How To Install Window Sill And Apron

A Guide to Installing Window Sill Trim

Feb 02, 2022

Upgrading the trim effectually doors and windows is a pop abode comeback projects that can help to increase the value of a dwelling house. Installing your window trim does take some time, patience, and attending to particular, notwithstanding. One stumbling block that many DIYers or contractors might come up confronting is cutting and installing window sill trim. This guide to installing window sill trim volition help.

What is window sill trim?

While a window sill is only the apartment, horizontal piece at the interior bottom of the window, window sill trim refers to all of the trim components within the window. These components include the sill, the frock underneath, the side and head jambs inside the window opening, and the side and caput casing around the window.

Window sill trim exists to requite the rough opening around the window a finished look. Rather than ragged drywall and framing lumber, the window sill trim is smooth and clean (if done correctly).

Installing window trim requires quite a few different tools:

• Prybar
• Hammer
• Utility pocketknife
• Pencil
• Combination foursquare
• Tape measure out
• Level
• Table saw
• Miter saw or miter box
• Jigsaw or hand saw
• Router (optional)
• Sandpaper
• Finish nailer (2-inch)
• Finishing nails (8D and 10D, optional)
• Woods shims

It'due south certainly possible to hang window sill trim with nothing more than a hand saw, hammer, and nails. Nevertheless, the accurate cuts required for installing window sill trim are easier to attain with power tools, and fugitive errant blows with a hammer is a skill that requires time to develop.

How to install window sill trim

Installing window sill trim might take several steps (and tools), merely the time is well worth the project'southward touch.

one. Remove the existing trim

If you're replacing existing trim, start by removing information technology. Use the utility knife to score forth the edges of the window casing, sill, jambs, and frock to cut the paint or caulk. Slide the pry bar backside each slice of trim and gently pry it loose. Be certain to place a piece of scrap between the wall and pry bar to prevent damage whenever extra leverage is necessary.

2. Cut the jamb fabric to width

Use the combination square to measure the width of the new jambs. Transfer these measurements to the jamb material and cutting them to width (not length still) on the table saw. Cut a brusque piece off of one of these jambs to use as a reference on the window.

3. Cut the window sill to length

Mock upwards the window jamb and casing using the curt piece of jamb and a small piece of the new casing. With the jamb in identify, slide the casing toward the wall slightly to create a ¼-inch reveal on the jamb. Apply a pencil to mark the drywall where the casing meets the wall. Repeat this on the other side of the window also.

The altitude between these 2 marks represents the width of the sill. For aesthetics, y'all can add 1 ½-inches to this length to allow for a ¾-inch overhang on each side. Transfer this measurement to the sill cloth and cut it to length on the miter saw or miter box.

4. Cut the sill to shape

Use the record mensurate to find the center of the window sill and the window, marking both for reference. Holding the window sill in identify so the marks are aligned, utilize the combination foursquare to mark where the inside of the window framing will meet the sill. Next, set the combination square to match the distance between the surface of the drywall and the window, and transfer this measurement to the behind of the sill.

The marks for where the sill meets the wall and the depth marks volition create minor boxes on each end of the sill that demand to exist removed. Use a jigsaw or hand saw to remove these boxes.

5. Install the window sill

Use some sandpaper to shine the cuts, or a router to create a rounded profile forth the front of the sill. The sill should fit snugly into the window opening at this bespeak, but you can conform information technology slightly with sandpaper if necessary.

With the sill in identify, lay the level on top to ensure that information technology's close to level. If non, adjust with shims. Use a pneumatic nailer or hammer to nail the sill into the framing below.

6. Cut and install the jambs

With the jambs already cut to width, installing them is a matter of cutting them to length and nailing them in identify.

Starting with the head jamb, hold it in place between the studs in the window opening and marking it to length. Cut and boom this jamb in the opening, using shims to go it equally level equally possible. Next, echo the process with the side jambs: agree them in place, marking them to length, and nail them into the framing.

It can be well-nigh impossible to hold a total-length jamb in place for final marking, so use the record measure to get an overall length and add a few inches earlier cutting. This will provide a piece of jamb material at a workable length.

7. Cut and install the side casing

Set the combination foursquare to ¼-inch and mark along the within of the window jambs to create a reveal line. Hold a piece of casing forth this line on the head jamb, and employ a pencil to mark the wall along the top edge of the casing at both top corners. Measure from this line to the sill and add an inch or ii. Transfer these measurements to 2 pieces of casing.

Cut each piece of casing to length on the miter saw or saw box. Next, set the miter saw or saw box to 45 degrees and cut opposing miters on the ends of both pieces of casing. This should result in 2 perfectly mitered pieces of casing that are longer than necessary.

Concord the right-side casing in place, merely flip it upside down then the point of the miter is resting on the sill. Then, use the pencil to mark the casing where it meets the line drawn on the wall earlier in this step. Reset the saw to 0 degrees and cut the casing to length. Repeat on the left side and boom both pieces in place, using the ¼-inch reveal for reference.

viii. Cut and install the caput casing

Cut a 45-degree miter on the end of the head casing. Next, flip the casing upside down and rest the point of this miter on the point of the miter on the left or right casing. At the other side of the window, use the pencil to mark where the point of the other miter meets the caput casing. Cut the final miter at this line and install information technology in place with a hammer and nails or pneumatic nailer.

9. Cutting and install the frock

The last step is to install the apron underneath the sill. The apron should exist the aforementioned length equally the distance between the outside edges of the casing, so use them for reference. Concord the apron slice against the casing, and make a mark at the outside edge of each piece of casing.

For a truly finished wait, install returns (45-degree miters on the ends of the apron). Marker the apron as noted in a higher place. Set the saw to 45 degrees and cut the apron at those marks and smash in place. Side by side, cut two small mitered pieces and glue them on the end of the frock, giving the apron a custom look.

MT Copeland offers video-based online classes that give yous a foundation in structure fundamentals with existent-earth applications, like drywall finishing . Classes include professionally produced videos taught by practicing craftspeople, and supplementary downloads similar quizzes, blueprints, and other materials to assist you master the skills.

Source: https://mtcopeland.com/blog/a-guide-to-installing-window-sill-trim/

Posted by: colbertmaind1949.blogspot.com

Share this post