Tag: Kleer

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Inspiration Gallery: Interior Moulding for Every Home Style

From crown to casing to wainscoting, endless options for interior moulding mean architecture and building pros can meet the needs of nearly any project. One of the most important things to consider when narrowing down the options is how interior trim will complement and enhance the home’s overall style and carry it from room to room.

Here are a few examples of how to coordinate trim with popular architectural styles to ensure harmony and cohesiveness.

Craftsman Interior Moulding Styles

The Craftsman home style is often described as “honest,” as in the happy result of a satisfying day of hard work. Therefore, look to simple, tailored, and purposeful door trim and minimally ornamented window casings. Using white, light beige, and cream-colored crown moulding will help create a roomier feel.

Craftsman interior moulding style

Colonial Interior Moulding Styles

Colonial homes combine rustic simplicity and rich detail, with symmetry and confident formality at the forefront. This calls for interior trim that lends a touch of stately courtliness to each room, including multi-piece trim and wider baseboards, wainscoting, and crown moulding.

Colonial moulding style

Cape Cod Interior Moulding Styles

Cape Codes boast a practical, quaintly unassuming design best accented by interior trim that adorns subtly. These might include casings for double-hung windows, picture rails, and frame walls. In the kitchen and dining area, white ceilings and cabinet moulding against soothing grays and warm blues create an inviting and timeless combination.

Cape Cod moulding style

Modern Interior Moulding Styles

Clean and sleek, Modern homes call for similarly crisp and unassuming interior trim, such as unadorned window and door casings, baseboards, or simply using trim to protect walls and floors from scuff marks and handprints. Or, make a neutral-colored room more interesting with a contrasting (but complementary) door, floor, and window trim color, such as light mocha accents over cream-colored walls.

Modern moulding style

Ranch Moulding Styles

Ranch homes are open, informal, and inviting. Trim should help maintain a relaxed feel that flows from room to room or area to area. Ranch style lends versatility, with everything from simple baseboards to more formal window and cabinetry trim in the kitchen, fireplace mantels in the family room, and passageway casings.

Modern Farmhouse Moulding Styles

Humble practicality and clean lines combine for this in-demand traditional-meets-contemporary style. Look to transitional trim options—simple with someedge or flair—as well as shiplap and nickel gap beadboard trim, particularly for kitchens, accent walls, entryways, and mudrooms.

Shiplap for Modern homes

Ready to get started? Explore interior trim options from Royal, Skytrim, and Kleer.

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Best Practices for Milling Cellular PVC Trim

Pergola Kleer Lumber

The right trim can bolster a home’s curb appeal or transform the style of an interior room. And with so many options available, professionals aren’t restricted to just wood trim any longer. PVC trim is highly workable, so milling cellular PVC trim provides tremendous flexibility for designs.

Benefits of PVC Trim

PVC trim like Westlake Royal® Trim, Skytrim®, and Kleer® offer the look of wood but with a number of advantages. PVC trim absorbs very little moisture; as such, it is resistant to rot, mold, and insects; it can be used in ground- and masonry-contact applications; and it doesn’t require paint or stain for weather protection. These same attributes also make PVC trim suitable for high-moisture interior areas such as a bathroom or a baseboard that can be exposed to water.

With a smooth and woodgrain options along with the capabilities to be heat-bent, milled, and routed, it’s easy to elevate a home’s curb appeal with the ideal finish.

Milling cellular PVC resulted in this beautiful church detail
Royal Trim

Best Practices for Milling Cellular PVC Trim

Contractors can mill cellular PVC trim using traditional woodworking machinery and tools. For more intricate designs, a CNC machine may be needed.

Consider these best practices to get the most out of your PVC trim:

Safety first.

When using milling and cutting tools, always follow the manufacturer’s safety requirements and instructions.

Start milling cellular PVC trim with lower RPMs and work your way up.

Because the feel for milling cellular PVC is different from standard wood, professionals may need to adjust the speed slowly to find their comfort zone.

Use the chip load calculator.

Some machinery comes with preinstalled chip load calculators. If one is available, it can help to determine feed rate more easily.

Keep bits and cutter heads sharp.

High speed steel is good for milling, but carbide is even better. If diamond-coated is available, however, it should be the choice of anyone milling cellular PVC.

Don’t cut cold PVC.

PVC trim expands and contracts lengthwise with temperature changes. This means it could be cut to the wrong size if milled while cold. Store the product at room temperature prior to milling in wintry conditions.

Use the right tool for each type of cut.

Not every tool is equal when it comes to milling cellular PVC trim. Typical woodworking machinery, blades, and bits are ideal for PVC milling, but each type of tool has its own use. A 10” or 12” miter saw blade is perfect for finishing end-cuts and miter joints rather than cutting decorative shapes—that’s where a 10-TPI jig saw needs to come in. Be sure to use the right tool for each task rather than one tool to cover everything.

Sand and seal after milling cellular PVC trim.

Sand exposed surfaces with 320-grit sandpaper and wipe them down with acetone to seal the cell structure. Be sure to follow any manufacturer safety guidelines.

Manage static.

Saw dust from cellular PVC has more static buildup than wood, which isn’t an issue for small jobs; however, larger milling jobs will require sawing or routing profiles to be covered lightly in static guard or anti-static spray. They may occasionally need to be resprayed, depending on the length of the job.

Find the Right Options for Milling Cellular PVC Trim

The right trim can make all the difference for your milling experience. Browse Westlake Royal’s selection of PVC trim to find an easy-to-work-with solution for any project.

Not sure where to begin when it comes to picking the right trim? Check out our exterior trim inspiration.

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How to Paint Cellular PVC Trim

Painting cellular PVC trim, Royal Trim & Mouldings

Nothing accents a home quite like trim. It can help create a bold frame for a modern look or offer a decorative touch to tie a more traditional aesthetic together. While white trim is often a popular choice, painting cellular PVC trim can make a statement for the perfect exterior addition.

Cellular PVC trim typically comes manufactured in a white substrate. But while easy, it’s not the hue every homeowner wants nor every home needs, so achieving the preferred look will require you to paint.  Different types of trim react differently to different coatings, and there are also some best practices for painting cellular PVC trim to keep in mind.

PVC vs Cellular PVC Trim

When most people think of PVC, they’re thinking of rigid PVC, which is commonly used in commercial and industrial applications for things like pipes, doors, refrigeration, and tanks. It’s less flexible than other formulations and is commonly known as UPVC, PVC-U, and uPVC (the “U” standing for “unplasticized”).

Cellular PVC, like Royal® Trim and Mouldings and Kleer® from Westlake Royal Building Products™, is an expanded PVC that is ideal for creating shapes. It’s less dense, more flexible, and more moldable than rigid PVC, making it more economical and able to replicate the looks and profiles of wood. It’s also durable, waterproof, low-maintenance, and resistant to dents, scratches, splitting, and warping.

