What Is Brickmold On A Door? (Everything You Need To Know)

Have you ever heard of the term “Brickmold” on a door and the first thought that came to your mind was that now you will have to call someone to get rid of it, having no idea that it was a term used to describe a part of an entrance to the home and not the fungus?

You see, brick molding is an exterior trim around the outside of the door frame that you use to add an aesthetic boundary to the outside of the door, which, other than decorative purposes, also has its advantages when it comes to practicality.

It is also one of the best home improvements that you can do to add a more excellent look to the outside of your house and make it feel like a home.

In this article, we will discuss what it is, what its purpose is, what it can do for your home, how much a brickmold door costs, what are the pros and cons of it, what different types of brick molding there are, and a short description of how one you install among other things.

What Exactly Is Brick Molding?

As we mentioned in the beginning, brick molding is a protective seal or trim that, besides its practical use, adds a dose of aesthetics to the exterior door frame. It is great for doors that have a brick exterior because of it.

Brickmolds are typically installed outside the door frame and are usually more comprehensive than other trim types. Commonly they are used in conjunction with additional trim pieces, such as casing or baseboard, to provide an excellent and finished look to the door opening.

If you see a door with no brickmold, it implies that another type of seal or perhaps finish is applied to the door to protect it.

What Can It Do for Your Home?

As for what way it can improve your home, there are many benefits to installing a brickmold. One unexpected benefit is that it raises the value of the homeowners’ property on the housing market. It is because it is an aesthetic boundary between the door and the wall.

It can also help seal the gap between the door frame and the surrounding wall to prevent drafts and improve overall energy efficiency. It can be beneficial in extreme temperature fluctuations or high energy costs.

A brickmold can also provide some protection for your door frame. It can help prevent moisture or debris from entering the gap between the frame and the wall, which can cause rot or other damage over time. Also, it makes your doors look better.

How Much Does a Brick Molding Cost?

The cost of a brickmold can vary depending on the material you choose, the size of your door frame, and even the shape of the brickmold itself.

As a rule, wood brickmolds are the least expensive and cheaper than PVC or composite brickmolds. Pine and softwood brickmolds are typically the most affordable, while oak and other hardwoods can be more expensive.

PVC and composite brickmolds tend to be more expensive than wood, but they are also more durable and require less maintenance.

Brickmold door cost varies a lot. You should expect to pay anywhere from $2 to $10 per linear foot for a wood brickmold, $5 to $15 per linear foot for a PVC brickmold, and $10 to $20 per linear foot for a composite brickmold.

These prices do not include the installation cost, which can add significantly to the project’s overall cost.

Overall a project like this can set you back anywhere between $400 to $1200

What Are the Advantages of a Brickmold?

One of the main functional benefits of a brickmold door is its added durability in such a way that it protects the door plasters. Although this protection is not something that is going to last forever, it is still something to take into consideration.

Breaking into a door that has a brickmold is more complicated than breaking into a door with a regular seal on it. It is because of the overlap the molding has on the outside wall.

As far as looks go, they also add a sturdy feeling to the door itself. You can choose between having a basic molding design on your doorframe or something more ornate and fancy if you so desire.

What Are the Disadvantages of a Brickmold?

There are no drawbacks to installing a brickmold, except for a few things one should keep in mind.

Wood brickmolds may require periodic sanding and refinishing to maintain their appearance, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. If you are a very busy person who does not have enough time to do tedious maintenance, this may not be for you.

Depending on the style of your home, a brickmold may not be the most aesthetically pleasing option. It is essential to consider your home’s overall design and look and pick a trim style that complements it.

What Different Types of Brick Molding Are There?

Brickmolds are typically made of natural wood but can also be made of other materials, such as composite materials. We are going to go over some of the available material options.

1. Wood brickmolds

Wood brickmolds are the most common type, often made of finger-joint pine, yellow pine, oak, or other hardwood and softwood. They are durable and can be painted or stained to match the door frame or other trim in a home, but keep in mind they are susceptible to rot and pests.

2. PVC brickmolds

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) brickmolds are made of synthetic plastic that is durable, moisture-resistant, and easy to maintain. They are used in outdoor or wet environments because they are not high-maintenance, do not rot or warp like wood and have the highest longevity.

3. Composite brickmold

A Composite brickmold is made of a mixture of wood fibers and plastic, resulting in a robust and stable material and resistant to moisture and pests. Composite brickmolds are often more expensive than wood or PVC, but they may be a good choice for humid or wet areas.

How To Install a Brickmold?

Before this installation, remember that you will need at least some essential woodworking tools, such as a handsaw, a hammer, a utility knife, nails or screws with a power drill with a screwdriver attachment, sandpaper, paint, and of course, a calk gun. You can also use some primary material depending on what you like.

To install a brickmold on a door frame, you will need to follow these steps:

Step 1:

Measure the door frame and cut the brickmold to the appropriate length using a miter saw or handsaw.

Step 2:

Apply a thin bead of construction adhesive along the back of the brickmold.

Step 3:

Place the brickmold on the door frame, aligning it with the frame’s edges and ensuring it is level.

Step 4:

Nail the brickmold to the door frame using finish nails, spacing the nails about 6 inches apart, or using screws instead.

Step 5:

Fill the nail holes with wood filler and smooth the brickmold.

Step 6:

Paint or gel-stain the brickmold to match the door frame.

It is important to be careful and precise when installing the brickmold, as any unevenness will be visible once the installation is complete. If you are uncomfortable with this type of work, you can always hire professional builders to ensure the job is done correctly.

Another thing to keep in mind is to avoid making any scratches on the molding because it will ruin the aesthetic appeal. If you do not paint your brickmold but made a mistake and scratched it, it is a simple, straightforward fix.

Conclusion

It is great to have a brickmold at home regardless of your choice of material and style. This one is probably the best of all the possible trims for your door frame.

Now yes, it can get quite pricey but bear in mind that this is going onto your home, which you will spend time in almost every day for quite a while into the future, so it makes sense to make that home of yours as cozy and welcoming as you can.

All in all, installing a brickmold is going to be a good idea. If you were thinking of getting one and have the finances needed for it, go for it. The chance that you will be dissatisfied with this choice is slim to none, almost because, let us be real here, it looks excellent, and it is worth it.