Window Trim ("Rustic Style")

Window trim is one of those funny architectural components that I never gave much thought to--yeah, yeah, windows have trim, whatever--until I realized that--wait a minute--I have to install some, right now, before I can proceed with the rainscreen and siding and all that. Oh no!

So online I went and executed a flurry of searches--"exterior window trim style," "window trim simple," "shou sugi ban window trim," "modern window trim"...

And pretty much realized that I could do whatever I wanted. Heck yes!

Fascia, Soffits, and Verge Rafters

Goodbye, rafter tails; hello, roof trim!

I'm using 1x shou sugi ban cedar for my fascia boards, soffits, and verge rafters. It will blend in with the shou sugi ban siding and contrast nicely with the roof and steel siding. Plus, being black and textured, any mistakes or not-quite-tight joints will kind of... disappear into the darkness. Perfect!

First Look: Shou Sugi Ban

Shou sugi ban, or yakisugi, is an old Japanese technique for treating wood to make it weather-, insect-, rot-, and fire-resistant. It was apparently independently developed in Scandinavia, as well, for the same purposes.

The technique consists of charring the outside layer of wood that is to be exposed to the aforementioned dangers. The charred material can be left on, or it can be scrubbed off. I am scrubbing it off for my project, to make the wood cleaner to handle and to bring out the beautiful grain.

I did my first few pieces--the roof trim pieces--today, and am super pleased with the results!