How Do I Install Exterior Door and Window Surrounds?

navarre19 asks,

My 1984 Colonial home has no exterior door or window surrounds – just the white vinyl window frame. I would like to add surrounds to both. Must some of the clapboards be removed to install surrounds, or are there products available to avoid this step?

Our Answer

A company called Fypon offers exactly what you're after – a wide variety of polyurethane and PVC exterior surrounds. The advantage of polyurethane is that you never risk the rot or warp that's almost inevitable with wood.
To answer your question, you shouldn’t have to remove your home's clapboard to install the surrounds. These products attach to existing siding, preventing any water intrusion that could occur from dismantling.
We'd love to see before and after photos of your door and windows! Feel free to post them to Money Pit's Facebook page.