Choosing between a brickmold and no brickmold exterior door can be a bit challenging, especially if you’re not familiar with the terms. Brickmold is a type of exterior trim that surrounds the outside edges of doors (and sometimes windows). It’s often used to cover the gap between the door frame and the wall, providing a finished look.
This article breaks down the pros and cons of both options to help you make an informed decision for your home.
What are Brickmold Doors?
Brickmold on exterior doors serves to enhance their durability and provide weather protection, commonly made from materials like wood or PVC. It contributes to the aesthetic appeal of an entry door and adds an extra layer of security.
Definition and Purpose of Brickmold Doors
- Brickmold is a type of trim used around exterior doors and window frames. It serves as a barrier between the door frame or window frame and the exterior wall, sealing out water and wind.
- The purpose of brick molding is not just practical. It also adds to the look of an entry door or window by creating a finished edge where it meets the brick wall.
- Brickmold plays a crucial role in protecting your home from the elements while adding an aesthetic touch that enhances curb appeal.
Common Materials Used for Brickmold Doors
Brickmold around doors serves to protect and finish the exterior door installation. This trim is made from various materials, each with its own benefits.
- Wood: A classic choice for brick mould, wood offers a natural look that many find appealing. It can be painted or stained to match any home's exterior. However, wood requires regular maintenance to prevent rot and weather damage.
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): This material resists rot, mold, and insects, making it a durable option for areas with harsh weather conditions. PVC brickmold does not need painting, though it can be painted to fit your style.
- Fiber Cement: Combining durability with low maintenance, fiber cement withstands harsh elements without rotting or warping. This material can also be painted to match your home's design.
- Aluminum: Known for its strength and longevity, aluminum won't rot or corrode over time. While often more expensive upfront than other materials, its durability makes it cost-effective in the long run.
- Composite: Made from a mix of materials like wood fibers and plastic resins, composite brickmold offers the look of wood without the maintenance. It stands up well against moisture and decay.
Each type of material provides different advantages depending on your needs for door jamb protection and aesthetic preference in pre-hung door units for exterior walls.
| Feature | Brickmold Door | No Brickmold Door |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Includes a trim that surrounds the door frame, offering a finished and polished look. | Offers a more streamlined design with no extra framing or molding around the door. |
| Durability | Provides enhanced durability and weather protection, with materials like wood, PVC, or aluminum. | Less protective against weather and external factors, but still durable depending on the material used. |
| Installation Complexity | Requires more time and careful attention to detail during installation, often needing professional assistance. | Simple installation process, saving time and labor costs. |
| Cost | Higher due to the additional trim and labor needed during installation. | More affordable, with lower material and installation costs. |
| Aesthetic Appeal | Provides a finished, polished look, enhancing the home's curb appeal. Can be customized with paint or stain. | Simple, clean appearance, which can work well in modern or minimalistic home designs. |
| Weather Protection | Offers better protection against weather elements like wind and rain due to the added trim sealing. | May offer less protection without the additional seal from brickmold trim. |
| Security | Brickmold enhances security by reinforcing the door frame, making it harder to force entry. | Less additional security, but security can still be achieved with proper locks and reinforcement. |
More to read about on similar topic: Best Exterior Doors for Cold Weather
Benefits of Installing a Brickmold Door
Enhance your door with added durability, weather protection, aesthetic appeal, and security. Explore the advantages of a brickmold door to elevate your exterior entryway.
- Enhanced Durability
Brickmold doors are built to last. They use tough materials like vinyl, wood, or composite. These materials stand up to harsh weather and daily wear. A brickmold door from a pre hung door unit is even stronger.
- Weather Protection
Enhanced durability enables brickmold doors to withstand harsh weather conditions, offering excellent weather protection for your home. The robust materials used in brickmold doors shield the door and the surrounding structure from rain, wind, and other outdoor elements, ensuring longevity.
This extra layer of defense can prevent water seepage and drafts, keeping your home cozy and protecting against potential damage.
Brickmold doors are crafted to resist moisture penetration better than doors without brickmold due to their specialized construction. These features help preserve the integrity of exterior door units over time by preventing warping or rotting caused by exposure to varying weather conditions.
Moreover, the sealing properties of brickmold exteriors significantly contribute to maintaining a comfortable indoor environment, while safeguarding your investment in long-lasting door units against external weather forces.
- Aesthetic Appeal
The aesthetic appeal of brickmold exterior doors enhances the overall look of the entrance. The trim around the door refines its appearance, giving it a more polished and complete look.
