Is Exterior Window Trim Necessary?
Is Exterior Window Trim Necessary?
Yes. Every exterior requires window trim. Trim helps to keep out the elements and protect your home by covering the edge between the siding and the window frame. Furthermore, trim helps to complete the look of your home, regardless of its style or the material used to side it.
Trim is most often painted in the same color as the rest of the home. However, it can also be stained or treated to match a different color. Besides its aesthetic purpose, trim also serves an important practical one—keeping water, dirt, and snow away from your windows.
Strips of wood or metal are both popular choices for window trim. While wood will help your home blend in with its natural surroundings, metal can give your home a more modern feel that complements contemporary styles.
If you would rather do the work yourself, you can buy sheet-metal trim at your local hardware store and install it yourself. Sheet-metal trim comes in a variety of widths, so be sure to select one that is correctly sized for your windows.
Regardless of what type of trim you choose, make sure not to use screws; nails and other fasteners that are hidden from view are more durable and easier to repair if needed. To hold the window trim in place, use screws that go all of the way through the wood and into the siding or sheathing on the house exterior.
Residing on the exterior of your home, the trim is exposed to all types of weather conditions year-round. As such, it’s prone to damage from things like sun exposure and rainwater stains. If you notice the trim around your windows is beginning to rot, it’s time to replace it.
If you have wooden trim, take care of it so that it doesn’t crack or warp over time. One way to do this is by painting or staining the trim.
This will give your home a uniform look, preserve the wood from weather damage, and keep it in good condition.
