RISE trim delivers 94% recycled content in a 5/4” x 8” x 13’4” profile that’s optimized for 16-inch on-center framing. Worth it for contractors who need freeze-thaw resistance and want to minimize joints on long runs. The 13’4” length matches 10 studs exactly, cutting waste and speeding installation compared to hauling multiple 10-footers.
Skip it if you’re married to PVC trim for its bright white finish. RISE comes primed or pre-finished, but it’s designed to provide a more natural wood aesthetic and feel rather than the plastic look some jobs demand.
Technical Specifications and Material Performance
The actual thickness measures 1.25 inches — standard 5/4 dimension that matches common trim profiles. Here’s what matters:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5/4” x 8” x 13’4” (160 inches) |
| Material Composition | 94% post-consumer and post-industrial synthetic fiber (polyester, nylon, fiberglass) and polymer waste |
| Moisture Resistance | Resistant to rot, freeze-thaw cycles, heavy rain, and snow |
| Ground Contact Rating | Rated for incidental ground contact (soil or masonry) |
| Surface Options | Textured (wood-grain) or smooth; factory-finished (ColorRISE) or primed |
| Warranty | 30-Year Limited Warranty |
The recycled content includes polyester and nylon fibers from carpets and fiberglass fibers from insulation and wind turbine blades. That’s not marketing fluff — it’s repurposed industrial waste that would otherwise hit landfills.
The ground contact rating sets this apart from fiber cement trim that’ll wick moisture and deteriorate at grade. Fiber cement breaks easier during handling and typically comes in 10-12’ lengths, requiring more joints and creating more waste.
Installation Details That Save Time
The 13’4” length is optimized for 16-inch on-center stud spacing. Run the numbers: 160 inches divided by 16 equals exactly 10 stud bays. No awkward 4-inch offcuts. No piecing together shorts on a 40-foot wall run.
Installation requirements stay simple:
- Fasteners: 8d trim nails or 7d trim screws (e.g., Simpson Strong-Tie 2 1/4”)
- Penetration: Minimum 1-1/4 inch into framing
- Spacing: 16 inches on-center for studs; 12 inches on-center for nailable sheathing
- Pattern: 2 fasteners for <= 8” width
- Clearances: 4” above landscaping; 1/2” above finished surfaces (decks/roofs)
The temperature-dependent joint spacing matters in Montana: 3/16” gap if < 60°F; 1/8” gap if >= 60°F at butt joints. Spring and fall installations need that wider gap.
Works with standard woodworking tools (cutting, nailing, screwing). No specialty blades. No pre-drilling. Cut it like wood, nail it like wood, but it won’t rot like wood.
Why Recycled Content Actually Matters Here
The fiber composition provides high resistance to impacts, denting, and weathering, making it suitable for demanding applications. Those recycled polyester and nylon fibers create a matrix that handles Montana’s freeze-thaw punishment better than solid plastics that get brittle.
High resistance to breakage and cracking compared to fiber cement translates to less waste from jobsite damage. Fiber cement trim shatters when dropped. RISE bounces.
The environmental angle works for builders chasing LEED points or marketing to eco-conscious buyers. Health Product Declaration (HPD) available backs up the sustainability claims with third-party documentation.
The Bottom Line
RISE trim earns consideration for freeze-thaw durability and installation efficiency. The 13’4” length alone saves labor on any job with multiple long runs. Longer continuous lengths reduce job-site joints and waste.
The trade-offs are honest: You’re paying for recycled content engineering and that 30-year warranty. PVC gives you bright white if that’s what the job demands. OSB trim costs less upfront but can’t match the moisture resistance and ground-contact capability.
For Montana contractors dealing with 100+ freeze-thaw cycles annually, trim that won’t absorb moisture matters more than initial cost. Add the reduced waste from optimal sizing and fewer joints to maintain over time — the math starts working in RISE’s favor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can RISE trim handle direct ground contact at foundation transitions?
A: Rated for incidental ground contact (soil or masonry). That covers typical foundation transition details where trim meets grade. Still maintain 4” above landscaping for best practice.
Q: How does the recycled fiber content affect painting and finishing?
A: Surface finish options include textured (wood-grain) or smooth; factory-finished (ColorRISE) or primed. The primed version takes paint like any quality trim board. Field-paintable (primed) or factory-finished (ColorRISE) options mean you can match existing trim or skip painting entirely.
Q: Will standard trim nails split this material?
A: Workable with standard woodworking tools (cutting, nailing, screwing). Use 8d trim nails or 7d trim screws without pre-drilling. The fiber matrix prevents splitting better than solid wood trim.
Q: What’s the actual environmental benefit of 94% recycled content?
A: 94% recycled content including fibers from recycled carpet, vehicle liners, insulation, and wind turbine blades. Every board diverts industrial waste from landfills. Health Product Declaration (HPD) available provides third-party verification for green building programs.
Ready to Get Started?
Our siding specialists can help you find the right RISE products for your project.
More from RISE
Explore All RISE Products
We carry RISE across all 11 Montana and Idaho stores.
