Framing trim around windows - how to?

3/8” seems a little thin, but doable. I’d measure what you’ve got and compare. Yeah, cupping might be an issue, but if you thoroughly finish the wood before you put it up, then give it another coat afterwards, it should be pretty good. If I were doing it, I’d nail it with my pin nailer, but finishing nails driven pretty deep covered with a bit of dark putty should look okay.

-- Dan Lyke, Petaluma California, http://www.flutterby.net/

Thanks Dan for responding – I apologize for not acknowledging your answer sooner – I was without internet access until the repairmen came today. I’d really like to use the walnut, so I’ll give it a try and pay close attention to your tips!

-- Cindy, in the mountains of Virginia

No worries, Cindy. Thinking about it a bit further, do you know anyone from whom you could borrow a 18ga pin nailer? That way you could cut the trim, put it up, if it warps you can pull it back down, dry it out, and then try someting more aggressive (like adhesives). And you wouldn’t have to worry so much about filling holes from the nailing (you’d probably not even be able to see the nail holes)

-- Dan Lyke, Petaluma California, http://www.flutterby.net/

A pin nailer probably;y wouldn’t keep it up without cupping unless you put some good adhesive on it. You probably really want to use an 18 ga. nailer.

Is this being done inside or outside?

If it is inside, cupping shouldn’t be much of an issue

If it is outside, you definitely want to nail closer to the sides, to keep it in place, no less that 3/8” from the edges.

There are some good putties out there to cover nail holes, but, I would definitely try it on a scrap piece first.

Thanks guys - This is trim for the inside, I still can’t decide on the walnut (my favorite wood) or pine. I really should stick to my original plan of pine, since I’m doing the floors in t&g pine flooring stained black walnut. I have two 22” x 72” walnut slabs that will be benches in front of the living room windows, that’s what got me on the walnut kick. This is a fairly wild looking figured, knotty walnut with sapwood – very interesting to my eye.

If I go with the pine, it will be a kind of pine sold at our local HD, with tiny knots that are tight & sound. I just didn’t like the thickness (1”) of the pine. (of course it’s not truly 1”). I don’t have access to a pin nailer, and I don’t think this project really requires one. (menopausal women love hammers! lol) The reason I will finish the wood in satin spar is because of the moisture in the air (open windows). The thickness of the pine won’t give me trouble, I didn’t know if the walnut was too thin to use…
Thanks!
Cindy

-- Cindy, in the mountains of Virginia

You might consider finishing on all sides before gluing it on. I have heard of glue on unfinished wood, where the opposite side is finished, causing cupping and warping.

Thanks simi for the tips on my old post! I haven’t done the window trim yet – I was going to use walnut boards, but decided to go with polyurethane molding. I wouldn’t used nails with the adhesive if you hadn’t posted this ~ thanks!

-- Cindy, in the mountains of Virginia