How to Replace a Rotted Windowsill | This Old House

[@bcask61]

Tommy Silva is the MAN. I have been in the trade for 35 years and I still learn things from him.

[@MrKelly-ll1lx]

The screws to help the prying was on point!🔨

[@trevorhawkins8757]

Me and my dad replaced four of these windowsills on our second floor in one weekend. Contractor told us entire windows and surrounding structure needed replaced. Saved me over 5 thousand dollars.

[@hawklerfalco9067]

Yeah, right way.

[@CheeseBae]

Contractors are going to tell you what will be the least amount of work for them with the maximum amount of profit.

[@trevorhawkins8757]

@@hawklerfalco9067 right way? Took back the siding and vapor barrier and everything surrounding the window was in perfect condition, not wet or any rot. Why would I replace it all when one piece of wood needed replaced bc previous owner forgot to caulk around the bottom?

[@RoRoTheG]

That’s what sucks. You always have that doubt because a lot of these contractors just can’t be honest.

[@ajs96350]

@@CheeseBae "Some" contractors, not all.

[@LanceJohnston-d9q]

Tom Silva is one of the greatest preservationists of the 21st century.. I have learned so much from this old house and I owe alot of credit to him and the show. They are a big part of why my small contractor business does so well.

[@SelectBlinds]

A video that shows you four tips in about 15 seconds...pure GOLD! This is excellent!

[@erictold]

This video saved me. I replaced two sills today. I used pre-made PVC sills from big box stores. Removing the sills were tricky but with this video, I could remove them in minutes.

[@buzoff4642]

Lucky you! I'm not seeing pre-made pvc sills that come anywhere near the thickness the one they removed.

[@tomasvanschaik5749]

I have a project to replace the window sills on a tired old church. Of all the KZbin vids I have seen “and many were very good” this one has been the best.

[@keithrayeski3147]

Another great video. AND, what I enjoyed the most, was the home owner right there not just watching, but DOING so HE can learn how to take care of his own home himself! Two thumbs up to Tom for being not just a doer, but a teacher!!!

[@speedracer2336]

Been watching TOH over 30 years, never gets old!

[@peterpowers4851]

Tom is such a boss that he didn't even need to test fit it before he layed the bead of caulk because he knew there was no way that it wouldn't fit.

[@Coronet_1969_]

Tom is a master carpenter...so impressive with all the little tips he gives but his array of tools surpasses what I have by twenty-fold at least.

[@jethronh]

i need to do this soon. i have 1870 old house with a back window sill thats rotting. This video will be a perfect guide. Thanks.

[@turnsufficient4971]

Is there a video for doing this for the top wooden trim casing piece of an old wooden window ? I need to do that with a few windows.

[@marksuper4920]

I was able to replace a window sill following this video- thanks so much for making it simple and easy to follow!

[@turnsufficient4971]

Is there a video for doing this for the top wooden trim casing piece of an old wooden window ? I need to do that with a few windows.

[@SkillBuilder]

What a perfect video, well shot, well explained and easy to follow. Thank you.

[@chevytruckjerry]

Tom Silva is the OG. I wish I could say sawr like him

[@DoyleHargraves]

Mr. Silva, you are a damn good carpenter. I thank God for good craftsmen, like yourself, who are happy to help and teach. Thanks!

[@robertsheppard5623]

Always has the right tool and the proper piece of wood always helps.Color me jealous. Great job.

[@outdoorguy845]

He took three measurements and then walked over and started making cuts. Didn't even write anything down or draw a diagram. When I take a measurement, I walk over to the piece of wood and I already forgot what the hell the measurement was.

[@boonang4097]

Master Carpenter Builder Tom truly likes what he does. So taking and remembering measurements is easy because he had his heart in what he does!

[@michaelcarroll991]

No he did. They just didn't show it.

[@leehancock2782]

These guys are badass

[@MarkOhanesian]

I write my measurements down and still make the cut wrong the first time

[@drumsnbassisALLIPLAY]

I not only forget the measurements from the first time I measured-I forget that and I then I cut it wrong. Then, the second time it’s pretty close and it’ll do. Caulk and paint can make me the carpenter I ain’t.

[@stonelark]

These videos are incredibly useful for homeowners who like to do their own handyman work. Thanks!

[@jpulley]

the best video on youtube on sill replacement.

[@braedenbrown6691]

I Totally Agree With You. Most of them video in Low Light or You Cant See What They’re Doing!

