After reading the article Wainscot for a Window in the June/July issue, I have a problem/question relative to the window in my home. This home was built with the ‘marble’ window sills. I have often wanted to replace them and this article only stirred the pot a little more. The problem is the article assumed a wood window and a wood sill (I think). How do I replace the sill? Just pull it our and replace it? I’m pretty handy with most home remodel/repair when I have seen it done, have the article with instruction etc, but this article left me a little short. I don’t like to just jump in with no plan. Any help or additional explanation would be really appreciated.
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If all you're concerned about is how to get the marble sill (actually, stool . The sill is the bottom part of the window frame) off, they're usually just glued on with some construction adhesive; maybe some thinset.
Just pry the old one off, and install a wood one. If it's really well glued on, break it up to get it off. Depending on the brand and style of window, you'll probably have to make some alterations to the new stool to get it to work. Some windows have a groove to set the stool into, some have a beveled sill, some are just flush.
A lot of the windows I see with marble stool aren't trimmed. They have sheetrock returns. Are yours that way?
Either way, it's an opportunity to do something creative with the window treatments.
Thanks for the reply . . . yes, mine are just sheetrock. When I saw the article, I thought I could trim them out and add the Wainscot, but as indicated the stool was an issue. I have aluminum windows, thinking of replacing them. Would replacing the stool now, affect the window replacement later? I have included a photos to illustrate what I have.
Thanks for your info, it is appreciated.
That picture was pretty much what I was imagining.
If you're even considering replacing the windows, I'd do that before worrying about the interior trim.
You can't get the vinyl replacement types that fit into your existing window frames, 'caues you don't have any. You're going to have to replace the entire unit. You can get vinyl replacements with an integral nailing flange.
I'd rip out the sheetrock and marble, measure the rough opening, and see what would fit.
You're also going to get a much tighter, wamer house with new windows versus those aluminum ones.