What Are PVC Boards?
Like traditional wood trim, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) trim boards give you the opportunity to add beauty, depth and enhance the architectural appeal of your home. However, since PVC is a highly durable and long-lasting type of plastic, it can create trim work that’s virtually maintenance-free. Manufacturers shape and cut PVC trim boards into sizes similar to those of traditional wood, making it easy to swap out wood trim for PVC or replace faded or damaged wood trim with a longer-lasting alternative. You can even find PVC boards with a woodgrain surface that gives it a more natural look.
You install PVC trim boards in a similar fashion to traditional wood trim, using the same types of tools and fasteners. And, while the trim is typically white, it’ll also accept paint and some types of stain, so your new trim work fits with your interior or exterior color scheme.
Where Do You Use PVC Trim Boards?
Since PVC is a tough, weather-resistant material, you can use the trim both outdoors as well as indoors for a wide range of decorative applications.
Exterior Uses for PVC Boards
Exterior applications highlight the benefits of PVC trim. This material stands up well to harsh weather and isn’t vulnerable to insect damage like wood trim can be. Plus, it’s lightweight and easy to handle. These properties make it a good choice for use in areas that are exposed to the elements and areas where trim can be difficult to maintain and repair. Common exterior uses for PVC trim include:
- Door and window exterior trim or casing
- Fascia — the boards that run along the eaves or edge of a roof
- Soffits — the boards that enclose the underside of a roof overhang
- Decorative trim and cladding for porch columns
- Moulding for porches
- Decorative corner pieces for exterior walls
PVC is also typically suitable for applications that require contact with the ground or with water.
Since white is a very common color for exterior trim, PVC trim boards often require no painting or staining to fit the look of your home, either at installation time or in the future.
Interior Uses for PVC Boards
While interior applications don’t require the durability that exterior trim work does, PVC trim is a lightweight alternative to wood trim for projects inside your home. Common interior uses for PVC trim include:
- Interior trim or casing for doors and windows
- Decorative moulding
- Wall paneling
In addition, the water-resistant properties of PVC make this trim perfect for moulding and other trim work in areas where moisture may be high, such as bathrooms, kitchens and basements.
Pros and Cons of PVC Trim Boards
While wood trim is a popular choice for interior and exterior projects, there are several advantages that PVC trim offers over traditional wood trim.
- PVC isn’t vulnerable to moisture, decay, rot or insects.
- PVC trim boards don’t have knots or natural imperfections that can be difficult to work around.
- PVC trim boards resist splitting and cracking caused by harsh weather.
- PVC trim can work on many home exteriors without any painting or finishing.
- PVC boards are virtually maintenance free and easy to clean.
- PVC is a strong, dense material but is relatively lightweight.
However, there are some things you need to consider before using PVC boards.
- You can’t use PVC boards for structural applications.
- PVC doesn’t take paint and stain as readily as wood.
- You may need to pre-drill some trim before installing fasteners, particularly in cool temperatures.
- It’s often difficult to remove and reuse PVC boards without damaging them.
Tips For Working With PVC Trim Boards
While you can usually cut and install PVC trim with the same tools you’d use for wood boards, there are some techniques that’ll make the work easier and give you better results. Your trim should come with instructions for cutting, shaping, installing and maintaining the boards. You should always follow your product instructions, but we’ve got a few general tips — based on instructions from some of the PVC boards at Lowe’s — to help you plan your project.
- Store the boards flat on a level surface.
- Wear safety glasses and a respirator when cutting the trim. Make sure you have good ventilation.
- Wear safety glasses when installing the trim.
- Carbide-tipped saw blades and drill bits work better than those made of steel when cutting and drilling PVC.
- The manufacturer will recommend fasteners such as trim nails or screws with thin shafts, blunt tips and round heads. If you’re installing exterior trim, make sure the fasteners are rated for exterior use.
- Secure the trim to wall studs or other solid structural elements rather than materials like plywood sheathing.
- Typically, you’ll need to drive the fasteners into a structural element to a depth of 1-1/4 inch or 1-1/2 inch. Your instructions should give you details on fastener placement.
- Plan your installation so you can conceal cut ends and edges. Even if you cut them cleanly, the cut surfaces have a different look than the finished surfaces.
- Use fine-grit sandpaper (220-320 grit) to smooth rough edges.
- Check your product instructions to see recommended methods for joining trim pieces for long runs and at corners.
- PVC trim expands and contracts along its length as it warms and cools. Longer pieces will experience more movement. Check your product instructions for tips on minimizing the effects of this expansion and contraction.