Wood To Use For Broad Outside Trim Boards?

The choice of wood for exterior trim is crucial for long-lasting and durable homes. Top wood types for exterior trim include cedar, redwood, and composite materials. Cedar or redwood are the best due to their natural resistance to decay and insects. These woods are durable, long-lasting, and resistant to various weather conditions.

Old-growth lumber, such as Douglas fir and redwood on the West Coast, yellow pine, white pine, and cedar on the East Coast, and southern yellow pine and cypress in, were once the only material used for exterior trim. However, modern woods like Western Red Cedar and Redwood are prized for their resistance to moisture, insects, and decay. Cypress offers notable decay resistance, but it is also less expensive than clear vertical grained heartwood cedar or redwood.

Standard wood trim is one of the oldest materials around, with cedar and redwood being the most common woods for use on trim. They naturally resist moisture and can be used in various ways, such as clear, vertical grain, all heartwood, or pre-primed options. Cedar, for example, is a solid color exterior stained and requires care every 3-5 years.

In addition to cedar and redwood, other popular imported species include mahogany, sapele, teak, and ipe. Woodworkers list their top choices for wood species and composite or synthetic materials for architectural exterior trim details. Lumber and plywood are another option, with options like redwood, red cedar, Alaskan yellow cedar, and Port Orford cedar, which may last a century or more without protection.

Cedar is an excellent choice for window trim due to its durability and dependability, but it is by far the most expensive option on the market.

Is it OK to use pine for exterior trim?

Pine trim is a popular choice among builders due to its durability. However, it requires careful detailing and a good paint coating to prevent rot. Additionally, its cross-grain and knots can shrink, swell, and degrade when exposed to rain and sunlight.

What type of wood should I use for exterior trim?

Solid wood trim, a traditional material, is becoming increasingly popular due to rising costs and availability. Common woods like cedar and redwood are preferred due to their resistance to moisture and insect activity, making them longer-lasting. However, other woods may not have the same rot resistance, resulting in lower longevity. Preparing cedar and redwood for painting is crucial to prevent extractive bleeding and compromised surface appearance, which can be time-consuming and lead to higher labor and material costs.

Engineered wood, a blend of wood, glue, and resins, is a growing alternative to solid wood. It is typically less expensive and comes in various forms, some of which may already be stained or painted, making installation faster.

What material to use for exterior door trim?

The appearance of trim in a home is crucial, as it interacts with the door and siding. Plastic trims like vinyl have wood grain appearance but have less appealing molded edges, making them less appealing. Aluminum and steel trims can develop a chalky paint surface over time, making it difficult to create a wood-look trim that looks right for the design. Natural wood trim is a versatile material that can be painted to match any siding, but it must resist insect activity and rot. Cedar is an option, but it often has issues with bleed-through and staining the trim’s color. Preservative-treated trim, like Belco’s XT trim, provides the desired appearance and performance.

Should I use treated lumber for exterior trim?

Pressure-treated wood is not suitable for finish work due to its greenish tone and need for priming and painting before use. This adds time and expense to the project, and can cause splitting and patching issues. Chemical leaching from the chemicals used in pressure-treated wood can affect soil, plants, and landscaping. Although new compounds used in pressure-treated wood are not as hazardous as earlier ones, the heavier treatment can cause environmental concerns.

Many homeowners are becoming more environmentally conscious and prefer preservative-treated wood like XT Trim produced by Belco Forest Products. This non-toxic material resists moisture and insect activity, making it attractive, easy to work with, and comes pre-primed and ready for installation. It is faster to work with, eliminates the priming step, and is produced responsibly. XT Trim products also look great longer than pressure-treated wood, making it a more environmentally friendly option for homeowners.

What kind of wood is used for exterior door frames?

Wood types for exterior doors include pine, high cedar, natural insect repellent, low teak, and low timber woods. These woods offer various benefits such as cost-effectiveness, versatility, and natural beauty. They can be painted to match interior styles or left exposed to accentuate grain patterns. Choosing the right wood for your door frame is crucial for its longevity, security, energy efficiency, and aesthetics.

Durability is a key consideration, as the frame must withstand daily wear and tear. Some woods provide sturdy barriers, enhancing security against unwanted entries, and some types offer better insulation, saving on heating and cooling costs.

What is the best finish for exterior trim?

Semi-gloss and glossy finishes offer durability and are easy to clean, making them ideal for high-touch areas like trim and doors. High gloss is resilient and dirt-repellent, adding richness and depth to colors but magnifying surface imperfections. It requires skillful application and is best used sparingly on surfaces you touch or come in close proximity to. The average cost of painting the exterior of a home is between $500 and $1, 000, depending on factors like size and paint type. The longevity of the exterior paint job depends on the quality of paint, surface preparation, and environmental conditions.

What are exterior trim boards called?

Exterior trim terms include fascia, frieze, rake, barge, soffit, boxend, and gutters. Brackets, a structural component of historic homes, are now purely decorative and add style to homes. Channels are specialized moldings that fit siding and soffit panels, enclosing soffit and siding panel ends and supporting the weight of hanging soffits. Corners are areas where siding and soffits change directions, and they can be inside or outside on the vertical face or horizontally where soffits meet walls and gutter lines.

Drip caps are placed over window and door trims to reduce water’s surface tension and prevent water from dripping off. Flashings are strategically placed trim strips used to control water ingress, mainly used in roof shingling, chimneys, skylights, through-wall separations, and protection wall protrusions. Understanding these terms helps you communicate with an exterior trim professional, such as Sunshine Contracting in Northern Virginia, who can help you trim your home’s exterior effectively.

How wide should exterior door trim be?

Door casing is a decorative and protective border around a door’s opening, sealing gaps between the wall and frame and adding a visually appealing element. It is typically available in sizes ranging from 8 to 12 ft. 3 1/4 in. or more. If you notice drafts or moisture around your door after heavy rain, it may need new casing to improve its fit and efficiency. The average cost for replacing casing is around $100 to $170. To prepare your door for new trim, enter a zip and get matched with top-rated pros near you.

What type of wood to use for window trim?

Natural cedar is a durable and lightweight option for window trim due to its resistance to rot, mold, and mildew. It is easy to install and comes in versatile sizes. However, it is the most expensive window trim option and typically lacks a warranty. While cedar may be suitable for construction-free situations, it may not be suitable for everyone. Modern manufactured fascia options, such as non-wood components, are available for exterior window trim.

What do you use for exterior trim?

Home builders often use wood for exterior trim moldings, so it’s essential to choose a premium gloss acrylic or oil paint. Medium-density fiberboard can be treated with high-quality latex gloss paint. Vinyl trim requires exterior gloss paint made for vinyl, and metal trim requires gloss paint for metal due to its rust-resistant properties. These paints protect your trim from deterioration.