The word trim means to ornament or to decorate. For steel buildings, trim connects, covers, seals, and protects critical transition areas from the elements. At the same time, it provides the final touches necessary to give steel buildings a finished, smooth, and professional appearance.

Transition areas include the spots where the roof meets sidewalls (eave) and the end walls (rake) of steel buildings. If these areas are not properly sealed, the building is not properly protected from the elements. Water may enter the steel building and damage its contents. For steel buildings that are insulated, water can reduce the effectiveness of insulation. In addition to water, air may enter the building, which raises heating and cooling costs.

A tight seal is crucial in ensuring that steel buildings are well protected from the elements and that their energy efficiency is maintained. However, steel building owners must not settle for trim packages of inferior quality or those that still need to be modified at the job site to fit.

High performing trim packages are those that are precision engineered and manufactured to match the specific dimensions of steel buildings. This results in a secure fit and many years of service. In addition to being tailor-made, trim with hemmed edges creates a smooth finish to steel buildings. Besides, folded edges are preferable since sharp edges are prone to rust and may cause accidents during and after the actual construction of the building.

Aside from eave trim and rake trim, one other trim option is jamb flashing or head flashing. This type of trim covers framed opening that surround windows and doors. Once used, jamb flashing is an inexpensive way of enhancing the appearance of steel buildings.

For those who are planning to purchase a steel building, it is best to include trim in the overall design to ensure that the elements will fit the building exactly and perfectly.