Choosing Paint for Cellular PVC Trim

It’s crucial to select the right coating for cellular PVC trim to ensure it lasts as long as designed. When painting the trim with a color with a light reflective value (LRV) of 57 or above, a high-quality 100% acrylic latex or acrylic blend paint is recommended. For darker colors with an LRV of 56 or lower, it’s crucial to opt for an approved solar reflective coating (such as Sherwin-Williams VinylSafe or Benjamin Moore Colors for Vinyl) to avoid any heat distortion, warping, or buckling over time.

Best Practices for Painting Cellular PVC Trim

When painting cellular PVC trim, there are a few best practices to follow and details to be aware of.

  • Remember that painting cellular PVC trim is different from other materials. Paint adheres to cellular PVC much better than materials like wood. Wood has a 6% moisture allowance, which means it will need to be repainted after three to five years. Cellular PVC trim, however, won’t need to be repainted for upwards of 20 to 25 years if the right paint is chosen and the PVC is prepped properly. Since cellular PVC doesn’t absorb moisture, most coatings will be dry to the touch within an hour or less, but may take 30 days to fully cure (depending on humidity and temperature).
  • Prep the trim. Always clean cellular PVC trim before painting to remove any dust, dirt, or other foreign material. Because some cellular PVC can have a high sheen, lightly scuff the surface to help improve paint adhesion. Priming isn’t necessary; however, the finish quality is greatly enhanced if you use a premium 100% acrylic latex paint for trim with a built-in primer. In addition, a primer may be required under the paint manufacturer’s warranty. If you do use a primer, make sure to follow the same LRV limitations, as some primers can be dark and can create heat distortion issues.
  • Paint after the trim is installed. While trim can be painted prior to installation, doing so will necessitate touch-ups around fasteners. Painting after installation can help avoid repetitive touch-ups, and if the homeowner isn’t sure about color choice, installers can move forward with the job before the decision is made.
  • Follow paint manufacturer’s instructions. Again, it’s important to select a solar reflective coating when using a 56 LVR or lower paint. Installers should also carefully read and follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions as they can offer additional insight on coloring and coating requirements.

PVC Trim from Westlake Royal Building Products

Following these simple guidelines for painting Royal and Kleer cellular PVC trim can help ensure a look that lasts.

Royal Trim & Mouldings come in a variety of shapes and styles, offering virtually endless ways to transform the exterior of a home. Options include S4S Trimboard, Conceal Trim System, SurEdge Trimboard, Prefinished Trim, Precision Cut Trim, and Garage Door Trim.

Kleer cellular PVC trim products are a beautiful, sustainable alternative to wood. Their TruEDGE feature protects against dirt intrusion with a finished edge on all sides.

To see how Westlake Royal Building Products can bring your next exterior project to life, check out our online design tools or request a sample of Royal Trim & Mouldings or Kleer Lumber.

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Defining a Home’s Architectural Style Using Interior Trim & Mouldings

Often referred to as a nice finishing touch or “icing on the cake,” interior trim & mouldings have historically not gotten the attention and recognition they deserve for pulling a design aesthetic together. But thanks to an increasing number of passionate interior design influencers around the country, everyone from pros to enthusiastic DIYers are beginning to really appreciate the power of trim as an essential element in fully expressing home design.

Defining Every Architectural Style in Every Room

In addition to creating a seamless expression of an individual home’s style, updating interior trim actually increases home value. From base trim to wainscoting to crown mouldings, it’s the tasteful, ornate flourishes of trim and mouldings that depict a Colonial, the bold, simple details that define a Craftsman, and the humble, warm touches that represent a Farmhouse.

Every room in a home has its own voice. Here’s how Westlake Royal Building Products™ 100% cellular PVC interior trim and mouldings fill out the character of six signature home styles.

Cape Cod

Cape Cod interiors exude a cozy warmth and practicality often described as New England charm. Our trim collections vary from subtly geometrical to boldly simple to clean and sophisticated. Areas to consider: transom windows, entry door sidelights, window casings, and dining room picture rails.

Use a Stop, 1×6 Trimboard, 1×4 Trimboard, Stool and Beaded Planking to achieve this look.

Colonial

Colonial home with interior trim

The Colonial home style is defined by a combination of rustic simplicity and rich detail. The symmetry and confident formality of this home style is best expressed by interior trim with a stately presence—everywhere from baseboards up to crown mouldings.

Use a Stop, 1×6 Trimboard, 1×4 Trimboard, Base Cap, Stool, Crown, and Beaded Planking to achieve this look.

Craftsman

Craftsman interior with interior trim

Noted for its honest, handcrafted look, every Craftsman-matching embellishment has a purpose and varies by small degrees of formality. It’s marked by simple, tailored door casings and minimally ornamented window casings.

Use a Craftsman Casing (11/16”x2-¼”), Craftsman Casing (11/16”x5-¼”), Craftsman Casing (11/16”x3-¼”), Craftsman Stool, Square, and Craftsman Base to achieve this look.

Eclectic

Ecelctic interior with interior trim

Eclectic homes take their design cues from a little of each architectural style. Interior trim that fits with this style does the same, adding a layer of ornamentation while retaining a clean formality.

Use a Casing to achieve this look.

Farmhouse

Interior trim that embraces the humble practicality of the Farmhouse home style is represented by cleanly projecting rule lines along the header and side jambs. Flatter rule lines put a contemporary take on this trim style.

Use a Reversible Wainscot Beaded/Nickel Gap, Stop (¾”x1”), 1×2 Trimboard, 1×4 Trimboard, 1×6 Trimboard, Stool, 5/8×6 Trimboard, and a Stop (⅝”x1-½”) to achieve this look.

Modern

Interior trim collections that reflect the Modern home style’s cleanly expansive function and flow range from understated to extroverted. Go the minimalist route and use trim to protect walls and floors from scuff marks and handprints. Amp up a neutral-colored dining room with contrasting and complementary colors. Like light mocha accents over cream-colored walls, for example.

Use a Stop, 1×6 Trimboard, Drip Cap, 1×4 Trimboard, Stool and Reversible Wainscot Beaded/Nickel Gap to achieve this look.

High Style and Low Maintenance

Westlake Royal Building Products Trim and Mouldings come in enough variations to accentuate any home style. And because they’re made from PVC, they’re built to last with minimal maintenance. The trim is ready to cut and install, is dent- and scratch-resistant, and won’t crack, split, or warp.

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Inspiration Gallery: Crafting Custom Exterior Trim

One of the many benefits of working with Kleer cellular PVC trim, Royal cellular PVC trim & mouldings, and TruExterior poly-ash trim is that they not only offer lower maintenance and fewer hassles than wood, but also provide authentic looks and similar workability. Depending on the look of your exterior project or outdoor space, the materials can be milled and routed to meet authentic, architecturally correct custom exterior trim.

