Change interior doors and trim work?

9 years ago

Hi,

We are planning a fairly major remodel - adding a new garage, master suite, inlaw and putting a porch on the front of the house. This will change the facade from a multilevel colonial into a "transitional" with craftman-like windows, front door and porch.

Our debate is: should we update the interior doors, trim and molding to be in kind? The doors are currently the standard 6 panel builder grade doors and the molding is 2 1/2 inch colonial, also builder grade.

Con: Updating the molding and doors would mean work on areas of the house not current under construction and would cost more money.

Pro: I think upgrading the molding might make the whole house seem newer and fresher.

Question 1: Do you think updating the molding and doors worth the effort/money?

Question 2: is there a halfway point? Perhaps upgrade the molding but use the original interior doors?

Question 3: what type of molding would you pick? (We don't have high ceilings, so crown molding is out.)

Thanks much!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

Kris Mays
9 years ago
I'd wait and do that later, when you are finished with your addition projects. They will always be there. If you get wood doors, which is what I'd do, they are expensive. I just paid $1,100.00 for just three and I still need to apply the finish and hardware, myself.

Check out some photos of Craftsman homes on HOUZZ and elsewhere to get an idea of what you want/like. I like to keep things pretty simple and use plain, flat molding and five panel doors. Crown would need to be pretty simple for a Craftsman.
PRO
Flo Mangan
9 years ago
Agree with Kris. Now is not the time for this added scope. Get through your big project first. That is a BIG JOB and not cheap either. Stay focused. That will be important theme for your big upgrade. Appetite control we call it!
Related Professionals
Fort Worth Interior Designers & Decorators · North Adams Interior Designers & Decorators · Sioux Falls Interior Designers & Decorators · El Dorado Architects & Building Designers · Bloomington Architects & Building Designers · Westerly Architects & Building Designers · Carson City Architects & Building Designers · Amarillo Architects & Building Designers · Helena Architects & Building Designers · Fort Smith Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · St. Louis Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Fredericksburg Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Sioux City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Spokane Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Cheyenne Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
mtpd
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks everybody. I agree about not expanding the scope any
further. And, there is definitely no
crown molding in our future.

But, I need to make a decision soon about the addition. Should I try to match the colonial doors and
trim we currently have in the rest of the house? Or, do I go with something “better” in the
addition?
Kris Mays
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
No, put in what you really want for the home. Don't put in Colonial just to rip it out later (and UGH I can't stand colonial). Then later go through the rest of the house and re-do the others.
PRO
Flo Mangan
9 years ago
If your addition is "visually" separate from the rest of the house, go with what you want. If not, keep it consistent with existing house style. You can change the "feel" toward Craftsman, with furnishings and accents. Doors are not real important. Nice but not vital. Lowest cost that works would be fine. Focus on the other accessories for the final look.
PRO
Flo Mangan
9 years ago
Kris is right in a perfect world. But, when people say "I'll do that later" it usually means MUCH later. But guess it is just up to you and probably your budget. Surely the design of a colonial door is very different from Craftsman. So, up to you.
Kris Mays
9 years ago
Living in it while doing an addition is so hard (I say as we are on month 7!). I think when you are moved into your new area and people are not at your house everyday and disrupting your lives, etc., then that's a good time to handle some things in the original/existing areas of your home. There's always time.