Short answer
A decorative door header is a frieze board set on the head casing, topped with a bead or small molding, an optional crown, and a cap that overhangs the sides. You can build it on the bench, paint it, and nail it up over existing casing. It is decoration only; it has nothing to do with the structural header in the wall framing.
Header options
| Option | Built from | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Cap only | A projecting cap and small bead on the head casing | Craftsman, farmhouse |
| Frieze and cap | A flat board plus cap | Craftsman, transitional |
| Crown header | Frieze, bead, small crown and cap | Traditional, colonial |
| Pediment | A ready-made decorative head, sometimes with a keystone | Formal and period rooms |
Ready-made pediments are sold as feature moldings over the head of a door, some with a keystone, and some paired with plinth blocks. Making your own from stock moldings is usually cheaper and easier to size.
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01Kit
Decorative door header kit
Best for: one doorway, quickly
- Fits
- Over existing casing
- Check
- Outside width
- Finish
- Primed or paintable
- Pre-assembled or cut to standard widths
- Make sure the depth clears nearby walls and ceilings
- Paint before hanging to avoid overhead work
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02DIY
Small crown molding
Best for: a custom crown header
- Size
- Small, 2 to 3-1/2 in
- Joint
- Return miters
- Material
- MDF, pine, poly
- Pick a crown small enough to stay in scale with the door
- Each end needs a return miter back to the wall
- Polystyrene and polyurethane crowns are light and easy to cut
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03Formal
Door pediment
Best for: formal rooms and entries
- Type
- Ready-made
- Options
- Keystone or plain
- Material
- Often polyurethane
- Match the width to the outside of your casing
- Check whether it is rated for interior or exterior use
- Pair with plinth blocks for a period look
Build a header over existing casing
Measure the outside width
Measure across the outside edges of the head casing. The frieze board matches this width; the cap overhangs it.
Cut the frieze and bead
Cut a flat board to the casing width, at a height that suits the room. Cut a small bead or molding to cover the joint where the board meets the head casing.
Add the crown or cap
Cut the cap longer than the frieze so it overhangs evenly on both sides. For a crown header, miter the crown at each end with a short return back to the wall.
Assemble and paint on the bench
Glue and nail the pieces into one unit. Caulk and paint it before you hang it, which is much easier than working overhead.
Hang and finish
Set the header on the head casing, check level, and nail through into the framing above the opening. Fill, caulk the wall joint and touch up.
These steps follow the approach in In My Own Style and Thrifty Decor Chick, who both build the header up from stock pieces and finish it before installing.
See also craftsman door trim and door molding ideas.
Questions people ask
What is the trim above a door called?
The piece across the top of the casing is the head casing. A decorative build-up above it is called a header, cornice or, when it has a peaked or projecting top, a pediment.
Can I add a header without removing the door trim?
Often, yes. One DIY approach adds a board above the existing casing, tops it with crown molding, and covers the joint with a decorative bead, without removing the existing trim.
Is a decorative door header the same as a structural header?
No. The structural header is framing inside the wall that carries loads over the opening. Decorative trim never replaces it. If a project means cutting or changing framing, talk to a pro.
Sources
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Profiles, sizes and listings change; check the product details before you buy, and follow the maker’s instructions.