With Birch window and door casing, I’m reluctant to use my pneumatic nailer because it’s never 100% sure to get the heads below the surface and it’s hard to fix things when that happens. So I’m using good old finishing nails, but my good old eyes and muscles also make complete success with a hammer at less than 100%. After one glancing blow incident, I punched a small hole in a 1/8 thick piece of medium density rubber and used that as a protective surround. It got tested a few times and successfully absorbed the impact without damage to wall or trim.
More There's a Better Way - Fine Homebuilding Reader Quick Tips
View AllUp Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
![](https://images.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/2025/02/13130913/FHB-pod-672-feature-2-thumb-16x9.jpg)
The crew discusses finding rot when remodeling, challenges installing custom shower panels, and how to prevent subs and suppliers from sabotaging builds.
Featured Video
How to Install Exterior Window TrimDiscussion Forum
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
- Home Group
- Antique Trader
- Arts & Crafts Homes
- Bank Note Reporter
- Cabin Life
- Cuisine at Home
- Fine Gardening
- Fine Woodworking
- Green Building Advisor
- Garden Gate
- Horticulture
- Keep Craft Alive
- Log Home Living
- Military Trader/Vehicles
- Numismatic News
- Numismaster
- Old Cars Weekly
- Old House Journal
- Period Homes
- Popular Woodworking
- Script
- ShopNotes
- Sports Collectors Digest
- Threads
- Timber Home Living
- Traditional Building
- Woodsmith
- World Coin News
- Writer's Digest
- Marine Group
- Angler's Journal
- PassageMaker
- Power & Motoryacht
- SAIL
- Soundings
- Soundings Trade Only
- Woodshop News
- Yachts International