Here’s a look at some of the ways builders and remodelers have used Kleer, Royal, and TruExterior trim to deliver unique looks alongside long-term performance.

Intricate Details

When it comes to Kleer, Royal, and TruExterior, the limits of workability for custom exterior trim are bound solely by one’s imagination. Nearly any look can be achieved, all with the peace of mind of long-term durability and low maintenance.

For example, TruExterior trim can be fabricated into an array of profiles typical of wood, from crown molding and gingerbread to columns and balusters to custom siding profiles.

DURATION Moulding & Millwork uses TruExterior to craft an array of standard trim profiles, including base cap, casing, quarter round, panel mould, and cove.

Cove moulding crafted from TruExterior by DURATION Moulding & Millwork.

The company also custom-engineers solutions for any need using TruExterior, including balustrades, columns and wraps, arches, and pre-assembled window surrounds.

A pre-assembled window surround made with TruExterior by DURATION Moulding & Millwork.

 

DURATION Moulding & Millwork used TruExterior to recreate Gothic columns, pilasters, decorative scroll work, crown, custom fascia, and dentil fascia, for an 1870s remodel. (See more about this project here.)

Royal Sheet Board is made for specialty projects, cutting cleanly for applications ranging from simple and modern to elegant and ornate.

Fabricators used Royal Sheet Board to craft the unique detailing on this church.

Kleer trim is often used to make pergolas, corners, fascia, soffits, rakes, casings, cornices, and all kinds of other applications.

Kleer trimboard also can be used to create curves and arches using heat-bending techniques.

TruExterior’s workability was ideally suited for a Queen Anne-style home by Architect David Williams McKee in the historic resort community of Chautauqua, N.Y. Using TruExterior for the detail work, including turned porch posts, decorative millwork, brackets, balusters, and gingerbread trim, ensured both an accurate look and high performance.

Cozy Accessories

Both Kleer and TruExterior make it easy to add fun to backyard settings, with easy crafting into chairs, planters, and even cornhole boards.

Kleer Lumber, Adirondack chairs
Kleer Lumber was used to craft these Adirondack chairs.
Balcony planters, brackets, and trim make with Kleer Trim.

TruExterior can be painted any color, including dark hues, and also can be stained. This rustic planter box was made with trim scraps and a custom finish to create the look of old barn wood.

Learn more about the extensive range of trim options from Kleer, Royal, and TruExterior here.

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3 Tips for Painting Exterior Trim

TruExterior poly-ash siding and trim

The exterior of any home is its first impression, introducing its unique style to any potential buyer or visitor. Peeling, faded, or streaked paint on the trim may evoke feelings of poor quality and can lower the curb appeal. Breathing new life into exterior trim with paint—and ensuring its fresh look lasts—is easy to do if you follow a few simple strategies.  

Whether you’re installing new trim or rehabbing the trim of an existing home, consider these tips for an enduring appearance.

1. Prep the Exterior Trim for Painting

Before you grab a brush and start painting, there’s some essential prep work to do first. Start by taking a close look at all the exterior trim you’re going to paint. Make note of and fix any imperfections and problem areas. For example, if there are spots where old paint is peeling, scrape it off before putting on a fresh coat.

Next, pressure wash the areas you’re going to paint to remove dirt and debris. Be careful not to use too much pressure; if you notice damage to the surface, pull the nozzle farther back. Be sure to power wash every area you expect to paint, even if there’s no visible debris.

For the last stage of prep, fill any holes or gouges in the exterior trim with caulk (make sure the caulk is suitable for exterior applications and for the specific trim material). After you fill the holes, wait for the caulk to dry, and then sand off any excess until it is flush with the rest of the trim.

2. Choose the Right Paint for the Job

Once the trim is prepped, make sure you use a paint that is compatible with the trim material. For example, with Westlake Royal’s Kleer PVC Trim, use an acrylic latex paint for the best results; TruExterior poly-ash siding can be painted with any high-grade exterior paint per the paint manufacturer’s instructions.

Once you’ve figured out what type of paint is needed, the next step is choosing the right color. Selecting a paint color comes down to a number of factors, including the home’s style, current trends, and homeowner preferences. Check out our previous blog post for advice on making confident color choices.

Keep in mind that not all materials are suitable for all colors. For example, vinyl or PVC products painted in dark hues may absorb more heat, causing them to expand and contract. Using urethane construction adhesive along with mechanical fastening may help minimize this for Kleer trimboards. Conversely, TruExterior poly-ash trim, which has a higher level of dimensional stability, can be painted dark hues, even black.

3. Use Proper Exterior Trim Painting Technique

Whenever you dip your brush into the paint, be sure to fully immerse the bristles. This makes the project more efficient and spreads the paint out more evenly. When it’s time to reapply paint to the brush, avoid wiping it along the rim of the can. Instead, tap the brush on the inside of the paint can to lessen the risk of paint drips for a more polished look.

For the best appearance, apply the paint in long single strokes. It’s also a good idea to have a variety of brush sizes ready in case you encounter narrower surfaces or tight spots.

Finally, you’ll want to apply multiple coats to the exterior trim. Wait until the first coat is completely dry, then lightly sand it and begin a second coat.

Have questions about painting Kleer trim or TruExterior trim? Our customer service team is ready to help. Reach them here or by calling 800.521.8486.

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Exterior Cladding for Interior Applications

Versetta Stone stone veneer fireplace

Siding, trim, and accessories are designed primarily for the home exterior, but the properties that make some materials ideal for those traditional uses can sometimes carry over to benefit the inside of the house.

Consider these applications in which exterior materials can bring aesthetic or performance value on the inside of the home.

Fireplaces

The beauty of a stone fireplace never falls out of favor, but installation challenges make it a prohibitive option for some projects. Panelized stone offers an easier path to creating eye-catching fireplace surrounds, combining the look and feel of stone with easy installation to deliver the dramatic look of a stone fireplace within reach.

For example, Versetta Stone panels install quickly without mortar and require no special tools. Each panel can be cut with a diamond blade and fastens to the wall with screws through the integrated nailing fin. As such, it does not require a mason for installation and can be installed by traditional siding contractors and carpenters.

The Northmade Farmhouse, shown below, features a soaring two-story fireplace made with Versetta Stone Ledgestone in the Mission Point colorway, perfect for the new home’s modern-farmhouse vibe.

Because the panelized stone eliminates the messiest parts of masonry installation—with no lath, no scratch coat, and no mortar—they’re particularly helpful for remodeling projects. Cut the panels outside and pass them through the window.

And while stone fireplace surrounds require an artisan’s touch to lay out the stones so they look perfect and fit well together, panelized stone comes pre-configured in beautiful, authentic patterns. Corner pieces also make it easy to create a clean, finished look.

