Brickmold Vs No-Brickmold Doors (Here's the Difference)
When it comes to home improvement, it’s worth saying that not all improvements are going to be that noticeable. Brickmold, for example, is the addition of a frame around the doorframe. Builders and homeowners love having brickmold doors, but they aren’t always appropriate. Ever wonder what the deal is with this subtle home upgrade, or if it’s even worth it?
Brickmold doors are known for being longer-lasting than their uncovered counterparts, primarily due to the added protection they give the framing and plaster around the frames. If you have a door that’s prone to slamming or are concerned about security, a brickmold door is worth the splurge.
Brickmolded doors can be found both indoors and outdoors, but how well they are able to work with your home plans may vary. This guide will give you a better idea of why this add-on is so popular and why it might be the right thing for you to do.
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What Are The Benefits Of Brickmold Doors?
A brickmold door is a rather simple concept. It just means that there’s a hardwood frame around the door. Sometimes people call it a casing, an architrave, or a trim. Whatever it is, it’s still a frame around your door. Easy peasy, right? Though it’s a basic concept that we’ve all seen, it offers a lot of benefits. These benefits include:
- Added Security. Having those extra hardwood panels adds a surprisingly high amount of safety to your doors, and also can help prevent certain methods of break-ins. It’s best to think of it as a built-in fortification.
- Better Durability. Since the casing protects the door frame and the plaster around the door, you can expect fewer repairs over the years. The hardwood casing protects you from having chipped plaster or banged up doorframes. In some situations, it can even help you protect your home from a draft.
- Added Aesthetics. Brickmold doors have a little extra flair to them that make them look homey, rather than office-y. Besides, many homeowners love the idea of adding a splash of color in their room by painting the door casing a different color than the door itself.
Are Brickmold Doors Expensive?
A brickmold door will always be slightly more expensive than a regular non-cased door. With a regular non-cased door, the expenses that you will be worried about will simply be the door and the door frame, as well as a lock. A regular door can cost anywhere from $400 to upwards of $1000 to install.
If you decide to get a brickmold frame case around it, you can expect to see a slight uptick in price. A brickmold door will be around $100 to $150 more, due to the extra work and materials involved in its installation.
Do All Doors Need Brickmolding?
Though they are ridiculously common to see, it’s worth noting that you never need to have a brickmolded door. It’s totally optional, though many builders would strongly encourage them on every home’s door. So, if you want to save money right off the bat, then it’s okay to skip it.
What Are The Benefits Of No-Brickmold Doors?
The best way to compare and contrast the two door types is to realize that they’re opposites of one another. So, the strengths of a brickmold door (like durability) are the weaknesses of a no brickmold door. That said, they do have some perks worth considering, including:
- Ease of Installation. Those who just want a quick and easy door installation job will want to stick with a no brickmold door.
- Cost-Effective. If you are on a very tight building budget, then a no brickmold door is going to be a fairly obvious way to trim the fat without putting yourself in danger.
- Simplicity. Many office building developers prefer to work with no brickmold doors because they offer a clean, modern touch to a building.
Are No-Brickmold Doors Only Used In Office Buildings?
Though this type of budget-friendly door is usually seen in offices and schools, the truth is that there’s no reason why they can’t be found in a home. Skipping the brickmold on a door to a closet is fairly common, even in upscale homes. The same can be said for basement doors as well as doors to laundry rooms.
A good rule of thumb is that you shouldn’t bother adding brickmold on a door if it’s being used for a utilitarian purpose or if you need the door to fit in a smaller area. In this sense, you should expect most bathroom doors, basement doors, laundry room doors, and linen closets to be casing-free.
Can You Install Brickmold Around A Door Yourself?
If it’s just a matter of price that’s holding you back, there is some good news. You can potentially cut down on the price of adding brickmold by doing it yourself. Most people who have beginner to moderate carpentry skills will be able to install their own casing without much issue. Some folks even install fancy custom casings without going overbudget.
Are Brickmold Doors Worth It?
If you are working with a door that is in a high-traffic area, then the answer is a clear yes. The biggest difference between brickmold and non-brickmolded doors isn’t just the visible frame around one of them. It’s the durability that makes it such a good investment. With doors, the phrase “pay once, cry once” is very true. Skipping a casing may mean multiple repairs and a shorter lifespan of your door.
This might seem trivial at first glance, but that extra $100 means that you can reduce the risk of spending $150 or more on a door repair due to a damaged frame. It also means that the hefty price tag of a new door installation won’t be on the table for quite a few years. If you ask us, that alone might make it worth adding a casing to your door.
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Related Questions
What are brickmold door casings made from?
Traditionally, brickmold door casings are made of hardwood that’ carefully carved into a stylish shape. These days, hardwood is still a fairly common brickmold material. However, it’s also possible to find PVC and metal brickmold too.
How can I tell if my brickmold is damaged?
Brickmold will have the same signs of damage as any other hardwood trim. Things like splinters, cracks, chips, and actual breaks are the most common signs. You also may notice chipped paint, signs of mold, or signs of termites in more extreme cases. If your brickmold is damaged, you need to repair or replace it.
How big is brickmold supposed to be?Â
Most casings are around 2 inches in width, but it’s possible to find them in 1.5 and 1.25-inch widths. If you have a custom casing, then you should expect the size to vary according to your specifications.
Is brickmold used indoors?
While it’s not as common indoors as it is on exterior doors, it’s still common to find brickmold inside your home. This is often done as a way to accent doors with high traffic or to help add a little sturdiness to the house.
Does brickmold add value to a home?
It does, especially when it is added to the front of a house. How much value it adds, though, remains to be seen.
Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
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