Window Ledge Ideas

[Mags22]

My porch outer window ledges are a mess and would cost me a fortune to replace - any ideas please? I wondered about tiling them somehow, does that sound feasible, and what kind of tiles could I use ? any ideas welcome - thanx

[carrust]

Are they wood, brick or stone?

[Mags22]

Wood

[The Builder]

I'm afraid there's not much you can do with wooden sills when they start to rot, except cut them out and replace.

Tiling over may be ok if the existing timber has some substance left in it.
Covering with lead is often done, but has to be done well to look ok.

I think I would dig them out, form up some simple shuttering, and pour concrete. Not really a diy option though unless you're confident.

How rotten are they?

[Mags22]

Thanks for your comments The Builder - its just odd bits that are bad - I've had the bright idea of covering them with vinolay offcuts that I have hoarded,either tacking down or glueing - does that sound daft ?

[Uriah Heep]

Unless they are really bad dig out most of the rotten bits and fill with a good quality exterior filler, sand down and repaint. Not ideal but a reasonably simple diy job which will extend the cills life by a few years. Covering rotten timber will only make matters worse. Replacement, in part or whole, of course is the best solution.

[The Builder]

For odd bits, Mags, I agree the filler option is best. It doesn't last very long though. Probably the best you can hope for without major surgery.

[Mags22]

Thanks to The Builder and Uriah Heep, think a filler might be the best idea,its just a couple of feet that need attention, and maybe even I could manage that,and I'll be spurred on to varnish all of the wood which I've been putting off doing, as I'm a shortie and left handed into the bargain ! Thanks again for your help.

[Tilly2]

Thank goodness! Tiles or vinolay would surely look hideous.

[tezestwing]

Maybe a bit late but why not leave rotten parts, dry out as best you can then soak in wood preserve, then make up parts in laminate/clad weather proof 3/5mm plywood stuck on with PU adhesive, make sure your 1st apply top over laps the top of the 2nd vertical apply front and this 2nd vertical front forms a 3/5mm water drip below to prevent any capillary moisture back into the underside of the existing cill.
Then a good wood preserve all over then a good x2 oil based under coat then top coat HTH Tez