# PVC to replace wood trim? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 8, 2013, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pvc-to-replace-wood-trim/662956 "2013-07-08T18:40:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pvc-to-replace-wood-trim/662956/1 "2013-07-08T18:40:07Z")
We’ve got a number of windows etc. that have a lot of rot in their wooden parts, and need to be replaced. The contractor suggested we go with PVC-based products instead of wood, and we think it sounds like a good idea - but need to get HOA approval (as an aside, our HOA is pretty reasonable). Anyone have PVC and hate it? love it? Any cautionary tales? I have found we would need to verify that it has a high LRV (light-reflective value). ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pvc-to-replace-wood-trim/662956/2 "2013-07-08T19:34:09Z")
Don’t have it myself, but see it used all the time on This Old House and similar shows. I’d not hesitate to use it. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pvc-to-replace-wood-trim/662956/3 "2013-07-08T19:59:55Z")
I’ve seen interior PVC molding (baseboard, corner round) at HD. I prefer wood but really don’t know why. Putting plastic in my rooms seems cheap. But I’m a pretty traditional guy. I’d object to door casing molding the most. It’s at eye level and it would be obvious that it’s plastic. Wood has a grain and texture that shows even under paint. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pvc-to-replace-wood-trim/662956/4 "2013-07-08T20:13:01Z")
OP, are you talking about outside trim? I’d agree PVC makes very good sense there. I have vinyl siding and love it. I had it installed in 2004. A quick rinse with a hose and it looks like new. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pvc-to-replace-wood-trim/662956/5 "2013-07-08T20:33:28Z")
PVC windows? Fine. Exterior molding? Fine. Other interior trim? I wouldn’t like the look of it, but more than that it can have problems with expanding and contracting causing warping and separation of joints. It can have difficulty conforming where a house is not straight and true, which over time is almost everywhere. However, professionally installed it will probably do a pretty good job if you don’t mind the look and feel. ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pvc-to-replace-wood-trim/662956/6 "2013-07-08T21:09:01Z")
My daughter has an older house, and it has a window in the bathtub/shower. The sill was rotted, and she replaced it with PVC. Looks great. The trim around our garage door was rotting at the bottom and we had it replaced. I think I’d like to do all the outside trim. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pvc-to-replace-wood-trim/662956/7 "2013-07-08T21:36:35Z")
Thanks, all. Yes, this is all outside trim - so it’s not just appearance, but protective. I mean, if something looks cheesy inside that’s not great, but it’s not letting moisture or bugs in.