What Is Door and Window Casing Moulding & Profiles?

July 4, 2022

By: The Finished Space

Designers, contractors, and home improvement professionals often use the terms trim and casing molding, interchangeably. However, they’re two different terms. Trim is a catch-all term that refers to all moulding inside a home. In contrast, casing is a particular type of trim that serves a specific aesthetic and functional purpose.

In this article, we’re going to do a deep dive on interior casing. First, we’ll answer questions like, “What is casing moulding?” Then, we’ll discuss both door casing profiles and window casing trim profiles, and share a few design tips. Finally, we’ll talk a bit about installing and maintaining door and window casings.

What is Casing Moulding?

Masonite - Melrose - White Door in Living Room

What is casing moulding? It is often the most visible trim inside any room because casing moulding is the trim that goes around all the windows and doors, and it’s also generally pretty thick. In fact, most door and window casings are thicker than base moulding.

Like many other finishing touches, the window and door casing serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. Casings help to cover the gap or space between the drywall and the window or door frame to create an aesthetically pleasing final look.

Many people wonder about the pros and cons of door and window casing profiles, and ultimately, the advantages of casing trim far outweigh any disadvantages.

For example, one significant advantage of casing moulding is that it helps hide unsightly gaps around windows and doors. The only downside is the potential cost. Door casings are pretty much a requirement. However, window casings can be left out if you’re trying to cut back on spending.

Any other downsides to window and door casings come from the material choices. For example, if you choose lower-quality materials, like vinyl, it could cheapen the look of your room. However, if you stick with high-quality options, like wood or MDF, your casings will definitely enhance the look of the space.

Speaking of design, window and door casings have an array of design choices. From full wraps to build-ups with multiple trim pieces, there’s no wrong way to do door and window casings. However, you must choose the right style and color to match your space.

Design Tips for Door and Window Casing Profiles

Three Panel Door Dining Room

Many people are curious about how to design and style their window and door casing trim. With seemingly unlimited window and door casing profiles, knowing which style is right for your home can be overwhelming.

Selecting window and door casing profiles is all about choosing a style that matches your home’s aesthetic. For example, you don’t want to choose an ornate door casing moulding in a modern farmhouse, just like you wouldn’t want to choose an understated window casing in a Victorian-style home.

There are several window and door casing styles and profiles, including:

  • Colonial

  • Victorian

  • Fluted

  • Craftsman

  • Modern

  • Tuscan

  • And More…

There really aren’t any hard and fast rules when it comes to selecting interior door casings. However, there is one rule of thumb: you should consider making your door and window trim casing profiles match. Here’s why.

When your door and window casing profiles match, it generates a unity of style and makes the entire home look complete. In other words, ensuring all your casing moulding profiles match helps tie your entire design together. It also keeps things from clashing or being too visually overwhelming.

Ensuring that the casing style matches your overall aesthetic and that your window and door casing profiles match (or are at least complementary) are the most important things when choosing door and window casing trim profiles for your home.

Installation and Maintenance Tips for Door and Window Casings

Masonite - Two Panel Arch Top Door - Gray Bathroom

Having a stress-free installation and maintenance process starts with having high-quality casings. Then, it’s about choosing casing profiles that match your room’s aesthetic.

As with any type of trim, the most critical part of the installation is ensuring your trim is the right size for the space. Take extra time measuring your windows and doors to ensure you get the right size window and door casings. Then, be sure you have all the tools you need before you begin the installation. When in doubt, it’s always best to call in a professional.

Your casings shouldn’t require much maintenance once they’re installed. Simply clean and take care of them; they should look fantastic for years to come.

Get Started with Door and Window Casing Trim Profiles

For Blog Only - Sarah Gibson, of Room For Tuesday - French Door Living Room

Sarah Gibson

If you’re ready to find the perfect door and window casing trim profiles for your home, you’ve come to the right place. At Metrie, we specialize in top-of-the-line finishing touches designed by the world’s top designers.