Pros Turn to Low-Maintenance Trim for Added Curb AppealOrnamental Value

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Pete Mulder, owner of Mulder Exteriors in Kalamazoo, Mich., says his company crafts window surrounds, sunbursts, corbels, radiuses, and crown moldings from CertainTeed’s Restoration Millwork cellular PVC trim for a custom look—even in historic renovations. “We can go into historic districts with it and duplicate historical styles,”he says.

Builder Keefe says that beyond columns and gingerbread trim, the ability to create radiuses and curves with the trimboard is one of the most popular trends. “We can actually heat this product, go around the radius, and you don’t have joints,”he says. “That is just awesome to me.” -- BUILDING PRODUCTS

Cementing the Look

Plastic and composite trims aren’t the only alternative to all-wood products. Made of wood fiber, cement, sand, and water, fiber-cement trim is a durable, low-maintenance option, according to Chris Clark, trim business manager for James Hardie. Here is a sampling of fiber-cement trim options:

Masisa. Primed on six sides, Plycem fiber-cement exterior trim comes with a choice of a smooth or a reversible smooth-and-textured surface. Machined square edges ensure a clean look and smooth finish, the maker says. The product installs with the same tools traditionally used for building with wood products, the company adds. 770-405-2600. www.plycemtrim.com.	Nichiha. Available smooth or with cedar texture, NichiTrim fiber-cement boards are factory primed and sealed for a long-lasting appearance, according to the manufacturer. The boards are moisture-resistant, rot-resistant, and termite-resistant, the maker adds. They come in 1- and 1 ¼-inch thicknesses and six profiles: 3 ½-inch, 5 ½-inch, 7 ¼-inch, 7 ½-inch, 11 ¼-inch, and 11 ½-inch. 866-424-4421. www.nichiha.com.	James Hardie. HardieTrim fiber-cement trimboards are pre-primed with PrimePlus sealer and primer. This process ensures uniform coverage of sealer and primer, providing an excellent surface for paints, according to the manufacturer. The boards are available in lengths of 10 feet or 12 feet and thicknesses of 7/16, ¾, 1, or 1 ½ inches. The planks are available smooth or with a rustic grain texture. 888-542-7343. www.jameshardie.com.