Window Capping and Window Wrap in Pittsburgh

Window capping, also called window wrap, is aluminum or vinyl trim coil custom bent on site and fitted over the exterior wood trim around your windows. Once the wood is wrapped, there is nothing to scrape, prime or paint again, and the trim is protected from the water that rots it. It is the finishing step that separates a window replacement that looks great for years from one that starts peeling the next spring.

It is also the part of the job a window only company often leaves for you to deal with. At Bella, capping is part of how we install windows, because we are an exterior contractor first.

What Gets Capped

Every window has wood around it on the outside, and every piece of it is a candidate for capping:

• Brick molding and casing: the trim boards that frame the window on the face of the house.
• Sills: the sloped board at the bottom that takes the most water and rots first.
• Heads: the top trim, where flashing keeps water from running behind the window.
• Old frames: on insert replacements, the original wood frame that stays in the wall gets wrapped so none of it is exposed.

The metal or vinyl coil is bent with a brake to match each profile, fitted tight and fastened, then sealed where it meets the window and the wall.

Why Window Capping Matters

No more painting

Painted wood trim needs scraping and repainting every few years, and second floor trim means ladders or scaffolding every time. Capping ends that cycle.

Stops rot before it starts

Peeling paint lets water soak into the wood, and soaked wood rots. Capped trim sheds water instead of absorbing it. If we find rot when we remove the old window, we repair or replace the damaged wood before it gets wrapped, so we never cover up a problem.

A finished, consistent look

Crisp capped trim in a color that matches or contrasts with your windows and siding gives the whole house a clean, updated look. Trim coil comes in a range of colors to match your exterior.

Works with your siding

The trim around a window is where the window, the flashing and the siding all meet. Getting that joint right is what keeps water out of the wall. Because Bella installs siding, we know how to tie flashing and capping into the siding so the whole wall works together. A window only company typically stops at the window.

Aluminum vs Vinyl Capping

Aluminum trim coil is the most common choice. It bends to sharp, clean profiles, holds its shape and comes in many colors. Vinyl coated and vinyl trim options are also available. We will recommend the right material for your home and match the color to your windows and siding at the quote.

Capping With New Windows or On Its Own

Most of our capping is done as part of a window replacement, because the old trim is exposed and easy to wrap correctly right after the new window goes in. We also cap trim around existing windows and doors when the windows are in good shape but the paint is failing. If you are not sure whether you need new windows or just new trim, we will tell you honestly at the quote.

Our article on what a window wrap is and why you should care goes deeper on how capping protects your home.

Signs Your Window Trim Needs Attention

• Paint peeling or flaking on sills and casing.
• Soft spots when you press on the sill.
• Gaps or failed caulk where the trim meets the window or the wall.
• Water stains on interior walls or ceilings below windows.
• Old capping that is dented, loose or pulling away.

Cost of Window Capping

Capping is priced by the number and size of the openings and the condition of the wood underneath. When it is done with a window replacement, it is quoted together with your windows. Our standard window range of $450 to $1,200 per window installed covers quality vinyl double hung windows, and capping is quoted with your project at a free in home visit. Get a quick range for your windows with the window price estimator.

Replacing windows at the same time? See double hung windows and picture windows for two of the styles we install most.

Why Homeowners Choose Bella for Windows

Bella Construction has worked on Western Pennsylvania homes since 1995 from our shop in Irwin. We have completed more than 10,000 projects, hold a 4.7 star Google rating and an A+ BBB rating, and we are licensed under PA050898. As a full exterior contractor with Owens Corning Platinum Preferred and James Hardie Master credentials, we handle the window and everything around it: flashing, exterior trim capping and the siding that ties into the opening. You get published pricing, a written quote and no pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is window capping?

Window capping, also called window wrap, is aluminum or vinyl trim coil custom bent and fitted over the exterior wood trim around a window so it never needs paint and is protected from water and rot.

Is window wrap worth it?

For most homes, yes. It ends the cycle of scraping and painting exterior trim, protects the wood from rot and gives the house a clean, finished look.

Do you cap the trim when you replace windows?

Yes. Capping and flashing are part of how Bella installs windows.

Can you cap rotted wood?

We do not cover up rot. If we find damaged wood, we repair or replace it first and then cap it.

Can you cap trim without replacing the windows?

Yes. If your windows are in good shape but the exterior paint is failing, we can cap the trim around existing windows and doors.