Accents

Panelized stone can provide a lightweight solution for rustic accent walls. Use the panels under or behind a home bar, add a cozy feel behind a freestanding tub, or create an eye-catching accent wall in the great room.

Versetta Stone stone veneer bathroom accent wall

Bathroom Trim and Moulding

For wet areas such as the bathroom, cellular PVC trim provides a moisture-resistant option that will help avoid the potential for cracking, chipping, or even rot. Along with crown moulding, PVC beadboard, such as that from Kleer Lumber, is ideal for creating clean, crisp wainscoting. The material also resists dirt and is easy to wipe clean if needed.

Kleer Lumber cellular PVC wainscoting in bathroom

Décor & Accessories

Even shutters can play a role in sprucing up the interior. A custom color such as that from Atlantic Premium Shutters or a reclaimed vintage piece can create a unique artpiece or be used to craft a one-of-a-kind mail holder.

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Simple Strategies to Upgrade Outdoor Living Spaces

Outdoor living spaces are one of the biggest trends in home building and remodeling, and demand has only grown during the pandemic.

As the demand for outdoor living moves from growing trend to must-have status, simply adding on an ordinary deck isn’t going to be enough. Building pros can elevate outdoor spaces in numerous ways, and they don’t have to break the bank.

Here are a few simple and relatively inexpensive details to consider to add the finishing touch to your outdoor living spaces and take them to the next level.

Create Indoor-Outdoor Connections

Not every home can have an eight-panel opening glass wall, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create those connections that let in more light and expand the entertaining space.

As Andersen Windows points out in a recent article, the standard French patio doors with sidelight windows can easily be replaced by a small multi-panel door with one or two sliding panels, helping to expand the clear opening to preserve views and create that desired indoor-outdoor connection.

Another more budget-friendly option is to include pass-through windows to create an indoor-outdoor bar, such as this project by Denny Sturgis Construction.

Detail the Deck

No matter the size of the deck, there are a few simple strategies to make it look more finished and polished.

• Rather than leaving deck planks exposed, add fascia board around the perimeter to create a more finished look. TruExterior poly-ash trim can be painted or stained any color and can be used in contact with decking material.

• For composite decks, hidden fasteners cost a little more but make a big difference in the look and feel of the deck. For grooved-edge boards, clip-style hardware stays completely hidden; for face-fastening, a plug system is the most hidden option, or, at minimum, choose color-matched screws.

• Add flair to composite decks with inlays and picture framing. These techniques can be used to add a decorative perimeter, break up long expanses, or create an outline around different areas, such as a sitting area or outdoor kitchen.

• Don’t neglect lighting, which can add ambience, make the space safer, and extend its use later into the night and farther into colder months. Integrated post cap, railing, or stair lights can be easy and economical to add on or integrate.

• Add an accent wall or elevate the grill area with stone, such as panelized stone siding from Versetta Stone.

Versetta Stone grill surround
Ledgestone Mission Point

Amp up your outdoor buildings

A beautiful backyard can be the perfect spot for a studio, she shed, or ADU. But make sure it’s got style. A rickety wood shed or wobbly plastic structure can bring down the aesthetic of the whole outdoor space. Use real siding and trim, include accessories, and add landscaping.

This beautiful tiny house ADU by Koncept Design/Build, for example, looks just as good as a main house, with beautiful craftsmanship, on-trend black-framed windows and doors, and meticulous trimwork using TruExterior poly-ash trim

Koncept Design/Build tiny house ADU

This garage/man cave by Adam Hass Fine Homebuilding also could pass for a main living space, with its traditional forms and well-thought-out details.

Adam Hass Fine Homebuilding man cave/garage

Even a storage shed can look a bit more refined, as seen with this example from Zuccon Works, which features richly colored siding and Kleer cellular PVC trim and window casings.

Zuccon Works shed

Don’t Neglect the Accessories

It’s easy to leave the aftermarket accessories up to the homeowner, but why not complete the look or at least show them how?

For example, this flower box made with Kleer Lumber PVC trim not only offers a cleaner, more stylish look than run-of-the-mill planters, it’s durable and can be used in contact with the ground without moisture concerns.

Kleer Lumber flower box

Kleer is also a fun choice for these Adirondack chairs. The teal offers a fun pop of color to the porch without too much commitment or concern over resale value.

Kleer Lumber, Adirondack chairs

And don’t forget to finish the porch. Here, installers used TruExterior Beadboard in a soft robin’s egg blue to add to the vintage vibe of this wide porch.

TruExterior Trim poly-ash beadboard on porch ceiling

Post wraps, such as these from Kleer, are a simple way to enhance the porch or deck without adding extra maintenance needs.

KleerWrap post wraps on porch

Get more ideas for beautiful outdoor spaces in our TruExterior Idea Gallery and Versetta Stone Idea Gallery.

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LBM Journal: 5 Trim Trends Building Material Dealers Should Know

The COVID-19 pandemic has touched many areas of the building industry, and the trim and moulding category is no exception. As a product that lends itself to quick yet dramatic facelifts, trim was an easy upgrade option for DIYers and pros alike as the pandemic shifted from closures and uncertainty last spring to a surge in demand for home improvement products and services.

What has this all meant for dealers? In its annual In Depth look at the trim category, LBM Journal explored the latest trends and what dealers can do to keep adapting in uncertain times.

Here are a few of their findings:

Trim Products Are Thriving Through the Pandemic

While the industry initially shut down in many areas, home improvement projects quickly ramped up as homeowners sought to complete long-neglected projects and spruce up their interiors and exteriors. Manufacturers told LBM Journal that the trim category is likely to continue to grow significantly in the next 12 months, a prediction backed up by the “2020-2025 Global Molding and Trim Market Report.” In addition, “according to a recent Bank of America poll about homeowners’ attitudes and shopping habits during coronavirus, more than 70% of those polled indicated they have decided to tackle home improvement projects, with more planned for 2021,” the magazine reported.

“As stay-at-home recommendations stretch through the winter, we expect the surge in demand to remain as homeowners continue to seek to make their homes their sanctuary and buyers scoop up new and existing homes that meet their changing lifestyle needs,” Boral Building Products Brand Manager Ben Drury told the magazine. “But lead times should continue to improve as manufacturers catch up, and supply challenges should ease.”

Bold Colors

The trend toward dark trim colors remains strong. In addition, “there’s still a strong desire for multi-textured facades as well as contrasting siding and trim colors,” Drury said. “Both our [poly-ash] TruExterior Trim and [cellular PVC] Kleer Lumber trimboards are a perfect fit for those color combinations. TruExterior Trim’s poly-ash technology allows it to be painted any color, including black, so it’s perfect for the white-siding-with-dark trim trend.”

Bold colors are popping up on the interior, as well, manufacturers said.

