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debi_males

windows trim vs window itself

10 days ago

Can anyone tell me which part of these windows are the actual window and which is the actual trim/frame that a siding company would put on to finish or border the window?

Comments (38)

  • PRO
    10 days ago

    I do not understand the question. The windows are the glass and the trim is already on those windows . Waht is the siding got tp do with this ? A bit more info lease .

  • PRO
    10 days ago

    Hard to tell from the pictures. Why do you ask?

  • 10 days ago

    The frame around the glass looks different to me. I am not sure if I am supposed to ask the siding company or window company about the style of the frame or if that is just the window?

  • 10 days ago

    The frame or border around the window looks different to me. Is this a choice or just how the window comes. We are getting new siding and windows.

  • 10 days ago

    The window consists of frame, sash, and glass.

    If you could take a window out of the wall in one piece then everything that you are holding is considered to be the window.

    The part of the window that holds the glass is called the sash. In an operating window the sash is the part that moves.

    The part of the window that holds the sash is the frame. The frame doesn't move because it's attached to the wall.

    Once installed in the wall anything that's added after the window is installed, anything that borders the window but isn't physically part of the window, is trim.

    In your pictures what borders the windows and is a slightly different color than the window sash and frame is trim.

  • 10 days ago

    Thanks so much for the explanation. Appreciate the help!

  • 10 days ago

    Hardie has a line of Hardie Trim boards. PVC boards can be used for trim. PVC trim vs. Hardie Trim: which is better? - Gunner Roofing

  • 6 days ago

    Thank you Dan.

  • 6 days ago

    The window on the left is my current window. We are waiting for siding. Is there a way to prevent the look of the window “B” on the right?

  • 6 days ago

    Perhaps making it look something like these? (The window itself is not going to be replaced and will remain round.) I am just concerned about it looking like the window above on the right.

  • 6 days ago

    …a way to prevent it from looking like window B

  • 6 days ago

    Can you talk with your contractor about your preference? i don’t think you need to know the exact terms but i have found that photos really help explain likes and dislikes

  • 6 days ago
    last modified: 6 days ago

    Let me try to explain. The pics you posted A&B show the windows trimmed out with siding "J" trim. If you would post a close up picture of the windows I would be able to see if there is a built in return/channel to accept the siding without "J" trim. But to answer your enquiry. They NEVER put "J" trim on round windows since they can not go around a round window properly. It normally has its own trim piece that would also be round to cover the cut edges of siding. Sometimes it is built into the window OR there is a collar like piece that will go over the siding after. I hope that is explained simple enough.

  • PRO
    6 days ago

    Oberon476 has give you an excellent tutorial in windows and trim.

  • 6 days ago

    Oberon476 sure did give a great explanation!

  • 6 days ago

    Thank you Lorraine. This makes sense. I will try to get a better pic when I get home.

  • 6 days ago

    Thank you Oberon476. Great educational piece!

  • 6 days ago

    Thank you LaLa. I will definitely be speaking with the contractor. Just want to educate myself first before engaging the conversation.

  • 6 days ago
    last modified: 6 days ago

    You're welcome Debi.

    From your pictures and explanations, it appears that you have a round window and you want it to remain round after the new siding and trim. You don't want an octagon when it's all done.

    Unless your contractor is either a total hack or else a complete wizard, there is no easy or practical way for him or her to trim a round window to make it look like an octagon.

    As windows go, they are two totally different styles that superficially kind of resemble one another when installed, but are not the same and aren't interchangeable when installed or trimmed out.

    If your contractor suggests that they can trim out your round window into an octagon, short of actually replacing the window, you need to find a new contractor.

  • 6 days ago

    I definitely don’t want the octagon shape. I just do not like the aesthetics of the window in b with the flat pice and then some sort of lip (I am thinking this is the j trim?). I want it to look like the other pics with a trim closer to the actual window, but I cannot tell if my window can be set up like that since I am not replacing it. I can’t tell where the window starts and ends.

  • PRO
    6 days ago


    The window probably came with window trim attached. When the vinyl siding was installed a J-channel was installed against the window trim to finish off the vinyl siding. Some window trim is rabbeted to take the place of the J-channel.

