Casing and molding are the finishing touches to most modern homes, they draw the eye and give the interior and exterior a finished look. Therefore, choosing the proper window and door casing can feel critical. So you are wondering - should window and door casing match? In this post, we thoroughly answer this question by covering the modern conventions of casing consistency.
As a general rule, yes, window and door casing should match. Whether inside or outside, matching the window and door casing throughout your home generates a unity of style. If properly executed, the casing around your windows and doors will impart a sense of elegance without overpowering the rest of your home's decor.
Keep reading the rest of this post to get a thorough rundown on why window and door casing should match, what to do when space is limited, an exception to the rule, and the answers to several related questions. Overall, this post provides a foundation on the power of casing and on how to choose the casing that is right for you.
Why Window And Door Casings Usually Match
For many, the first thing they notice when viewing a new home is the trim. As one of the types of trim, casing can prominently stand out. Whether you choose a heavy artisanal casing or a sleeker style of casing, it will impart that sense of style to the room.
For instance, bolder casing looks weighty and has heavy lines, giving the home a solid, classic look. Lighter weight casing is more minimalist and might complement the intent in a modern style of decorating. The painted casing can match an interior color scheme and raw wood-looking casing generates a timeless appearance. For more guidance on wood trim design, check out our post 7 Best Wall Colors That Go With Wood Paneling And Trim.
Whatever your intended style, most will agree that because of the importance of casing - keeping it consistent is the wisest choice. That consistency not only gives your home decoration unification but also allows for other features to stand out. Consistency does not mean the exact same thickness and cut for all sides of windows and doors, but rather means consistency of milling style and coloring.
If you vary your casing style between your windows and doors, the eye will be too busy taking in the casing variations to notice the home's overall look. You do not want to lose your design to confusing casing variations. Further, mismatched window and door casing can look very messy.
Essentially, we are saying that casing is important and you should be careful when choosing it. That care should extend to what the casing looks like, its finish, and also to whether the window and door casing match.
The Case For Mismatched Casing
While mismatched casing styles can be distracting to the eye, there is another reason mismatching window and door casing is so rare. That reason is tradition. Almost all homes you see in home decorating magazines and online have a consistent casing for their windows and doors. So if you had a home with inconsistency, it looks unnecessarily and unusually messy.
However, if you desire a unique look, mismatching your casing might be the perfect choice for you. But be careful to hit the sweet spot where different casing styles still impart an overall feeling of cohesion in the home.
How To Match Window And Door Casing
Generally speaking, matching window and door casing is as simple as purchasing consistently styled and dimensioned molding for all of your windows and doors. However, sometimes it is not that easy. In this section, we'll cover how to make sure your casing matches even in unusual circumstances.
Space Considerations
Insufficient space is the most common hiccup when it comes to matching window and door casing. Circumstances vary, but maybe a window is too close to the ceiling or perhaps a door is too narrow to accommodate the casing that fits just right in the rest of the home.
There are a few ways to accommodate this. The most common one is to simply rip the casing to the size of the odd space. Once installed, this fix will generally be unnoticeable to all but the most well-trained eye. This fix is easy and a great one for when there are only one or two tight spaces in a home.
However, sometimes the problem is more widespread. In this case, it might be time to change up your casing choice to ensure a proper fit home-wide. Alternatively, it is possible to keep just your style consistent and slightly vary your window and door casings. A half an inch or even an inch shorter across all the windows in a home will not be overly problematic or noticeable.
Style Considerations
Style becomes a sticking point for matching casing across a home during additions and remodels. If you add a new window or door, or even a whole new room, you will want to match the new casing to the old. Often, due to changes in production techniques and wood availability, this can prove an expensive and difficult task.
Usually, an experienced carpenter can make an imperfect match look very good, as long as the style is consistent across the home (or the wood type is consistent for raw-looking casing). That is to say, if your old casing is cut to a colonial style, get colonial casing for the new as well. The same goes for other types of trim cuts as well as types of wood.
What is the difference between trim and casing?
Trim is the term applied to the finish material that goes along all the edges of a home. Trim refers to the baseboard, the casing, the crown molding, and more. Casing specifically refers to trim that goes around openings such as windows or doors. For more guidance on trim, check out our post, Should Ceiling Paint Match Trim? [Design Options Explored].
Should all the trim in a house match?
Generally speaking, yes. Home trim is matched throughout a home and in all applications in that home. Just like with window and door casing, matching trim lends a look of unity. Matching trim does not necessarily mean that all the trim is the exact same dimensions. Rather matching, in this case, means that a consistent style and wood type is used throughout a house.
Do windows need casing?
No, windows do not need casing. Homes often forgo casing windows as a means to save money or even as a style choice. Windows without casing can leave more room for art or can focus the eye on the view outside of the window.
What size window casing should you use?
There is no exact answer to this question. Use whichever size of casing that you like. A good way to determine your tastes is to pursue home improvement sites or magazines. Some contractors like to keep their casing at about half the width of the baseboard to ensure that the casing is not overwhelming. The standard size for window casing is about 2.25 inches.
How wide should door casing be?
As discussed in this post, you'll want to keep the door casing the same width as your window casing. Given style and space limitations, it is common for door casing to be about 2.25 inches wide. However, and as always, use the width of door casing that you like the best.
In Closing
After reading this post, you should know why to match exterior and interior window and door casing and how to accomplish that goal. While this post discusses rules of thumb and general techniques, remember it is your home and you can do whatever you want with it. Good luck!