[@mikeblank7165]

Watching this video, half way thru, and I am already exhausted !

[@andrewsanderson2591]

Niki T - in England,it's called a "drip groove"; a groove made underneath a sill to make water drip from it,rather than continue back towards the house.

[@MrKelly-ll1lx]

That groove idea was something I didn't know!

[@kalijasin]

Tom Silva Is a Master Craftsman.

[@lathamarea1437]

Tom is very knowledgeable..I liked Norm as well...

[@Novagunner]

Great replacement Video, one critique i would suggest priming all raw with a oil primer, before laying your sealant. Where i live Water rot is due to the capillary water action that will exist in all wood causing expansion and contraction of the wood (as im sure you know) Using a good oil primer to seal the capillaries(and the surface) will insure the piece NEVER rots.

[@ryane6719]

Oil for sure. We use fine paints of Europe oil based undercoater on all six sides of any boards when doing restoration.

[@sbennet1447]

​@@ryane6719 What, specifically, do you use ?

[@ryane6719]

@@sbennet1447 exactly what I said is what we use lol.

[@GDannnn]

at 2:58 the slap of tom silva is deadly lol

[@rbeck3200tb40]

Wood is scared of Tom Silva

[@kojimasan444]

LMFAOooooo

[@davidmontgomery9968]

A great explanation. You have to respect such a competent craftsman.

[@jeffreybaba4155]

You make everything look easy Tom😊

[@Jin420]

PERFECT TIMING! 😊😊 I need to start back on working the exterior of my house again. (Windows being one of the projects) Beautiful house which had been horribly neglected for decades. I'm in the process of trying to revive it. 😊 1931 Victorian style ...

[@danqodusk8140]

Excellent presentation, Tom! Thank you!

[@chuckluchen8972]

Tom’s tip on removing an old sill is great! I hate replacing rotting window sills (and often the brick mold) but once it starts rotting rip the bandaid and replace the entire dang thing. However, I go to PVC every time. I buy the sill and the nose.

[@buzoff4642]

I tried pulling off the brick mold, and the entire window started coming with it. Is the brick mold supposed to come off? This didn't happen with the brick mold around the doors.

[@_SYDNA_]

​@@buzoff4642Yeah, if you look under the paint your brick moulding is stapled to the side jamb (frame). During construction your entire window was inserted, from outside as a unit. Yours is a more recent generation of construction than the house in this video. Your brick mold is also nailed on the outer perimeter, through the fibrous sheathing and into the house framing that forms the rough opening. What I don't know about this style, is how extensively they shimmed the side jamb into place. Any attempt to remove the brick mould, perhaps one stick at a time, should include that consideration. You want to keep the jambs in their current state of plumb and square. Not sure how you provide bottom support on a replacement sill for one of this style but there's probably a way since the jamb will often extend below the sill on these types. Good luck!

[@buzoff4642]

@@_SYDNA_ Experience working on 2 of my windows, window 1, trying to take off the brick molding, entire window started to come out!, window 2, replacing the exterior sill, discovered sill had staples/nails coming up from below into the brick molding. SawsAll to cut the nails/staples going from under sill into brick molding, saw grabbed the nail and ripped a chunk of the lower brick molding out. Yeash, this is no small job.

[@paulcookies]

A great guide for a guy to follow, thanks.

[@ItchyKneeSon]

I'm currently doing a sill replacement on a pair of side-by-side windows on a house built in 1946 in Ohio. The sill is rotted because someone thought it was a good idea to fully caulk the weep holes on the storm windows. 2 of the 4 counter weights' ropes broke, so the weights are sitting where the sill needs to go which is blocking me from sliding the new sill in. I'll be making a piece of wood to force them up and out of the way so I can slide the sill in. Like most things, this is proving to be much more work than expected. This video has been a great help.

[@tylercapone4633]

There’s usually a screw on the inside of the house, on the side of the window frame where the weights are, and you can access the weights and remove them thru there. Also buy sash cord and restring the weights. Mr. Silva has a video covering that too!

[@larryschlais2143]

Looks like a very light stand and portable very well done

[@christobar]

I unfortunately have several sills that are in bad condition. I'm sure I'll be watching this video several times to get the steps right :)

[@abcomatic]

@James Draper III You've posted this link how many times now??? Time to cool it, ya think??

[@stupidass4567able]

Me as well. Rotted to dust basically

[@ChrisSilverman]

after 1 window you'll be a pro for sure.

