Discover the design and material trends driving trim and moulding products
Trim and moulding are much more than a finishing touch—they are key design and structural elements that enhance both the appearance and durability of a home.
By Dan Cary, February 4, 2026
Whether installed inside or outside, trim serves as the bridge between architectural components, cohesive design flow, and protected material transitions.
Inside the home, trim mouldings such as baseboards, crown moulding, door casings, and window trim add dimension and character to otherwise plain walls. Beyond aesthetics, interior trim also protects wall edges from wear, scuffs, and impact, maintaining a home’s pristine appearance over time.
Exterior trim plays an equally crucial role in defining a home’s curb appeal and structural integrity. Installed around windows, doors, and rooflines, exterior trim provides visual contrast and outlines architectural details, adding depth and personality. More importantly, it acts as a protective barrier against the elements, contributing to the home’s overall weather resistance.
For these reasons and more, trim and moulding represent key offerings for dealers, and a genuine opportunity to stand out from the competition.
Challenges and optimism going forward
“Demand for trim and moulding should remain strong and continue to grow in 2026. Year after year, trim proves to be one of the most stable categories, driven by steady repair and remodel activity,” reports Chris Guimond, CEO at Modern Mill. “Homeowners continue to invest in upgrades that enhance the look and longevity of their homes, which keeps trim at the center of many projects. This consistency positions the segment for another solid year ahead.”
However, the trim and moulding category, like the rest of the construction industry, continually faces new challenges. The past year was no exception, to say the least. When asked about the state of this segment heading into 2026, Steve Booz, VP of marketing at Westlake Royal Building Products, stated, “Home renovation activity has stayed strong, and that steady investment is helping drive growth across the category. According to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) from the Joint Center for Housing Studies, annual spending on home improvements and maintenance is expected to hold steady through the middle of 2026, which is a good sign for the industry overall. We’re seeing homeowners prioritize cost-efficient projects that deliver strong visual impact and lasting value. Smaller-scale renovations, such as a trim and moulding feature wall, are increasingly appealing because they’re both affordable and transformative.”
The wisdom of targeting value-focused projects is reinforced by Danny Moe, sales manager, International Wood Products (IWP). “Our analysis of budgets, feedback, and housing forecasts indicates that growth in the coming year will be relatively flat, a prediction that is likely echoed by many others in our market segment. However, flat housing growth doesn’t mean resting on our laurels; we’ll continue to seek out additional market share with the products we offer. In a softer market, builders are looking for ways to value-engineer, and many of our wood trim products meet their needs and quality standards but at a competitive price point.”
It’s no secret that increased material costs, especially those created by recent tariffs, have added to the complexity of planning. Milton Lozano, products director for Tamlyn, stated: “The challenge of increased aluminum and steel material costs due to imposed tariffs was not unique to Tamlyn; it affected our entire industry. We navigated this difficult period by leaning on our core values: family, value, and service. Having been in business for over 50 years, we understand the ups and downs of our industry, but our commitment to our customers means we communicate with them every step of the way.”
Acknowledging the challenges of rising costs, Steve Conroy, president of SilvaStar Building Products, stated, “Cost pressures from duties and tariffs will continue to impact the category. At SilvaStar, we are actively working to mitigate these challenges for builders by delivering added value. By focusing on solutions that reduce labor and streamline installation—such as ‘one-touch’ products like SilvaPost and SilvaSoffit—we enable builders to install paint-ready materials without additional finishing, helping control costs and simplify the build process.”
In addition to material costs, Corbin Rinehart, technical sales director for WindsorONE states that “Labor and installation skill gaps remain the biggest hurdle. Even the best material can pose challenges if it’s installed incorrectly. Education, through jobsite training, co-branded content with industry partners, and better dealer engagement, is key. The manufacturers who thrive will be the ones who stand shoulder to shoulder with their dealers and builders to protect craftsmanship first.”
Rinehart also explains, “Builders are paying attention to sustainability and supply chain transparency. U.S. manufacturing and vertically integrated sourcing contribute to a stronger, more self-reliant American supply chain.”
With market demand constantly evolving, Tamlyn has a strong approach to innovation and new product development. “Our focus is working with the architects, engineers, builders, and other tradespeople to better understand what their needs are before deeply researching how we can develop or improve a product,” Miguel explains. “One of the things Tamlyn does best is collaborate with our partners and customers to identify the latest trends or anticipate challenges coming our way. We’ve worked closely with James Hardie, for instance, as well as lots of other partners, to design improved products for specific applications.
“We approach all relationships, whether that’s with employees or customers, as genuine long-term partnerships. As a third-generation family business, we genuinely care about our people and prioritize values of open communication, respect, integrity, and trust. For our vendors, we carefully assess the value we can bring to each relationship, and with genuine passion for what we do, we treat our products like our babies.”
