How Do You Build a Window Sill?
Adding a windowsill to a plain window enhances its appearance and usefulness. A windowsill can be used to display potted plants and framed photographs, or as a place to rest your elbows as you gaze out at the sunset. You can build a beautiful windowsill out of wide crown molding. Taking all the exact measurements is the most important part of building a windowsill. Cutting the molding takes some skill, but you can practice on some scrap pieces until you get the hang of it.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Molding
- Pencil
- Miter saw
- Wood glue
- Putty knife
- Nail gun
- Finishing nails
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure the width of the window with a tape measure, from the outermost edges of the window frame.
-
2
Measure the width of the trim that you are going to use for your windowsill.
-
-
3
Measure the depth of the windowsill. Take the measurement from the top of the molding down along the backside of the molding that will be attached to the wall.
-
4
Calculate the length of the windowsill. Add the measurement of the width of the window to twice the measurement of the width of the trim plus twice the measurement of the sill depth. Measure this length on your piece of molding and mark it with a pencil.
-
5
Cut the molding to the length you calculated in Step 4. Lay the molding on the base of a miter saw. Lower the blade and make a straight cut on the mark you made for the length of the windowsill.
-
6
Adjust the setting on your miter saw to a 45-degree angle. Lay the molding on the base of the miter saw and cut a 45-degree angle onto one end of the molding. Cut the other end of the molding the same way.
-
7
Cut the windowsill returns. These are the two triangular pieces of molding that will fit onto each end of the long piece of molding to make a finished shelf or sill. Place a smaller piece of molding on the miter saw and cut two 45-degree angles to make a triangle. Repeat to make a second triangular piece of molding.
-
8
Fit one windowsill return against each end of the longer piece of molding you cut in Step 6. Apply wood glue to the return piece with a putty knife. Press the return against one end of the long piece of molding and hold it for a few minutes. Glue the other return to the other end of the long piece of molding the same way.
-
9
Position the finished windowsill under your window. Ask a friend to hold it in position. Attach the windowsill to the wall using a nail gun and finishing nails. Place the nails near the edges of the inner and outer edges of the molding.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You can paint or stain your windowsill to match the color of your walls.
Wear goggles to protect your eyes from flying wood chips when using a miter saw.
References
- Photo Credit flowers on the window-sill image by Daria Miroshnikova from Fotolia.com
