Doors and Windows - Replacing Metal Door Casings With Wood

Hi everyone,

I'm brand new to this forum. I've scoured the net trying to find a solution to my problem without any success. I've also browsed through the threads in this forum and can't say I've noticed anyone else ask this question. I just purchased a home that's about 27 years old. I've owned several homes through the years but I've come across a first for me. All the interior passage doors are hollow metal frames with metal casings. I've never seen these and I'm hoping the casings are not a permanent part of the frame. Can anyone tell me if and how the casings can be removed? I want to replace the plain, poorly painted casings with paint grade colonial casings. I realize I'll need to glue them on since there's no nailing surface. Has anyone done this?

Thanks!

Larry

I know of only one manufacturer that produces KD metal jambs with slip-on metal casing. All others are formed intergerally with the jamb.

If a seperation doesn't exist at the return, and you cannot pry them off, they are formed.

In the latter case it's simpler to replace the the doors & jambs.

If there is a screw through the casing near the bottom, chances are it is not removable. At or near the bottom attempt to insert a narrow screwdriver at either the leading or return edge of the casing and twist it in your hand. If it is removable, it will be held on with a series of spring clips that loosely appear as a "bowtie", or as a continuous extruded channel.
Since the wall and its construction are your nailing surface, and if the clips are the method of attachment, remove the clips prior to installing.

I appreciate your immediate replies guys. We take possession of our home on April 1st so I won't know what I'm dealing with until then. I think I recall a screw in the top corner through the frame. After years of paint I didn't notice if the casing can be separated at the reveal or if it's part of the frame. I thought about replacing the entire set up but the current owner replaced all the interior doors with colonist 600 series raised panel paint grade doors. I was thinking that I'd like to trim them out with matching casings so I hope they're simply attached with clips. I wanted to check the possibilities before ordering all the casing material.

Larry