Door casing styles and materials

First impressions are important. That’s why choosing the right door casing is important. The door casing style makes the difference between whether an entrance to a home or a room is welcoming or blah.

The door casing is the trim around a door frame.  The main purpose of the door casing is to cover unsightly gaps left between the drywall and the jamb. But door casings do much more than that. Door casings can boost architectural charm with texture, depth, and warmth and accentuate the entryway. The door casing is the finishing flourish.

The door casing style sets the tone for the entryway or the room, depending on the style, the color and the material used. It can let the visitor know whether they are entering a home that is elegant or folksy. Frequently that is done with just three pieces, two long trim pieces on the sides of the frame and a shorter head casing across the top.

Decorative door casings create architectural interest

Adding decorative door casings creates architectural interest. Door casing styles come in a variety of selections, from elegant and lavish to clean and simple. Designers recommend you keep the door casing consistent throughout the house for flow and continuity. Thicker casings with ornate styles work in a Victorian home while plain casings create a modern look.

Door casings usually match the window casings. The door and window casings often are the most ornate and intricate feature of an architect’s design.

Mitered or butted casings?

Among the choices homeowners have is whether to choose mitered casings or butted casings. Mitered casings connect the two side pieces with the headpiece using mitered joints at 45-degree angles. Mitered ca

Butted casings combine two side casing boards to a wider head casing that sits directly on top, meeting at a 90-degree angle. The wider head casing draws the eye, making it a good choice for a home with high ceilings. The head casing also is perfect for ornate patterns.

Different materials used for various door casings styles

There are different materials used for various door casing styles. Wood is the most common. If a door casing is cut from one piece of wood it is called clear and is used for stain-grade applications.

Finger-jointed wood is made of several pieces joined together to form longer pieces. Finger-jointed wood is popular, especially for painted door casings, and is commonly made of poplar or pine.

A solid jamb is made of one piece and is frequently used for heavy doors. A split-jamb comes in two pieces that are nailed together. It is not as sturdy as a solid jamb.

Multi-dimensional fiberboard, which is formed from resin and sawdust, is cost-effective and has no imperfections, but is less durable and is difficult to repair if it gets damaged.

Door casings make a statement about your home

Whatever style, material or color you use is a statement to visitors about how you want your home to feel.

Myers Cabinets can make highly detailed door and window casings that showcase architectural patterns or contemporary design trends. Call Myers cabinets to see what kind of door casings they can make for your home.