Window Trim Renovation Cost Canada 2026: $80–$500/Window

What Is Window Trim and Why Replace It?

Window trim is the framing material that surrounds your windows, both inside and outside the home. In Canada in 2026, replacing window trim typically costs $5–$30 per linear foot installed, or $80–$500 per window depending on whether you are doing the interior casing, the exterior brickmould, or both. A full re-trim of a typical 10-window home runs between $1,500 and $5,000.

On the interior, trim is called casing — the decorative moulding that covers the gap between the window jamb and the drywall. On the exterior, the primary trim pieces are the brickmould (the outermost frame), the sill (the sloped ledge at the bottom), and side casings. All of these are vulnerable to moisture damage, UV degradation, and paint failure over time — especially on the exterior.

Homeowners typically replace window trim for three reasons: rot or moisture damage to exterior wood trim, a cosmetic upgrade during a renovation (from flat colonial to a craftsman profile, for example), or as part of an energy-efficiency retrofit where new exterior trim integrates with new flashing and weatherstripping. Use our windows calculator to estimate full project costs, or read our companion guide on window replacement cost in Canada if you are replacing the windows themselves.

Cost by Trim Material

Material choice is the single biggest driver of cost per linear foot. A standard window requires roughly 14–20 linear feet of trim when you include all four sides of both interior and exterior.

Material	Installed Cost (per lin. ft.)	Best For	Notes
Vinyl trim	$5–$10	Budget exterior	No painting required, won't rot; limited profiles available
Aluminum cladding	$8–$15	Exterior on existing wood	Wraps over existing wood frame; common on 1980s–1990s homes
Pine or primed MDF	$10–$20	Interior casing	MDF paints beautifully; pine is stronger and holds nails better
Composite / PVC (Azek, Kleer)	$15–$25	Exterior — best long-term value	Paintable, dimensionally stable; resists freeze-thaw cycles
Hardwood (oak, maple)	$20–$35	High-end interior	Stainable; requires finishing on-site; not suitable for exterior
Custom-milled softwood	$25–$40+	Heritage or custom homes	Matched to existing profiles; longer lead time and skilled labour required

PVC composite trim (Azek, Kleer, KOMA) has become the preferred exterior choice among Canadian contractors because it does not absorb moisture, holds paint for 8–12 years, and withstands the freeze-thaw cycles common from Winnipeg to Halifax. The upfront cost is 30–50% higher than vinyl, but the 5-year total cost of ownership is lower due to virtually zero maintenance.

For interior casing, primed MDF is the dominant choice in new construction and renovation because it is factory-primed, dimensionally consistent, and paints with a smooth finish that wood grain sometimes interrupts. If your home has existing stained hardwood trim throughout, matching in oak or maple is worth the premium to preserve visual continuity.

Cost by Location: Interior vs. Exterior

Interior and exterior trim replacement are very different jobs in terms of skill, tools, and risk. Here is what each costs per window in 2026:

Scope	Material	Labour	Total per Window
Interior casing only	$20–$60	$60–$240	$80–$300
Exterior brickmould only	$40–$120	$110–$380	$150–$500
Full re-trim (both sides, 1 window)	$60–$180	$170–$620	$230–$800
Full re-trim (10 windows, bundled)	$600–$1,800	$900–$3,200	$1,500–$5,000

Labour for interior casing is straightforward: a skilled carpenter can replace the casing on one window in 45–90 minutes. The job involves removing the old casing (carefully if you plan to reuse drywall), cutting new mitre joints at the corners, nailing the casing in place, filling nail holes, and caulking the joint between casing and drywall. Most contractors charge $60–$120 per window in labour for interior casing.

Exterior brickmould takes longer because it involves removing caulking and any existing flashing, cutting and fitting the new brickmould around the window frame, integrating with the siding or cladding, installing new flashing if needed, and caulking and priming. Exterior work on upper floors adds $30–$80 per window in staging or ladder time. Plan on $110–$260 per window in exterior labour.

Key Cost Factors

• Trim profile complexity — Flat or colonial profiles are the cheapest to source and install. Craftsman-style built-up assemblies (head block, plinth blocks, layered casing) can add $40–$100 per window in material and carpentry time.
• Drywall damage on interior — Old casing is often skim-coated or painted to the wall. Removing it without damaging the drywall is not always possible. Drywall patching adds $50–$150 per window if repairs are needed.
• Paint and finish — A fresh paint job on replaced trim costs $20–$50 per window for brush-applied finish. If you are spray-finishing for a smoother result, add $30–$60 per window, though most contractors simply brush-coat interior casing.
• Exterior flashing condition — If the flashing behind the brickmould is deteriorated, it must be replaced at the same time or the new trim will rot just as fast. Flashing replacement adds $50–$120 per window.
• Height and accessibility — Ground-floor windows are the easiest. Second-storey exterior work requires an extension ladder or scaffolding, adding roughly 25–40% to exterior labour costs. Third-storey or higher requires scaffolding rental ($200–$600 for a week) shared across the project.
• Custom milling — Heritage homes with non-standard profiles require custom-milled trim, which is typically ordered through a millwork shop. Expect a 3–6 week lead time and a 50–100% premium over off-the-shelf profiles.

Cost by Canadian City

Labour rates vary significantly across Canada. The table below shows approximate total costs to replace trim on all four sides of 10 standard windows (interior + exterior), using mid-grade pine/MDF inside and PVC composite outside.

