Making the outside of your stucco home look nice is easy by adding some trim around the windows and doors. Using a premade trim, coated in stucco is one way to accomplish this, and the process is not complicated if you are familiar with hand tools and have some time.
Measure the House
Before you can apply any trim to your home, you need to measure the windows and doors so that you get the right size trim pieces. Because the trim is performed, buying it in lengths that are ready to use is a good idea. Using a tape measure, measure the width and height of the window or door. It is a good idea to make a diagram to help you remember what sizes you need and where the trim will fit, but it is not required if you don't want to. When you go to the home center, the list of sizes or diagrams you made will help ensure you get the right pieces for your home.
On some homes, trim is applied to the center of the walls outside to break up the large blank space, but typically, a one- to two-inch flat piece is used for this. It is applied the same way as the decorative trim and can also be found at your local home center or building supply.
Painting the Trim
You may need to paint the trim to get the color you want, but most of the time, you can find it in white and a few commonly used colors. If you do choose to paint it, use good exterior paint and apply it in a couple of coats so that it adheres well. You shouldn't need any primer on the trim if it is already painted, but check with the associate in the paint department if you are not sure. The trim packaging may also have information on it regarding painting or prepping the material before putting the trim on the house.
Installing the Trim
The premade trim is very lightweight and can be held in place with a variety of materials. A good construction adhesive is the simplest way to attach the trim to the house and hold it there permanently. Once the trim is in place and the adhesive has dried, use trim caulking around the top and side of the trim to keep water from getting behind the trim. If water penetrates the trim, it can cause the adhesive to fail and come loose from the house. If you are not sure what adhesive to use or what caulking you need, ask at the home center.
For more information on stucco trim, reach out to a local supplier.
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