school me on pvc trim

[UncleJoe]

I need to redo the exterior entryway to our home. The wood is showing some age and some water damage. I would like to use PVC trim and the only supplier in my small town is Lowe's so that means Royal Molding. I went to their web site for info and watched all their Youtube videos and they had a lot of tips. I am looking for real world experience and advice.

I have a finish nailer so I can use some galvanized finish nails as suggested in the videos but what are you doing with the nail holes? I will be leaving these as plain white unless you guys tell me I need to paint it white for some reason.

What glue or adhesive are you using on the joints?
Anything else I need to watch out for?

 

[rljatl]

I just had a large bay window on the front of my house rebuilt using PVC and Hardie-board.  I am no expert, but here are a few things I learned about PVC...

- If you do decide to paint it, you have to use PVC safe paint.

- PVC is subject to thermal expansion and contraction.  This can cause mitered corners to open up.  Lighter paint colors are sometimes recommended for this reason.

- FWIW, Tom Silva on This Old House loves PVC trim.

- PVC windows may not hold up over time time due to thermal expansion and contraction and the weight of the window glass pulling it apart.  I went with fiberglass windows.

 

[tjbnwi]

Stainless steel finish nails.

Bond&Fill.
http://www.bondfill.com/Bond-and-Fill-Structural

Look into Boral. The product is dimensionally stable and works the same as wood.

First coat of paint will upset you, don't worry about it. Knock down, redcoat.

Tom

 

[waho6o9]

Why are most things out of stock?

1.6 oz Structural Starter Kit 8.1 oz Structural Starter Kit FASTCURE ™13.1 oz. Single Cartridge
1.6 oz Structural Starter Kit
8.1 oz Structural Starter Kit
FASTCURE ™13.1 oz. Single Cartridge
Our price: $45.84
Our price: $62.13
Our price: $33.80
Quantity Out of stock
Quantity Out of stock
Quantity Out of stock

 

[tjbnwi]

Why are most things out of stock?

1.6 oz Structural Starter Kit 8.1 oz Structural Starter Kit FASTCURE ™13.1 oz. Single Cartridge
1.6 oz Structural Starter Kit
8.1 oz Structural Starter Kit
FASTCURE ™13.1 oz. Single Cartridge
Our price: $45.84
Our price: $62.13
Our price: $33.80
Quantity Out of stock
Quantity Out of stock
Quantity Out of stock

Because there is none in inventory?

Tom

 

[gunnyr]

Stainless steel finish nails.

Bond&Fill.
http://www.bondfill.com/Bond-and-Fill-Structural

Look into Boral. The product is dimensionally stable and works the same as wood.

First coat of paint will upset you, don't worry about it. Knock down, redcoat.

Tom

Boral tastes horrible!  I spent most of the early fall trimming out a house with it.  The stuff is heavy and will break if you aren't careful to support it while handling it.

I recommend you use a hardie board blade to cut it, it will quickly dull your normal blades. 

That said, it machines and sands well and will last for ever!  Once you prime it, Boral paints very well.  Looks great when finished!  You might also look into SymPly, it is similar to Boral at less than half the price.

 

[tjbnwi]

Stainless steel finish nails.

Bond&Fill.
http://www.bondfill.com/Bond-and-Fill-Structural

Look into Boral. The product is dimensionally stable and works the same as wood.

First coat of paint will upset you, don't worry about it. Knock down, redcoat.

Tom

Boral tastes horrible!  I spent most of the early fall trimming out a house with it.  The stuff is heavy and will break if you aren't careful to support it while handling it.

I recommend you use a hardie board blade to cut it, it will quickly dull your normal blades. 

That said, it machines and sands well and will last for ever!  Once you prime it, Boral paints very well.  Looks great when finished!  You might also look into SymPly, it is similar to Boral at less than half the price.

I've never tasted Boral. I use dust extraction even while working outside.

I do have the CMT cement board blade for the TS.

Thanks for the suggestion for the SymPly, I'll take a look at it.

Tom