City	Total (10 windows, full re-trim)	Vs. National Average
Toronto	$2,900–$6,000	+20%
Vancouver	$2,800–$5,900	+18%
Calgary	$2,400–$5,000	Par
Ottawa	$2,300–$4,800	−5%
Montréal	$2,300–$4,750	−5%
Halifax	$2,200–$4,500	−10%
Winnipeg	$2,100–$4,400	−12%

Toronto and Vancouver carry the highest labour premiums in Canada — a journeyman carpenter charges $75–$110/hour in the GTA versus $55–$80/hour in Winnipeg or Halifax. Material costs for standard trim products are broadly similar nationwide, though shipping costs in remote communities can add 10–20% to material pricing.

DIY vs. Hiring a Contractor

Interior casing is genuinely DIY-able for a homeowner comfortable with a mitre saw and a nail gun. The mitre cuts at window corners need to be accurate (45°), but there is no structural risk, no flashing, and no waterproofing involved. A motivated DIYer can swap the interior casing on one window in 2–3 hours on the first attempt, dropping to 60–90 minutes per window by the third or fourth. Material cost for a single window's interior casing is $25–$80 depending on profile and species. Total DIY savings on a 10-window interior job: $600–$1,500 in labour.

Exterior brickmould is more demanding. The work involves working at height, integrating with existing siding or cladding, and correctly installing head flashing so water sheds away from the wall cavity. An improperly installed exterior trim assembly will cause water infiltration behind the cladding — damage that can cost $3,000–$15,000 to remediate if it reaches the sheathing or framing. Unless you have experience with exterior carpentry and flashing details, hire a contractor for exterior trim work.

Bottom line: DIY the interior; hire for the exterior. That split approach saves $500–$1,200 in labour while keeping the water-sensitive exterior work in professional hands.

Replacing Trim During a Full Window Replacement

If you are already replacing your windows, replacing the trim at the same time is almost always the right call. Here is why:

• Labour overlap — The installer has the window out of the frame and the area prepped. Adding trim replacement costs only $80–$200 extra per window in bundled labour versus $150–$500 if you come back for it separately.
• Proper integration — New flashing, sill panning, and brickmould can be installed as a system, reducing the risk of air and water infiltration that mismatched old-new assemblies create.
• Cosmetic continuity — Old trim shows age and patching around a brand-new window. New trim makes the finished opening look intentional.
• Paint matching — One paint session covers everything at once instead of two separate touch-up visits.

Ask your window contractor for a bundled trim quote. Most reputable window installation companies in Canada include interior casing in their base quote — ask specifically whether exterior brickmould is included or an add-on. See our window replacement cost guide for full window pricing context.

Permits and Considerations

Trim-only replacement does not require a building permit in any Canadian municipality. You are replacing finish materials, not altering the structural opening or the building envelope in a way that triggers permit review. This means you can schedule the work and start immediately without any approval process.

There are two exceptions worth knowing: First, if the trim replacement reveals hidden rot that extends into the rough framing or requires opening the wall, some municipalities require a permit once structural repair is involved. Second, heritage-designated properties may require heritage committee approval before changing exterior trim profiles or paint colours — check with your local planning department if your home is listed.

For strata or condo buildings, verify with your strata council whether exterior trim work requires approval or must be performed by a strata-approved contractor. Some strata agreements restrict modifications to the exterior envelope even for like-for-like replacements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace window trim without removing the windows?

Yes. Interior casing can always be replaced without touching the window itself — it is simply nailed to the wall and jamb. Exterior brickmould can also be replaced without removing the window in most cases, as long as the window frame is in good condition and the flashing can be integrated around it. Only if the frame is rotted at the sill or jamb will removal be necessary.

How long does interior trim replacement take per window?

A professional carpenter takes 45–90 minutes per window for interior casing, including removal, cutting, installation, nail-hole filling, and caulking. For a 10-window house, budget one full day of labour. A DIYer on their first attempt should allow 2–3 hours per window.

What is the most common cause of exterior trim rot in Canada?

Failed caulking at the top of the brickmould (where it meets the siding above) is the leading cause. Water tracks behind the trim and sits against the wood, causing rot that is often invisible from the outside until the trim is probed or replaced. Secondary causes include missing or deteriorated head flashing and paint failure that lets moisture penetrate the wood. This is why PVC composite trim is increasingly popular: it simply cannot rot regardless of how the caulking holds up.

Should I match new trim to the existing profile or upgrade?

If only a few windows need trim replacement, match the existing profile for visual consistency. If you are doing all windows at once, upgrading profiles — for example, from flat colonial to craftsman with plinth blocks — is a cost-effective way to modernize the look of the interior. Profile upgrades on a 10-window house typically add $300–$600 in material costs but significantly increase the perceived quality of the finishes.

Can I paint over old trim instead of replacing it?

If the trim is structurally sound — no rot, no cracks, no separation from the wall — repainting is a perfectly valid option. Strip old paint, prime, and apply two topcoats for $10–$25 per window in materials and $40–$80 in labour. However, if the trim has significant surface checking, raised wood grain, or multiple thick paint layers, replacement gives a cleaner result than repainting. A contractor can usually tell you within a few minutes of inspection whether repaint or replace is the better call.

Does window trim replacement add resale value?

Trim condition is noticed by buyers, particularly on the exterior. Rotted or peeling brickmould triggers concerns about water infiltration and will often surface in a home inspection report. Replacing deteriorated exterior trim before listing typically returns 80–100% of cost in avoided price negotiations. Interior casing upgrades are a moderate resale value add — attractive but rarely a deciding factor for buyers.