What Is Brickmould – Historical Evolution Of Brickmould in Architecture

When thinking about installing a new door or shopping for a new door or windows you may come across some terms that are hard to understand and never heard of before. 

Some are related to the door itself, while some are related to the things that are supposed to be surrounding the doors. Brickmould is such a term, and people other than those involved in the door industry may not have come across such a term or recognize the same.

The name itself is confusing as you may immediately think of bricks or slicing them to fit in a space. But it varies and is different from it, as it is related to doors. 

Read the article further to know more about what a brickmould is, what are its advantages and importance why it is used, and what types of brickmould used often. 

What is Brickmould?

Brickmould also called brickmould, is a type of trim or frame that surrounds the doors and window frames of the house, to give it a neat look. 

The boundary created between the frame and the sidling creates an aesthetic appeal, making it look classy, neat, and complete and helping to protect the walls from dampness, moisture, and any kind of drafts. 

It serves as an aesthetic exterior while surrounding the doorframe, acting as a barrier between the exterior walls and the doorframe of the house, providing a complete look.

It always comes along with pre-hung door units, and the frame and the door are suggested to be purchased together. Brickmould is also used for wrapping around windows making it look more appealing. 

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Importance of Brickmould in Construction

The brickmould is most often used for the following purposes

  • Sealing

The molding is done as an act of sealing, preventing the moisture from retaining or keeping the place damp. Moisture retention will make the door stuck or jam windows and affect the design of the wall. 

  • Aesthetic

Playing a crucial role in the building as the doors are the gateway to how to perceive a home, this brick mold acts as an aesthetic appeal to the doorframe and makes it look more polished and neat with its final outlook. 

  • Support

Doors like storm doors, and installing brickmould will provide a sturdy and strong impact as a support for doors during tough times and external pressures. 

Importance of Brickmould in Construction
What Is Brickmould - Historical Evolution Of Brickmould in Architecture 3

How To Install: Brickmould

  • Cut the length of bricks molding to the necessary length, paying attention to the corner cuts at a 45-degree angle. 
  • Attach the brick molding around the window and doors with proper tools like nails, and use a hammer to fix them in the right area. 
  • Apply a small consistency of chalk, and distribute it to make it dry and paint as necessary.
  • In the case of doors, take measurements for your head casing, by taking accurate measurements for the left and right head casing and not it down. 
  • Note down the width of the frame of the brick molding, and match the linear length of the molding that is required for the door. 

What is the use of brick mold?

The brickmould is most often used for the following purposes

  • Sealing

The molding is done as an act of sealing, preventing the moisture from retaining or keeping the place damp. Moisture retention will make the door stuck or jam windows and affect the design of the wall. 

  • Aesthetic

Playing a crucial role in the building as the doors are the gateway to how to perceive a home, this brick mold acts as an aesthetic appeal to the doorframe and makes it look more polished and neat with its final outlook. 

  • Support

Doors like storm doors, and installing brick molds will provide a sturdy and strong impact as a support for doors during tough times and external pressures. 

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Benefits and Advantages of Brickmould

Following are the notable benefits and advantages of a brickmould, that should be considered while picking the correct one for your doorframe aligning with the style of your door and wall. 

  • Weather resistant

Brickmould provides an additional layer for protection and shields against any possible weather elements. It helps in shielding from storms, or heavy floods and rains, making it a sturdy addition to the doorwork. 

  • Appeal 

The curb appeal on the head of the doorframe is not a joke, as it provides a unique and charming appeal to the onlookers and gives you an overall style or idea about the theme of the door. 

  • Durability

The brickmoulds are long-lasting for longer periods, helping withstand storms and any kind of contingency that may arise due to external forces or provide any kind of extra strength when required. 

  • Stability

Installation of brick molding for storm doors offers stability and longevity against any tough times and can protect the door from any kind of external pressure affecting the frame of the door. 

Cost Analysis and Budgeting

The cost analysis can be made based on the materials chosen and used. If you are using wood, the cost is initially low but gets expensive depending on the type of wood you are willing to use. 

In the case of PVC materials, it ranges from medium-cost to expensive compared to the wooden brick mold, but it is easy to maintain and doesn’t require much cost incurred later on for its repair or maintenance. 

Aluminum is quite costly than PVC and wood, but the initial investment is higher than the cost spent on maintenance, so it’s a better option for the long and durable advantages. 

Polyurethane is used mostly for its decorative nature and the cost varies from type to type based on its uses. Fibreglass is also used for brickmould, but it is quite expensive compared to PVC and wood, the disadvantage is offset by its durable and advantageous nature. 

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Types and Styles of Brickmould

Brickmould is not made of bricks. It is named, because bricks are the common exterior for a wall, mostly abutted bricks, brickmould is made of vinyl, wood, or PVC materials which are composite. They vary in their appearance and their durability in terms of quality and cost. 

  • Traditional Brickmould

Traditional brick mold is a common type of mold used for doors and windows. It is mostly made of wood having a rectangular shape and profile that is simple to fit in with ordinary doors. 

It can be used in traditional interior settings where more simple and decorative trim is required. The brick mold is versatile and can accommodate any type and design of the door, and the style that you are going for.

The main purpose is to provide a neat transition between a door frame and the wall surrounding it. It has a rectangular cross-section with straight edges and corners, creating a visual border around the door. 

  • Modern Brickmould Designs

The most common size for a brick mold is 2” wide, 1 ½ “, and 1 ¼”  thick, but it also varies and depends on the style of the home or door frame you are going for. 

  • Materials Used in Brickmould

The major materials of Brickmould include composite polyvinyl chloride, finger joint pine, vinyl, and stain grain wood. For external purposes, material is used in the form is casing also known as facing. 

Adding a brick mold brings in a shift or change in the boundary and appearance of the doors, window frames, and brick siding. If a door is not using a brick mold it doesn’t mean that it is not using casing.

It just means that it is not using brickmould. Brickmould is available on pre-hung units, and in wood as well. It increases the volume of the frame and adds value to the house. It can be also made into a DIY project. 


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