You may not give the window sills much thought, but they actually serve an important purpose. The lower part of your window supports your window and serves as an architectural feature. Over time, forest window sills can start to rot from regular exposure to sun streaming in or water leaks. Fortunately, yous can replace your window sills and replace them with a more than durable fabric.

Determine how Extensive the Impairment is

A small area of rot does not mean that you lot have to replace the entire window sill. Look closely at the window sill to make up one's mind how extensive the damage is. Use an ice option or a metal probe to button into the woods. If you cannot easily push the tool in, and so the wood is still in good condition. If the bract slides into the forest hands, then the wood is rotted and should be repaired.

Determine the Source of the Impairment

If the window sill rotted because water penetrated the expanse and saturday on it, then you lot volition need to find the source of the water leak and prepare it. A lack of insulation around the window can permit wet outside to drift in. Damage to the exterior trim effectually the window tin allow water to enter and crusade damage. Clogged drainage holes can also be the root of your problem. Before proceeding with any repairs, it'due south important to determine why the damage occurred and fix the underlying trouble.

Consider Patching the Window sill

If you are simply dealing with a small-scale surface area of rot, then you tin salvage money by patching it. Use a chisel to carve out all the rotted wood. Fill the open area with a quality forest filler, and and then paint over the wood to protect the repair. While this pick is cost-effective and fast, information technology's merely recommended if you accept a small area of rot. If more than 20 percent of the sill is damaged, then you are improve off replacing the unabridged unit.

Choosing Your New Sill

If you cannot repair the existing sill, then you will take to guild a new one. Wood window sills can exist painted and are perfectly acceptable, merely they will need regular maintenance. A better pick is to switch to natural rock sills. From beautiful marble to creamy travertine and slick black granite, y'all tin use stone to protect and support your windows while adding dazzler.

Stone window sills are an splendid choice. Like shooting fish in a barrel to care for and requiring little maintenance, they will not rot away with time like woods. If y'all make up one's mind to replace i window sill with stone, information technology's wise to supplant all the sills with natural stone. It will add value and create a consistent advent.

Once your existing sill is removed from the window, you can use information technology as a template to lodge a new one. You lot will want to match the thickness exactly, and cull a size that is equal to or slightly larger for the new sill. It's like shooting fish in a barrel to have stone cut down to fit your window, but you cannot add together material to it.

Save Fourth dimension and Hassle with Custom Cuts

While y'all can cut the sill yourself, you tin can as well relieve a cracking deal of fourth dimension past but ordering the perfect size. Measure out the sill and society a piece of rock that volition fit perfectly in its place. Practice not remove the old sill until the new i arrives, but your project will be faster and easier if yous choose to have the manufacturer cut the sill. In addition to saving time, you lot as well won't have to worry about crude edges or cracking the stone.

Remove the Existing Sill

Removing the sill isn't difficult, but it volition take a lilliputian effort on your part. When y'all're set up to put in a beautiful new sill, hither are the steps required to get the existing one out.

ane. Open up the window every bit high every bit it will get. Brace it in position if necessary. Remove any storm windows or screens to make the task easier.
ii. The sill is the interior bottom plate that sits inside the window's lower edge when it's closed. Locate the sill, and then use a utility knife to cutting along both sides and the bottom of the sill. Cutting through any former caulk or paint will make removal much easier.
3. Using a hammer, gently tap upwards on the bottom of the sill. Steady tapping towards the window opening should loosen the sill and make information technology easier to remove. Take intendance not to strike the wall as you work to avert damaging the sheetrock.
iv. If the sill does non move, endeavour using a wood chisel to remove information technology. Place the chisel in the seam under the window's front edge on one side. Gently tap on it with a hammer to open the seam. Gradually piece of work your manner across moving an inch or two at a time.
v. Working slowly and consistently, ease the window out of position in the frame. Continue tapping information technology with a hammer and using the chisel when necessary to costless it from the fasteners.
6. Keep the existing window sill every bit a template for cutting the new ane.

Cut the New Window Sill

Whenever possible, have the sills custom cut past the supplier to simplify the job. Notwithstanding, you can cut it yourself if that should exist required. Yous can use your original sill as an exact template. Utilise needle-nose pliers to carefully remove any nails. With a utility knife and pliers, remove any caulk from the sill before laying information technology down on the stone to marking your cuts. Use a crayon to brand the marks on your new stone sill.

If your original sill broke when information technology was being removed, you lot tin can have exact measurements of the opening using a tape measure. With a carpenter'southward square, transfer the measurements to your stone window sill. The stone should be covered on either side of your markings with painter's tape to prevent chips.

Use a special masonry bract and a circular saw to cut the stone. Have a helper spray the bract with water from a spray bottle equally yous cutting. When finished, wipe the h2o away from the sill and remove the painter'south tape. If yous aren't comfortable cutting the sill yourself, you can call a local quarry and enquire to have them cutting information technology for y'all.

Installing the Beautiful Stone Window Sill

Earlier the new sill tin get in place, you must clean the opening. Remove all traces of old caulk and clean droppings away with a shop vacuum. Apply a cleaner to remove any remaining dust or grime. Set the sill into place to exist sure the size is proper before applying whatever adhesive or nailing anything into identify.

When putting the new sill in place, use a level to keep information technology perfectly straight throughout the process. If the shelf will be hung with nails, then you should drill holes in the wall to mount the nails. Otherwise, mount the sill past applying adhesive to the dorsum and pushing information technology into identify. Follow the directions on the adhesive to know how much should exist used and what the drying time is.

An apron will be mounted nether the edge of the sill to hibernate the unfinished surface area beneath it. If a wood apron is chosen, install it by predrilling holes and securing the apron with finishing nails. If you chose a stone apron, so you tin can install it with the same adhesive used on the sill. Concord the stone in identify while the adhesive dries by temporarily securing it to the wall and sill with masking record or painter's record.

Enjoy the Natural Beauty of Stone

With your window sill replaced with beautiful natural stone, information technology will look more sophisticated and attractive. An fantabulous architectural upgrade, you will never grow tired of the cute stone sills. Supplant them for a consistent await and elegant touch. Visit www.windowsills.com to wait at the different options available when you are set to replace and upgrade your window sills.