That’s a really solid approach with the backer rod—never thought of that for window trim but now I’m tempted to try it. I totally agree that MDF or wood holds up way better, especially if you’ve got little ones or a big dog barreling through the house like we do. I used painter’s putty on a few seams last winter and you’re right, it did shrink a touch. If you’re going for “good from far,” it’s fine, but if you want that seamless look, caulk and a steady hand seem to win out. It’s kind of satisfying seeing those crisp lines after all the patching and painting... makes the room feel so much more finished.
- Tried the painter’s putty route myself—looked great for a few months, but those seams definitely showed up again once winter hit.
- Switched to a flexible paintable caulk last time. Bit messier, but way less shrinkage and the lines held up through the season.
- For a cheap upgrade, I added some basic lattice trim from the hardware store. Painted it to match the walls—super simple, but it made the windows pop.
- Only thing: MDF is awesome for price, but in my old house with humidity swings, wood’s been a bit more forgiving over the years.
- Anyone else notice caulk picks up dust if you don’t paint over it? Learned that one the hard way...
Funny you mention the dust on caulk—ran into the same thing on a rental job last year. Had to go back and repaint all the seams because they turned grimy so fast. I’ve always leaned toward real wood for trim, especially in older places where things move around a lot, but I get why folks use MDF for price. Anyone tried those foam trims? I keep seeing them at the store, but I’m skeptical about how they hold up with temperature swings.
Tried those foam trims once in a basement—honestly, they were easier to cut and put up than I expected, but they felt a bit flimsy. They dent if you bump them with a vacuum or something. Haven't noticed any warping from temp swings yet, but I’m still more comfortable with wood or even MDF for anywhere that sees a lot of traffic. Maybe foam’s fine for spots that don’t get much abuse?
I tried foam trim in my guest bedroom and, yeah, it’s ridiculously light—almost too light. I was impressed by how easy it was to miter the corners, but then my dog bumped into one and left a dent that just won’t pop out. For spots like laundry rooms or low-traffic basements, I think foam makes sense. But for anything near kids or where furniture gets moved around, I’d stick with MDF or wood. They just feel sturdier and hold up better against life’s little accidents.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I tried foam trim once in a closet and while it looked decent at first, it felt almost flimsy—like you could poke a hole with your finger if you weren’t careful. MDF’s been my go-to for most rooms just because it stands up to the chaos (two kids, one cat, and a vacuum that seems to have a vendetta against baseboards). Foam’s great if you’re on a tight budget or just want something quick, but for anywhere that sees real action, I’d rather spend a little more for peace of mind.
Funny, my dog has a similar vendetta against anything new I install—trim included. I’ve tried foam too and yeah, it’s fine for low-traffic spots but doesn’t hold up to real life. MDF’s heavier, but at least it survives the daily stampede. Sometimes you just need durability over quick fixes.
MDF really is the workhorse, isn’t it? I tried those peel-and-stick trims once—looked good for about a week, then my cat decided they were her new scratching post. Not worth the hassle. Has anyone tried painting the existing wood instead of adding trim? I’ve seen some cool accent colors online but always wonder if it looks as good in person as it does in photos.
I hear you on the peel-and-stick trims—mine lasted about two weeks before the humidity got to them, and then the dog finished the job. I actually painted the old wood frames in my last place, went with a deep blue. Looked sharp, but honestly, every little chip or ding showed up way more than on white. Still, way cheaper than new trim, and you can always touch it up if you’re not too fussy.
Looked sharp, but honestly, every little chip or ding showed up way more than on white.
That deep blue sounds really striking—I like the idea of using bold colors instead of just defaulting to white. I hadn’t thought about how much more visible chips would be, though. Makes sense that touch-ups are easier with paint than with those stick-on trims, especially since humidity and pets don’t really mix well with adhesives. I’m still figuring out what’ll hold up best in my place, but your approach seems practical and honestly kind of fun.