Yeah, I would rip down the door jambs so that you’re flush with the interior sheetrock. Only problem is that the jamb isnt consistently proud around the entire frame (1/4″ on one side and 3/4″ on the other). Make sure there isn’t anything on the outside of the house that is holding the door frame off and making it crooked inside the opening.
If the frame is proud at all from the interior walls, you’re going to find it real difficult to get good mitres to line up when you install the trim. Of course, being that it is a rental property, you can always rely on a good tube of painter’s caulk to fix any minor sins. Putty is your buddy.
good luck
Replies
I wouldn't touch the door jambs on the door at all. I would simply install the molding, tacking it to the jambs first as you would any door. If the top of the molding sits off the sheetrock and then sits on it decently as it travels towards the floor, I would rip a tapered shim to back up the molding. Measure how much its out at the top- 3/4" you say, then mark the molding where it eventually touches the wall. Measure the length of the shim you'll need. Now grab a board of stock similar to the casings your using and mark in 3/4", measure down to the length and make a mark. Now snap a line between the two. Rip it on a tablesaw, you'll have to free hand it through the tablesaw so be careful. If it doesn't fit perfectly you can hit it with a block plane a bit, when you get a decent fit, glue it in and shoot some nails through the casing, the shim and into the wall. Hit the edge with some sandpaper. If there's some gaps hit them with a little caulk for paint grade trim, or a matching putty for stain grade. As for having to rip the molding because the door is so close to an adjacent wall thats another story................................
Good Luck,
Craig
"Rip it on a tablesaw, you'll have to free hand it through ....."
OR, make the shims using a Festool circ saw and guide system.
I have seen the same headaches pop up on remodels often, and making long shims with my Festool is cake, and results in an easy to set up and cleaner shim than when I have had to use the tablesaw.
Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT