Choosing the Right Exterior Trim

If you live in a coastal environment like Gloucester, Newburyport and Beverly, you know how important choosing the right exterior trim board can be. From traditional Pine to cellular PVC or composite trim boards, Timberline offers a wide variety of exterior trim designed to fit your project and budget, along with expert advice from our experienced staff.

 

Primed Pine
Used on New England homes for generations, the new generation of Primed Pine is a less expensive option to the newer man-made materials. If installed and painted correctly and maintained,  Pine can last for many years in the demanding coastal region of Massachusetts. Another plus is that Pine is a renewable resource.

Clear Vertical Grain Cedar
Clear vertical grain cedar is prized for both its beauty and its dimensional stability. When it expands and contracts in relation to temperature and moisture in the air, it does so evenly, with no twisting, warping or buckling. It can be left to weather to a silver-gray or it accepts paint very well.

Cellular PVC
Cellular PVC trim can be cut and shaped just like its wood counterpart, with regular woodworking tools. Because it has a uniform consistency, PVC requires no special treatment of field-cut edges. And if manufactured using a UV-inhibitor, it doesn’t even need to be painted. If you choose to paint it, keep in mind that the drying time will be longer than with wood. This is because PVC does not absorb moisture, a characteristic that also makes PVC the only trim product that can be installed in areas where standing water may develop. Boards are available with smooth finishes on both sides, or with a smooth finish on one side and a wood-grain finish on the other.

Wood Composite
Manufactured from wood fibers, phenolic resins, and wax, wood-composite trim can also be cut and shaped pretty much just like solid wood. Field-cut edges need to be primed, and one manufacturer recommends a coat of paint as well. Boards come factory-primed and with a smooth finish on one side and a wood-grain finish on the other. Look for composite trim that includes zinc borate, a wood preservative. Butt joints are generally preferred on long runs, with gaps to allow for expansion and contraction, but scarf joints may be used as well. Gaps should be filled with flexible caulk. Composite trim is typically made from recycled, leftover, and/or sustainably harvested wood.