gotta build a large window box to sit on some antique corbels – I was going to use treated or cedar, but wonder about coating the interior with something to fend off the moisture…anybody got a suggestion?
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For all the window boxes I've made I urge the user to place potted plants in them, filled around with that fluffed up stringy "mulch" that florists use. This keeps the muck out of the box and eliminates the need to empty the box b/4 freezing winter. For the water, I drill holes in the bottom and seal the box.
In a perfect world you should line the inside with soldered copper-a pan.
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thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions - but suppose the client wants to go against the advice of counsel and just fill it with dirt - would it do any long term good to seal the inside with a penetrating primer or sealer and then line it with some ice and water shield , or would that make it worse ? it's cedar, 16x12x64, painted on the outside - I would of course allow for drainage...I don't know how long the I and W would last with thw dirt on it...
Sealer or Ice and Water Shield would be fine for the planter, but the plants will probably drown! I was wondering about landscape fabric that will hold the dirt, but allow the water to get out. Then punch a few holes for drainage (and try to direct the dirty water away from other things!) in the bottom of the cedar. In one I built, I made the bottom out of plastic peg board, but the lady puts her plants in pots and puts the pots in the window box. I wonder if you asked at "Over the Fence" they would have better ideas?
They sell rigid plastic liners. Use several for a long box. Or, just use a cheap plastic window box as a liner. Problem is that plants really need some drainage. To me, window planter boxes are problematic by nature.
I've made some window boxes and other planters and used a few slats instead of a bottom. I make liners out of aluminum sheet flashing, fold it like a box, pop rivet the corners and include drainage holes. Filing a wood box with dirt will kill it quickly.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match