Short answer
Brick molding is exterior casing, most commonly 1-1/4 x 2 in, nailed to the outside edge of an exterior door frame. Buy PVC brick mold for a rot-free replacement that needs no paint, or primed wood to match existing painted trim. Seal it to the wall and frame with exterior caulk, and keep the bottom ends off the step or sill so they do not wick water.
What brick mold does
Every exterior door sits in a frame with a gap around it. Brick mold covers that gap on the outside, gives siding or masonry a clean edge to meet, and helps keep water and air out (Westlake Royal). Prehung exterior doors are often sold with brick mold already attached.
Sizes and materials
| Type | Common size | Pros | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC (cellular) | 1-1/4 x 2 in x 8 ft | Rot and insect free, no paint needed | Dark paint needs a vinyl-safe formula; PVC adhesive on miters |
| Primed pine | 1-1/4 x 2 in | Easy to match painted trim, crisp profile | Needs paint and caulk upkeep; rot at the bottom ends |
| Composite or LVL | 1-1/4 x 2 in | More stable than solid wood | Still needs paint |
Sizes from Amerhart (profile 180, primed pine) and Westlake Royal (WM180 PVC). Royal says to use stainless steel or hot dipped galvanized fasteners in wet areas and PVC adhesive on miter and scarf joints.
-
01Low upkeep
PVC brick mould
Best for: replacing rotted wood brick mold
- Size
- 1-1/4 x 2 in
- Length
- Often 7 to 8 ft
- Paint
- Optional
- Maker says rot free and moisture resistant
- Paintable with 100 percent acrylic latex (maker)
- Use corrosion-resistant nails or trim screws
-
02Match paint
Primed wood brick mold
Best for: matching existing painted wood trim
- Size
- 1-1/4 x 2 in
- Material
- Primed pine
- Paint
- Required
- Prime any cut ends before installing
- Keep the bottom ends off the sill or step
- Caulk and repaint on a schedule
-
03Precut
Brick mold kit
Best for: one standard door
- Includes
- 2 legs, 1 head
- Fits
- Standard door sizes
- Material
- PVC or wood
- Head often comes mitered
- Check the leg length against your frame
- Measure the old trim before buying
Replacing brick mold
Cut the caulk and paint lines
Run a utility knife along every joint between the old brick mold, the frame and the wall.
Pry it off
Work a flat bar under the trim and pry gently, protecting the frame with a scrap block. Pull or cut any nails left behind.
Check for rot
Probe the frame and sill with an awl. Soft wood under the trim needs repair before the replacement trim goes on.
Cut and fit the head, then the legs
Set the head first with the same small reveal to the frame as the old trim, mitered at both ends. Fit the legs, leaving a small gap above the sill or step so the ends do not sit in water.
Fasten and seal
Fasten with corrosion-resistant nails or trim screws. Glue PVC miters with PVC adhesive. Caulk the joints to the wall and frame with exterior sealant, then paint wood trim.
Interior side of the same door: how to install door casing. Materials compared: MDF vs pine vs PVC.
Questions people ask
What size is brick molding?
The common profile is 1-1/4 by 2 inches. Amerhart sells it as profile 180 in primed pine, and Westlake Royal makes a WM180 PVC brick mould at 1-1/4 by 2 inches by 8 feet. Profiles differ slightly by maker, so match the old trim if you are patching.
Is PVC brick molding better than wood?
For durability, usually. Westlake Royal says its cellular PVC brick mould will not rot or attract insects and absorbs virtually no water. Wood is easier to match to old painted trim and holds a crisp paint edge, but needs paint and caulk upkeep.
Do you have to use brick molding with brick?
No. Despite the name, brick mold is used around exterior doors and windows on siding and stucco too. It covers the joint between the frame and the wall surface, whatever the wall is made of.
Sources
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Profiles, sizes and listings change; check the product details before you buy, and follow the maker’s instructions.