Clean Styles

The desire for Modern Farmhouse looks continues unabated in many areas of the country, leading to trim profiles that are more simple and clean in style, the article states.

Ease of Installation

The trend toward sprucing up homes in the pandemic has driven more LBM dealers to push installation-friendly options. LBM Journal cited consumer studies from The Farnsworth Group and the Home Improvement Research Institute reporting that 80% of homeowners had started a DIY home project by June of last year. Along with the simple fact that homeowners were stuck quarantining, they also are getting a confidence boost from online resources such as YouTube and Pinterest. Savvy dealers, even those that typically cater only to pros, have recognized this surging customer opportunity and have responded with increased support and product guidance.

Back to Basics

As we proceed through this year with a bit of caution, some manufacturers recommend that dealers stick to basic strategies, including taking advantage of educational resources for increasing foot traffic and visibility, diversifying your product lines to include alternative trim materials, and maintaining your knowledge base. “The best thing dealers can do for their customers is to be truly knowledgeable about the products they sell—and even those they don’t sell,” Drury told the magazine. “This will help ensure they can recommend to contractors the right solution to each project, making them even more valuable to those customers.”

And this includes taking advantage of ever-growing opportunities for virtual training sessions. To arrange for product knowledge and installation virtual training for Boral Building Products brands, including TruExterior and Kleer as well as siding brands like Versetta Stone and Foundry, contact us here.

All told, LBM Journal paints a positive picture for the year ahead: “When taken together, all of these changes and challenges point to an optimistic year for the moulding and trim industry,” they concluded. “Yes, LBM dealers will need to remain agile so that they can quickly adapt how they do business in response to any continued (or even new) restrictions from the continuing health crisis. But by staying atop training and education and by being prepared to meet the anticipated increasing demand for trim products by both pro and DIY customers, dealers will position themselves to reap the greatest gains.”

To read more trim trends and insights into today’s trim market, view the LBM Journal article in its entirety here.

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Exterior and Interior Touches Create a Sense of Home for Michigan Foster Children

Boral Building Products, Kleer Lumber, Foundry siding

If not for the parking lot out front and its multiple front doors, it would be hard to tell that the Chippewa County Family Project Teen Foster Home is anything more than a traditional residence. And that’s just the idea.

From inside to out, the 5,500-square-foot house in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is designed to be welcoming for children in the foster care system, just like a permanent home would be. 

“The committee wanted the kids to feel like they have a home, that they’re not just being placed in another facility,” notes Dan Arbic, owner of Arbic Construction in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

foster home, Chippewa County, Foundry siding, Kleer Lumber

Inside, the house is divided into two sides, one for boys and one for girls. Each side has six bedrooms and three bathrooms, a kitchen, and common areas. In the center are offices and a living space for the house parent. 

Arbic also owns a cabinet company, and he put those skills to work creating custom cabinetry and an upgraded hardwood trim package that ensured a cozy warmth to further the home-like feel. In developing the interior, the committee sought the input of local high school students, ensuring that not just adult perspectives were considered. 

On the building’s exterior, the mission continued with an elevation, lines, and styling similar to traditional homes. The façade features all of the current trends, including a soft gray and blue color palette with robust white accents, and a varied façade. Horizontal siding on the lower walls combines with vertical siding on the second level, highlighted by eye-catching blue accent walls and gables clad in Foundry shakes. 

Kleer trim, PVC trim, column wraps

Tapered columns wrapped in bright white Kleer PVC trim and warm stone flank the trio of entrances. The bright white trim is featured throughout the façade, including around the windows. 

Foundry Siding was chosen in part for its ease of installation during the winter construction window; the material stays pliable, even in colder temperatures, ensuring fast installation. 

The contractor also was able to perfectly coordinate the color with the rest of the exterior siding. 

The winter installation also typically doesn’t bode well for keeping trim in pristine condition, but because Kleer trimboards feature TruEDGE technology, they resist dirt and are easy to clean. Plus, Kleer trimboards are wrapped in small-quantity KleerPaks to ensure they stay looking like new from the lumberyard to the jobsite to the walls.

“Foundry was easy to install, and it locked in a lot better,” Arbic says. “And Kleer, in its packaging, we received it without defects or scratches.”

Foundry siding, Kleer Lumber, siding

This was Arbic’s first time using Foundry and Kleer, and based on experiences with other products, he had expected to have to replace some of the siding and trim due to expansion as the colder temperatures and clouds gave way to warmer sun. Instead, “We didn’t have to replace a stitch of trim,” he recalls. “Same thing with the siding—we had zero problems. It went up easy, even though it was no more than 25 degrees when we installed it. Nothing broke, nothing chipped.”

For Arbic, the ease of installation and the discovery of a new go-to exterior material was merely a bonus on top of a fulfilling project that involved so many within the community as they came together to support the needs of local teens.

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Concerned About High Lumber Prices? Poly-Ash and PVC Trim Offer a Durable Alternative

lumber stack, lumber prices

The housing industry has thankfully been one of the rare economic strongholds during the pandemic, seeing steady or rising numbers across multiple datapoints. But the supply challenges impacting various industries around the country have hit the residential construction market too: The NAHB reports that supply shortages are leading to skyrocketing prices in wood products, including a 120% increase in lumber prices since mid-April and a 138% increase in OSB versus a year ago.

The impact has become so severe, the association sent a letter to the Trump Administration urging it to intervene to encourage domestic lumber producers to increase production and work with Canada on a new Softwood Lumber Agreement that would end the ongoing tariffs.

But with the construction and home improvement markets booming, many builders and remodelers don’t have time to wait for lumber prices to decline and supplies to refresh. Non-wood trim products, such as TruExterior Trim and Kleer Lumber, can offer immediate relief, with ready supply and U.S. manufacturing—along with high-performance attributes that eliminate some of the drawbacks of natural, moisture-prone materials.

Made with Boral’s proprietary blend of polymers and fly ash, TruExterior Trim combines authentic wood looks with high performance and low maintenance. TruExterior Trim provides a high level of dimensional stability along with durability for resistance to warping, cracking, and splitting. As a result, the trim requires no sealing of ends or cuts in the field, it can be used in ground-contact applications, and it can be painted any color, including dark hues.

TruExterior trim is a solution to rising lumber prices
TruExterior Trim

And because TruExterior is made in Salisbury, N.C., with raw materials sourced locally, it’s not facing the supply chain issues of some wood species.

Kleer Lumber’s trim line is made with expanded cellular PVC and, like TruExterior, offers the premium look of wood but without the concerns about the effects of moisture or insects. In fact, it’s backed by a limited lifetime warranty against splintering, rotting, delamination, and swelling. Kleer trim, which is sold in eight trim widths and in sheets, can be installed in contact with the ground. Kleer Lumber is manufactured in Westfield, Mass.

