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What to Do When the Window Trim Won't Fit a Window in the Corner

Adding interior trim to the space around a window helps frame the view outdoors and integrate the window into the home's decor. Window trim can be made from wood, metal or vinyl and finished to take on any one of a number of colors or styles. Some windows, such as those located in corners very close to adjacent walls, are difficult to trim without employing special measures.
  1. Types of Trim

    • One solution to trim a window that is located in a corner is a narrow molding. While many windows feature trim that is several inches wide, narrower trim is also available. It will fit into a space that can't accommodate traditional molding and create an even trim all the way around the corner window. However, installing narrow trim on only a corner window will cause it to look different from the other windows in the room. Wider trim may be more appropriate for windows with sufficient clearance on all sides.

    Ripping Trim

    • Another option for working in a small corner space where there isn't room for window trim is ripping standard trim using a circular saw or table saw. The result will be a narrower strip of trim that still lines up with the inside edge of the original trim. The material your window molding is made of will determine which type of saw blade you need to use. Ripped trim will include some of the patterns and decorative elements of the trim elsewhere in the room and allow you to frame three sides of the corner window with full trim, using the ripped trim only where necessary.

    Exterior Trim

    • Some homes feature exterior window trim as well, which may serve as a purely decorative element or as a mounting point for decorative or functional shutters. A window with an edge that is close to the corner of your home may be impossible to trim. Allowing trim to overhang the edge of your home will look unprofessional, while the unfinished edge of ripped exterior trim will look cut off. Consider leaving this type of window without trim or planning a narrow gauge of trim for your entire home if you know that you'll face this issue.

    Insulation and Flashing

    • Regardless of a window's position, you need to find a way to insulate your home to prevent air and moisture from entering around the window's casing. For a window in the corner, this may mean cutting down aluminum flashing during window installation to fit the limited space. While flashing is attached before the trim is in place, standard caulking will add another layer of protection after the window and trim are installed.