How to Replace Rotten Window Ledges

The effects of time and weather can be hard on the exterior wood of your home, particularly if painting and other maintenance has been neglected over the years. This is particularly true in areas where water, ice and snow may stand and pool, like on the exterior ledges of your windows. In time, the wood will rot and decay. That's not only unsightly, but it opens a path for further damage to the interior of the home. Replacing rotten window ledges should not be neglected.

Hammer
Pry bar
Screwdriver
Jig saw
6d finishing nails

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the existing window. Remove the interior trim from the bottom edge of the window by carefully tapping it away from the window sill with a hammer and pry bar. The nails holding the trim will gradually pull out if you take your time. This will expose the entire window sill.
- 2
  Cut the center of the window sill with a circular saw. Set the saw to a shallow depth so you don't cut into the wall beneath the sill. When the sill is cut in the middle, lever the two sides out with a pry bar or large screwdriver. Clean out any wood debris from the area from where you've removed the sill.
- 3
  Cut a new sill to the correct dimensions, with a jig saw, using wood of the same thickness. Paint the sill with an exterior house paint.
- 4
  Place the sill into the window opening from the front and gently tap it into position with a hammer. Nail the sill to the wood underneath with 6d finishing nails. Caulk around the perimeter of the sill with acrylic weatherproof caulk.

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