Kleer Trim is a solution to rising lumber prices
Kleer trim.

Both Kleer and TruExterior offer easy workability for a range of uses, from traditional trim applications and decorative millwork to pergolas and flower boxes.

Explore the possibilities on our Instagram page.

Feature image: antmoreton from Pixabay

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Fun Home Projects Using TruExterior Trim and Kleer Lumber

Kleer Lumber, Adirondack chairs

Looking for an easy way to add eye candy to the yard? The same attributes that make Kleer Lumber and TruExterior Trim ideal for creating eye-catching exterior façades—durability, low maintenance, and easy installation—make them the perfect material for quick-and-easy home projects to add pizzazz to the outdoor space.

In a previous blog post, we showed you the fun bird houses members of our sales team made using scraps up Kleer and TruExterior. In between conducting virtual trainings and attending to customers from their home offices, they’ve continued to demonstrate their creativity—and the workability of the two materials—with flower boxes, chairs, and other fun outdoor projects.

Take a look:

TruExterior trim, flower box

For these pretty flower boxes, TruExterior Trim’s moisture resistance and superior dimensional stability mean they’ll perform well and require less maintenance while still offering the look and grain of wood. Easy workability and no sealing of cuts makes installation a breeze, too.

TruExterior trim, flower box

TruExterior comes pre-primed and ready to paint any color, so these bright blues and reds will last.

TruExterior trim, flower box

Want something more rustic? Trim scraps and a custom finish helped create this look of old barn wood. Behind the rough-around-the-edges aesthetics, though, is the same modern performance and durability of TruExterior Trim.

Kleer Lumber flower box

This beautiful flower box features Kleer Lumber, which comes in a brilliant white color to catch the eye as well as provide a backdrop for bright-colored flowers. Made with cellular PVC, Kleer sheets and trimboards won’t splinter, swell, rot, or delaminate, so they can be installed in contact with the ground or other potentially wet surfaces.

Kleer Lumber, Adirondack chairs

The ability to mill Kleer means the possibilities for projects, whether beautiful trimwork on the façade or these cozy Adirondack chairs, are nearly endless. Kleer can be left white or painted for a custom look.

Kleer Lumber, cornhole boards

Kleer’s surface, workability, and paintability make a great combination for these cornhole boards, as well.

Want more inspiration? Check out our Instagram page.

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Build a Birdhouse Using Kleer Lumber and TruExterior Trim

With authentic looks and high performance, Kleer Lumber and TruExterior trim are ideal for creating eye-catching exterior façades—any exterior façade. We challenged our sales teams to put that idea to the test and flex their creativity by building birdhouses in between the virtual meetings and training sessions they’re conducting from their homes during the pandemic. And they delivered with a collection of pretty snazzy designs. Lucky for the birds, both Kleer trim and TruExterior trim are low maintenance, durable, and suitable for any style.

If you’re looking for a fun project during stay-at-home downtime, check out our sales team’s creations below. They just might inspire you to build your own avian abode—or spark some ideas for your own home exterior.

The classic Craftsman with welcoming front porch:

Craftsman-style birhouse

The brand-loyal multifamily with room for the whole flock:

Multifamily birhouse

The cozy cottage with on-trend outdoor living space:

Simple birdhouse with picnic table

The Mid-Century Modern:

The ultra-modern:

Modern-style birdhouse

Which design is your favorite? Cast your vote on our Instagram page.

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LBM Journal: Trim Buyers Crave Authenticity, Simplicity, and Durability

Much like other areas of the home exterior, consumers and contractors are looking for trim products that deliver authentic looks to boost curb appeal while ensuring low maintenance and durability, according to LBM Journal’s recent In Depth trim feature. “Homeowners are craving authenticity, and they also want their homes to be unique,” Boral Building Products’ Brand Manager Ben Drury told the magazine.

Here’s an overview of trends and observations from LBM Journal’s annual report:

  • Simple styles: Ornamentation is out, clean lines are in, driven in part by the continued love of Craftsman and Modern Farmhouse styles.
  • Dark colors: Homeowners remain drawn to dark colors, particularly dark blues and grays. Often, these hues are in contrast to white siding or the other way around. TruExterior answers this call, with the ability to be painted any color.
  • Durability is central: “Poor quality of wood, increasing material costs, lack of skilled labor, extreme weather events, and growth of consumer knowledge … are all having an impact on the direction of product development,” LBM Journal reports. “But perhaps the greatest driving factor is product durability.”
  • Labor shortages playing a role: Strains on labor are driving contractor demand for cellular PVC products, like Kleer Lumber, because they’re easy to install while still delivering the look homeowners desire.
  • Education is key: For dealer salespeople, it’s crucial to have a deep understanding of products in order to be a resource to customers and to help them solve exterior challenges. “Know more about your products than your customers do—and even about the products you don’t sell,” Drury advised. Good displays also are important, including vignettes showing how products and materials go together across the façade, particularly as demand for multiple textures remains strong.

To read more trends and insights into today’s trim market, view the LBM Journal article in its entirety here.

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Trends and Products From the 2020 International Builders’ Show

International Builders' Show 2020

Attendee numbers—and attendee attitudes—remained strong at the 2020 International Builders’ Show Jan. 21-23. NAHB reports that nearly 65,000 attendees converged on Las Vegas, just a few thousand short of last year’s total. When combined with the co-located Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, attendee numbers soared to about 90,000. Not too shabby considering it was the show’s second consecutive year in Sin City.

“The strong attendance at this year’s show reflects the positive outlook for the home building industry and the enthusiasm that our attendees have for the future,” NAHB Senior Vice President of Exhibitions and Meetings Geoff Cassidy said in a statement. “Attendees continue to seek the innovative products, education sessions, and networking opportunities that only IBS can provide.”

If you weren’t able to attend, read on for a look at the trends, news, and highlights from the show floor and beyond.

IBS Trends: Easy Installation, Dark Windows, Smooth Siding

Visit enough booths and talk to enough people, and trends start to emerge. Here’s a bit of what our team saw on the show floor:

• Labor: The labor shortage continues to dominate conversations about builders’ and remodelers’ biggest business challenges, and manufacturers touted products accordingly. (Be sure to check out our Versetta Stone stone siding, which installs like a traditional siding panel with nails and screws.) In addition, the Home Builders Institute and The Home Depot announced a half-million-dollar grant to fund student training in home construction careers. Meanwhile, Fine Homebuilding continued its mission to #KeepCraftAlive.

Versetta Stone stone siding, manufactured stone veneer

• Black windows: Like last year, black window frames were everywhere. We also noticed an uptick in black window trim—coinciding with a decline in white window trim. (If you’re jumping on board this trend, be sure to consider TruExterior trim, which can be painted dark colors, including black.)

