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How to Install Exterior Trim around a Sliding
Door
Installing Exterior Trim Needs to be Done
Right to Prevent Water Damage to the Home
By: Mark J. Donovan
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Installing exterior trim around a
sliding door is fairly easy to do however it’s important to do it in a certain
sequence. In addition, there are a few key tasks that must be done to prevent
water from penetrating behind it. If water gets behind the exterior trim the
sliding door and adjacent walls may begin to experience rot, mold and mildew,
and insect infestation.
After measuring the amount of trim that you’ll need for the job, preferably buy
trim lumber that is sealed on all sides if you plan to use wood lumber.
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Also, after each cut that you make on
the lumber apply a sealer or primer to the exposed wood ends. Alternatively you
can use an all vinyl type exterior trim product such as Azek trim, however it’s
quite pricey.
In addition, make sure to buy ice and water shield, Z-strip flashing and
paintable exterior caulk. The ice and water shield should be applied around the
perimeter of the door frame to create a seal between the sliding door nailing
flanges and wall sheathing. The Z-strip flashing is meant to go over the upper
edge of the top piece of exterior trim to prevent water from seeping in behind
the trim piece. The caulk is used between the edges of the exterior trim pieces
and the house siding.
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As I’ve already mentioned there is a
specific sequence to installing exterior trim around a sliding door. Always work
from the bottom up when installing the trim. This includes the installation of
the ice and water shield. First apply a strip of ice and water shield to the
bottom nailing flange and wall sheathing. Then install ice and water shield
strips along the sides, making sure the side pieces overlap the bottom piece.
Finally, attach a strip of ice and water shield across the top of the sliding
door nailing flange and wall sheathing. Again, make sure the top strip of ice
and water shield overlaps the side pieces to create a shingle like type water
seal.
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Next install the bottom exterior trim
piece to the house siding. The width of the exterior trim can vary depending
upon your particular preference and situation, however it typically is around 2
to 4 inches in width. The length of the bottom piece should be the same width as
the sliding door. Fasten it to the wall sheathing using galvanized finished
nails. Also, apply a bead of caulk to the back bottom edge of it before nailing
so that a water tight seal is created with the house siding that abuts up to it.
Next install the side pieces of exterior trim around the sliding door. Normally
it is best to keep a consistent trim width all around the sliding door frame. So
for example, if you went with a 2-1/2 inch width on the bottom trim piece use
the same width on the side and top pieces.
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a length so that their top ends are flush with the top of the sliding door frame
and their bottom edges are flush with the lower edge of the bottom trim piece.
Again, apply a bead of caulk to the back outside edges that abut up against the
house siding to form a water tight seal between the two edges. Finally, fasten
the trim pieces to the wall sheathing with 2 inch long galvanized finished
nails. Nail every 12 inches or so along the trim piece lengths. |
 Photo by Mark Donovan |
For the top exterior trim piece first slide a piece of Z-strip flashing
underneath the bottom edge of the house siding that sits above the sliding door.
Again, the gap between the house siding and the top of the sliding door frame
should be approximately the same width as the width of the bottom and side trim
pieces.
Then cut a piece of exterior trim to length so that it fits over the top of the
sliding door and its ends are flush with the outer edges of the side trim
pieces. Slide into place so that the Z-flashing slips over the top edge of the
trim piece. First, however, make sure to apply a bead of caulk to the side ends
of the piece. Again, fasten in place with 2 inch long galvanized finished nails.
Finally apply one final bead of caulk around the exterior trim and house siding,
fill any nail holes, and touch up paint the exterior trim surface to complete
the project.
For information on Installing Interior Door Trim,
see the
Installing Interior Door Trim Ebook
from HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Installing Interior Door Trim Ebook provides
easy to understand, detailed step-by-step instructions, on how to install interior door
trim around an interior or exterior door. Pictures are included for every
key step in the process!
How to Finance your Home Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required. Related Articles on Interior Doors
Interior Doors from Amazon.com
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