Replies

1. 
   FastEddie1 | Sep 25, 2004 07:36am | #1

   Are you talking avbout the trim boards?  You can get vinyl trim like Azek, or hardieboard trim which would be just as maintenance free.

   If you mean the window casing, I think that would have to be factory built.  There are vinyl windows, and vinyl clad wood windows that tout maintenance-free as part of the benefits.

   Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

1. 
   markloe | Sep 25, 2004 09:11am | #2

   Yup, I was actually refering to the trim casing around a window. Any idea who carries the Azek?

2. 
   Piffin | Sep 25, 2004 06:19pm | #3

   Many lumberyards now stock the Azek. and there are places selling an expanded polystyrene foam clad with PVC for exteriors - I think Outwater is one. Fypon makes a good quality Urethene foam product.

   None of these are cheap, BTW

    

    

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1. 
   markloe | Sep 26, 2004 09:54pm | #4

   What would be cheaper, casing in pine and going back to wrap it in aluminum or using the Azek alone? I don't necessarily want the cheapest, but I would think they should be around the same.

1. 
   Piffin | Sep 26, 2004 10:17pm | #5

   i've never worked with AL so no idea of cost comparison, but it seems like the labor would doubnle and the pine could still rot. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

3. 
   goldhiller | Sep 27, 2004 03:16am | #6

   I suspect you're referring to solid vinyl brickmold and/or the polystyrene equivalent.

   Available here in the bins at the big boxes.

   The problem with this stuff is the high rate of expansion and contraction. May 2000 issue of JLC did an article on a number of these types of "plastic" trims. That article may be available thru their site.

   The thermal coefficient is high enough that I avoid using them on outdoor applications in long lengths here because we can expect thermal swings of 120 degrees F throughout the year.

   For instance, flex trim/polyurethane has a thermal coefficient of 4. An 80" stick can then be expected to move .384 inches from the coldest day of winter to the hottest day of summer here. Kinda hard to keep a joint together and/or keep the stuff from buckling in the other extreme.

   Polystyrene has a thermal coeffcient of 3.5. Not much better.

   Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.

   
   

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   Edited 9/26/2004 8:17 pm ET by GOLDHILLER