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Exterior Siding and Trimwork - Page 23 of 25

Just like interior trim, siding and exterior trim details go a long way toward defining the architectural and stylistic character of the house. What’s on the outside of the house is the very first thing visitors are going to see, instantly creating an impression that’s positive or, well, not so much.

Carpenters will need a variety of trim carpentry techniques in order to tackle this important building element: how to install siding, how to paint siding, even how to remove siding when it needs replacement. Choosing colors, and combining different types of siding, are important design skills.

Back in the good old days, builders had relatively few choices when it came to choosing a type of siding. There was brick, pine clapboards, cedar shingles or shakes, and possibly board-and-batten in a locally available softwood. These days, a builder might still choose one of those standbys. But the question now may be how to install vinyl siding, or whether vinyl siding can be painted. In some parts of the country, choosing a fire resistant siding is essential. Builders having trouble locating high-quality cedar shingles may turn to vinyl cedar shake siding, or fiber cement that looks just like western red cedar. Each option is a little different, not only in cost and appearance but how it’s installed.

Exterior trim presents many opportunities for stylistic expression. Modern designs are clean and precise. Craftsman Bungalows and stately Colonials are still going to turn heads when the builder gets the details right. New materials like vinyl and fiber cement offer a level of weather resistance and low maintenance not possible a generation ago. Whatever your preference, Fine Homebuilding authors have the experience to show you how.

  • Installing Board-and-Batten Siding

    Plan for the windows and doors first.

  • Siding holdup

    One night I went to bed dreading the next day. Working solo, I'd be siding the gable end of a house with clapboards, my only helper on the ground cutting…

  • Railing Against the Elements

    With careful detailing and proper flashing, exterior woodwork should last for decades.

  • Cutting clapboards

    When remodeling or building additions, it is often necessary to cut existing clapboard siding along a vertical line. Problem is, the saw's shoe wants to hang up on the protruding…

  • West Coast Overhang

    A framing technique for soffit-covered eaves.

  • Drying Rack for Siding

    By the time we got the sheathing on our house it was winter -- too late in our rainy part of the world to take a chance on putting unfinished…

  • Warming caulk tubes

    When the weather turns icy up here in New Hampshire, construction adhesives and caulks get so cold they won't budge out of their tubes. To prevent this, I installed a…

  • Raising Finished Walls

    Siding, trimming and painting are easier when the walls are still flat on the deck.

  • A Decorative Post Cap

    Making caps for decks and fence posts.

  • Decorative Sidewall Shingles

    Custom-cut wood shingles make a variety of complex patterns.

Page 23 of 25 Previous
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Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

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