Exterior Trim Work – Everything You Wanted To Know

House with exterior trim work

Do you like the look of a well-trimmed house? Trim work can be one of the most exciting finishing touches on your home exterior. It can add style and balance to the look of your house, and it can give your house an instant update and make it look new.

In addition, exterior trim work can provide extra protection for your roof against moisture and wind.

Read on to find out about all the exciting exterior trim options!

Wood Trim

From fancy hand-milled work you can still find on Victorian-style homes to rustic cedar, wood is the most popular choice for exterior house trim and has been for many years.

The options for exterior wood trim include solid wood and composite wood.

Many people love wood trim for its warmth and beauty, and because real hardwood can be very durable. Quality wood products aren’t as easy to find, however.

Decorative wooden pieces, especially, must be handmade and are therefore more expensive.

The other thing about wood is that it is vulnerable to rot and insect damage. Of course, some wood trim lasts more than 100 years – as you can see in old houses.

However, it is likely to need replacement and repair more than the other materials on the market.

Polymer Trim

Unlike wood, polymer trim pieces are made using molds. Polypropylene resin is injected into pre-made molds of any shape and size, and the resulting parts are put together in construction.

Polymer trim is easy to install, and it can be painted. But, it’s more subject to temperature changes than other materials.

Like other synthetic materials, polymer trim will expand and contract with heat and cold. In addition, it’s more expensive than wood and some of the other choices.

PVC Trim Work

Like polymer, cellular PVC is molded, but this time from polyvinyl chloride. You might be familiar with the hard PVC pipes used routinely for many plumbing applications.

PVC is easy to install with standard tools, and the technology has improved over the years to make it more durable and less problematic with drastic temperature changes, especially in the heat.

However, it is still not suitable for areas with extreme temperature changes due to expansion and contractions. PVC is also more expensive than some other options.

Fiber Cement Trim Work

Fiber cement trim is one of the most versatile and stable options on the market. It costs slightly more than wood, but much less than the plastic options above.

Fiber cement won’t burn, rot, or dent. In addition, it doesn’t attract insects and doesn’t have the same problems with expansion and contraction.

Fiber-cement trim comes primed or prefinished and can be painted. All of these pluses make this one of the best choices for trim work on your home exterior.

Bringing it Home

Before you make your decision, be sure to review your budget, consider your climate, and look at all of the colors and styles available in the different material choices.

While wood is beautiful and warm, it’s not always the best choice for everyone.

More and more builders are using manufactured products because they work well, and they fit the budget.

With all of the color and style choices on the market, you are sure to find a winning combination.

If we can do anything to help you replace or repair your exterior trim and you are located in Southeast Michigan, please give us a call. We’re honored to help!

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