite side.
- Mark the trim at the top corner of the door to indicate where you’ll cut.
- Repeat the process on the other side of the door, and the header piece.
- Move to the miter saw, and carefully cut the door trim to a 45-degree angle. When cutting the header piece, cut the board slightly longer than what’s needed. You can always cut more off, but you can’t put it back on, so start small!
- Pre-fit the pieces together.
- Prep the adhesive. When working with a thin strip of trim, cut the applicator to extrude a smaller bead size to avoid seepage.
- Run a thin bead line along the length of the casing. Keep the bead roughly two inches from the edge to prevent seepage.
- Press the casing into position and hold in place. Some adhesives allow a window of repositioning time. Work quickly to fix the other three sides, aligning them correctly.
- If seepage has occurred, clean with warm soapy water. If adhesive has cured, cut away excess with a sharp tool, or paint when dry.
- Allow cure time to be reached before using the door.
You don’t need nails when installing trim around doors and windows, just the right adhesive. The best construction adhesive for nail free DIY projects, is Loctite Power Grab Express Heavy Duty. This versatile adhesive is weather resistant and gap filling, and has a 0 second instant grab, making it ideal for installing exterior window trim. Same goes for exterior door trim installation.
Installing interior door trim? Perfect, Loctite Power Grab is Greenguard certified and doesn’t emit a strong odor like other heavy-duty adhesives. It’s also repositionable for 15 minutes, allowing you to achieve perfect alignment.
