How To Fix The Exterior Door Trim That’S Rotted?

This video demonstrates how to replace a water damaged exterior door jamb and trim, a common issue in homes. Paul, a master handyman, demonstrates how to fix rotten door trim and prevent water from rotting out the brick molding. Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner give her front door an upscale look with low-maintenance material.

1. Check trim condition by inspecting windows, doors, or other wood trim areas for cracks, holes, or damaged wood.
2. Remove interior door trim by removing wall coverings and inspecting the wall framing. If you have basement/crawl space access, use a multi tool to cut out a diagonal from the frame.
3. Remove the existing trim, create a flat surface, install the base layer, add the head casing, and install the trim.
4. Either pull off all the damaged trim and door frame and do a complete replacement of the trim or carefully make square cuts into solid wood.
5. Install new PVC components and follow the instructions provided in the video. This inexpensive and effective method can help homeowners give their front doors an upscale look with low-maintenance materials.