What style is your house? Mid Century Modern? Shingle? Builder Special? Cape Cod? Draughtsman's Delight? Saltbox? Bungalow? Wrightian? Mutt?

Mark, I just had a fun time googling a lot of terms you threw at me. I'd say "Modern Farmhouse Mutt" haha

It's called a "drywall return". Drywall surrounds the window instead of wood and there is no trim. I did a modified drywall return: There is drywall on top and sides, but I used water-impervious PVC trim board for the stools (interior sills) which extend out a bit from the surface of the wall and add some visual interest to the windows.

' but our builder says the right way to do it is to add casing to limit condensation? '

What is this GC talking about?

I personally like casing.

Our builder also pushed back on drywall returns because of concerns with longevity. As he explained it, a lack of support at the corners can cause cracking, etc. And the issues can be exacerbated depending on climate (ie heavy moisture). He didn’t say no, but he did make it sound cost prohibitive to do it in a way that would minimize potential issues down the line.

To answer the last part of your question, to get the truly minimal look that a drywall return provides, our windows are black, but the jamb extensions are white. As for the trim, it will be minimal (2.75”) and painted the same white as the walls to blend.

Kirsten: Can I do a jam extension with no trim? or is that not how that works..?

wdccruise: Can I do water impervious PVS on upper and sides and put a small wood/stone/something sill on the bottom?

Mark, thank you! I think I'm trying too hard and am over (or under?) designing.

Would you be willing to suggest a type of trim or casing that might suite our style? While I'm on the subject of style, how would you describe it? Transitional Farmhouse?

Our interior doors are 7ft 2 panel Masonite (see photo example) and we haven't picked out much more than that... no colors, no floors, no hardware

I don’t think the jamb extension affects the need for trim; it’s part of the window and makes it sit flush with the wall. The reason I raise it is because they would have defaulted to black if I hadn’t specified, and that would have been a much thicker window frame look that the minimal one I’m aiming for.

You can go either way here.a

Your plans look traditional to me, I'd add trim. I don't see modern anything.

That door is not modern at all. It's traditional. I would do a regular cased window.

In the condo we rent in NY, they have drywall returns on the windows and like someone else said, they are cracking and do not look good anymore.

Agree with all - the drywall returns are very simple, but in reality not all the practical AND really hard to have done well... (think $$$ to get them crisp and straight)

I can't imagine that drywall returns last as long as wood window trim. They're going to get nicked, dented etc. To me, they look like a Red Roof Inn.

Haha, Red Roof Inn..

Ok, you have me convinced, regular casing/trim it is. This might be a tough follow up question but what looks good with our doors and "transitional Farmhouse" style? I don't care to do any Craftsman styles

You'll see both in my different projects depending on style.

The purpose of extension jambs is to allow the installation of casing trim. If you want drywall returns you must omit or remove the extension jambs.

Photos from your phone are too small to read well but it appears you are installing casing trim on the outside so I would think you would use them inside too..

Drywall returns with casing trim at the doors looks inconsistent to me. I've seen rimless doors and widows done well in Europe but the door frames are more like window frames (narrower than the walls).

"but our builder says the right way to do it is to add casing to limit condensation?"

This to me is a frightening statement and actually have to agree with robin0910 (winces). If your "builder" truly believes this I would be very worried about his abilities to weather proof a home.