Working on a project for a customer which includes three sided wrapping some engineered beams (LVL's) with Azek and some matching four sided columns beneath them. For the beams and columns I had planed on running the wraps on the shaper with a lock miter as we are in hopes to leave the wraps and columns with no raw edges showing (if we were but jointing) and unpainted.
We had planned on milling all the bottoms of the wraps identical (imagine the bottom of a square sided "U") and all the sides (verticals) identical. This way the parts would be interchangeable. The engineered beams, supporting a roof, are to be in an "L" shape with one leg being 27' and the other being 23'. Columns will of course be spaced along these spans.
I have a few concerns. One is how difficult will it be to assemble these wraps in the field and keep the lock miter, which will be highly visible, dead tight and clean. The Azek will come in 17' lengths but I am not intent on running them at that length however I will want to stagger the seams. Two is keeping the material clean while running it. I am not sure if the table or the feeder will scuff or mark up these boards requiring painting. Third is that there will of course be butt joints along the length of these wraps (columns will be one piece per side) as well as an inside and outside miter at the "L". These will simply have to be but joints as that is what the manufacturer requires for expansion and contraction. I would rather not land these but joints over each column. Painting is not out of the question and will be required eventually however best case would be to avoid it for as long as possible.
Just looking for any heads ups on the lock miter idea and perhaps any input from anyone who has perhaps run any PVC trim.
I have a feeling we will have to paint but I am holding out hope.
Any input is appreciated,
Thanks,
Mark