Crosshead Kits

Ekena Millwork manufactures cellular PVC crossheads and field-cut crosshead kits built to be sized at the point of installation rather than ordered to a fixed dimension. Each kit pairs a 96-inch S4S backing piece with a matching 96-inch trim piece, so installers cut both components to the exact opening they are framing and produce a crosshead that fits any door and window width without custom ordering. Openings wider than a single 96-inch stick can be covered by combining multiple kits. Because cellular PVC resists rot, warping, and cracking and holds paint, the assembled unit performs as exterior trim in conditions where wood-based crossheads fail. In-stock kits ship within one business day, giving distributors and dealers a fast-moving, low-complexity SKU with broad project coverage. Contact an Ekena Millwork sales representative to discuss dealer pricing and stocking programs, or request samples to evaluate the kit format.

How Ekena Millwork Builds Cellular PVC Crosshead Kits

Each crosshead kit is manufactured as a two-component set: one 96-inch S4S (surfaced four sides) backing piece and one 96-inch trim piece. The S4S backing provides a clean, dimensionally consistent substrate on all four faces, which gives installers a true reference for cutting and a uniform surface for adhesion. The trim piece carries the profile that defines the finished crosshead face. Both components are produced from cellular PVC, a closed-cell material that mills cleanly and accepts standard cutting tools without specialized equipment.

The kit format is designed around field modification. On site, the backing piece is cut to the width of the door or window opening. The trim piece is then cut to match the backing, and the returns are taken from the resulting trim scrap and mounted to the sides to close the assembly. The trim attaches with standard construction adhesive. This sequence lets a single SKU produce a crosshead matched to any opening within the 96-inch stick length, which removes the need to specify a fixed length at the time of order and reduces the dimensional guesswork that drives returns and reorders.

Covering Wider Openings With Multiple Crosshead Kits

Each kit is built from 96-inch sticks, which covers the majority of standard residential and light commercial openings from a single kit. For openings that exceed 96 inches, multiple kits can be ordered and combined to span the full width. The seam between sections is concealed with caulk or PVC cement and then painted over, so the finished crosshead reads as a continuous unit. For distributors and dealers, this means one stocked SKU scales to oversized openings without a separate long-length product, which keeps the stocking position simple while still serving large-opening projects.

Cellular PVC Material Performance for Exterior Specification

Cellular PVC is the defining material attribute of this product and the reason it suits exterior door and window applications. It is weather resistant and will not crack, warp, or rot over time, which makes it appropriate for the moisture and temperature exposure crossheads face above openings. The material is paintable, so the finished crosshead can be coated to match adjacent trim and integrated into a broader exterior scheme. For specifiers, the relevant point is durability under exterior exposure without the maintenance liability of wood. For distributors and dealers, it is a material that supports a single product across new construction and replacement work alike.

The cellular structure is also lightweight relative to wood or composite alternatives of comparable dimension. For the trade, that property has practical downstream effects: lower handling weight during overhead installation above doors and windows, and reduced unit weight that factors into shipping and warehouse handling. The field-cut, low-tool-requirement assembly further limits the opportunity for installer error, which is a meaningful consideration for dealers supporting contractor accounts.

Stocking and Trade Program Considerations for In-Stock Crossheads

These crosshead kits are stocked and typically ship within one business day. For distributors and dealers, the combination of a fast ship window and a field-cut format means one SKU covers a wide range of opening sizes, which simplifies inventory planning compared with carrying multiple fixed-length crossheads. The result is broad project coverage from a compact stocking position.