What’s new?
While wood, composite, metal, and PVC are all well-established trim materials, Edge recently introduced a mineral composite to the mix. Arris Trim is a moulding made of mineral composite, based on SureStone technology, also found in Deckorators’ premium decking. Demetri Kotiadis, director of marketing and product development for Edge, describes its benefits: “Among its many benefits, mineral composite trim is impervious to water, lighter than other dense composite materials, very low maintenance, and, importantly, has a very low coefficient of thermal expansion and contraction. It’s very stable.” Dom Beaulieu, managing director at Edge, adds, “We’re excited to be launching this innovative new moulding material. There is nothing like it.”
Pre-finished and fire-treated moulding in high demand
Speeding up installation efficiency on the jobsite is typically a win for contractors. One way of doing that is applying factory primers and finishes to trim moulding, leading manufacturers to offer contractors more pre-finished options. This increased demand for pre-finished products was reinforced by IWP’s Moe. “In the West, we’re seeing a bigger push for pre-finished trim options. Pre-finished trim has been popular on the East Coast and in parts of the Midwest for some time, but hadn’t quite gotten a foothold out West. We think pre-finished trim options will continue to be a growing trend in the West.”
SilvaStar’s Conroy highlights two key trends shaping the market: “First, pre-finished and natural wood aesthetics are gaining momentum. Second, demand for fire-treated products continues to grow. Fire-treated materials are becoming a necessity as Wildlife-Urban Interface (WUI) compliance rises to the top of builders’ priorities following recent wildfire events. Products like SilvaWood two-tone siding offer a Class-A, fire-rated solution that is both visually striking and ready to install, significantly reducing labor and finishing time.”
Products that simplify day-to-day work for contractors and builders are always worth considering. Modern Mill’s Guimond recognizes, “They want to save time, reduce jobsite frustrations, and achieve consistent results, which is driving an increased interest in factory finished materials that eliminate onsite finishing needs. Factory-finished ACRE by Modern Mill arrives at jobsites ready to install, provides a uniform finish, and removes the weather dependencies that typically slow projects down.”
Deep tones, natural looks
The trend of using deeper tones for siding and trim also continues. “In order to support not only the value of pre-finished products for the jobsite, but also the growth of dark colors, we’ll be launching our Premium Finished Trim in 2026. We are taking our finger-jointed and edge-glued engineered wood trim and offering it pre-finished in black,” stated Edge’s Beaulieu.
Pre-finishing trim to mimic natural materials, such as wood grain, is also in high demand. Chris (CJ) Johnson, director of product & marketing at Westlake Royal Building Products, stated that they are seeing “a big surge in demand for woodgrain finishes as more homeowners look to bring a natural, organic feel to their spaces.”
Creating an authentic wood-stain appearance on low-maintenance PVC trim also continues to be popular. Director of Marketing at James Hardie, Dan Gibbons, states, “Versatex continues to expand its Canvas series, which delivers an authentic wood-stained finish, but without the maintenance. Overall, we offer nine different real wood-stained colors.”
Seeing is believing (and often means buying)
Trying to explain to a customer how a trim style will look on their project versus showing them what that trim will actually look like can be a game- changer in terms of their confidence in making that buying decision. Using design and modeling software isn’t new to the world of construction and remodeling. Paint companies have been using apps that let customers preview their walls with any color in the rainbow. The added power of new technology, such as AI, and allowing contractors to upload construction drawings, is improving accuracy and flexibility at an astounding pace. For example, Edge offers its Visualizer design tool to designers and homeowners.
“We’ve tested it with blueprints, with renderings, as well as photos, and it gives you a very realistic view of what that project will look like. It’s exciting to have a premium tool that not only serves as a piece of inspiration, but also serves as part of the planning process,” added Edge’s Beaulieu.
Beyond creating 2D renderings, the ability to rapidly create accurate custom prototypes with 3D printing makes it easier for customers to make choices. “A great example is Tamlyn’s work for the Buffalo Bills’ new venue, Highmark Stadium. The project required 2,500 linear feet of our XtremeInterior trim, all custom profiles. By providing 3D printed samples of these profiles more quickly, we enabled the architects to bring their designs to life much more efficiently,” says Tamlyn’s Lozano.
Whether updating an older home or completing a new build, choosing the right trim materials, profiles, and finishes can transform a space from ordinary to refined. No matter what type of trim moulding is selected, the craftsmanship of the contractor is equally important. WindsorONE’s Rinehart says it well, “Many contractors underestimate the power of differentiation through detail. Trim and moulding are storytelling materials. They convey craftsmanship and pride. Builders who market their finished work, document installations, and align with brands that back their craft stand out in a crowded market. Contractors who champion that narrative elevate both their reputation and the value of their work.”
