Exterior window trim?

10 years ago

Please forgive my ignorance. :)

I love the look of wide white trim around windows. Is that what it's called, trim? Do we order this with the siding or the windows or...?

Thanks!

Featured Answer

renovator8

10 years ago

Azek, ATW, etc. are made of cellular PVC. A sub-sill can be shipped from ATW or cut from a piece of AZEK (or another brand of cellular PVC), wood or whatever you prefer to use.

MiraTEC TRIM is a wood "composite" formed by blending a zinc borate (preservative) slurry with hardwood fibers and then laying down a continuous mat. The mat is hot pressed to form boards which are then cut to size and primed.

I was not talking about the position of the window only the trim. A traditional window has flat casing trim at the head (top) and jambs (sides) but nothing is installed at the bottom so that siding can be brought up under the sill overhang and water can drip from it. Unfortunately, many modern windows do not have a sill nosing that projects far enough to act as a drip and water penetration at this location is common even if flashing is installed at the sheathing plane. Adding flat trim ("picture-framing") almost increases the likelihood that water will penetrate behind the siding below the sill.

Often it is necessary or advisable to add a "sub-sill" below the window to create a proper drip. A side benefit is that when that is done, the sub-sill can be made long enough to reach the outside edges of the jamb trim allowing the jamb trim to rest on the sub-sill just like a traditional window.

See photo and section detail.

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Comments (20)

LuAnn_in_PA
10 years ago
The guys that just did ours called it trim or trimboard.
tammyte
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks. So who does it? The person that does the siding?
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TNHawkeye
10 years ago
We chose the window trim color when we picked out windows.
TNHawkeye
10 years ago
We chose the window trim color when we picked out windows.
ontariomom
10 years ago
The sub that is doing our siding is doing the exterior window siding (trimboard). I am quite sure that would be the norm, and definitely not window installer or window supplier.

Carol
renovator8
10 years ago
Window trim used to be part of the window but modern windows have a nailing fin that rests against the exterior sheathing and is covered with flexible flashing and a weather/air barrier (Tyvek) then the trim and siding are added.

Of particular importance is the trim at the sill. It should be a "sub-sill" that extends the "drip edge" so water will not flow back behind the siding. Do not allow another trim board like the ones at the sides and top to be installed under the window.

Here is a link that might be useful: ATW cellular PVC window trim
tammyte
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you! Off to read Reno8's link. :)
LuAnn_in_PA
10 years ago
The siding guys did ours.
renovator8
10 years ago
It's all carpenter work. If you install a sub-sill it should extend to the outside edge of the side (jamb) trim so it looks like the traditional way of trimming a window. Don't let the manufacturer's desire to avoid protrusions that make the shipping box more expensive stop you from having a nice looking window.
tammyte
Original Author
10 years ago
I checked the link out. :) We are not near their area (I'm in Indiana) but their products look nice!

Is this something that can be done at a later date or does it need done when windows and siding are installed?
FmrQuahog
10 years ago
MiraTEC. Ask for it by name.
virgilcarter
10 years ago
Trim needs to be installed as part of the siding, doors, windows and other penetrations in order to keep rain and weather from penetrating the wall assembly. Trim generally has a functional purpose.

Good luck on your project.
tammyte
Original Author
10 years ago
Mira TEC? Can anyone get it or is it a special order type deal?

Thanks Virgil. I wasn't sure if it was considered cosmetic or what. There are some things that we will wait on if at all possible.
FmrQuahog
10 years ago
I reckon most anybody can buy MiraTEC. Click the "where to buy" option on the home page of the attached linky.
Best of luck to you.

Here is a link that might be useful: MiraTEC
illinigirl
10 years ago
Renov8ter what do you mean by extending to the jamb? What will that look like? Do you mean so the window isn't flush with the exterior trim and siding? Can you show an example please?
tammyte
Original Author
10 years ago
Reno8-I am going to show this to my dh tonight. I appreciate this detailed info. We were planning on Anderson 200 series windows, fwiw.
illinigirl
10 years ago
ty renov8ter! Now I understand!
renovator8
10 years ago
I thought I posted this earlier but I'll do it now: Andersen redesigned the 200 double-hung in 2012. You should avoid the older lower quality model. Ask if it has the Tilt-Wash feature.
tammyte
Original Author
10 years ago
Reno8-you did post earlier about that. I also posted a reply. Weird. I checked and we do have the tilt sash model. Maybe it was in another thread of mine. My mind is all over the place right now.