exterior window trim

[astidham]

is exterior window trim installed before or after siding?

[MountainDon]

Depends.     I installed our Hardie lap siding by installing the windows into the already weather barrier covered walls. Then I flashed the windows and doors.

Next I trimmed the door and windows with 5/4 trim boards (Hardi cement). I also applied 5/4 trim at the corners of the building at this time. Then I installed the lap siding. I left a 3/16 to 1/4 inch gap at the siding to trim joint and caulked with paintable caulk.

I could have installed the siding right up to the window edges and then installed thinner trim boards over the siding. However, I think the method I used looks better.

[astidham]

MountainDon,
I was wanting to use a 1x8 (or so) trim board around my windows, then put siding up to the window trim.

[MountainDon]

The 1x (actual 3/4" or so) may not be thick enough to butt the siding up against like I did and look good. Depends on the siding. The material I used would not have looked right butted up against 1x material. The 5/4 is a full inch thick and once everything was nailed in place the trim is thicker than the thickest part of the overlapped siding. The reason I used 5/4 was strictly for the appearance.

[astidham]

I see, Thanks MountainDon.
I think I will be using log 2x6 siding. but t1-11 has also crossed my mind

[MountainDon]

My neighbor used the "log" 2x6 material. He used standard 2x6 for his trim. It looks fine.