HEADER & CASING COLLISION

Read time 2 min

Navigating the complexities of door and casing installation requires meticulous attention to detail. Here we offers insight on achieving a perfect fit, especially in confined or complex spaces. This guide outlines the essentials of adjusting casings and headers, offering solutions for common challenges and ensuring a seamless, aesthetic finish.

1. Planning:

  • Before Installation: Consider the trim and header details before setting doors.

2. Door Setting:

  • Tight Hallways: Center the doors to ensure symmetric casing on both sides.

  • Adjacent Doors: Match header heights for adjoining doors or cased openings.

3. Casing Adjustments:

  • Preparation: Mark the legs that need to be widened before trimming units.

  • Close to Wall (1" or Less): Stretch the casing to the wall (see Example A).

  • Install Baseboard: If the casing is 1” or more away from the wall, install the small piece of baseboard first.

Example A

Gap 1” or less ❌

Stretch casing to wall ✔️

4. When to Merge Casing:

  • Headers Close to Each Other (2" or Less): Merge casing and header (see Example B).

  • Casing Near Another Casing (2" or Less): Stretch the casing (see Example B).

  • Overhanging Header Next to Wall: Cut the header cap as long as the supporting profiled trim remains intact.

  • Rule of Thumb: Always merge the casing if headers are merged.

Example B

Gap 1” or less ❌

Gap 1” or less ❌

Merge Casing ✔️

Merge Casing ✔️

5. Merging Casing with details:

  • Backband at Inside Corner: Treat the merged casing as a mull without a backband (see Example C).

  • Profiled Casing at Inside Corner: Add flat stock to the outer edge and trim units separately with dog ear effect if needed.

Example C

6. Dealing with Different Header Heights:

  • Flat/Flush Headers: Stretch or rip a header to match at the top.

  • Proud Headers: Cut legs to the same height and merge inside corners, and use a horizontal mull for different height headers ensuring it’s thinner than the casing legs (see Drawing H). EDIT******

7. Reference Drawings:

  • Visual Aid: Refer to the provided drawings for visual clarification on each step.

These steps should assist in ensuring a professional and aesthetic finish when installing doors, casings, and headers, particularly in complex or tight spaces.