Replacing A Windowsill? Maybe Better To Just Repair It

Replacing a windowsill is usually much more money & causes environmental harm versus repairing a windowsill with epoxy.

Wood rot, an inevitable process even for well-constructed homes and windows, occurs with the simple combination of wood, water, and warmth. In no time, sturdy lumber succumbs to a state of disintegration. Among the various elements of a home, exterior trim emerges as the most susceptible to the onslaught of rot-inducing fungi. However, some are unaware that it is far more cost effective and safe to repair a windowsill vs replacing it.

What Part Of The Window Is The Windowsill

The windowsill, a crucial component of a window that serves as a protective ledge, preventing water infiltration and directing rainwater away. It also adds to the visual appeal of the window while offering potential display space and complementing the architectural style. Proper care is essential to ensure longevity, prevent water damage, and preserve the overall integrity of the windowsill.

What Is Wood Rot

Wood rot is the natural decay of wood caused by exposure to moisture and fungi. It weakens the wood structure, particularly in outdoor elements like decks and siding. Early identification and intervention in wood rot is essential to prevent safety risks, aesthetic deterioration, and keeping the value of the home high. Treatment of wood rot typically involves repairing or replacing affected wood and improving ventilation to minimize moisture.

Why Repair A Windowsill Versus Replacing It

Opting to repair, rather than replacing, your windowsill can be a cost-effective and environmentally conscious choice. Repairing allows you to address specific issues, such as rot or damage, without the need for a full replacement. This not only saves on material and labor costs but also preserves the original character of your home. Additionally, repairing the windowsill tends to be a quicker process, minimizing disruption to your daily routine.

Steps To Replacing A Windowsill

If you truly need to replace your windowsill, here are the steps to accomplish this task. Read carefully as each of the steps involved in replacing a windowsill do take work as well as some knowledge of both tools & construction.

Begin by cutting through the caulk bead between the siding and the casing. Then gently pry off each piece. Preserve the trim for use as templates when installing the new ones. Verify that the flashing behind the casing remains intact and is correctly positioned behind the siding to ensure proper installation.

Create a plumb cut aligned with the sheathing throughout the decayed sill’s length. Utilize a circular saw equipped with a beveled blade for most of the cutting. Refine the cut by smoothing it with a few strokes of a hand plane.

Repair decayed areas on the existing sill with epoxy, adjust the new sill for a snug fit against the siding and old wood, drill pilot holes every 16 inches along both edges, and apply waterproof, marine-grade adhesive for a strengthened bond.

Press the new sill into adhesive. Secure the new sill to the flashing with 3½-inch deck screws. Fill in any gaps with adhesive as necessary. Quickly wipe away any excess adhesive and fill gaps between the old and new sill with adhesive, as needed.

Apply a white, two-part acrylic adhesive over each screwhead, ensuring a slight overfill in the recess. Allow the adhesive to fully harden, approximately 30 minutes, and then sand it flush.

Caulk beside siding ends. Attach the new casing using 8d stainless-steel nails into cellular PVC trim. Cover nail heads with two-part adhesive. Once hardened, sand flush and smooth. 

The cost to replace a windowsill can vary widely based on factors such as material, labor, and the extent of damage. On average, homeowners may expect to spend anywhere from several hundred to a couple of thousand dollars for professional windowsill replacement, per window. 

Steps to Repairing A Windowsill

If replacing the rotted wood on your windowsill seems too labor intensive, costs too much, or you would like to keep the look & feel of your current wood, then you should consider repairing the windowsill. Repairing your current windowsill is better for the environment as well as better on your wallet. If you are a hardcore DIYer, here are the steps to repair your rotted windowsill yourself.

The first step is to remove the rotted wood. Remove loose material with a hammer. Use a die grinder with a router bit to eliminate all rot-softened wood that you were unable to remove with a hammer. To ensure effective epoxy repair, check the wood’s moisture content with a meter before proceeding.

Inject borate wood preservative onto the remaining exposed wood. Half-drill holes into really bad spots of the damaged wood to get the borate deep inside to make sure all wood rot is treated and will be killed.

Apply a two-part epoxy primer, ensuring a strong bond for the final repair. After letting it penetrate for about 15 minutes, wipe off excess epoxy primer with a paper towel, preparing the surface for the epoxy filler.

Dispense epoxy filler components onto a plastic board and thoroughly blend them with a plastic putty knife. Since epoxy doesn’t adhere to hard plastic surfaces, the board and putty knife are easily cleaned and reusable.

With the same plastic putty knife, shape the epoxy into the shape of the wood. Epoxy maintains its workability for approximately 30 to 45 minutes (more in cooler conditions and less in warmer weather).

Epoxy needs to dry and must be painted the day after hardening as epoxy is susceptible to sunlight breakdown. Sand the repair first with 80, 100, and 220-grit paper. Then apply acrylic primer and two coats of 100-percent acrylic paint.

The cost of repairing a windowsill is significantly less than replacing them. Generally only about a couple hundred dollars which can be 90% less than the cost of replacement.

Choose Preservan To Repair Your Windowsill

If this seems like a lot of work and you would like a professional to do the windowsill repair for about the same cost it would be if you did it yourself, then you should turn to Preservan. At Preservan, we offer more than just peace of mind. We provide the trusted epoxy method to safeguard and repair the wooden windowsills on your home or building. By repairing your windowsill instead of replacing it, you are adding value to your property, eliminating waste in our landfills, and reducing overall costs of home maintenance. Our team is composed of dedicated professionals with years of expertise, unwavering commitment to restoration, and a commitment to pursuit of excellence in every project. By choosing Preservan to perform wood rot repair, you’re not only ensuring the structural integrity of your building, you are also improving the aesthetic appeal. 

Visit our website or contact us for a free estimate today on wood rot repair services! Currently, we are proudly serving the expanding areas of Oklahoma City , Tulsa, Orlando , & Greensboro with our wood rot repair experts. We’re continually growing and one of our franchises may be coming to your town soon. Trust the Preservan Promise, skip the hassle, and let the experts handle your wood rot repair for a home that stands out and stands strong.

Contact Preservan

Give us a call to have Preservan fix your wood rot.

Phone

866.875.4280

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