(ARA) - Summer is a perfect time to tackle do-it-yourself projects around the house. Updating your interior doors and replacing old exterior trim are two great ways to spruce up your home and increase its value inside and out. 

More Than A Door
Doors offer more than an entry into a room. With their various panel designs and the ability to be painted or stained, interior doors can be an important part of your overall decor. Unlike plain flush doors found in many homes, interior raised- and flat-panel molded doors add character, style and personality to any home.
   
"Interior doors are often overlooked as a design element," says Bob Merrill, president and CEO for Chicago-based CMI, which makes CraftMaster Interior Doors. "However, today's molded door technology allows us to create doors with many different panel designs."
   
The average home usually has around 20 interior doors, including passage and bi-fold (closet) doors. A popular DIY project is to replace standard, hollow doors with solid core doors to add weight and help keep noises in -- or out.
   
Installing new doors requires a few basic carpentry tools. You can purchase pre-hung doors or, like many homeowners, you can choose to keep the existing frame and simply replace the doors, called slabs. In this case, you should heed a few installation tips:
   
* Ensure the slab door is squarely in the frame, then lock it in position with a cross brace.
   
* Use wood shims between the jambs and the studs, as necessary, to ensure a plumb, square and proper fit.
   
* Keep the frame flush with proper positioning of the cross brace.
   
* Add trim by cutting, gluing and nailing it in place after the slab door has been installed.

New Trim, New Look
Walk around your house and inspect the exterior trim on the corners, around your windows and doors, and up near the roofline. Do you see peeling paint, warped boards, or any splitting or cracking? Is there any damage from water or termites? If so, chances are you need more than a simple paint job.
   
"With the housing market remaining stagnant across much of the country, many homeowners are investing in remodeling projects that increase their home's value and add personal style," explains Merrill. "Replacing old and outdated wood trim boards with new engineered trim can dramatically change the look of your home. It lasts long and provides excellent resistance to moisture, rot, termites and temperature extremes."
   
Traditional wood trim can split and swell, and is prone to knots and defects. Other materials, like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and fiber cement trim have performance limitations and may pose installation challenges.
   
Consider installing new interior doors or replacing your exterior trim. Both remodeling projects are a great way to change the look and value of your home. Courtesy of ARAcontent

First Published August 26, 2011, 2:41 p.m.