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Window Stool (or is it sill?) install tutorial

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Hello! We're working on finishing up a bathroom renovation and I'm having difficulty finding a tutorial on how to correctly install a window stool. The trim feels fairly self explanatory based off of looking at other windows in the house. Ideally we'd like to purchase a white cultured marble or similar one to install as we have a dog that really enjoys looking out the windows. I've attached a photo of the window for reference.

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Comments (5)

User
Original Author
4 years ago
Photo below
wdccruise
4 years ago
Here's an excellent video on how to trim a window. The presenter installs, however, a wooden stool. Here's a crappy video which shows installation of a marble stool. Basically, the installer attaches a marble apron below the window and then uses the apron to support the marble stool above it. -- amateur
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Awning type windows are often combined with other windows so to accommodate that installation without making another window model, all 4 sides are usually treated the same. The standard jamb depth of the Integrity awning window is 4 9/16" so to install it in a wall with larger than 2x4 studs Marvin offers extension jambs. The extension jambs have a hidden rabbet that forces the trim to be placed as your carpenter has installed them. What he did differently from the standard Marvin detail is to use a projecting "stool" trim at the bottom instead of using extension trim on all 4 sides. He chose to position it the same as the other 3 sides so it would match. To do otherwise without creating an unattractive groove would require making a stool trim that would extend over the frame to the sash stop with a cutout for the operating hardware which would provide a smooth traditional stool. This is not a detail a carpenter would be likely to assume you wanted because it is considerably more expensive and "non-standard" in today's market. The reveal for the Integrity Awning is small. On the Marvin Ultimate Awning it is about 5/8". The detail on the Ultimate Double-Hung still allows a traditional stool.
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Were the stools to be left natural,the gap would be a problem. Since they appear unfinished,I asume they are to be painted which will "almost"conceal the misfit. Having said that,much depends on who's at fault here. If the same contractor installed new windows,I would expect near perfect fit and finish. Lack of attention to detail while installing window make's trim out difficult. Actualy the root could lie with framing and/or siding. It's not unusual to find different depths from window to window. The solution is to rip off a strip at rear of stool equal to gap.
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We didn't use solid surface (too expensive), but we did buy a sheet of ceullular PVC and cut it down for that purpose. Was about $150 for a 4x8 sheet, which made a fair number of windows. Here's an example of ours (we did paint the sills, as they were a slightly different off-white color than our trim white.) Its a bit annoying to cut - it melts a bit while you cut it so it's helpful to have a helper stick thin wedges between the cut as you go to prevent it from gluing itself back together, but it also routers/sands beautifully. We did a deep sill (12") plus horns as one piece, since we are building with ICF and have uber-thick walls. An example of ours, mid-painting.
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A sill is the lower exterior part of a window frame; the interior trim in the photo is a "stool". Calling it a sill suggests its part of the window frame which it is not. The only thing I can think of is excessive humidity inside the house but there's no frost on the glass. Is the stool made of wood? Where is the project located? It may be necessary to remove the stool to see what's below it. Here is a section detail: What I notice aboout the detail is the sill doesn't project much and there is no drip at the nose which is why I add a sub-sill to this type of window. I suppose the seal under where the hardware is attached to the frame at the crank is missing or damaged.
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PRO
Jeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
4 years ago
"Stool" is correct for the interior but if I say "sill" to a client I don't have to explain it, even though a sill is exterior piece that is typically sloped, under older windows.
PRO
HomeSealed Exteriors, LLC
4 years ago
The way that window is installed, being flush or nearly flush with the wall surface is not really conducive to having a stool. Older windows commonly had a 1 1/4 (or so) set back toward the exterior, and the rabbeted stool attached to the sill. Newer windows often have a return as well ("inset") from the interior view, as the nail fin keeps them from coming in flush. Either situation lends itself fine to a stool as there is a nice ledge for it to sit on.

With a flush set window like this you'll be "faking" a stool and you won't want to make it very deep to avoid projecting too far into the room. Much easier to do with wood. If you use marble I suppose that using something thicker as an apron for that marble to sit on could facilitate that, although whatever construction adhesive is used to adhere it won't likely hold forever.
Windowmaster
4 years ago
A stool or apron is basically cosmetic. I like a picture frame look with no stool.

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