    Check with the window manufacturers/suppliers you are considering to see what trim they provide and to see if you want them to provide the trim or the siding contractor to provide the trim. Coordination is required.

  • 6 days ago

    Can you tell where the window starts and end in this pic!

  • 6 days ago
    last modified: 6 days ago

    It's entirely possible that the window in your picture came with the wide trim-looking portion as part of the window frame. Sort of trim as part of the frame.

    This isn't really uncommon, and might or might not require additional trim materials, as Mark Bischak pointed out in his previous post, depending on how it's engineered and manufactured. Or possibly just for a certain aesthetic.

    Even if it's part of the window frame as built, what I was seeing it as in my previous post, calling it trim generically would not be wrong simply because it serves the same function as add-on trim would.

    Also as pointed out you should get these answers when you chat with your contractor. But once again, that's a round window and there is no particular reason to trim it as an octagon when residing the house.

  • PRO
    6 days ago
    last modified: 6 days ago



    The caulk is between the siding and the trim, and between the trim and the window.

  • 6 days ago

    The existing trim is not integral to the window unit. It is trim added. You have not stated the type of new siding you will install. Vinyl will require a J-trim at the edge of windows, SmartSide or HardieBoard will not.

    If you keep the "frieze" board right under the soffit, you may want windows to have a wide trim as exists. Trim will depend on the siding you choose and overall look desired.

    Even though the round window is somewhat tucked under the soffit, it should have a drip cap over it.



  • 6 days ago

    Threeonthe3 lol on the skeleton description. We are getting certainteed vinyl siding in board and batten. I like the look of the trim in this first pic. Not “b”, the second pic

  • 6 days ago

    This is a very confusing thread. So your house is the picture of new construction in Florida, with 1 round window on each floor.

    Your windows do not look like integral J channel frames, which would accept vinyl siding behind the fin. And, the round windows I believe have no prefab trim pieces available. With board and batten style, when the battens do not align with window edges, it is good to have a trim to transition, but it is an overall design look and there is no wrong answer.

    Also, you will need a lineal belly band between floors where the siding sheets end. There are different widths, along with different window/door trim widths and profiles. I would suggest looking over the CertainTeed brochure and either spec'ing everything or understanding what the contractor has bid on, as soon as possible.

    <link> to CertainTeed Decorative Siding *pdf

  • PRO
    6 days ago

    Quoting Mark in case you missed his reply above.


    These questions need to be asked of your window company/supplier and your siding contractor. Windows and trim vary, selection details need to be made and coordinated.

  • 6 days ago

    Threeonthe3 my home is not a new construction. It looks like this

  • 6 days ago

    PPF. Thank you for pointing out the post. I agree. I will be speaking with my contractor after I educate myself. I have asked questions to the girl that takes phone calls and assists with choosing the siding….which seems to be the only one that takes questions. I haven’t seen or spoke to anyone else. However, I believe I was given inaccurate information during a previous conversation. This is why I am asking questions in this forum, so I can have an educated conversation with the company that is doing my siding.

  • 6 days ago

    These are my windows. Pics taken with a dslr for slightly clearer image .

  • 6 days ago

    Thank you for sending the brochure 3onthree. I will
    look that over.

  • 5 days ago

    That is a custom homemade trim made from rough sawn boards on a wood window.That fact will help determone the type and way the window is trimmed. I am not going to dive back thru all the posts but what is your siding go to be as that will also determine the way the window is trimmed. That trim is applied over T1-11 plywood siding so will definitely be coming off to change the siding. There is no right or wrong answer here. That pic would have have been good info from the start as much of the above advice will not be 100% accurate with this info.

  • 5 days ago

    Hello mill workman. Our siding will be certainteed vinyl siding in board and batten.

  • 5 days ago

    Then the wood trim may be able to put back or a vinyl trim or custom Azek trim cut from sheet material would be the answer. But that trim is NOT a part of the window or the window frame. 100% aftermarket and made by the siding guy previously.

  • 5 days ago

    Thank you millworkman.

  • 5 days ago

    Just want thank all who have contributed to this thread and added valuable knowledge to my toolbox…Lorraine, 3onthetree, Mark B, Oberon476 and millworkman. Thank you! I appreciate your time and knowledge.