How to Easily and Safely Trim a Door Jamb for an Improved Look and Functionality

Trimming a door jamb is not a difficult task, if you have the right tools and bit of instruction. A solid door jamb will help ensure your door is properly hung and secure, so it is truly worth the effort. You won’t need a contractor to bring your door to a finished, beautiful state.

To begin, take a utility knife and begin gently slicing away the caulk which is keeping the door jamb seams in place. Prior to prying the door jamb away, you need to loosen the caulk as it will simply tear if you don’t. Once the caulk is removed, you can move on to step two.

Next, pull out your pry bar and hammer. Position the pry bar in-between the trim and the door, giving the hammer a light tap to force the bar deeper. This is a very delicate task and requires a light touch. Pounding the bar too hard will leave you with an unsightly damaged surface.

Continue by running the pry bar along the length of the door and tugging it out as you go. This will cause the door jamb to separate. Once it is pried free, now is the time to tackle any caulk and other leftovers. Using the utility knife, scrape the area free of nails, residue, or anything else.

For the next step, use a pencil and mark the edges of the door trim’s opening. It is critical that the mark is clearly visible, as you don’t want to make any mistakes as you move along. Take both pieces of the side trim and mark approximately one fourth inch above the existing mark.

Once the lines are drawn, use a triangular square and a pencil to make the line darker, making it easier to see when you take out the wood saw. Carefully saw along the line, using a saw blade that is the same size as the trim, and create a clean cut.

Once the trim is cleanly cut, you can install it into the door jamb and tighten it up with a few nails. This will provide a great finishing touch and result in a door jamb that is secure and looks great.

Trimming a door jamb is a very simple task that can be done by anyone with just a few tools. Any DIY enthusiast should be able to accomplish this task in no time. However, it’s important to pay attention to the details and do the job carefully, as a slight mistake can lead to unpleasant results. All you need is a little patience and the willingness to take on the task and you will be able to trim a door jamb with ease.