How to Put Trim Around a Window
Placing trim around a window requires measuring the perimeter and making miter cuts in the trim to create proper 90-degree angles for the trim once installed. Installing trim gives the window a finished and more formal look than windows without trim surrounding them. Trim comes in a variety of styles and materials and is available from home improvement and hardware stores. Care with accurate measurements and clean miter cuts are the keys to a good looking window trim job.
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Miter saw
- Level
- Hammer
- 1-inch finishing nails
- Nail set
- Wood fill compound
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Paint or stain
Instructions
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1
Measure across the top of the window opening using a tape measure. Measure carefully from edge to edge and watch your accuracy. Add an additional 1/4 inch to improve the finished look of the trim against the wall. Transfer the measurements onto a piece of trim and make pencil marks at cut points so that you can get one piece for the window top and one for the bottom.
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2
Set a miter saw to positive 45 degrees and place a span of trim along the saw guides for the top piece. Lower the miter saw arm with the power off and align the blade with the marked point on the trim. Engage the saw blade. Hold the trim tight against the guides with one hand and pull down smoothly with the blade arm with the other hand. Switch off the saw power.
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3
Adjust the setting on the saw to negative 45 degrees and reposition the piece of trim to line up the blade with the second marking. Make the cut in the same manner as the first. Repeat the positive and negative 45-degree cuts on an additional piece for the bottom piece.
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4
Place the piece of cut trim above the window and center it over the space. Check it for level and hold it securely in place while making a pencil mark of the angle at both sides. Remove the piece of trim and repeat this same step with the piece for the bottom of the window.
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5
Measure the distance from the top-left side drawn angle down to the bottom-left side drawn angle. Repeat this same process for the right side. Transfer these measurements to a piece of trim and make marks for cut lines.
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6
Make miter cuts on one of the trim pieces at 45-degree angles so the piece joins with the top and bottom pieces at perfect right angles. Do this for the other side of the window so that when the trim is laid out on the floor it forms a perfect square or rectangle.
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Center the top trim piece back over the window and check it for level over the opening. Hammer 1-inch finishing nails through the trim and into the wall at both ends to keep it in place. Verify the piece is still level and then add more nails to secure it permanently.
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8
Position the left piece of window trim so it joins at 90 degrees with the top piece and check it for level. Anchor it at both ends and add more nails to secure it when you are certain it is level. Repeat this same step for the right-side piece.
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9
Align the bottom piece of trim so it joins smoothly with the two side pieces and check the level before mounting it to the wall just as you did the first 3 pieces.
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10
Set all nails so they are slightly below the surface of the trim using a nail set and hammer. Fill the individual holes and any seam gaps with wood filler. Wipe away any excess filler and allow it to dry for an hour. Lightly sand the wood fill smooth with fine-grit sandpaper. Paint or stain the trim as desired.
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Tips & Warnings
Have an assistant to help with holding trim pieces in place while mounting to the wall or to stabilize the trim piece in the saw during cutting.
Use caution and safety glasses when working with the miter saw to avoid injury or eye damage.
