Install Door Casing
Metrie Masters: Install Door Casing with Andrew Wood, of Ecnomus Construction Group
by The Finished Space
As promised, we’re bringing you the second part to our Metrie Masters segment featuring Andrew Wood of Ecnomus Construction. Now that you have your door installed, next up is the casing. If it has been a while since you’ve trimmed out a door or if you’re a beginner, don’t fret, Andrew has you covered. Just follow these casing install steps and you will have an updated doorway in no time!
Step 1: Mark Out The Reveal
Start by marking out the reveal, the space between the edge of the jamb and door. With a pencil, draw a line along the length of the door jamb. Repeat this process on the opposite side. For the width at the top of the door jamb, measure the distance between the vertical reveal lines you just drew.
Note: A standard reveal is 1/4″ but Andrew recommends leaving 1/8″ for this particular install.
Step 2: Measure & Cut
To determine where to make the miter cuts on the trim, Andrew started with the trim pieces that will be placed vertically*. Beginning with one of the vertical pieces, draw a line at 45-degree angle from its outside corner inward toward where it would meet (once installed) the corner reveal on the jamb. Repeat the process for the other vertical piece.
Step 3: Nail in the Vertical Pieces
After mitering the two vertical pieces, nail them into place (keeping the reveal in mind). Use a nail every 12 inches.
Pro Tip: Andrew suggests waiting to fully secure in the vertical trim until the horizontal piece has been measured, cut, and aligned to both pieces precisely.
Step 4: Adjoin the Horizontal Piece & Secure
After measuring, mitering, and adjoining your horizontal piece so that it offers the proper reveal and alignment, all three trim pieces are ready to be fully nailed in and secured.
And that’s a wrap—now you have a newly installed door and casing! If you missed it, catch the first part of this series on how to install a door.