Window trim debate

11 years ago

Building our own home and want a craftsman/arts and crafts kind of feel to it without feeling like we are tryng to make an exact replica of something.

I want some window trim like that shown here:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/mallets-bay-shingle-traditional-exterior-burlington-phvw-vp~40876-Bay-Shingle-traditional-exterior-burlington

inside and outside. My father's house had something very similar. It was built in 1911 or thereabouts in a small town by the owner of the lumber yard. My DH has all the skills to do this, but he is worried about a couple of the exterior windows. Some are protected by the porch or a dormer roof, but we have three that will not be covered by porch, overhang or a dormer. He says the detail at the top (I believe it's a piece of crown that is returned on each end) will be an invitation for water create some havoc over time. The sills, slanted slightly down, won't do that, but he insists that the top detail will. We will have Hardiboard siding around the windows, then trim most likely with wood.

What have others done about this kind of period look trim on exterior windows that are unprotected by roof or porch or dormer? It would really change the feel of the front of the house imho if we didn't use the same trim details on all of the windows, but I can't really suggest we build the potential for water damage. Suggestions? Ideas? Comments?

Here is a link that might be useful: [Window trim link[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/mallets-bay-shingle-traditional-exterior-burlington-phvw-vp~40876)

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Comments (7)

renovator8
11 years ago
It would help to know something about the windows.

The easiest and most durable way to trim a window is to use a cellular PVC kit from Advanced TrimWright.

Most modern nail fin windows need a sub-sill to allow the jamb trim a place to stop and that is included in the kit.

Here is a link that might be useful: ATW
popeda
Original Author
11 years ago
Looks good. No dealer in this state. I guess we need to look at the non-wood options. Might be affordable for the windows we're concerned about if not for the whole lot of them.

I don't know too much about the windows: vinyl, double-paned,energy efficient,etc. Atrium. I know, not a high-end selection, but we are definitely not the high-end project. We get a very nice house, but on a tight budget. We hope this one is our last challenge to accomplish that.
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Thanks kec, I'll keep trying - that forum has been down today. Also hubby and I are having a disagreement. Basically, he says that the energy efficiency loss is greater during the summer when you'd have screens in the storms, when the AC is running, so it's not that good efficiency-wise. I say since we live in NE on the water we'll be running the AC like a month out of the year - maybe 2 if we're super lazy, and that the energy loss there shouldn't stop us from doing storms as opposed to sashes. Thoughts? Anyone with storms who use screens in the summer notice crazy elec. bills when you have your AC running?
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Those modern farmhouses have several commonalities that I see at first glance. Examples being (some of which were noted): white exterior, white eaves, black (metal) roofs, black window sashes with minimal white trim, Design elements, not an architectural style. large windows, Ok could be architectural if it had a better description of the type of windows and how they relate to the rest of the house. lots of windows, front porch entry, Design elements, not an architectural style. roof gables with a strong pitch and relatively minimal adornment, Now this describes an architectural element that helps define a type of house. and when there are adornments they’re natural (ie cedar), vertical or horizontal siding (or a mix), and usually a board and batten element. Again, design elements, not an architectural style. The house with the black eaves and stucco in that in one example is clearly an outlier in whatever search you ran. Why would that be an outlier? I actually left off others that were described as Modern Farmhouse but were definitely outliers. Some were painted in colors, etc. In short, what they have in common is a simple, bright exterior with a focus on getting as much natural light into the interior as possible. So does any well designed house. So how does that make it an architectural style. I’m sure there are more commonalities, but I really don’t care whether the small contingency of detractors on this forum is willing to accept the term as a style, architectural or otherwise. I just don’t understand why they can’t stay silent if they don’t care to be helpful. It truly boggles the mind. Because it isn't helpful to just throw out terms that really have no meaning. Ideally people come here not only to help their own homes but also to learn and become a bit more educated. I'm sorry if you don't think that's important.
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@Virgil, Your suggestion to have the builder and architect stick to their individual roles is, well, pretty old school advice, professor. A professional collaboration beginning in the design phase takes advantage of the builder's real-world experience with various materials and construction techniques. The builder's knowledge of current costs--and it's not a trivial task to keep up with those--is particularly useful to inform the design if there is a budget--and there is always a budget. Alternatively, you could keep the builder out of the process until the last minute, then get an unpleasant surprise when it comes to cost and/or feasibility. That might serve an architect's interest if it results in additional design fees, but I find it's often that the client abandons the project and is left with a hole in their wallet and a bad taste in their mouth. Those who don't abandon the project altogether typically resort to extreme redesign and value engineering. Some will cut the architect out of the redesign effort and let the builder perform major "surgery" on the plan. The end product often bears little resemblance to the original. The old school design-bid-redesign-re-bid, etc. process is being replaced with a more collaborative, faster track, and lower cost collaborative design/build process. Even AIA is promoting it. They describe a variety of options under the umbrella of "Integrated Project Delivery." You can get the information on line, it's a good read, and in my experience, a good process.
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kfhl
11 years ago
We have a similar trim detail and they installed a small piece of white aluminum flashing on the top of our window trim (the trim is white. It slips underneath the hardiplank above the window and sits on top of the window trim - it is sort of an L shape with the upright piece of the L tucked under the siding and the bottom part of the L on top of the window trim. Best way I can describe it.
whallyden
11 years ago
Flashing.
renovator8
11 years ago
Pre-formed window and door "cap flashing" is standard at the top of head trim. Factory finished aluminum is a common compromise between vinyl and more durable metals.

It is important to pay attention to the ends especially for deeper "historic" head trim.

Here is a link that might be useful: cap flshing
popeda
Original Author
11 years ago
If I understand correctly, you really would not be able to see this flashing unless you somehow looked straight down at the window trim from above since it tucks into siding? That sounds like what we need. Thanks for the help.
renovator8
11 years ago
What you will see is a small lip where the cap flashing hangs over the front edge of the head trim. The upper leg of this flashing should be sealed to the sheathing with self-adhering flexible flashing, then the house wrap goes over that.

The ends are where most leaks occur.

Here is a link that might be useful: historic trim

Window trim debate

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renovator8

popeda
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Window trim debate

Comments (7)

renovator8

popedaOriginal Author

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whallyden

renovator8

popedaOriginal Author

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