Should you leave a reveal on window trim?

Author: Wilbert Dooley DVM  |  Last update: Friday, April 11, 2025

Mark the Reveal Lines If window casing is installed flush to jamb, unintentional gaps can form over time as the wood dries or the house settles. Installing the trim slightly away from the jamb edges will help hide discrepancies. This intentional gap is called a reveal.

Why do you need a reveal on door trim?

One of the primary purposes is to provide a seal around the door to prevent drafts and outside elements from entering the building. The reveal should be tight enough to create a seal, but not so tight that the door becomes difficult to open or close.

What is the standard reveal for trim?

The standard reveal for window molding and door trim is 1/4-in., but this can be adjusted a little if needed. A combination square works well for marking reveals. The first step in any trim job is to prepare the jambs for trim. If you're replacing trim, pry it off and remove the nails from the jamb.

What is the rule for window casings?

The 50 Percent Rule

Generally, vertical trim elements such as door and window casings should be smaller and have less heft than baseboards. So I've found that a good rule of thumb for sizing window and door casings (or door trim sizes) is to keep them at about 50 percent of the height of the baseboard.

What is the reveal around a window?

Basically, a reveal is the timber surround of a window that the window frame itself is attached to. Imagine this: if you sit a small pot plant against the window in your loungeroom so it can get some extra sun, you'll likely rest the plant on the flat timber edge that juts out slightly away from the glass.

Installing Interior Window Trim | Beginner

Why do you leave a reveal on window trim?

Mark the Reveal Lines

If window casing is installed flush to jamb, unintentional gaps can form over time as the wood dries or the house settles. Installing the trim slightly away from the jamb edges will help hide discrepancies. This intentional gap is called a reveal.

Do you need reveals on windows?

Traditionally, most windows and doors needed reveals and architraves, but now this is not always the case. Square set plaster provides the much-coveted clean-line look and eliminates reveals and architraves.

How much gap do you leave around a window?

Standard Installation Gap

When windows are being installed, the crew will usually leave a small gap between the window frame and the rough opening in the wall on purpose. This gap is usually about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (that's around 6 to 12 mm).

Should window trim and baseboards match?

Painting all window and door trim, crown molding and baseboards the same colour provides consistency, but is not a rule. For example, only black baseboards will anchor a room while having only black crown moulding will frame the ceiling and draw your eye up. Similarly, door casings and doors don't have to match.

What is window rule?

Window rules let you adjust behavior for individual windows. They have match and exclude directives that control which windows the rule should apply to, and a number of properties that you can set.

What is a reveal trim?

A reveal may typically be seen at the edge of a door or window, where the face molding is set back, often by a distance from 3/16" (5 mm) to 1/2" (12 mm). (This noun is unrelated to the verb reveal but is from the obsolete verb revale 'to lower, bring down,' which is related to vale and valley.)

How to mark a trim reveal?

This intentional gap between the trim and edge is called a reveal.
  1. You'll need a set square to calculate the side lengths of the trim. ...
  2. Place a sharp pencil against the end of the set square blade, and run along the length of the jamb, drawing a line for the reveal.

What is trim regulation?

The TRIM aimed to assess whether the Pillar I internal models used by significant institutions (SIs) within the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) are appropriate in the light of the applicable regulatory requirements and whether their results are reliable and comparable.

What is the standard trim reveal?

The reveal is the small gap between the edge of the door jamb (i.e., the frame from which the door is hinged and where the latch engages) and the trim. To outline it, use a combination square to mark a consistent reveal of 1/8 to 1/4 inch around the entire door frame.

What is the difference between a reveal and a jamb?

A jamb (from French jambe 'leg'), in architecture, is the side-post or lining of a doorway or other aperture. The jambs of a window outside the frame are called reveals.

Is window trim required?

You can safely forgo some exterior design elements, but window trim is not one of them. Window trim covers the seam that is left between the edge of the siding and the window frame.

Should door trim and window trim be the same?

While there is no unwritten rule that all exterior trim should match, matching can make a lot of design sense and make the design appear well thought-out.

Should window trim be lighter or darker than walls?

This can be achieved by painting the trim the same color as the walls or a tinted version of it. It gives the room a fresh, unified look. If the walls are warm-toned, it's usually a good idea to stick with a warm trim. Likewise, pair cool wall tones with cool trim tones.

Should window trim match fascia?

The fascia and soffit don't need to match the trim, although it's perfectly acceptable to match them if you prefer the look. Many homeowners choose different color combinations for their soffit, fascia, and trim, but it's ultimately up to you and what design you want to achieve.

How wide should trim be around windows?

Example: Measure the width of the outside edge of the windows and add 8” to cap the side trim, then measure the height and add 4” for capping the bottom trim. Add these two and round up. You will need two for each window this size.

Should there be a gap between window and sill?

Gaps around windows and doors should be sized to allow for thermal movement and this will vary depending on the material of the frame. The maximum gap permitted for openings less than 3m should be 10mm. For openings more than 3m, the maximum gap permitted should be 15mm.

How much space should be between window and frame?

Provide at least 3/8" (10mm) clearance between the backer rod and the exterior face of the window. Backer rods add shape and depth for the sealant line.

How much reveal should a window have?

Typically, an installed window should have an 8–10 mm gap between the back of the reveal and the framing trimming the opening. This tolerance allows the window to be fitted into the opening and trued as well as giving sufficient space for the air seal. >

What to put on windows so you can see out but people can t see in?

One way solution is a mirror window film — can't see in but can see out. This unique kind of glass film solution means that anyone on the outside will only be able to see their own reflection, whereas people inside can still enjoy full view outwards.

What is an alternative to architraves?

Consider your budget carefully when shopping for arches since you want to get the most bang for your buck without sacrificing quality. For those on a tighter budget, an alternative to architraves is skirting boards or picture rails, which are much less expensive and easier to install.

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