• Bookend colors: Along with dark accents, exterior siding, stone, and trim products are trending to both sides of the scale—lots of darks and, in direct contrast, lots of whites. Warm neutrals were scarce to nonexistent.

• Smooth siding: Smooth siding appears to be on trend as more manufacturers jump on board. Love texture still? Try our new TruExterior Reversible Shiplap/Nickel Gap, which comes in both smooth and wood-grain.

• Outdoor living: No surprise, outdoor living is here to stay, and manufacturers are responding with more options than ever to deck out the space with all the comforts of the interior. As just one example, our sister company, Kindred Outdoors+Surrounds, launched at the show with fire bowls, fire pits, fireplaces and surrounds, and outdoor kitchens.

Kindred outdoor living fire bowls

For even more prognosticating, check out NAHB’s latest trend report, released at the show. Top “most likely” features include walk-in closets, low-E windows, and laundry rooms.

Show Houses Reveal Consumer Preferences

Each year, a handful of showhouses offer a look at what today’s homeowners are, or will be, looking for, from the practical to the extravagant. This year was no exception:

• The New American Home, the show’s centerpiece demonstration home combined wow factor with “ahhh” factor, with water and fire features, flooring that resembles drifting sand, and a soothing color palette. Professional Builder walks you through it here.

And for more “TNAH,” check out Products magazine’s summary of 7 Design Ideas to Steal From The New American Home.

Photo courtesy Jeff Davis Photography (c) 2020

• The designers behind this year’s The New American Remodel leveraged advances in home performance technology to help demonstrate to showgoers how to achieve true net zero. Follow along with Professional Remodeler.

• The pre-fabricated, multi-million-dollar Sekisui Showhouse home renovation concept showcased Japanese homebuilding innovation to highlight the future of building. Las Vegas Review Journal provides a peek.

New From Boral

Boral Building Products’ portfolio of exterior products means you can find the perfect whole-house solution for any home, any design, and any budget. Check out our newest options to inspire your work:

• Versetta Stone Northern Ash: The easy installation and beautiful look you love about Versetta Stone stone siding in a dramatic new hue. This bold head-turner meets consumer demand for darker colors and accents on the exterior. See it here.

• Kleer Lumber Extruded Beadboard: Our new beadboard is extruded as one piece and sealed on all four sides to eliminate the open cells that may be prone to dirt intrusion—ensuring a brilliant white out of the box and on the jobsite. Learn more here.

Kleer Lumber, beadboard, cellular PVC trim

• TruExterior Reversible Shiplap/Nickel Gap: Two looks in one! The newest profile in our high-performance TruExterior Siding & Trim lineup comes in two formats: one features smooth Nickel Gap on one side and wood-grain Shiplap on the other; the second has wood-grain Nickel Gap on one side and smooth Shiplap on the other. Check it out here.

Boral TruExterior Reversible Shiplap Nickel Gap

• Foundry Grayne Shingle Siding Colors: Foundry’s Grayne shingle siding now comes in Mountain Ash, a sandy white, and Rustic Slate, a bluish gray, both a perfect complement to the sidings’ distinctive graining patterns and sharp, crisp edges. 

Foundry Grayne shingle siding

Want to stay up on the latest industry trends and product news? Subscribe to our enewsletter!

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Kleer Lumber’s New Extruded Beadboard Offers Clean, Authentic Look

Kleer Lumber, beadboard, cellular PVC trim

Enhancing a porch ceiling or soffit has never been easier. Kleer Lumber‘s new beadboard is extruded as one piece and sealed on all four sides, which eliminates any open cells that may be prone to dirt intrusion. It can be painted or contractors can leave it brilliant white, eliminating extra steps to save time and money.

Kleer Lumber, beadboard, cellular PVC trim

Made with expanded cellular PVC, Kleer Beadboard offers the look of wood while remaining impervious to moisture and insects. It is backed by a limited lifetime warranty against splintering, rotting, delamination, and swelling.

The cellular PVC technology and the new extrusion process combine to ensure builders and remodelers can install the new beadboard without having to prime, paint, or seal.

The new extruded beadboard features a center bead and a reversible tongue-and-groove profile with a shiplap nailing flange that increases installation speed while providing a more finished look. Two widths are available, 4” and 6”, each 16’ long.

Kleer Lumber, beadboard, cellular PVC trim

Kleer Beadboard cuts and fastens with standard tools and can be installed in direct contact with the ground, masonry, and other potentially wet surfaces.

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Video: Kleer Trimboards vs. Dirt Intrusion

Do your trimboards stand up to dirt?

PVC trim is a low-maintenance alternative to wood. But not all PVC trim is created equal. Over time, some PVC trim products will collect dirt in the edges, leading to a grimy, gray, aged look that can dull the exterior façade.

Kleer Lumber is different. Kleer trimboards feature TruEDGE technology—smoother edges that help the boards resist dirt and, when they do get dirty, make them easier to clean. The result is brilliant white trim that looks great for the long haul.

But don’t take our word for it. Check out this video, in which we put Kleer trim and two other PVC trim brands through a dirt intrusion test to see how they stack up:

As you can see, dirt doesn’t permanently embed itself into the edges of Kleer trimboards, ensuring easier cleaning and a more beautiful finish compared to other PVC trim options.

Kleer Lumber trimboards versus trim competitors

Kleer trimboards also contain UV inhibitors to prevent yellowing, so no painting is required to maintain the original white appearance. Not interested in white? Kleer trim can be painted easily with 100% acrylic latex paint.

To further ensure Kleer trimboards maintain their pristine appearance, they’re wrapped and shipped in KleerPaks. With KleerPaks, dealers can sell smaller quantities without leaving the remaining stock exposed in the lumberyard or warehouse, and builders and remodelers can use the boards they need on the jobsite without worrying about the rest of their product getting scuffed, dinged, or dirty.

Kleer trimboards come in eight widths and in lengths up to 20 feet. And while it offers the look of wood, Kleer trim is resistant to splitting, warping, and checking; it’s straight with no need for culling the pile; and it resists extreme weather conditions.

Ready to be inspired? Visit our Image Gallery or Request a Sample.

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2019 Builders’ Show Wrap-Up: Dark Colors, Blended Textures, and Fun New Products

International Builders Show Boral Building Products

The numbers are in: The 75th annual International Builders’ Show marked its largest draw in a decade, with more than 67,000 attendees. Combined with the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, collectively referred to as Design & Construction Week, more than 100,000 people flocked to Las Vegas Feb. 19-21. We felt the enthusiasm at the Boral booth, where a steady flow of builders, remodelers, and designers were eager to get inspired, learn about products and trends, and gather new strategies to positively impact their business.

Couldn’t make it to the show? Here is just a handful of the noteworthy trends and products.

Exterior Trends: Dark, Vertical, and Blended

In touring the Builders’ Show floor, the Boral team spotted a few common design threads, including several we highlighted earlier this year.

