My hubby and I started our window trim last weekend, and while we were at it we got into one of our not-so-infrequent debates. Which are usually silly because if we’re debating it means neither of us has the answer.
Anyway, the debate was over whether we need window trim at all. We’re using Andersen 400 series. Don’t need any details, just need to know which of us is right. (Me, of course.)
Shauna
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Replies
I guess you don't need trim if you like the look of the exposed rough openings. Not being a drywall finisher (am instead a trimmer so I may be biased...) I would figure it tough and time consuming to make the seam from window jamb to wall look good. I think the only windows I can imagine as being trimless would be in jails. If that's the look you're going for...
Without trim, you will not starve, catch pneumonia or freeze to death. Obviously, you do not need it.
inside or out?
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Oops! I left that part out, didn't I? Exterior. I dream of the day we debate interior (although now I have the inside edge), since we're now into our third year of construction and are just now getting to trim and siding.
Thanks to everyone else for the interior info - we'll get there one day.
Shauna
You don't "need" trim on the exterior. It is an extra expense and maintenance issue. It does look nice but there is more to it than just slapping up some boards, especially with the nailing flange standing proud on the Andersons. If you are three years into the project and still don't have any siding on the place, I think you'd better forego the extra work and get the building weather tight.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
I had wanted to use a cap over the header like you had described to me before, but we decided not to because of the time reason. We're about a third of the way done with the window trim. We're just doing a very simple box with butt joints and a beveled sill, out of Koma. It works up pretty well - seems to run through the table saw even faster than wood, so the rabbets aren't taking too long.
We had a builder finish the framing and do the roofing for us last summer/fall since I was too pregnant to be of any help. We did leave the house over last winter with just the CDX on the exterior. I'm actually surprised at how well it held up - only two panels with some swelling on one edge. We put up Tyvek in July (a family emergency kept us from doing it earlier in the spring), so yeah, we're pretty slow because we only get out on the weekends, and because of the baby, but we should be able to get sided before the weather turns nasty again by taking the last of our vacation time to work.
Should have taken pyrotechie's advice about DIYers. The number of times my husband has said, "We've got no business doing this".......<g>. But we're almost weather and insect tight - can't wait to get soffits up, darn hornets!
And below... how the baby beats the heat.
Thanks again, Shauna
I didn't recognize your name from the previous post, Shaunaw. My wife and I built our place together with a couple little ones to keep an eye on. I never thought of the cooler idea. That's one cute kid, I bet the house will be beautiful, too. It's a tough assignment to take on a house in your spare time, even for those of us in the business. All you can do is try to stay organized and take one step at a time. Don't sweat the small stuff, you'll have plenty of time to remodel, repaint and add on as the years go by. My kids are out of college now and we're about to start another major addition and a new kitchen. At least, you'll be experienced for the next one. Enjoy your time building, it's good honest work and the feeling of accomplishment can't be beat.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Thanks for the words of encouragement. It's been a long haul so far. We bought a place that was started by someone else in 1992. Apparently he died before he could complete it, then it sat while his wife decided what to do with it. They had the foundation, 1st floor joists and plywood subfloor done, then had covered it with rigid foam insulation and rubber, and were living there.
She eventually put it on the market, and it was listed for 4 or 5 years before we came along and made an offer for it. Our first year of 'construction' was actually demo work. We had to take out all but about six sheets of the ply and more than half the joists, plus we decided to reposition some of the columns to make an open space for a rec. room in the basement, so we had to do new footings and columns, too, before we could truly start to build.
I've enjoyed almost every minute. Didn't realize something so intermitently painful would be so rewarding!
Shauna
I didn't realise you were speaking of exterior, in which case you do need at least a sill or stool. It sheds water away from the window out onto the siding. The rest is mostly for looks but I can't imagine a window without it but hey who knows?
I respect your use of CDX for the sheathing. It will stiffen your walls very well making them good and strong. OSB is good but ply is better, handles water better(although modern exterior OSB is much improved from when it first came out). I saw a show where they built simple stud walls and sheeted them with different materials. Then they pushed on the end with a bobcat. The driver had to rev the cat up higher to shear the ply than the OSB, which was itself still respectable. Not exactly an empirical scientific experiment but still demonstrative and enlightening, especially if you get high wind storms.
Window stool is on the inside and part of the interior window trim.
stool, sill, seat, whatever. I've heard and seen each part called by every name by every different person. should I call it the "flat horizontalily thing" or would you nitpick that too?
Do not drink the cooler water OK?
It tastes like wet wipes. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
LOL!!! Poor dog - I really did let him drink it. 'Course he probable loved it!
Some jurisdictions see it as a code issue. The house is not properly "fireproofed" without trim, or sheetrock returns. One guy I know (an architect) had me rip down particleboard and put it up as trim with sheetrock screws. I forget now if it was the city inspector or the bank that required it, but somebody said the house wasn't done without it.
Mike
Incidentally, Andersen makes all sorts of trim, all colors, and even some vinyl covered plywood for making anything. That ply is generally used with bows/bays. They make a brickmold, 3 1/2" and 5 1/2" flat trim and numerous channel material for vinyl siding.
Good to know if we ever tackle something like this again. Thanks.
Shauna