Installing Electrical Outlet (and/or Electrical Switch) Trim
 Download This Page As A Printable PDF
Tools and Supplies You'll Need
To complete your project you will at least need these basic tools:
- Finish Nails — use nails that are long enough to go through the Trim and firmly attach to the wall behind it. If the application is on the exterior or in a wet location we recommend exterior grade finish nails.
- Construction Adhesive/Glue — we recommend either PL® Premium Construction Adhesive, PL® Premium Advanced 4X Construction Adhesive (which has 4X faster bonding), or Great Stuff Pro.
- Hammer and nail set (if applicable)
- A saw for cutting the trim to fit – a circular saw, jig saw, band saw, table saw, or hand saw, it is your preference. Any woodcutting blade used with these saws work great and cut smooth and easy. (if applicable)
- Caulking gun for applying the Adhesive/Glue and Caulk.
- FauxPanels™ color coordinated textured caulk (if applicable, and necessary)
- Touch-up Kit (if applicable, and necessary)
- Spaces/box extenderes
« Click to hide list of tools Directions:
The Electrical Outlet Trim can be installed indoors, or outdoors, on any reasonably flat surface that is clean and is in structurally sound condition. The Electrical Outlet Trim should be installed prior to installing any FauxPanels, so that the Panels can butt up to the Trim.
Note: These instructions cover the installation of the decorative outlet covers only. It doesn’t address any specific instructions for what is needed to do the actual electrical work itself. We recommend you consult with a licensed electrical contractor for this.
 |
|
 |
|
 |
1. Begin the decorative outlet covers installation by making sure the surface the trim will be attached to is clean. Wipe the surface with a rag. Use a wire brush on harder surfaces. Wipe clean the back of the Trim as well.
Acclimatize the Trim to roughly the same temperature and humidity as the installation surface for about 24 hours. Avoid storing trim in direct sunlight or close to heat sources. |
|
2. Dry fit the Electrical Outlet Trim to insure a proper fit. |
|
3. Apply two beads of the Construction Adhesive to the back of the synthetic stone Electrical Outlet Trim as shown. |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
4. Apply the Electrical Outlet Trim to the wall. Use a slight twisting motion to help ensure good contact with the glue/adhesive and the wall. |
|
5. Begin fastening the decorative outlet covers to the wall with the finish nails. Use a minimum of two nails. Finish nails should be very slightly recessed below the surface of the Trim. Use a nail set to recess finish nails. Use exterior grade finish nails if the Trim is being installed in high moisture areas. |
|
6. If desired, use caulk to fill the screw or nail holes. (You may want to use the paint from the touch-up kit to help conceal the caulk that has filled the nail holes.) The installation of the decorative outlet cover trim is completed. |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
7. Bring the Electrical box forward (using the appropriate spacers/box extenders as necessary) and install the outlet cover plate.
|
|
8. Before installing the FauxPanels up to the newly installed Electrical Outlet Trim, apply an ample bead of the Textured Caulk in the crease between the synthetic stone trim and wall.
|
|
9. Install the FauxPanels as directed in the appropriate FauxPanel instructions. Before the texture caulk dries be sure to use a damp rag to wipe off any excess caulk that may have squeezed out from between the joint between the FauxPanel and the Trim. |
| |
|
|
|
|
Installing Double Electrical Outlet (and/or Electrical Switch) Trim
 |
|
 |
|
 |
1. For this you'll need two of the decorative outlet covers to cut to make a trim that will fit a double outlet and/or switch. You’ll also need a tube of matching textured caulk to form the "grout line" between the two trim pieces. |
|
2. Cut each of the two Trim pieces into a C shape, keeping the legs of the C as long as possible without cutting into the miters at the corners. |
|
3. Dry fit the two pieces together and lay your electrical cover plate on top to check for size. You'll want just enough space between the legs of the Cs to form a nice-looking grout line. If the legs are too long, carefully trim off a bit. Follow the rest of the standard installation instructions listed above to complete the installation. |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
4. The finishing touch is to add the textured caulk to the seams where the synthetic stone pieces meet. This is very important to ensure a weather-tight seal.
Note: The same principle can be used to create Electrical Outlet Trims that will fit triple outlets, quadruple outlets, etc. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Be sure to obey all safety rules and recommendations set forth by tool manufacturers.
Always follow any, and all, local, state, and federal building codes. Always comply with any specified clearances set forth by the manufactures of stoves, fireplaces, furnaces, and any other heat sources, as well.
|
|
