When you decide on new siding for your home, a lot of factors come into play, such as the merits of vinyl siding versus fiber cement, for example. What homeowners often overlook are the choices available for siding trim.
This is a mistake. The trim can provide complementary or contrasting colors and textures that can have a pronounced impact on what the final look of your home. Your choice of trim needs to be guided by your selection of siding.
It will also be dictated by your budget. The expense of trim goes up markedly the more elaborate it is. For example, custom wood-style trim, including crown molding profiles and pilasters, require more time and expertise to make and install. But speak to your siding contractor. If these things are already part of your home’s existing trim, you might be able to reuse them with your new siding.
Vinyl Siding
This inexpensive and easy-to-install option is popular with many people. Since it is a lower-end material, you can give it added appeal and a classier look with the right trim choice. You could, for example, choose a strong contrasting color that draws the viewer’s eye.
With vinyl siding, professional installers will often wrap existing window, door, fascia, and rake trim with a rolled sheet aluminum coil, in a prefinished color, creating a watertight seal around the wood. Other vinyl choices for your home’s windows and doors, achieving the seal, are using a simple J-channel or a specially designed vinyl trim called “lineals.”
Fiber Cement Siding
More and more homeowners are choosing fiber cement siding, from a trusted manufacturer like James Hardie Siding. This siding is much more durable than vinyl – its wood cellulose fiber, cement, sand and water composition is better able to endure without warping, rotting, cracking or blistering.
Fiber cement siding also achieves a much more natural wood look than vinyl, opening up the number of trim options available for it. Since no J-channel is required, it’s easy to add customized effects and authentic details, especially around windows, doors, and corners.
Since fiber cement can achieve authentic wood looks, a synthetic aluminum wrap may clash with its aesthetic. Synthetic wood trims, such as those made by James Hardie, and full cellular PVC trim boards are some of the best choices.
Since fiber cement requires precise cuts and installation, you need to get the work done by trained professionals, like ones at Dependable Home Services. Vinyl siding’s overlapping structure and loose nailing allow most general laborers to do the work. But again, trained experts will provide the best results.
Wood Siding
If you choose wood siding for your home, then of course wood trim makes sense. But keep in mind that wood siding requires painting and more maintenance than fiber cement or vinyl, and isn’t as durable. It’s also prone to bug infestation, rot, and is much more easily flammable.
Different Trim Colors
Traditionally exteriors of homes have three colors: trim, body, and accent. The trim colors are generally used to draw attention to the architectural features of home – and lighter trim colors work better at doing this.
There is a growing trend in home design to have trim that is more than one color. For example, the trim around your windows might be a different color than any horizontal or vertical banding. A second trim color could make your home more visually appealing. But the trim colors should be close to each other on the color wheel, with only a small shift in value.
If you want siding and trim that enhances the look and value of your home, contact the friendly professionals at Dependable Home Services. We have been serving Richmond, VA, and the surrounding areas for more than 20 years, providing siding, foundation repair and other professional services, all backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.