[@AStanton1966]

For anyone else, I would recommend starting with the windows people see the lest of. Then progressive to the prominent windows.

[@kirkedelen3716]

He is really good! Great to see American craftsmen at work

[@michaelfuller2153]

I enjoy watching these...Tom has a plethora of building techniques! Now I'll go look up plethora. 😊

[@nicksoapdish9478]

Jefe, would you say I have a plethora of piñatas?

[@michaelfuller2153]

@@nicksoapdish9478 I dunno...I never looked it up! No soy el Jefe...I'm just a little Indian! 😁

[@nicksoapdish9478]

@@michaelfuller2153 I would not like to think that someone would tell someone else he has a plethora, and then find out that that person has no idea what it means to have a plethora. 😝

[@hawklerfalco9067]

Oh my, right is what I need now, thank you so much the clear video!

[@jhi1947]

Tom Silva is the man!

[@MrPolanka64]

The old man is incredible

[@nhanhuynh4761]

Mr Dblock .. this man very skill... his profesdional work... hihihi... Đây là cao thủ võ lâm trong ngành xây dựng

[@lesbolstad]

That sill cut is pretty common and available at most home supply stores; and they come primed as well. Much easier and less expensive option.

[@barryclarke3010]

excellent job a pleasure to watch, professional guy , i do this type of work now and again being a carpenter, this guy is laid back and professional in his approach witch shows years of experience.

[@hectorcorral2419]

got to say that saw you have is one of the best tool i ever used i got 3 of the porter cable saw boss 345 the video was also great

[@InfinityHaul]

So easy!! I’m glad I looked this up. Thank you

[@macoy321]

He makes it look so easy

[@kalijasin]

Second nature for Tom Silva. 🙊

[@johnjvaughn]

thank you, couple of great tricks in there with the screws for removal an the spray foam.

[@powhoundus]

They make insect proof foam - what I would use around exterior windows because carpenter ants loved my windows and surrounding wood! And of course low expansion on the sides.

[@richardorsulich4698]

Awesome, this is exactly the job I have to do on my house

[@andreina818]

You sir are my new fave KZbinr

[@san379]

great job..love old windows instead of changing it out for vinyl

[@TheNewsHoundLtd]

Thanks - this was really useful for a project I'm currently working on.

[@marcelomerchan9563]

Thank you so much. You are a great teacher !

[@boonang4097]

Tom. Amazing Crafstman! Thank you for sharing the video. Awesome. 👏

[@BrianPhillipsRC]

you make it look so easy!

[@1bishw]

Looks pretty straightforward, until you have to do it from a ladder on a second story window.

[@JohnDoe-pt8vt]

Rent and build a scaffolding

[@lostintime8651]

I make a list of the things I need to get done high up on my house. Then when I take some time off from work I rent a man lift. Then I attack the projects on the list. 2 years ago I scraped and painted all the trim high up, repaired a chimney and fixed my slate roof. It was about $700 for 3-day rental of the man left. I had an estimate for $2,500 to repair the chimney. I saved a lot by doing this stuff myself.

[@lostintime8651]

@@JohnDoe-pt8vt a man left is easier to rent and set up and use. And much safer than scaffolding.

[@jjb1974]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@gpslightlock1422]

150 Years. Tom Silva did it!

[@brittneyrose7272]

That was extreamly helpful

[@kristinadoyle1313]

Thank you so much for this video

[@Irelandgal]

27 windows about 4 rotted at bottom but all to be replaced. Has pulleys each side of window. Massachusetts 1895 ish home. Desperately need professional and not to be taken for granted. No longer work but want to write after house done. Gorgeous old home in Adams ☘️

[@buzoff4642]

Lumber yard will normally have recommendations, for who to hire.

[@Irelandgal]

@Buz Off thank you so much!! 🙋🏼‍♀️🍀

[@buzoff4642]

@@Irelandgal For vinyl sill replacement, materials alone is $60 for two windows (sill, sill nose, caulking, nails), plus labor, but you won't have to do repair/paint again. More if some are 2nd story, needing scaffolding. This isn't going to be cheap (27 windows), even opting for wood replacements. Ask, ask, ask at big box stores and lumber yards, how much to have installed (parts and labor), to get a feel for going rate in your vicinity. Good luck happy.

[@Irelandgal]

@Buz Off Appreciate your time and input. Thank you 🙏

[@loktom4068]

Good tutorial and good job. Bravo.

