It’s just as important that your home’s exterior is kept as beautiful and well-cared for as the interior. After all, exterior appearances play a role in both curb appeal and a home’s energy efficiency. Windows and doors, in particular, add a lot of beauty and efficiency when they are kept in top condition. One way to help ensure they stay that way is to add capping!

What is capping?

Capping wooden windows and doors add a protective layer to the frames and trim, instead of doing a full replacement. Capping uses either vinyl or aluminum sheeting, which is added over the top of the frames. As a result, this helps protect the frames from any warping or peeling. It also helps lower maintenance, as the wood won’t need repainting every few years. Most importantly, it helps extend the lifespan of your trim. Wood, when exposed to water, will eventually become damaged and need possibly costly replacements. Adding capping helps eliminate that risk, as both vinyl and aluminum are resilient to water and highly durable.

Benefits of capping

In addition to the protective benefits, capping also offers other perks for your home. If you want to give your exterior an easy facelift, capping adds more exterior visual appeal. Color-wise, capping can be painted in any number of choices. You can either choose a color to match your home’s exterior or something new to add a little pop. Practically, capping will improve your home’s energy efficiency. Heat loss and gain through windows and doors are usually the main culprits for lowered energy efficiency. Adding capping, though, will help seal any air leaks and keep those interior temperatures even. Check out some other tips for finding and sealing any air leaks in your home.

Aluminum vs vinyl capping

Capping is usually available as either aluminum or vinyl, with each offering different benefits. Both types are a low-maintenance and moisture-resistant choice, but aluminum gives a cleaner look. It is also available in different finishes, such as flat, semi-gloss or high-gloss. Vinyl, on the other hand, offers the look of natural wood. Instead of replacing wood trim, vinyl capping will protect it and still provide that natural wood appearance. In the end, choosing between the two is really a matter of personal appearance and design. Both types of capping will protect your trim and improve overall home value and aesthetics.