I need to replace a sill on a picture window that has a double hung on each side. Sorry for the phjoto but tht is the only one I have right now. The house is 90 miles away. I’ve replaced the sill on double hungs before but not on a picture window like this. The rotten part is centered on the sill and doesn’t extend too far into the depth of the sill so I may be able to epoxy it but I think the area is too long and the rest of the sill looks a little suspect. It may not be bad now but it seems to be headed that way. I think I can cut the nose of the sill off and attach a new piece. Any suggestions on how to cut this? There is detail line on the sill but I believe that runs pretty much flush with the picture window jambs.
If I have to remove the entire sill, how would you remove a sill like this? Is it just a matter of cutting the nails under the jambs of the picture wondow and treating the double hungs sections the same as I would with a normal double hung?
Any suggestions on how to handle this are appreciated?
Lastly, if I decide to epoxy this, is Bondo ok to use or should I use product created for this purpose?
By the way, the crappy shutters have already been replaced. 🙂
Thanks,
George
Replies
just one guess...
Practices differ over time and region but it could be all you have is a jamb extension ripped on a bevel and nailed to the window
jamb or even the framing. if that be the case it is likely only 2 or 3 inches wide and face nailed. If so all is required might be to
pry it off and make a new one.
If that's not the case I wouldn't speculate without being there....
Additional Photos
I as at the house this weekend and was able to tak esome addtional photos of the entire sill, the are with the rot whee I dug out the soft wood, the jamb and the end of the sill. Any comments on how you would repair this?
george
I have successfully repaired these type of sill rots using pvc scraps (Azek etc) as fill pcs in addition to epoxy. Where necessary and allowing the room to do so, I'll cut out the bad and replace whole sills , nosings, too far gone ends.
In what I see in the pics, you'll need to stabilize the good wood with wood hardener b/4 adding epoxy. This hardens the chewed up fibers and gives the epoxy something good to bond to.
So I don't have to use a boatload of epoxy, I'll use different sizes of scrap pvc to "fill" in the bulk. First a layer of epoxy, then while still fresh, add the filler-never stack fill on top of previous w/o more epoxy-to bond the pcs. You want no voids.
Sill replacement
Based on pictures provided, I would suggest that you can epoxy the damage with a great deal of success. I would not use bondo under any conditions. It is not reliable and will not expand and contract with the wood, and over time will actually separate and detach from the original sill. I would use Abatron. A very good product that will work better with the pine sill. The age of the window suggests that you have a one piece sill that runs the entire length of the unit. I do not think you have a loose nosing either. I am guessing that the window is about 40 50 years old or older. The practice of loose sill nosings has only been around for the last 25 years or so on double hung windows. Good luck
Additional Photos
n
I wouldn't spend the time on messing with rotten wood - cut out the bad wood and replace it.
Personally, if I had a chance to visit the house I'd carefully cut out the sill with a sawzall and see how it was attached and go from there. You then have a piece that is the exact length and width of what you need to replace it with. Use polyurethane construction adhesive and long screws to attach the new pressure treated piece and bondo over screw heads.
I know Royal makes a PVC nosing that would easily replace the old rotted part of the sill. Pretty easy fix, I've done a few.