ammunition, Author at Kleer Lumber

Best Practices for Milling Cellular PVC Trim

Best Practices for Milling Cellular PVC Trim

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.

4 Industry Insights from LBM Journal’s Trim Trends Report

Despite ongoing volatility in the housing market, the trim market is going strong, with the power to elevate home exteriors for homeowners looking to elevate their space or prepare it for sale. LBM Journal took a look at the latest Trim Trends in its annual In Depth feature on trim. Here is some of what they found.

Trim Trends Upward

While there may be uncertainty about how economic recovery will chart this year, trim offers an upgrade that makes sense for many homeowners.

“There are several factors that could potentially support remodeling and repair spending, including record levels of home equity and the significant amount of people still working from home,” Steve Booz, vice president of marketing for Westlake Royal Building Products, told LBM Journal. “During this time, we foresee smaller projects and those with high return on investment being prioritized. Even with constraints in time or budget, there are still impactful projects that can enhance a home’s ROI. With creativity and effort, these ideas offer an accessible means to updating a home.”

Booz noted that adding trim and mouldings is an easy, affordable way to add unique architectural details. “In 2024, we expect a growing demand for classical architectural elements, such as trim, mouldings and columns, due to the increasing construction of single-family homes,” he said. “New homes often incorporate these details to enhance their upscale appearance and overall market appeal.” Along with being an approachable project, adding trim can help elevate the marketability of a home in a time when higher interest rates have slowed existing home sales.

Royal Trim Knock Down Column Wraps
Royal Trim Knock-Down Column Wraps

Supply Chain Improvements

Helping the cause is an easing of the supply woes that dealers and contractors have encountered over the past few years.

“In 2023, there were notable improvements in supply chains within the building products industry,” Booz noted. “Looking ahead to 2024, there is optimism that supply chains and material prices will further normalize.”

He added: “Barring any unforeseen upstream issues, most Westlake Royal Building Products trim and mouldings products are back to normal lead times. We are also happy to say that we have begun to re-introduce products that had been furloughed as well as launching new products to the market, particularly in our siding and trim businesses.”

These introductions include Royal® WoodTone Styles, beadboard trim with a warm woodgrain finish, and Royal® Knock Down Column Wraps, offering easy installation for an instant upgrade.

Color Leads Trim Trends

While neutrals will never go out of style, trim manufacturers say those colors are getting warmer. Bolder colors also are catching on.

“In 2024, timeless off-white and cream hues will continue to dominate home exteriors, providing versatility and a modern aesthetic that complements diverse architectural styles,” Booz said. “Light grays, browns, and bolder blues will also emerge as popular choices for a fresh and contemporary look.”

For customers looking for darker trim, check out TruExterior Siding & Trim®, a poly-ash product that can be painted any color, including black.

WoodTone Styles on porch ceiling
Royal Trim Woodtone Styles beadboard trim

Product Knowledge Is Key When Navigating Trim Trends

Trim manufacturers agree that dealers must be consultants for their pro customers, LBM Journal reported, especially amid ongoing labor shortages. Dealers should leverage manufacturer-provided training opportunities to ensure they’re up to speed on product features and installation best practices. Also, be sure to check out the many online design tools that can help pros and homeowners visualize how different products will look on the home. Westlake Royal Building Products, for example, offers the HomePlay and Virtual Remodeler tools.

For more tips and trends check out the full LBM Journal article here.

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