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How-To

Exterior PVC Trim: Layout and Preparation

Builder Ben Bogie starts off this Shop Class video series by establishing a control height as a reference point for laying out exterior trim on a house.

By Ben Bogie

Sponsored by Boral

Today in shop class we’re going to go over installing exterior PVC trim over a rainscreen in preparation for siding. I’ll go over some of the crucial areas with you, like installing rakes, fascias, soffits, water tables, corner boards, window casings, and escutcheons for small penetrations. As you can see behind me in the mock-up we have Zip System exterior sheathing installed with a Cor-A-Vent sv5 breather channel at the bottom and one by three furring to create our rainscreen gap.

When I’m preparing to do trim on a house, the first thing I do is go around the building and use either a laser or a site level or transit to find the lowest corner of the building. I’ll use that reference point to establish a control height all the way around the building, and then I’ll mark that on the wall. What this allows us to do is frame our soffits parallel with our control line, and then we’re able to set all of our trim horizontally based off of that same dimension this keeps everything parallel to one another and makes for a crisp trim and siding installation.

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Videos in the Series

  • how to install PVC trim

    Exterior PVC Trim: Layout and Preparation

    Builder Ben Bogie starts off this Shop Class video series by establishing a control height as a reference point for laying out exterior trim on a house.

  • How to install PVC soffit and fascia

    Exterior PVC Trim: Soffits, Fascias, and Rakes

    In this episode of Shop Class, builder Ben Bogie shares tips for getting tight joints, for cutting PVC trim with standard carpentry tools, and for keeping your job site clean when installing cellular-PVC trim.

  • how to install PVC water table trim

    Exterior PVC Trim: Water Table and Cap

    In this Shop Class video, learn how to use cellular-PVC boards and drip caps to create this traditional architectural detail that will be the foundation for your siding installation.

  • how to install PVC corner boards

    Exterior PVC Trim: Corners, Inside and Out

    Watch this episode of Shop Class to see the best options for fitting outside corner boards and inside corners when installing exterior trim.

  • how to install PVC blocking for plumbing and electric fixtures

    Exterior PVC Trim: Wire and Pipe Penetrations

    In this episode of Shop Class, builder Ben Bogie shares tips for installing escutcheons to create solid mounting surfaces for exterior electrical and plumbing fixtures.

  • Exterior PVC Trim: Windows and Doors

    Watch this Shop Class video to learn how to assemble and install casings for windows or doors in a wall that has been furred out for a rainscreen.

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About This Video Series

Cellular PVC is a durable and clean-looking alternative to wood when you need to install trim that will hold up to the elements. PVC trim can be shaped and fastened with the same tools you would use for wood, but there are some differences that it's helpful to know before you get started. In this Shop Class video series Builder Ben Bogie will share tips and tricks for a professional installation of PVC trim over… More about this Video Series

View Comments

  1. user-6841498 | Nov 05, 2020 04:13pm | #1

    Great series, love this guy, no fluff - just tips. I hope he’ll do others. Thanks

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