Short answer
Door stop molding is a thin strip, most commonly 7/16 x 1-3/8 in, nailed to the jamb face on both sides and across the top. The door closes against it. It comes in colonial (shaped edge) and ranch (rounded edge) profiles, in primed pine, oak, MDF and PVC, usually in 7 ft or longer pieces. To replace it, pry off the old stop, cut the top piece first, then fit the sides with the door closed.
What the stop does
When a door closes, it swings until it hits the stop. That sets where the door sits in the frame and keeps the latch lined up with the strike plate. The stop also covers the small gap between door and jamb, which cuts light and drafts. Exterior doors usually have the stop milled into the jamb instead; separate stop molding is mostly an interior part.
Sizes and profiles
| Profile | Common size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Colonial stop | 7/16 x 1-3/8 in | Shaped edge. Pairs with colonial casing. |
| Ranch stop | 7/16 x 1-3/8 in | Rounded edge. Pairs with ranch casing. |
| Wider stop | up to about 2 in | For thicker doors or to cover more of the jamb. |
The 7/16 x 1-3/8 in size is sold as Amerhart profile 876 in 7 ft and 8 ft 6 in lengths (Amerhart) and by Alexandria Moulding in 84 in oak (Home Depot listing). Other sizes exist; measure the old stop.
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01Paint grade
Primed pine stop, 7/16 x 1-3/8 in
Best for: painted interior doors
- Size
- 7/16 x 1-3/8 in
- Length
- 7 ft or longer
- Finish
- Primed
- The most common replacement
- Check colonial vs ranch edge against the old stop
- One 7 ft piece does a side; buy three per door, or two plus a longer piece
-
02Stain grade
Oak stop molding
Best for: stained oak jambs
- Size
- 7/16 x 1-3/8 in
- Length
- 84 in
- Finish
- Unfinished
- Stain to match the jamb
- Often sold in multi-packs
- Pre-drill near the ends to avoid splits
-
03Wet areas
PVC stop molding
Best for: basements, baths and garage entries
- Material
- PVC
- Finish
- White
- Rot
- Will not rot
- Good where jambs get wet
- Paintable with acrylic latex
- Use stainless or coated fasteners in wet spots
How to replace door stop molding
Remove the old stop
Score the paint line with a utility knife, then pry the stop off gently with a flat bar, starting at the bottom. Pull the nails through from the back so they do not split the face.
Prep the jamb
Scrape and sand the jamb face smooth where the old stop and paint were, so the replacement stop sits flat (Metrie).
Cut and fit the top piece
Measure across the head jamb. Cut the top stop to fit, square or with 45 degree ends to meet the sides. Close the door, hold the stop against it, and nail.
Fit the sides
Cut each side to length with a matching cut at the top. With the door closed and latched, hold the stop lightly against the door and nail from the top down, opening and closing the door as you go.
Fill, caulk and paint
Set the nails, fill the holes, caulk the joint to the jamb, and paint to match.
These steps follow Metrie. A door that will not latch after the swap usually has the stop set too tight: tap it back a hair. Casing for the same door: how to install door casing.
Questions people ask
What size is door stop molding?
A very common size is 7/16 by 1-3/8 inches. Amerhart sells it as profile 876 in primed pine in 7 foot and 8 foot 6 inch lengths, and Alexandria Moulding sells a 7/16 by 1-3/8 by 84 inch oak colonial stop.
Where does door stop molding go?
On the face of the door jamb, on both sides and across the top. Metrie describes it as attached to the door jamb on both sides and at the top. On a hinged door it sits on the side the door closes toward.
How far should the stop be from the door?
Set it so the closed door rests lightly against it with the latch engaged. Metrie suggests closing the door, aligning the top stop, and nailing each side flush with the door, opening and closing it as you go.
Sources
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Profiles, sizes and listings change; check the product details before you buy, and follow the maker’s instructions.