Home Improvement Ideas Doors Door Repairs & How-To How to Install Exterior Door Frame Molding for a Quick Update Learn how to install decorative trim around a doorway for a quick, easy, and cost-effective way to add curb appeal. By Caitlin Sole Caitlin Sole Caitlin Sole is the senior home editor at BHG. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of interior design expertise. She has vast experience with digital media, including SEO, photo shoot production, video production, eCommerce content, print collaboration, and custom sales content. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on April 24, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Project Overview Working Time: 1 day Total Time: 1 day Skill Level: Intermediate Estimated Cost: $3-$6/linear foot Yield: One framed door Adding door frame molding around an entryway—whether existing or newly installed—is a quick way to give your house a facelift. With the introduction of urethane foam molding, there's now a wide range of affordable styles to choose from. Urethane foam door frame molding is light, paintable, easy to cut, and will never rot—ideal for exteriors. You can buy trim at a local home or hardware store or online. You may need to measure your door and order the header—the horizontal piece at the top—at a specific length. The casing (the vertical parts that replace the brick molding) can be cut to size. Adding trim to an entry door will take most of the day. It's a good idea to protect the area with a drop cloth. How to Repair a Storm Door, From Top to Bottom What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Drop cloth Tape measure Flat pry bar Paint scraper Pencil Circular saw Utility knife Drill Hammer Sanding block Putty knife Materials Urethane foam moldings to fit your doorway Spray foam insulation (optional) Glue Painters tape 6d and 10d casing nails Adhesive recommended for your moldings Exterior caulk Exterior putty Instructions Remove Existing Molding Using a flat pry bar, carefully remove the brick molding around the door. Be careful not to dent the siding or the jambs; using a scrap of wood as a fulcrum helps. Scrape Off Any Extra Paint Scrape away any accumulated paint or putty from the jamb. If the reveal line is not clearly visible along the jamb edge, scribe a reveal line. If needed, seal and insulate the gap between the jamb and the framing with non-expanding spray foam insulation. Measure for Header To establish the width of the header (the piece above the door), hold each piece of casing in place and mark along its outside edge. Measure between the marks. The header looks best if it extends beyond the casing; add twice the thickness of the header to the overall length and mark for cutting. How to Paint a Front Door for Quick Curb Appeal Miter Ends of the Header Miter the ends of the header using a circular saw. Urethane foam cuts as easily as wood, but a hard crust will build up if the saw blade binds and overheats. If this happens, pare off the crust with a utility knife. How to Use a Circular Saw Glue and Tape To ensure that the header will stand proud of the casing: Glue in place urethane parting stop along the inside of the top and bottom of the header.Cut small mitered pieces of the header to create a return.Glue and tape both pieces in place. Tool Product Reviews Cut and Attach Casing Cut the casing to length. Position each piece of casing and check that it meets against the reveal line. Drill pilot holes and attach the casing with 6d casing nails hammered into the jambs and 10d nails driven into the sheathing and studs. How to Build Exterior Door Framing Set Header in Place Set the header in place and center it so it extends equally beyond each piece of casing. Drill pilot holes and fasten it as you did the casing. How to Use a Drill Set Nails and Caulk Set the nails and fill them with exterior wood filler. Sand the filler with a sanding block when it is dry. Using a putty knife, apply exterior-grade caulking around where the molding meets the siding. How to Replace a Door Threshold and Sill