How to Replace Window Sills and Door Saddles
Window sills and door saddles receive a lot of wear and tear. For the sills, they are exposed to moisture and the extreme heat of the sun, which finally turn the sills into something absorbent rather than a water barrier. For door saddles, they face not only moisture and the sun, but the scuffling of feet that walk across its surface every day. The good news is that both pieces are easy to replace. Read on to learn how to replace window sills and door saddles.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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Door Saddles
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1
Measure your door saddle. See whether it fits under the jambs on either side.
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2
Decide whether to replace your door saddle with fiberglass or with wood. Either can be purchased at a hardware store or big box store.
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3
Use a chisel or screwdriver to carefully remove the door saddle. If you are able to get the saddle out in one piece, you can use this as a template for the replacement piece. If it doesn't come out easily, you may have to pry it out by splitting it along the grain or by sawing a portion on either side of the jambs.
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4
Prime the new saddle piece if you decide to use wood. This helps to prevent rot.
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5
Tap the saddle in place with a hammer. Make certain to do this gently so as not to damage it or make any marks.
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6
Secure the saddle with rust resistant nails. Caulk the nail holes and both ends of the new sill.
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7
Counter sink (pre-drill so that the nail heads are below the surface after being nailed) two nails at either end, and two in the middle. Fill the holes will putty and caulk the ends of the door saddle.
Window Sills
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1
Remove the trim from around the window. Make certain to do this carefully, without damaging the trim, so you can replace it after the repair is completed. You will have to remove the apron (the vertical piece on the inside of the window sill), the stool (the horizontal, raised piece on the interior side of window sill), and the stop molding (the vertical molding on the outside of the window that holds it in place), as well.
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2
Saw out the sill if it is embedded at either end. Make your cuts near the center of the sill, and pry it up. You can use the pieces to create a template for the replacement sill.
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3
Buy a new sill either at a hardware store or a building supply store.
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4
Tap the new piece in place with a hammer. If the piece resists, sand the ends down a little so it slips in (the fit should be a little tight versus a little loose).
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5
Use rust resistant nails to secure the sill in place. Hammer these in from the underside of the sill (the side you can't see unless you bend down and peer up at the sill) so the nails are hidden from view. Caulk the nail holes and both ends of the new sill.
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6
Counter sink (pre-drill so that the nail heads are below the surface after being nailed) two nails at either end, and two in the middle. Fill the holes will putty, and caulk the ends of the sill.
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7
Finish the sill with paint so it matches the rest of the sills on the rest of the house.
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