There’s really only one surefire way to replace your rotted window sill once and for all, and that’s installing a superior product. It doesn’t make financial sense to replace a rotting window sill with another one that’s going to rot in the years to come. That’s arguably insane!
A lot of time, effort, sweat, muscle and money go into a building project. When those finishing touches go on to the build, it needs to be a presentation that you’re proud of. Everything from the foundation to the window sills needs to be held to high standards of quality. Window sills are an absolute necessity. It’s used to keep water from seeping into a dwelling, and it also serves as a nice brace for windows.
Why Windows Might Need Replacing
Window sills have to be replaced so often for a few reasons. The main reason is because of the wear and tear it endures from the outer elements. No matter where you live and what kind of climate you’re used to, if you don’t have quality window sills installed, it will take a beating.
Caring for Window Sills in a Colder Climate
If you live in the colder climate, you’ll have to endure the freezing rain and snow that can wear your window sill down over a period of time. With wood window sills, what that eventually does is soften that material making it an inviting home for bugs that enjoy burrowing in wet, damp places. This will only weaken the window sills causing it to rot away allowing for water to come through.
Caring for Window Sills in a Warmer Climate
If you live in a warmer climate, then your issues will be slightly different, but the outcome will be the same. In warmer climates, materials need to be able to withstand the sunrays. This is usually done with UV coating or reapplying coats of paint. But after a while, even with lower quality window sills, the heat from the sun is going to cause that sill to get brittle and the critters of that region that’s particularly fond of dry wood would simply burrow it’s way into the material, thus turning it into a brittle material that will increase the decaying process with enough moisture and humidity.
Appreciating the Beauty and Timeliness of Natural Stone
If you’ve come upon a build or a flip where you have the opportunity to replace a rotted window sill, do it with either a marble or travertine window sill. Nothing will be as solid as natural stone.
Natural stone window sills have been proven to stand the test of time regarding its beauty and durability. Even when weathered, natural stone exudes timeless artistry that resembles wealth and success. This may be why natural stone marble, in particular, is in such high demand.
How to Replace Rotted Window Sills?
Due to their constant exposure to both rain and sun, windowsills do have a tendency to rot. Yes, they can be repaired in some cases but replacement is usually a better option when they’ve become seriously rotted away. Some rotted window sills will start pulling away from their window trim while others may be embedded, therefore you can only remedy the situation by replacing the part of the sill extending beyond the siding of your home.
Helpful Hints & Power Tools to Replacing
Either way, you’ll need a few power tools whether you decide on repairing or replacing. Here are some helpful hints as well as a list of what you’ll need for your damaged window sill repair or replacement. Let’s start with how to remove a rotted window sill:
- Start by prying away the window framing from beneath the edge of the sill as well as from both sides of the window using a pry bar. Don’t forget to pry each nail part of the way out with a claw hammer for keeping the exterior trim in better condition so you can reuse it.
- Open your window, examining the sill before you remove the window. It should be fairly easy to pry out of there as a unit if the edges can be seen against the frame. Just tap your pry bar underneath each nail, hold it and force the sill up just far enough for the nail to pop out. Then, pulling it out, start prying the other nails in the same manner and then removing the sill.
- Cut the sill (only the portion that extends beyond your siding because it’s usually the part that’s rotted), then draw a line using your pencil and a straightedge. Then, opening the window, simply cut along that line using a circular saw. After cutting, smooth your sill using a hand plane.
- Now, you’re ready to install a replacement sill or repair the old one.
Things You’ll Need
What you’ll need from your local home improvements store for removing your rotted window sills includes:
- Circular saw
- Claw hammer
- Hand Plane
- Handheld cutting tool
- Oscillating saw blade
- Pry bar
- Straightedge Tablesaw
- Utility knife
- Wood Filler
Buying Marble Window Sills in Bulk
The most popular reason builders tend to buy marble is for flooring. But depending on your budget, stocking marble even at a wholesale cost can be quite costly. But, if you desire to bring a certain refinement to your build and brand, then the smart and most affordable way to do this is to incorporate marble window sills, and even travertine if you prefer, into your build.
How Miami Marvels at Marble
With the right color selection, you’ll be surprised at how much something, as overlooked as a window sill, can do to design. For South Florida residents, especially Miami, marble is one of the preferred design materials as a nod to keeping the Art Deco design movement alive. As a result the Pure White Thazoz and the White Carrara are quite a popular window sill material because the sun is able to reflect off its glossy surface illuminating more light into a room. And with the square footage on Miami Beach being minimal, anything that can make a small space appear larger is always welcomed!
For a more contrasting look, designers can install the Black Granite window sills that will offer a bolder feel to space. These types of marble sills are perfect for those who like the monochromatic look.
Learning More About Marble
Window sill can also be multifunctional. They can be used as a window seat, bookshelf, or desk. The standard size of a window sill measures at 3”, 4”x 4 ½”, 5”, 6”, 7”, 8”, 9”, 10”, 11”, 12” – all 1”. These are the sizes that Stonexchange, a manufacturer and wholesale marble window sill and threshold distributor has fully stocked in our warehouse in Miami, Florida. Should you need a custom sized window sill, we are more than happy to accommodate you on this request.
We Manufacture Custom Orders
All of our custom orders need to be cut from our quarry in Turkey, so it’s highly recommended that you place your order in months in advance as you’ll need to take the manufacturing process as well as the overseas shipment time into consideration.
As far as packaging goes, window sills don’t take up much room. Stonexchange’s window sills are securely packed in 50-100 window sills. You can order a variety of crates in different color variations and have them neatly tucked away until you need them for the next construction project.
Learning More About Stonexchange
The great thing about Stonexchange is that we only specialize in marble window sills. Furthermore, we stock only the choicest natural stone selections. This means that we only provide the kind of window sills that builders buy—in bulk! So we have plenty for you too! You won’t find yourself thumbing through a long catalog of pretty marble window sills. What you’ll be shopping from selections that people actually want!
Here’s Stonexchange’s selection of quality natural stone window sills:
- Travertine
- White Carrara
- Crema Sahara Marfil
- Black Granite
- Pure White Thazoz
- Bardiglio Gray
- Emperador Brown
View our full selection online here.
Call For Help Today
If you’ve read all of the above hints and the list of must-haves but then think to yourself that you’re just really not that into DIYing it, no problem. All you really need to do, in that case, is contact us at STONEXCHANGE in Miami. Our phone number is (305) 731-2400.