RISE 5/4″ x 8″ x 13' 4″ Trim

This composite trim solves the joints problem that drives contractors crazy. At 13 feet 4 inches (160 inches), it matches exactly 10 studs at 16-inch on-center spacing. No more piecing together 10-foot boards with visible seams every few feet. No more calculating waste on odd cuts.

Made from 94% post-consumer and post-industrial synthetic fiber — recycled polyester, nylon, and fiberglass from carpet, vehicle liners, and wind turbine blades. This isn’t greenwashing. The material comes from actual recycled carpets and wind turbine blades. The result? A trim that won’t rot, won’t feed termites, and handles Montana’s freeze-thaw cycles without cracking.

What Sets This Apart

The ground contact rating changes everything. This trim is rated for incidental ground contact with soil or masonry, thanks to a protective water barrier on both sides. Try that with cedar or fiber cement. Most exterior trim fails right at the ground line where snow piles up all winter and moisture wicks up from spring melt. This stuff doesn’t care.

At 5/4 inch actual thickness (1.25 inches) by 8 inches wide, it’s substantial enough for corner boards, window surrounds, and fascia without looking skinny. The length optimization means fewer butt joints exposed to weather. Every joint is a future failure point in Montana’s climate.

Compared to fiber cement trim, it’s easier to cut and handle with less breakage. Fiber cement typically comes in 10-12 foot lengths versus this 13’4” option. That extra length eliminates one joint for every three boards on a typical wall.

Installation That Makes Sense

Installation Specs	Requirement	Source
Fasteners	8d trim nails or 7d trim screws	manufacturer
Penetration	Minimum 1-1/4 inch into framing	manufacturer
Fastener Spacing	16” on-center for studs; 12” on-center for nailable sheathing	manufacturer
Fastening Pattern	2 fasteners for ≤ 8” width; 3 fasteners for > 8” width	manufacturer
Ground Clearance	4” above landscaping; 1/2” above finished surfaces	manufacturer
Joint Gaps	3/16” gap if < 60°F; 1/8” gap if ≥ 60°F	manufacturer

The temperature-specific gap requirements matter. Montana installers know that morning temperatures often differ 30 degrees from afternoon. Install when it’s cold? Leave 3/16-inch gaps. Warm afternoon? Drop to 1/8-inch. This prevents buckling in July and gaps in January.

Works with standard woodworking tools — no special blades needed. Cut it, nail it, paint it if you want. The factory offers both primed and ColorRISE pre-finished options.

The Bottom Line

Backed by a 30-year limited warranty. For contractors tired of callbacks on rotted trim and painters tired of scraping peeling paint every five years, this product earns consideration. The longer lengths reduce labor. The ground contact rating expands installation options. The recycled content satisfies green building requirements without compromising performance.

Skip it if you’re doing historical restoration or need to match existing wood trim profiles exactly. This comes in textured (wood-grain) or smooth finishes, but it won’t perfectly mimic intricate millwork profiles.

For new construction and major renovations where durability matters more than matching 100-year-old trim? This handles Montana weather better than most alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the actual size of RISE 5/4” x 8” trim, and why does the length matter?

RISE 5/4” x 8” trim measures 1.25 inches thick (actual) by 8 inches wide by 13 feet 4 inches long (160 inches total). The 13’4” length is optimized to span exactly 10 studs at 16-inch on-center spacing, eliminating extra joints and reducing waste compared to standard 10-12 foot trim boards.

Q: Can RISE trim actually touch the ground, or does it need the same clearance as wood?

RISE trim is rated for incidental ground contact with soil or masonry, unlike wood or fiber cement trim that requires clearance. The manufacturer specifies 4 inches above landscaping and 1/2 inch above finished surfaces like decks or roofs, but the material won’t rot from ground contact like traditional trim materials.

Q: What fasteners should I use with RISE trim, and how far apart?

Use 8d trim nails or 7d trim screws (like Simpson Strong-Tie 2 1/4”) with minimum 1-1/4 inch penetration into framing. Space fasteners 16 inches on-center when hitting studs or 12 inches on-center for nailable sheathing, using 2 fasteners for 8-inch or narrower boards and 3 fasteners for wider boards.

Q: How much gap should I leave between boards in Montana’s climate?

RISE requires temperature-specific joint gaps: leave 3/16-inch gaps when installing below 60°F and 1/8-inch gaps at 60°F or above. This accounts for thermal expansion and contraction in Montana’s extreme temperature swings, preventing buckling in summer and gaps in winter.

Q: What exactly is RISE trim made from, and is the recycled content claim legitimate?

RISE trim contains 94% post-consumer and post-industrial recycled synthetic fibers, specifically polyester and nylon from recycled carpets and vehicle liners, plus fiberglass from insulation and wind turbine blades. This isn’t just marketing — the material is genuinely made from these recycled sources, backed by Health Product Declaration (HPD) documentation.

Q: How does RISE trim handle compared to fiber cement for cutting and installation?

RISE trim cuts with standard woodworking tools and has higher resistance to breakage and cracking compared to fiber cement, making it easier to handle on job sites. The material is described as lightweight for easier handling, and at 13’4” lengths versus fiber cement’s typical 10-12 foot boards, you’ll make fewer cuts and have fewer joints to seal.

Q: Does RISE trim come pre-finished or do I need to paint it?

RISE trim is available in both factory-finished (ColorRISE) and primed versions. The factory-finished option comes ready to install with no painting required, while the primed version is field-paintable if you need to match existing colors or prefer to apply your own finish.