Q. A homeowner has asked me how to repair what looks to me like a botched job, where new entry doors were installed in a brick home covered with stucco or some kind of cement parging. The home is in New Jersey and dates to 1905. The stucco was crudely chipped away, leaving 1-2-inch gaps between the new solid plastic trim and the wall surface (see photo). The stucco has a textured surface that would be hard to match. What’s the best way to fix this?
A. Steve Thomas, who has worked for over 20 years in the stucco and masonry industry in Columbus, Ohio, responds: One possibility might be to try patching with nonshrink grout — but as you note, matching the rough texture would be hard, and getting a color match would be even harder. I would use a simpler approach: Replace the new trim with a wider, thicker trim, or add a band molding around the outside edge to cover the gap (see illustration, below). If the original PVC trim has been glued in place, the band molding might be easier to install, and if chosen well, it could enhance the appearance of the entryway. Use a foam backer rod and a high-quality sealant to finish the job.
