How-to install exterior Wood Window Trim and Horizontal Wood Siding

Instruction on how to install exterior 2x4 trim around a new or old window. In the video, I staple the metal flashing to the head piece then seal the staples when I paint. You can also hold it on the top and place the top siding over the flashing without nailing or stacking it so that you don't add holes to the flashing. There will always be positive and negative comments, I get it. We all have OUR way! Well this is my way, ENJOY!

[circrna]

4:00 This is exactly what I was hoping to learn in this video. Thank you for showing it.

[brokenarrowez]

From one contractor to another with fifty-two years experience. Great video.

[duanematthews]

Thanks for posting video, I would suggest flashing tape both under the window and then over the window flange top and sides (not bottom!).
Also, would suggest running the z flashing ¼" long on each side of the top trim and then bending it over the edge. Gives a little additional protection to that trim pc.

[linjianfang]

Thanks for your teaching. I'm appreciate all these! You are a very good man.

[Ellis]

Awesome demonstration. This is just what I was looking for. I have to replace my trim around my windows, but the house has hardy board.

[shariberry]

Thank you so much for posting this. I bought a house that was built in 1984, still has original siding and windows. Unfortunately, the previous owner had vinyl siding slapped on and it is awful. She also had very formal bead board wainscoat with very nice moulding inside, everything covered up the water damage done when the rain gutters separated and the original wood deck wicked up water to the interior floor sills sitting on concrete slab. Luckily my house is very small and one story with even walls. I am in the process of removing the vinyl siding/styrofoam, the original wood siding and the windows. Then I will prep and wrap and flash in new windows and exterior siding, along with new rain gutters and deck overhaul. UGH. In the meantime, I am removing wainscoat, pulling out damaged drywall and batting insulation and everything smelled like mildew. The original windows were never flashed, and no house wrap just tar paper.

[TerriRodden-Hayes]

I am curious, why would you not put J channel on the exterior edge of the trim for the siding to slide into? ( if you were using vinyl) Thank you, and great informative video

[vdubing]

Thank you!! I'm DIYing my house. This really really helped me.

[monicastanton]

Mike, my home was built in 1996 with hardieboard siding. I'm told by a builder that the siding I have is old and mist likely brittle, might even have cement in it so woulc be dufficult to cut cleanly. You mention trim over the siding might be better long-term to avoid wood rot. You didn't show that way on your video, however. Do you have a video about this? You mentioned here that a 1x4 might warp since it's not as thick as a 2x4. Did I understand that correctly? What is the downside of installing trim over my existing siding? Right now my windows are not trimmed, look dated. Thank you!

[kingofthegoats]

Grks are the best. Make life so much easier haha

[doug]

What about if you ever wanted to replace that window or any window? The way you trimmed it would make it fairly easy to replace versus running the siding all the way up to the window with the boards over top. Correct?

[jaxxrocket]

As a contractor I can guarantee you that the best application is to wet set the trim right next to the window and then wet set the siding coming into the trim. If you flashed and caulked your window and trim properly you'll have 4 barriers between the exterior and framing 👍
And never 45 the trim, it creates a channel for the water to run straight to the window flange and anybody that thinks they can trust a year stamped on a caulk tube is a fool.
If I had a dollar for every job that a homeowner screwed up by not listening, I'd be a wealthy man.
Truth is, doing this work improperly causes mold infestations that are extremely harmful to children and elderly and many adults in between and is to be taken very seriously.

[poppysplace]

Just what I was looking for! Thanx for sharing!

[phubarnow]

If you wish to remove / replace the window in the future the only option is at 1:40.

[davemun]

If I install siding all the way to the window and then add the trim over it, is there way to still add the drip cap above the 1x4 trim?

[timromano]

Our contractors in 1990 installed 1-by trim against the window, like your example @1.40 into the video. Then cedar siding abutted the trim. The window trim has rotted out at the bottom where the vertical trim meets the horizontal trim, like you said it could. I am going to be ripping that trim out soon. Is there a way to seal the perimeter of the window with flashing tape or caulk or rubberized paint, which doesn't require the removal of the siding, before I reinstall new trim?

[invincible]

Oof. James Hardie installation shows the siding butting up to the trim. That’s how I did my house. It got rid of the gaps behind the trim. But to each his own. Still lols good.

[Paula-vrrm]

when the crew cuts my siding around my window should my siding butt up against the window, when they cut the siding they miss cut it and half of my window is about 2 inches off on one side and maybe an inch on one side they jacked up the cuts and they think they can put caulking in and put up trim, is this something i should have them redo

[gejuarez]

Hey Mike, Great video. Question. My local box stores sell 3/8" and 1/2" T1-11 siding. Aside from price, what factors should I consider when choosing one over the other? Is the thicker version used to provide structural strength or is it just a more durable option?

[astropicasso]

Great video. Made it easy to understand. Could you make a video on exterior door trim?