Peyton Wolff
Learn how to make farmhouse window trim using stock lumber! NO fancy miter cuts nor expensive boards required.
It’s the first farmhouse window trim I’ve ever played with, so I’m pretty pumped! I live in a typical suburban home that has every builder grade window standard in sight.
But there’s a secret to making this farmhouse window trim transformation so easy…. This farmhouse window trim was created with standard lumber with no fancy miter cuts!
And the outcome is simply outstanding, dramatically changing the entire room vibe into one of vintage farmhouse charm. So if your own windows are currently wearing traditional builder grade molding, here’s how to create this charming farmhouse style window trim with simple cuts of stock lumber… yourself! I grew up in an old, rambling farmhouse with massive old vintage window trim mouldings.
After searching online, I came across plenty of farmhouse window trim ideas, but most revealed complicated tutorials requiring miter cuts and and expensive trim boards. Then I came across a variation that showed how to achieve the look using standard wood layers with straight cuts. Combining the concept with my own twist, here’s my version which is so simple, even a non-builder can create this beautiful farmhouse window trim out of any standard modern window with simple stock lumber!
standard solid pine lumber in sizes as show above (I suggest pre-primed) You can avoid damage to the walls by placing a board behind the pry bar. Add another board such as a 1×2 if you need more depth to reach the back of the window.
So after removing all the outside window trim, I left everything inside the wall and worked over top. I determined how wide (left to right) to make the window sill by measuring the two side casings in place. Once window sill is in place, measure and cut two side casings.
Make the two touching boards above and below the main header piece slightly longer. (note: my top two boards are flush on the left side because I ran out of wall space. After dry fitting all the cuts, the header was nailed together before installing to the wall. Stack all the wood, then nail together all the header components before installing on the wall if desired. And just to prove how much of a true newbie I am to this, you can see one exposed nail plus one slightly warped board… proud moment here. Neither of these little window trim glitches showed once the header was installed.
The finishing details ended up being a fair amount of work but you will save money. To cut the workload way down, choose primed stock lumber instead. June 2021 – I will update this post with a link once the door trim is more complete! Add faux window mullions with cut white sign-grade vinyl. Stick onto window where desired, and trim excess with an exacto blade. I LOVE my new farmhouse window trim and you can bet now I am working on the rest of the interior builder grade windows and doorways to emulate this authentic vintage charming farmhouse look!
Think you’ll give your builder-grade windows an instant farmhouse trim makeover with this easy method? View the bathroom window in this Christmas home tour HERE Check out sign stencils suitable to add farmhouse charm HERE