[@swizzleproxi4810]

That was a lovely job to watch 😍👌

[@carlosolivera4331]

Damn this guy is good. I am always amazed

[@williamb454]

Nice work!

[@tydang3582]

A true master.

[@jaysonburns4423]

I want this guy working on my house he know his stuff I've seen lots of his work

[@lenletendte6516]

One thousand dollars per hour

[@MeiinUK]

A beautiful job. Well done !

[@turnsufficient4971]

Is there a video for doing this for the top wooden trim casing piece of an old wooden window ? I need to do that with a few windows.

[@rangiflavell4639]

This man takes pride in his work sadly lacking in today’s world.

[@larrysouza581]

You my man are the best amazing work Tom and with great knowledge comes great responsibility .

[@mr_goodbear]

This guy is a magician.

[@Gman6755]

Tom is the man!!

[@nikit9979]

Can you explain a bit more about the purpose of the dado cut you made at 3:03 to do with surface tension of the water? (Stupid question - but that is for the underside, right?)

[@robertjarvis3101]

Without the dado cut, the water will run down the front edge of the sill and around the bottom of the sill to the siding similar to the way water "clings" to the edge of a measuring cut when you try to pour water from it. The dado interrupts this flow by breaking the surface tension and causing the water to pool at this location and drip off before it reaches the siding. Hope this helps.

[@robertjarvis3101]

Robert Jarvis I meant to type "cup" not "cut"

[@dclowd9901]

Normally this would make sense to me, but given the steep angle of this particular sill, I don't understand why it's necessary; it's not like the water's going to suddenly defy gravity and crawl back up the sill toward the siding.

[@billynolanjr2266]

I love this kind of work, just enjoy doing it !

[@FisherCatProductions]

I've got 3 more to go if you are bored and still around LOL

[@Fundywhatshappening]

You are so helpful!! Needed this for this weekends project

[@markbonham3477]

Just what I needed, thanks

[@deankay4434]

Tom Silva has the experience and has done this before, many times I am sure. I have 35+ years in mostly dealerships fixing vehicles, so experience counts as I can fix the truck he drove tp the job site. I have, is a 8 foot tall stationary gas filled double windows that can not simply be slid up out of the way for working safely. The window is about 3'10" wide. Big, tall and not cheap as two of these flank the fireplace on one wall. Four companies on average at $1,400 for the window only, plus, materials & labor. Only the sill plate on the bottom and last 4 inches of the brick moulding wood is rotted. The brick molding is nail to the window frame that is 3" away from the glass. The sill appears to have a "Dado" that under the sealed window to have a 1/4 round wood strip to hold the window in. I would bet the glass is over 200 pounds by itself. Looks like I need to purchase an oscillating saw and then travel to Spain to get some Spanish Cedar. Yes, I know this video is 5 years old now, but I would place an ice & water shield material under the sill once removed. If this was not bad enough, the outside is 3" thick with EIFS. Two inches of extruded R10 plus 1" of EFIS grade polystyrene (R4), cementitious base coat with 10 oz. coated fiberglass mesh embedded into the finish to make it 3 inch thick around the window. There is 3/4" backer rod around the window with colored "Building Sealant" not caulking, but the bottoms maintains a 15 degree downward angle under the sill on purpose. This finish is 100% acrylic binders, color, combined with sized marble or quartz aggregate, not coated sand! It is spayed and a heavy stainless steel trowel used to finish. So in theory, asking for advice would probably start with simply removing window, then find the wood joint, cut, remove and replace. Don't have any "Spanish Cedar" in NE. Suggestions?

[@blaisegoodman1376]

One thing this video doesn’t show is removing the lower indoor molding. I just remove my sill and found that the sheet rock on the inside of the house was screwed to the sill. I didn’t realize until the sill was out and the Sheetrock inside was blown through. Good lesson I learned, hopefully you can learn from silly me 🤦‍♂️

[@_SYDNA_]

Yep you have a later generation of construction. You'll note that the house in the video has plaster. Ive seen that drywall nailed to sill elsewhere. Windows can be tricky. I'm wondering if a person could sever the drywall nails with a plunge cut through the sill with a multi tool. Not sure. Delicate stuff.

[@buzoff4642]

Chopping out remaining left/right sides work well. Instead, I hit it with a hammer to loosen from the side, then pried it away, with a long flathead. Another surprise, the tip of the new sill going under the interior stool needed to be shaved to fit.

[@axg275]

Thank you so much this video really helped me!

[@bryanwhite6550]

This is a great video! How about a double sash window with a single sash across both windows?

