Differences to Know When Installing a Brickmould vs. No Brickmould Door
February 15, 2024
By: The Finished Space
Installing exterior doors and windows requires a good bit of skill, and ordering exterior doors and windows requires a good bit of knowledge.
Most people tell the building material supplier that they want a front door or a rear door and some windows, but after that, they aren’t really sure what other specifications need to be considered.
Here’s a short list:
What is the jamb depth?
What is the width and height of the door?
What are the precise measurements for your windows?
Do you want a double bore or a single bore?
How many sashes do you want for your windows?
Is the sill a mill finish or bronze?
Are you replacing the door frame? If so, what kind of material do you want for the door frame?
What kind of trim do you want for the windows?
These are a few of the questions that you’ll need to know the answers to in order to correctly select an exterior door and windows for your home. However, there is one more important item for the list: Should you select a door and window with brickmould or without brickmould?
Answering these questions requires an understanding of the overall project:
Are you replacing just the door on an existing home? How about the windows? If you’re going to replace the door frame and trim moulding, you need to know that beforehand.
Is this a new construction home or a renovation project?
Is this a remodel where many exterior changes will be made?
How you answer these questions will determine if you want brickmould installed on your door or window. You may want some other type of trim installed on the door or window.
How do you know which option is right for you? Let’s consider what brickmould is and how it is used.
What is Brickmould?
Brickmould is an exterior trim that is typically used to finish and seal the openings of exterior doors and windows. It also provides an attractive transition between the door or window and the siding of the home. It was invented during the time when brick was the common siding on a home, and it covered the gap between the door frame and the brick siding. It also served the same purpose for window installations, so if you’re looking for brickmould for your windows, you’re in luck!
Brickmould is normally pre-installed on exterior prehung doors and windows that are found in most building material stores, but it can also be purchased as single sticks of moulding so you can install it yourself.
The most common brickmould on the market is known as WM180 brickmould and it is available in primed wood, stain-grade wood, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or as a textured composite. The standard size is 2”, but it is also available in 1 ¼” and 1 ½”.
Regardless of the pattern chosen, the various materials are used with a specific purpose in mind.
Fingerjoint raw wood and primed wood brick moulding are made to be painted and are primarily sold as the value line option. Solid wood (no finger joints) is sold for those who intend to stain the wood. PVC and composite products are sold to those who want maintenance-free products.
Common Brickmould Materials
Here are the most common types of brickmould materials available on the market today:
Wood
When brickmould was first developed, it was made from hard pine or oak due to the need for inherent weather resistance. It was raw and had to be finished by the painter on the job after installation. Today’s wood brickmould is still pine, but it can be purchased in raw (unfinished) fingerjoint, primed fingerjoint, or stain-grade solid pine.
Brickmould is also made in mahogany, maple, and other species to match the new designs of hardwood doors on the market. Wood can be painted or stained using latex or oil-based products.
Vinyl
PVC brickmould is rapidly replacing wood as more and more homes are being featured as maintenance-free. The main benefit of PVC is that it is impervious to rot and water as well as insect infestation, mold, and mildew. PVC doesn’t split or crack like wood trim, and it can be painted or used as is. Many like it because it doesn’t use wood in its manufacture. PVC is usually finished with acrylic latex paint.
Composite
Composite brickmould is a poly-fiber material that gives you the strength of wood but, like PVC, won’t rot and is not affected by insects. Composite brickmoulds come as a textured product to simulate the look of real wood and can be painted or gel-stained to simulate wood.
What to Know When Installing a Door or Window with Brickmould
Installing a door with brickmould or a window with brickmould is a typical installation. However, there are some things to be aware of prior to installing them to make sure that your project goes smoothly.
Pros of Doors with Brickmould
There is no need for a mitre saw on the job as the moulding is already cut and professionally installed for you.
The door install is easier because the brickmould acts as a stop that keeps the unit from moving too far into the opening.
You can temporarily set the door by nailing through the brickmould while you level the door in the opening.
Cons of Doors with Brickmould
If the exterior wall that the door is being installed in is not level and square, the brickmould can be a hindrance to getting the unit plumb and level, and in some severe cases, the brickmould may have to be removed to install the door correctly.
Pros of Windows with Brickmould
Brickmould helps seal the window frame against water and air infiltration. It can lead to better insulation properties, reduced drafts, and improved energy efficiency.
In new constructions or when siding is being replaced, windows with brickmould can be easier to install.
Homes with detailed exterior finishes, like those with brickmould around windows and doors, can often command a higher resale value.
Cons of Windows with Brickmould
If a window with brickmould needs to be replaced, the process can be more complex and costly. That said, if installed correctly, you won’t have to worry about replacing your brickmould for a very long time.
What to Know When Installing a Door Without Brickmould
There are situations that arise where it is advantageous not to have brickmould installed on your doors, and the extent of the remodel will determine whether or not brickmould should be attached to the door. Generally speaking, if you purchase a door without brickmould, you intend to use another type of molding to finish the project.
Pros of Doors Without Brickmould
Houses constructed with cement siding will often use a trim board of the same material (1x4, 5/4 x4) to trim the door.
By not having to remove the brickmould you save money, time, and avoid damaging the door frame and door when removing it.
Cons of Doors Without Brickmould
It is more difficult to set a door unit without brickmould attached to the frame because there is nothing to keep the door unit from sliding in and out of the framed opening while it is being installed.
You will need to have a mitre saw on the job site to properly cut the moulding that you are going to install on the frame.
Pros of Windows Without Brickmould
Since there’s no brickmould taking up space along the edge of the window, you might have the option to increase the amount of glass, which could enhance your view.
Windows without brickmould might be more cost-effective if your budget is particularly tight.
Cons of Windows Without Brickmould
Without the protective barrier that brickmould provides, there might be a higher risk of water infiltration around the edges of the window.
In some installations, the absence of brickmould means that additional work may be needed to achieve a finished look.
For homes with traditional or historic architectural styles, the absence of brickmould can detract from the exterior character and charm.
Alternative Uses for Brickmould
At the end of the day, brickmould is a member of the trim family. Like other types of trim, it isn’t limited to one specific application. Brickmould profiles offer a flexible style that can be used in alternative areas of the home.
For example, brickmould can be used as crown moulding or even as an apron or transition under a window sill, around cabinets, or on an accent wall. Brickmould can be a great way to make your home unique and full of character.
The Best Place to Buy Brickmould
Whenever you are searching for mouldings to trim a door or window, you should shop for as many options as possible at one time and in one place. Brickmould comes in a few variations of pine and PVC, and Metrie.com is the best resource for brickmould and hundreds of other moulding designs.
Metrie.com has many decorating suggestions to help you put all of your design thoughts together and develop a renovation plan that will give your home the designer touch.
