CertainTeed offers the most comprehensive variety of trim pieces in the siding industry. "The company offers everything from function utility trims to substantial wide trims resembling dimensional lumber, fluted corner posts, and decorative crown molding for window headers," says Walt Hoyt. Hoyt is the director of marketing and communications for Certain Teed Siding Products, which is the number one manufacturer of building materials from a brand awareness and usage standpoint.
In terms of decorative trims, CertainTeed offers wide lineal, crown molding, and fluted corners. "If someone has an exterior look in mind, we can create it," says Hoyt. Vinyl siding trim also offers a shake look, which is the half round siding shingle that looks like a scallop and is often used on Victorian style homes. There are different shakes, whether it is a seven-inch profile or five-inch profile, or there is a rough split, which tends to be nine or ten inches long.
According to Hometime.com, an outside corner post-trim piece is used for outside corners. "There is a channel molded into each side of the post to receive the end of the siding," the website states. When trimming a corner post, use two pieces of a J-channel, which is installed back to back. J-channel is the most popular piece of siding trim available. It is used for trimming around windows and doors and is also used where siding meets a soft fit or roof at an angle, says the website.
When placing siding trim on a window or door, make sure the two pieces of J-channel are sloped down so that moisture does not get behind the trim, and holds moisture in. "If so, a homeowner will have problems in the future because rotting will occur," says Hoyt. When siding meets a window or door, make sure there is a piece of under sill trim as well. "The under sill trim is designed to grab this cut edge and hold it in place," the website says.
Trim pieces are installed the same way as wood siding parts. According to Ebuild.com, vinyl siding panels are easier, and faster to install than wood siding. Every edge of the trim and siding must overlap or insert into a part of another piece. "To install siding and trim is like putting together a puzzle," says Hoyt. Panels should overlap one another about an inch, so that the panels can contract and expand without showing the sheating underneath. This prevents moisture from entering, and rotting the sheathing underneath. When installing, make sure each piece locks together, so the panels stays in place.
