Simple Cedar Window Trim

Part of the exterior window sill had rot damage and needed to be replaced as did the brick moulding on either side. The window is an odd size, so instead of replacing the whole window, I replaced the damaged parts with cedar wood. It took about 4 hours with some trial and error.

Supplies

Supplies:

-Two cedar 2x4 eight foot boards.

-2 inch trim screws (next time I would not use screws)

-1.5 inch pneumatic finish nails

-Caulk

Tools used:

-hand saws

-table saw

-measuring tape

-Speed square

-Pneumatic finish nail gun and compressor

-cordless screw gun

Step 1: Demo

I took down the exterior storm window and removed the rotted portions of the window sill and any nails left sticking out

Step 2: Replacement Sill

Measure twice and then measure again.

I cut the board to length with a hand saw, and then cut it to width and depth using the table saw. To create slope to drain water away from the window, I used the table saw again to cut a 45 degree angle (the greatest angle my table saw will cut) length wise.

To make the sill fit snug against existing sill I cut a groove lengthwise with two passes on the tablesaw.

Step 3: Attach the Sill

I attached the sill using several 2 inch trim screws and multiple 1.5 inch finish nails.

Step 4: Remove Brick Moulding

Removed the brick moulding and protruding nails. I forgot to take a picture....

Step 5: New Brick Moulding

Measure twice and then measure again. Learn from my mistakes...

I cut the boards to length by hand and then used the table saw to adjust the width and depth. The board depth was about 2 inches wide and 1.25 inch deep.

I find that it is easiest to cut 45 degree angles with a hand saw after marking them with a speed square.

The bottom of the brick moulding needed to be cut at about 45 degrees to fit over the replacement sill. There was a certain amount of eyeballing to get it to fit just right

Step 6: Putting It All Back Together

I installed the brick moulding using a pneumatic finish nail gun and 1.5 inch nails, and then caulked the seams

After the caulk cures for 14 days I will paint it to match the rest of the house.