help on exterior window sills-contractor says no need to slope? Red oak exterior trim?
Hi Everyone,
I was hoping that someone familiar with building windows could help me out. I’m a drafter and have only seen details for window sills, and have watched several videos and read a couple sites, but I think its time to turn to someone who has the experience.
My wife and i recently purchased a home in oakland and were very excited about some renovations. we hired someone who we thought was a good GC, but his subs are not really doing the work at a level that was desribed.
So today was the first day replacing dry rot on exterior window sills. I took my lunch break to come see how the work was going and the first thing I noticed was that the trim and sills were not angled/sloped away from the glass. I’ve seen plently of typical sill details and just about all Ican remember showed the sill sloping away from the window. I’ve never seen one flat, all I could imagine is standing water or water somehow making its way into our living room floor–these are bay windows. Correct me if I’m wrong here, please? I asked the main builder why he chose not to slope the sill and he said that he flashed/taped under it. Will that tape work well enough on its own?
Red oak trim–
Secondly back at work I took a minute to look at a couple of pics I took and I’m looking at the pic thinking that he used red oak trim. I had always thought red oak was for interiors only? By the time I get back home, all is primed and I found a few cut off pieces of red oak in the waste pile. I asked someone at work and they said red oak soaks in water?
Thanks for any help, it is much appreciated.
Steve
Replies
Here are two more pics...might help give you a better idea of the window.
Although looking at your later pictures there's not that much sill exposed. Was the original sill slanted?
Elsewhere in CA you might get away with this, but Oakland gets 24" a year, which is not too far below most of the US. It doesn't matter whether it's flashed or not, you slope the sill so that rain will drain off and not rot through the wood. Not acceptable.
Oak can be used for trim, but it needs to be appropriately sealed, just like any wood other than maybe teak. And it's difficult to get a smooth finish on it -- a problem on horizontal surfaces.
Oak
HOw did you determine he used red oak vs. white oak?
yes original sill was sloped.
Yes original sill was sloped. As for determining if red oak was used: I wasn't that certain based on the pic, but when I came home I saw that there was a pile of primed pine and red oak, found a cut off piece that still had the upc on it.
I generally don't want to want to make a big deal out it since I like the guys and I can see that they are trying to do a good job, but i really don't want a bunch of windows that will be leaking either.
Thanks for the help.
Reality check
Red oak is a poor exterior trim material; especially for window sills; and especially for ones that aren't slope. It doesn't matter if there is tape is under the siIl; that won't keep the oak from rotting. Only caulk and paint are going to keep your window sill from rotting. Once either of these are compromised (at all), then all bets are off. Good luck with that bet.
If I were replacing a rotted paint grade sill, my first choice of material would be cellular PVC. Secondary Flashing under the window sill is still a good practice, but it is insurance and not the primary bulk water shedding element.
Looks like you'd have to make a big deal about it since the work looks largely completed. From a carpenter's perspective, anytime you ask a carpenter to remove something they just installed, it' going to be a big deal.
You say that they are not installing "as described". How was the scope of work described in your contract?