Door and window headers, sometimes called crossheads, add visual emphasis above openings, creating a more finished and architectural look. Whether simple or built-up, these horizontal trim pieces enhance proportion, introduce depth, and help define the style of any room.
What Are Door and Window Headers?
Door and window headers—also known as crossheads—are horizontal mouldings installed above openings to highlight architectural features and create a more intentional, finished appearance. They can be crafted from a single profile or assembled from multiple mouldings to achieve added height, projection, and decorative detail.
Why Use a Header?
Headers draw the eye upward and help frame doors and windows with greater presence. They can make low ceilings feel taller, balance large wall spaces, and introduce classical or modern character depending on the profiles used.
In many cases, a layered header can achieve the look of a custom, oversized profile at a lower cost—allowing you to combine standard mouldings instead of relying on a single specialty piece.
A well-designed header also helps unify the trim package throughout a space, tying together casings, baseboards, and crown moulding for a cohesive architectural look. Because headers can be scaled in both height and projection, they offer flexibility to suit everything from modest remodels to full historic restorations. This adaptability allows homeowners, designers, and builders to achieve a custom appearance while working within practical constraints such as ceiling height, opening width, or existing moulding profiles.
Design Advantages
• Enhances the architectural importance of doors and windows.
• Adds depth and shadow lines for a more dimensional look.
• Creates a cohesive relationship between surrounding mouldings.
• Accommodates traditional or modern aesthetics through simple or layered assemblies.
• Provides a cost-effective way to achieve substantial architectural detail.
Choosing the Right Header Style
Traditional designs often feature multi-piece assemblies with coves, frieze boards, and small decorative accents, while contemporary interiors benefit from clean lines and simple projections. Matching the scale of the header to the height of the room and the width of the opening ensures proper proportions and visual balance.
Browse Door & Window Header Examples
Explore our collection of door and window header assemblies for inspiration. If you need custom dimensions, specific moulding combinations, or a header that matches existing trim, request a custom quote and our team can help design the right solution for your project.
