What is the best wood for exterior window trim?

Clear SYP (southern yellow pine) or cedar is probably your best choice for any exterior trim.

In respect to this, what type of wood should I use for exterior window trim?

Fir. Fir is one of the most widely used of all the exterior trim materials. Fir is affordable, is mostly straight and in most cases, the lumber yard or store where you purchase the fir will allow you to select the pieces you want, culling out most of the twisted or warped pieces.

Beside above, what is the best wood to use on the outside of a house? The three most widely available and suitable exterior lumber choices, not treated with chemical preservatives, include Western red cedar, redwood, and cypress.

Thereof, what is the best material for exterior trim?

Wood. The most classic choice for exterior house trim is wood. Solid wood, as well as composite options, are available. Many homeowners prefer wood trim because of its natural look and feel but quality wood products are becoming scarcer, and therefore more expensive.

Can I use pressure treated wood for exterior trim?

Depending on the climate and drying conditions, it may be necessary to dry the wood for several weeks before painting. Pressure-treated wood may not be the best choice for exterior trim, since most pressure-treated wood is southern yellow pine, a species that is not particularly good at holding paint.

38 Related Question Answers Found

Can MDF be used for exterior trim?

While it should never be used outdoors or in an application where it's regularly exposed to water, there are two approaches to “waterproofing” MDF so it can withstand moisture in high humidity areas: use ure Resistant (MR) MDF or make it water-resistant yourself.

How long will painted pine last outside?

Untreated redwood, depending on it's age, has a projected life span of 50 years or more when exposed to the elements. Pine varieties have a projected life span of only 5 to 10 years.

What is the exterior trim of a house?

Whether a home has wood, stucco, brick or stone siding, the fascia, soffits and trim around doors and windows are traditionally wood. Wood is second-to-none for decorative materials, and for most homeowners, the primary function of exterior house trim is to accent the architecture and increase curb appeal.

Can Poplar be used for exterior trim?

Poplar species do not form a regular or durable heartwood. This puts poplar wood at an inherent disadvantage for exterior work, where the risk of wetting - and hence decay - is higher. However, poplar, or any species, can be used successfully outside if it is kept dry.

What type of wood is used for trim?

Several types of hardwoods such as cherry and walnut are commonly used for stain grade moldings and trim because of how well they absorb the stain. Softwoods such as fir or pine are regularly used for paint grade trim and moldings since it is generally less expensive and easy to work with.

What kind of wood do you use to make a window sill?

Make the actual sill using solid wood that's at least 3/4 inch thick. For a high-end look use hardwood with stain and lacquer. For economy use or to match interior colors, use simple fir or pine and add paint.

What is the wood on the outside of a house called?

Clapboard /ˈklæb?rd/, also called bevel siding, lap siding, and weatherboard, with regional variation in the definition of these terms, is wooden siding of a building in the form of horizontal boards, often overlapping.

What is the best wood for exterior use?

9 Wood Species Best for Outdoor Projects

Acacia. Acacia is a thick, strong hardwood with high oil content.
Black Locust. Black Locust is one of the strongest and stiffest domestic woods.
Cedar. Cedar is soft, light, and easy to work with.
Cypress. Cypress wood is rot and insect resistant attributable to its natural oils.
Douglas-Fir.
Ipe.
Redwood.
Teak.

What nails do you use for exterior trim?

Use short, stubby galvanized nails (about $2.65 per box for 8d x 1) to anchor your joist hangers. Galvanized casing nails in 8d and 16d lengths are also part of the carpenter's nail bag. I've used them for years when I install window or exterior doorway trim.

What is the best material to use for fascia board?

Cedar is a popular fascia wood and redwood is another. That's because both species resist rot and moisture very well, even when unpainted. If you prime and paint the fascia, you can also make them out of fir, spruce or pine, which are all less expensive. You construct fascia boards out of 1-inch lumber.

How wide should exterior window trim be?

Check the width of the trim or fascia along the eves of the home. It should already be in place. If it's about 6 inches -- a typical width -- you want the exterior corner trim slightly smaller, so plan on exterior trim pieces between 4 and 5 inches wide.

What size trim around windows?

Most trim pieces graduate in 1/4-inch increments. Standard door and window trim is typically 2 1/4 inches in width, baseboard is about 3 inches, and crown is about 4 1/2 inches. Standard measurements typically vary 1/16 inch or more.

Is MiraTEC waterproof?

Because it is not hardboard, MiraTEC trim will not delaminate, is moisture, rot and termite resistant, and is backed by a 50-year limited warranty. Moisture resistant: As measured by ASTM D1037 for water absorption and thickness swelling.

What is the most rot resistant wood?

Naturally resistant woods that are commercially available include black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), teak (Tectona grandis), ipe (Tabebuia spp.), California redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum). These have the highest resistance to rot over time.

How long does wood last outside?

Some say that untreated 2×4's can last up to two years before showing signs of rot and others say it can last even longer. When deciding if you should you use an untreated 2×4 it depends greatly on the application, how much weather and sun it's exposed to and if it's making ground contact.

How do you weatherproof wood?

There are three surefire ways to waterproof your wood for years to come.

Use linseed or Tung oil to create a beautiful and protective hand-rubbed finish.
Seal the wood with coating of polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer.
Finish and waterproof wood simultaneously with a stain-sealant combo.

What wood is waterproof?

Water-resistant Woods

Hardwoods in general have better water resiliency than softer woods like pine because the fibers are tightly packed together, resulting in less absorption, which does not mean all hardwoods are waterproof. Maple, oak and birch flooring expands and contracts due to moisture in the air.