  • Dark colors: The preference for dark colors has been building for the last few years, and that was clear at nearly every exterior product manufacturer’s booth, from black window frames to rich brown trim to deep blue siding panels.  If you’re loving this trend, too, check out TruExterior® Siding & Trim, whose superior dimensional stability makes it an ideal choice for darker hues.

Boral Building Products International Builders' Show

Boral Building Products International Builders' Show Home Exteriors

  • Vertical siding: Whether a traditional board-and-batten for Farmhouse-style exteriors or a more simple approach for modern-style homes, vertical installations attracted a lot of attention during IBS.
  • Authenticity: Historic profiles, such as Shiplap, Nickel Gap, and V-Rustic, were prevalent. We’re partial to our TruExterior Siding Craftsman Collection.
  • Smooth siding: Even with the push for authenticity, smooth siding was prominent in many displays. In fact, we saw many instances of contemporary panels and traditional wood grain siding used in combination.

Industry Experts Weigh In

As usual, journalists from around the industry were out in force at the Builders’ Show reporting on the latest trends and new products. A few of the highlights:

New From Boral

Boral Building Products showcased our breadth of exterior products at the Builders’ Show, including several new options to spruce up your facades:

  • Virtual Remodeler: This online home design tool makes it easy for contractors and homeowners alike to create eye-catching exteriors. Users simply upload a photo of their home (or choose one from an online gallery) and then select from Boral’s siding, trim, and shutter lines to update the image in real time. Color Harmony palettes are available to further simplify the process. Learn more about the Virtual Remodeler here.

Boral Building Products Virtual Remodeler Remodeling Exterior Design

  • Versetta Stone Carved Block: We’re giving our popular stone siding a contemporary edge with this new larger-format profile that’s reminiscent of split-face stone. Carved Block features the same easy-to-install format pros love: simply nail or screw the panels to the wall—no mortar required. Choose from dark gray Midnight or creamy Sea Salt. Click here to learn more.

Versetta Stone Carved Block stone siding mortarless stone veneer

  • Kleer Lumber 10” Post Wraps: Our KLEERWrap cellular PVC post wraps, which conceal treated posts for a beautiful, finished look, are now available in a 10” version. Even with their robust size, these wraps install with just one person—simply apply adhesive to the three-sided piece, secure around the post, snap the fourth side into place, and fasten. Complete the look with accompanying cap and base moldings. See the wraps here.

Kleer Lumber cellular PVC post wraps

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Virtual Remodeler Tool Makes It Easy to Customize Home Exteriors

The Virtual Remodeler is an online home design tool providing contractors and homeowners with a simple way visualize how their facade will look with different profiles, textures, and colors from the company’s comprehensive lineup of siding and trim products.

With Virtual Remodeler, launched during the 2019 International Builders’ Show, users upload a photo of an existing home or select a similar house from an online gallery. Using the program’s product interface, the user then selects from Boral’s siding, trim, and shutter lines, including Versetta Stone®, Kleer® Lumber, TruExterior® Siding & Trim, and Mid-America Siding Components®; the image updates in real time, revealing how the exterior will appear with each product and color selection. To further ease the process, the home design tool includes Color Harmony coordinating color families, each of which can be further changed and updated to suit the homeowner’s tastes and needs.

“Designing a home with fantastic curb appeal requires navigating an endless array of options, from the shape of the siding to the color of the trim to the size of the shutters. Boral’s new Virtual Remodeler tool eases the process for homeowners—and their remodelers—by helping them visualize how products will look on their house, much more than a small sample ever could,” says Becky Duffy, Director of Marketing for Boral Building Products. “Remodelers can ensure customers are happy with their home exterior before products are ordered and installed, leading to fewer surprises and greater satisfaction when the project is complete.”

Virtual Remodeler users can save multiple projects to work on later and compare. For a small fee, pros can have their image professionally mapped by Boral, which will increase the accuracy of the rendering’s appearance. And once a finished look is chosen, Virtual Remodeler will generate a product list for easy ordering through Boral dealers and distributors.

Give Virtual Remodeler a try at http://wrvirtualremodeler.com/

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9 Exterior Trends to Expect in 2019

When it comes to the outside of the home, what does this year hold? A few familiar looks as well as some emerging exterior trends. Here’s what to expect:

• Outdoor living: Demand for outdoor living spaces isn’t abating. In AIA’s annual Home Design Trends survey, architects named the outdoors as the No. 1 specialty room increasing in popularity.

• Low maintenance: This one will also sound familiar—home buyers, particularly younger buyers, simply don’t want to deal with painting, staining, and cleaning their façades and decks. In fact, the AIA survey lists low maintenance as the top product feature increasing in popularity. Expect composites and other low-maintenance materials for decks to continue to grow alongside demand for easy-to-maintain siding materials like TruExterior Siding & Trim, Kleer Lumber, and Grayne engineered siding.

• Darks and lights: Move over, earth tones. Consumers are increasingly drawn to the contrast of dark-colored siding against bright white trim. Trying to achieve this look? TruExterior Siding’s dimensional stability makes it an ideal fit for the darkest of paints, while Kleer trimboard’s TruEDGE technology and UV inhibitors ensure the trim stays brilliant white for years to come.

• Black trim: When trim isn’t white, look to black and dark browns. (Try TruExterior Trim, which can be painted dark hues, including black, without concerns about expansion or warping.) Also increasingly popular—the streamlined, sophisticated look of black window frames.

TruExterior Siding black window frames exterior trends
The sleek look of black window frames against white or light trim is very in.

• Grays (for now): Gray is still a go-to hue, but its popularity could finally be waning. Boral Senior Product Manager Trisha Wagner reports seeing more reds creeping in and believes it may be one of the colors to affect gray’s go-to status.

• Match game: The coordinated look of a matching entry door, garage door, and window trim is in.

• Blending textures: The varied streetscapes created by blending stone and siding textures across the façade continue to dominate. As in 2018, the transitions between textures are a bit more seamless than in years’ past. Versetta Stone siding makes this trend easy, with a panelized format that installs with screws or nails.

TruExterior Siding Stone Siding exterior trends
Blending stone and vertical and horizontal siding is an ideal way to boost curb appeal and make homes stand out from the rest.

• Authenticity: Also returning for 2019 is demand for historic looks brought by siding profiles such as nickel gap, shiplap, and board and batten.

• Modern farmhouse: Like it or not, the modern farmhouse style is sticking around for at least a little longer. Some designers are tiring of the look, but it’s still going to be popular among homeowners both inside and outside the house. “White [board-and-batten] siding delivers a ‘homey look’ and can provide texture and interest to an otherwise flat façade,” the Washington Post reports.

Looking for the perfect product to meet this year’s in-demand styles? Contact your Boral representative today.