Which door casing styles are most appropriate for your home?

A simple method to add architectural interest to any room in your house is to add a beautiful door casing to the doorway. Almost any homeowner can finish this simple do-it-yourself project in a weekend. But how can you pick the ideal look for your house when there are so many options available?

Interior Door Casing: What Is It?

The trim that surrounds a door opening is referred to as interior door casing. Door casings have a dual purpose of improving the appearance of the door and hiding the joint between the wall and the jamb, according to This Old House.

The head casing, a shorter piece that tops the two longer trim pieces on either side of the door frame, completes the basic doorway casing, which is made up of three independent sections.

Door trim has always been used to establish the mood of a space. Designs from the 19th century, during the Victorian era, included fluted boards pressed up against ornamental corner blocks known as rosettes. Their faces were covered with symmetrical patterns that followed a consistent pattern.

Tapered casings were popular in Federal and Italianate residences of the 19th century, and subsequently in Greek Revival and Colonial designs that valued depth and dimension. They were made by building up many profiles from the inside of the door jamb to the outer border. Door casings may now be found in a variety of designs, from sleek and basic to elaborate and sophisticated.

Bottomed versus mitered door casings

Understanding the differences between butted and mitered door casings can help you choose the right ones for your house.

Mitered casings use angled, or mitered, connections to combine the three components—side pieces and header casing. Mitered casings can be simple or complex, with fine features.

A broader head casing sits directly on top of two side casing boards in a butted door trim design. Homes with high ceilings can benefit greatly from this style because of the broad head casing’s ability to attract the eye upward. Use detailed features or patterns in the head casing to intensify the impact of bringing the eye upward.

Rosettes are a decorative element that may enhance the appearance of doors and windows in your home, regardless of the kind of casing you decide on.

Do You Require Ideas for Door Casing?

As was previously said, the door casing you select for your house has a big influence on how a room feels and looks when you go in. These door casing ideas will give you an idea of what’s available if you have a vision for the appearance of your property.

Casing in Colonial Style

A traditional door casing that may be found in many American homes is the Colonial design. Its raised edges and mitered corners give it a sophisticated, understated appearance that goes well with various types of houses.

The Ripple Effect

This door casing is constructed from the inside of the door jamb outward, with mitered corners. It creates a sophisticated yet appealing design by combining many layers of differing proportions, which would look great in any new Colonial Revival or Victorian-era house from the 19th century.

Uncomplicated Style

Simple elegance is demonstrated by a butted door casing that blends flat side casings with a clearly defined header casing and crown. Such a doorframe goes well with many different types of homes and may add to the comfort and welcome feel of a space.

A Guide to Selecting Door Casings

The door trim you choose for your house doesn’t have to be difficult or intimidating. Even though there are a lot of wood casing alternatives available, there are certain actions you can take and places you can start to ensure that you receive a trim that suits your needs without having to settle for something you don’t enjoy.

Take off from where you are.

Your existing structure probably already has some molding and a certain style, unless you’re creating a completely new house. To put it another way, it’s critical to select door casings that either precisely match or enhance the base, window, crown, and other mouldings that you already have. It’s better to take design inspirations from what you currently have, unless you want to replace all of the trim in a given space.

For instance, your door casings should match the flat, mitered style of your baseboards and window trim. Additionally, make sure the case moulding you are thinking about is the same thickness as the trim around the room’s windows or other doors.

Think About Your Home’s Style

Certain architectural designs evoke a formality that necessitates more elaborately crafted trim choices. For instance, Victorian mansions are well known for their exquisite crown molding, lofty ceilings, and ornate woodwork. Conversely, ranch-style homes are often far less formal, with straightforward trim lines that give the design a relaxed appearance. To achieve a unified look, let your home’s outside design guide your interior trim choices.

Never Afraid to Incorporate Your Own Style

Feel free to use your imagination when selecting molding if you want to replace all of the moulding in a room or the entire house. Make a list of the styles you prefer and bring examples home to see how they might look in your room.

You might also consider modifying some of the current moulding profiles by selecting a different material or color scheme. Replace basic white door casings, for instance, with solid wood alternatives stained to your preference. Alternately, use a splash of color to enliven a dull space.

Consult the Professionals for Assistance

Without a question, you have a plethora of options when it comes to adding door casings to your house. However, being familiar with the language surrounding door casings and utilizing your current moulding as a guide should provide you with a solid beginning point for finding the ideal door casings for your house and personal style.