[@bryanwhite6550]

Correction Single Sill across both windows. 🙂

[@markbailey3650]

He is a God!

[@mikeblank7165]

Tom is a great craftsman. Plus he holds his hammer , the same way I hold mine ! 1:30

[@petersensalas8643]

Man...tom....how do u no all this stuff...every video I see u always show some new gimmick...like the screw to remove the sill...man...genius..I ve of never thot of dat...love ur videos...thanx for the t shirt.

[@nathanbutters2046]

Not as tricky as it looks this. We call it splicing here in UK. Save all dust from cutting to brush into gaps when new timber is fitted. Little trick I picked up, add some wood glue and it seals and covers the gaps where cuts are made. Like new

[@AllPurposeAtheist]

Cedar is a great option, but in most big blue and orange stores they only sell in 3/4 thickness soooo..some water proof or resistant glue its not tough to come up with a inch and a half board as long as it's clamped tight and sealed on the edges. The rest is pretty much as shown..

[@bee.p.jr.4062]

Very useful information...

[@telosfd]

Superb i like it. Why don't we use pine or cypress wood?

[@Varifyable]

I never understood tommy using painters caulk for exterior applications. I would use something like OSI quad.

[@tarynsanmartino8930]

Tommy is awesome.

[@erniezamora9509]

nice video im building a playhouse for my daughters im new im learning all this stuff ,,, I was wondering if that sill flat fron that bottom how is going sit on the small strip that I see ...that small strip has that same angle just to know ,,

[@tonyka1984]

50 years from that date, the home owner wants Tom back to replace it again, and Tom gets up to do it.

[@nyratk1]

I'd ask how Tom would be living in 50 years but I imagine he fixes himself up all the time.

[@kalijasin]

Nothing last forever guys.

[@josegarcia303]

Im sure Tom will fix God's house

[@lisacolbert5987]

There’s a “window” in my kitchen that I can’t stand as it was installed in the 70s when the home was built and they thought it was a super-creative idea to install it as a ‘diamond’ , i.e. rather that having a sill-less non-opening window they put the square window on its corner , (tmi?) . Anyway , there was a big restoration/remodel going on down the road and there was a free sign on this otherwise perfectly good double sash window , an Anderson that just hadn’t been installed well and so the sill had rotted . The rest of the unit is a perfect window with good hardware , etc. . I’ve even got a perfect piece of old-growth western red cedar to replace it with . I’ll be able to get rid of that horrible window , have a window that opens and put a little planter box to grow fresh herbs in right in my kitchen .

[@Smudgecat1947]

Excellent work - thank you! :)

[@cwilliams9891]

Great tutorial

[@f.k4879]

Can you make a video on how to repair or replace concrete window sills?

[@speedracer2336]

The PHD of carpentry!

[@marathonlifeH121]

Just one thing though. Calking does not bond well to bare wood as its structural composition has no way to penetrate the wood fibers and eventually will peel off. It's best to always prime bare wood with a strong wood primer before applying caulk. The primer becomes the bonding agent between the wood and caulk. The finish coat will bond to the caulking surface.

[@calvin7330]

Isn't that happening at 3:23?

[@marathonlifeH121]

@@calvin7330 To the sill itself but not to the window framing at 4:10

[@FisherCatProductions]

A good tip most don't know about.Not just a bonding agent, but raw wood will draw the moisture from acrylic caulk before it dries/sets properly.

[@J_Lag]

"good for the next 50 years" and I do believe him lol.

[@machin9267]

Third world houses are better, and last for hundreds of years 🤣🤣🤣🤣 we don't live in rotten houses

[@g.pblack507]

@@machin9267 this statement makes no sense all buildings need maintenance and wood rots no matter what country your in

[@favioescalon528]

@@g.pblack507 the thing is that a lot of house in the 3rd world are not made of wood, they're made of bricks. I'm from Honduras and we were middle class. The house was very nice and I'm telling you is going to last a long time because they're not made of wood. Homes can be made of bricks because they have no insulation.

[@g.pblack507]

@@favioescalon528 I'm not desputing that. I'm saying that all buildings including brick and metal need to be maintained. Just because the house has some rot doesn't make it a bad building.

[@g.pblack507]

@@favioescalon528 also brick buildings will eventually need to be repointed as brick joints crack and fail.

[@bobbyking6765]

I wish he would say where he sourced the lumber? I need to replace mine and they are an odd thicknesses also.