Internal Window sill/bottoms fixing

Joined
5 Feb 2016
Messages
125
Reaction score
3
Location
Cumbria
Country
United Kingdom
Hi folks,
First post of many as I'm currently ploughing though the house which is like stepping back into the 70's!

I've had some solid American oak window sills made and I'm really loathed to drill and screw them down. I have seen some propoliethylene packing sheet used as a gasket to protect the wood underneath and act to stop the draft.

Is there any other option's to securing the sills down apart from using some of adhesive?

Cheers
 
Sponsored Links
As in expanding foam?

The original looked like was held in with this amung other things but thought it was a bodge job as everything else in this house I've come across has been!
 
If you have any offcuts of the oak, you could always core and plug if you have to screw it down. If you are careful matching the grain it is virtually undetectable.
 
Sponsored Links
That would be my choice too.....sill board is usually MDF these days so its flat enough - but you don't know if your hardwood ones will warp or not.
John :)
 
Good point Burnerman - hopefully it is well seasoned American White Oak and not Red.
 
In new builds they are sometimes fixed from below with long L straps screwed to underside and then down the wall with the strap then covered by the plasterboard. [You could use this method if you can sink the strap into the wall.]
 
Thanks for everyone's thoughts!

It is American White Oak and 45 mm thick. I'm hoping it's thick enough it doesn't warp too much.

Bracketing was something I'd thought about but didn't know how to go about it.

As much as it may pain me to drill it, I might research how I'd go about making the dowels to plug it. At least it's secure. I'm also looking to varnish the underside and sides to give it as much protection as possible. The top is still undecided yet.

:)
 
Thanks for all your thoughts.

I think knowing what I know now I'm gonna screw the boards down and plug them. I say this as today I found that the boards had indeed warped quite alot. (I'd have though 45mm x 200mm wouldn't have shifted but obviously not)
The boards have been just lead on the floor (carpeted) in the living room and kept at a even temperature.

Would 10mm screws and brown plugs be enough to hold them down? Assuming 1 either side or will i need to go larger?

At the moment the window bottom cavity is all shapes and not really level so need to try and level it with mortar to give it some support when I screw it down.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top