This visual enhancement can greatly increase the curb appeal of your home.
Moreover, brickmold adds a sense of depth and dimension to the door, creating a visually appealing entryway. It also allows for customization through paint or stain, enabling you to effortlessly match or complement the exterior style and color scheme of your home.
Installing a brickmold exterior door offers an immediate upgrade in aesthetics that can significantly impact the overall look and feel of your home’s facade.
- Added Security
Brickmold doors offer added security due to their sturdy construction that helps reinforce the door frame. This can make it harder for intruders to force entry, providing more peace of mind for homeowners concerned about security.
When considering the installation of pre-hung door units, keep in mind the added security benefits Brickmold doors can bring.
Downsides of Brickmold Doors
Brickmold doors may come with higher costs and require more complex installation, but the benefits they offer make it worth considering.
- Cost Considerations
Installing a brickmold exterior door can be more costly compared to a no-brickmold door. The added trim and labor required for installing the brickmold may raise the overall cost of the door unit.
However, it’s important to note that while initial costs may be higher, brickmold doors offer enhanced durability and weather protection over time, potentially reducing long-term maintenance expenses.
When considering budget options for pre-hung door units, homeowners should weigh the upfront costs against potential long-term benefits such as increased energy efficiency and reduced maintenance needs.
Understanding these trade-offs can help in making an informed decision when choosing between brickmold and no-brickmold exterior doors. Moving forward to exploring no-brickmold doors – their cost benefits and simplicity in design and installation could present an attractive alternative for those seeking affordability without compromising on quality or aesthetics.
- Installation Complexity
Moving from cost considerations to installation complexity, it’s important to mention that pre-hung door units with brickmold can be more intricate and time-consuming to install compared to doors without brickmold.
The inclusion of the brickmold requires careful attention to detail during the installation process, ensuring it matches seamlessly with the overall design. It’s critical for homeowners or contractors undertaking this task to consider these details and possibly seek professional assistance if necessary, as a poorly installed brickmold can result in issues such as air leakage and compromised security.
When installing a pre-hung door unit with brickmold, accurate measurements are crucial. Even minor misalignments during installation can lead to significant problems in the future.
Additionally, ensuring that all components fit snugly and securely together requires careful handling. This highlights why some individuals choose no brickmold exterior doors due to their simpler installation process – potentially saving both time and extra effort when compared to their brickmold counterparts.
What Are No Brickmold Doors
When considering “Exploring No Brickmold Doors,” you can uncover the cost advantages and ease in design and installation. Continue reading to find out more.
- Cost Benefits
Exterior doors without Brickmold offer cost benefits. These doors are simpler to install, which can save on installation costs. Moreover, they often come at a lower price point compared to Brickmold doors due to their design and construction.
The lack of brickmold also decreases the overall material costs. This means that selecting a No Brickmold door can offer a cost-effective option for those seeking an exterior door solution while maintaining quality and durability.
- Simplicity in Design and Installation
No brickmold doors provide a simpler design and installation process compared to doors with brickmold. They are designed to be installed directly into the rough opening with no need for additional trim or molding.
This simplicity can save time, effort, and potentially reduce the overall cost of installation.
The absence of brickmold also allows for more flexibility in customization as it eliminates the constraints imposed by traditional exterior door frames. Furthermore, pre-hung door units without brickmold can be easily adapted to suit various architectural styles and preferences.
These factors contribute to a straightforward and hassle-free installation process that appeals to homeowners seeking convenience and efficiency in their home improvement projects.
FAQs
A brickmold is a type of frame used around the outside of pre-hung door units. It provides decorative detail and helps seal the door from weather.
A no-brickmold exterior door lacks the extra framing provided by a brickmold, offering a more streamlined look to pre-hung doors.
The choice between brickmold vs no-brickmold depends on your aesthetic preference, as well as your need for additional insulation around your pre-hung doors.
Yes, you can change from having a brick mold to not having one or vice versa when replacing or installing new pre-hung door units.
Also read about: Pros and Cons of Fiberglass vs Steel Doors
Conclusion
In weighing the choice between brickmold and no brickmold exterior doors, consider balance. Brickmold offers added durability, weather protection, and security but comes with cost and installation challenges.
On the other hand, no brickmold doors bring cost benefits and simpler design and installation. Ultimately, the decision hinges on weighing these factors against your specific needs and preferences.
Ready for a new door installation? Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a consultation. Let us help you enhance your home with the perfect door solution! If you live in Tennessee give us a call at (615) 861-2315, or use the contact button below.