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Home » Beach » How to Add Molding Panels to a Flat Door

How to Add Molding Panels to a Flat Door

January 22, 2014 Brittany Bailey 112 Comments

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How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl

When my sister brought me on to the Topsail Beach condo renovation, she had a laundry list of DIY projects she wanted me to complete. One of them was dressing up the hollow flat doors with moulding panels. She showed me a pin that led to One Life to Love’s DIY beadboard panel doors. After seeing the photo, I knew it would be a great DIY upgrade to make. But, we decided to use real beadboard (instead of beadboard wallpaper) because it had to hold up to the stress of being a rental.

To Begin:

Start by measuring and marking the doors to determine the size of your panels.

How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl

Draw lines 5″ in from the top and two sides of your door.  Draw the bottom line  6″ up from the bottom. Finally, leave 5″ between the top and bottom panels.

How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl

When marking your doors, use a pencil and level to draw your lines.

How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl

After we had our panel measurements, Caitlin and I headed to Lowe’s. But, she refused to push me in the cart (party pooper!)

DIY Add Molding Panels Flat Door

We pulled some 4′ x 8′ beadboard panels and took them to the lumber cutting area. We gave the Lowe’s employer our measurements and asked him to cut the boards for us. While he cut our beadboard, Caitlin and I gathered the rest of our supplies.

Materials:

How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door Supplies

  • Beadboard panels
  • Moulding to frame panels
  • Tape measure
  • Pencil
  • Level
  • Construction glue
  • Latex paintable caulk
  • Finish nailer
  • 1 1/4″ finish nails
  • Painter’s tape
  • Hand saw
  • Miter box
  • Eye protection
  • Hearing protection
  • Plastic wood putty
  • Putty knife
  • Sanding block

Instructions:

Assess the condition of your door. If there are chips or dings, you need to fix them before proceeding.

Apply wood putty and allow it to dry.

How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl

After dry, sand the putty smooth.

How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl

Time to apply the beadboard panels. Squeeze construction glue onto the back of the beadboard panels.

How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl

Set the panels on the door and double check the level and plumb of the panel.

How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl

Press the panel firmly to spread the glue. Use the finish nailer to secure the panel around the perimeter.

How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl

Attach the lower panel next.

How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl

To trim the panel, measure and cut your trim molding to fit around the panel.

How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl

Set your top piece in place and secure it with the finish nailer.

How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl

Set the side pieces in place. Use painter’s tape to hold the corners tightly. Use more tape to secure the side piece if necessary.

How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl

Attach the side molding with finish nails.

How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl

Attach the opposite side and the bottom molding pieces. Putty the nail holes and caulk the seams. Then prime and paint the doors.

How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl

Ooolala. How about that transformation?!

How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl

The newly paneled doors make a huge difference in the look of the condo.

How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl

It’s all in the details.

How to Add Panels to Flat Hollow Core Door | Pretty Handy Girl

Like what you see? Take the tour of the entire Topsail Beach Condo Renovation for more upgrade ideas.

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How to Add Molding Panels to a Flat Door | Pretty Handy Girl

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Beach, Before and After, Build It, creating moulding, Door, Door Hardware, moulding, Popular, ReNew, renovation, Trash to Treasure, Tutorial, Upcycling, wood putty

Comments

  1. Beth says

    November 10, 2020 at 11:28 am

    This is an amazing idea! What a great way to turn boring, nondescript doors into something special with a high-end look. I love this project!

    Reply
  2. Mary Brown says

    November 9, 2020 at 1:04 pm

    Looks Amazing! Did you do the back side of the doors too?

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey says

      November 11, 2020 at 2:33 pm

      We didn’t, but can at a later date.

      Reply
  3. Jason says

    January 21, 2020 at 6:02 am

    Very cool. Will be trying this weekend! Would it not be easier to take the door off the hinges and lay it down?

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey says

      March 31, 2020 at 7:50 pm

      I used a small foam roller.

      Reply
  4. Ind says

    January 2, 2020 at 11:22 am

    Did you do the flooring as well?

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey says

      January 9, 2020 at 12:30 pm

      No, I didn’t.

      Reply
  5. Joan Salonish says

    November 22, 2019 at 10:55 am

    My husband also, he would have a house full of wood if I let him. Wood EVERYTHING!! YUCK!!

    Reply
  6. Thomas Gillhouse says

    January 14, 2019 at 9:34 am

    Exactly what type of trim did you use? Haven’t seemed to find any in the big box stores.

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey says

      January 16, 2019 at 6:48 pm

      I’m not sure of the names, and I know trim moulding varies based on area. I’d recommend pulling a bunch of small trim to see if any work for your doors.

      Reply
  7. Handy Squad says

    November 21, 2018 at 5:57 am

    Looks fantastic Brittany! An easy step-by-step guide! Keep up the good work!

    Reply
  8. Erin says

    June 9, 2018 at 9:26 am

    Hi, do you do this on both sides or just the side that people see from outside the space? Thank you

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey says

      June 11, 2018 at 7:41 am

      We only did it on the side that faces the living areas. But, you can do both if you like.

      Reply
  9. Shelly says

    March 29, 2018 at 11:03 am

    What kind of paint did you use?

    Reply
  10. Tina pugh says

    March 17, 2018 at 6:14 pm

    Hi, awesome tutorial. Are the measurement the same for bathroom doors and closet doors? Thank you

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey says

      March 18, 2018 at 8:47 pm

      I think you need to visually judge that for yourself. It depends on the width of your closet doors, but bathroom doors should be fine at the same.

      Reply
  11. Eve D. says

    March 4, 2018 at 6:06 pm

    Thanks for the inspiration on this! I tried the same thing on my doors, minus the beadboard (just because I didn’t think it matched the era of my house). The results are fantastic — so much better than I expected! I’m just finishing up the last of five doors and it makes such an amazing difference in my hallway. It has been a lot of work, but so worth it!

    Reply
    • Krystal says

      April 1, 2018 at 9:10 pm

      What did you do in place of bead board?

      Reply
  12. VAL says

    February 15, 2018 at 12:24 pm

    this looks amazing! can i ask what paint you used for the door?

    Reply
  13. Jyn says

    January 30, 2018 at 4:36 pm

    Great job on the door-looks great! We’re looking to upgrade our plain, rough looking 1950’s hollow core doors as well. We painted a few, but they seemed to swell and scratch off the paint on the edge that closes. Any tips to avoid this?

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl. I like the smell of coffee and sawdust in the morning. I live to break stereotypes and empower you to take on your own DIY project.

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