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Community and Q&A

Aluminum wrap of old wooden window trim

maine_tyler | Posted in Green Building Techniques on

Had someone suggest aluminum coil wrap over old (wide) pine window trim to encase lead paint.

I’m not experienced in use of trim coil, and obviously it’s done with some frequency, but it seems to me that is a possible condensation trap.

What am I missing? Is it just that it’s a relatively small coverage area so moisture can dry via migration out the adjacent wood siding?

Admittedly I’ve never batted an eye at use of trim coil as flashings, but entirely wrapping existing trim somehow feels different.
Other reasons it’s a good idea/bad idea?

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Replies

  1. andy_ | | #1

    It also depends on if you're ok with the look. I personally can't stand to see anything covered in coil stock.

  2. Expert Member
    Akos | | #2

    I wouldn't worry about it. The only time I've had moisture issues is when the capping was not sloped to drain and water was pooling at the bottom of the window.

    Some trim should be stripped, cleaned and repainted but there is a lot that should be covered. I'm still dithering on this decision on my front door, I think I'll just put another coat of paint on it and fix it in a couple of years time, same thing I said three years ago...

  3. maine_tyler | | #3

    Yeah, perhaps on aesthetics alone I might lean away from it.

    Akos, when you say 'some trim should be stripped, cleaned and repainted...' what factors are you thinking of? Condition of the paint? Underlying quality and appearance of the original trim (historic vs nothing special)?

    In my case, the trim is wide (craftsman look) and the paint is pretty alligatored, beginning to actively fall off. Which may mean it would scrape easily, though it's pretty thick in spots. The wood itself seems ok for the most part.

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