[farmerjohn1324]

I'm going to put wooden windowsills here. How do I level the surface in preparation?

 

[rjordan393]

Make sure the window is level first. If its not and you level the window sill, it might be noticeable right away. It depends on how much.
If it is ok, then place a long level on the surface and check its bubble. Then raise the right or left side to center the bubble. Use a pencil and mark a line on the window frame indicating the spot where you need to add some shims.
Do not use shims that are about 1-1/2 inch wide. I have seen shims that are about 4 to 6 inches wide. use these instead.
Then lay your windowsil on it and add more shims to support it.
Before you secure the windowsil, place your level back on it and check to see if it is still level.

 

[chandler48]

It's called a "stool", but leveling with thin, but wide shims (cedar shakes) can achieve what you need. Cut them off flush with the wall and apply your skirt. It will hide any crack under the stool.

 

[XSleeper]

Make sure the window is level first. If its not and you level the window sill, it might be noticeable right away. It depends on how much.

That is true. Assuming you find it is level...

If you have a table saw, cut some thin sticks off a scrap of 1x that will just fit under the edge of the replacement window, and place them on the rough opening every 16" or so. Adjust the width of those rips as needed. It should be sitting on shims anyway.

If you use tapered shims, you always need to use them in pairs, one pointing one way, one pointing the other way, in order to keep the stool from tipping. You cut the shims to the size (length = thickness) you want then slide them back and forth to adjust how thick they are when placed together in a pair.

 

[farmerjohn1324]

I should have clarified...

I meant level front to back.

 

[XSleeper]

Put a combination square on the wall and use shims. Or use a torpedo level.

 

[farmerjohn1324]

Put a combination square on the wall and use shims. Or use a torpedo level.

Like this? (Except using a combination square instead of this)?

 

[XSleeper]

If that is an old sloped sill, you would either:

-cut a wedge shaped shim on a table saw (set the saw at 10-15 degrees, whatever it needs to match the slope) and rip that angled piece off of a 2x4.

-or, make your stool match the angle by cutting an angled rabbet off the bottom of it. Window stool is typically shaped like this.

https://www.twperry.com/product/2-18x1-16-stool-lwm-1164fj-fj-pine-14-deg-bevel-rabbett-78

 

[farmerjohn1324]

What are some ideas for window stool material? I want wood, but what specifically to buy. I don't even care if it's something cheap that I'll replace soon.

I was going to buy MDF Moulding Board, but it wasn't on the shelf at HD. I saw melamine board. That might be an option but didn't look too great. Any other ideas?

Also, how to adhere wood to block?

 

[XSleeper]

Your stool could be made from a poplar 1x4, or 5/4 if you can find it. Don't know where you are located. You probably also need to cut jambs for the sides and top after that. (out of poplar 1x4 again). Then casing. They sell it in preprimed but often priming it yourself is a better quality primer.

Your question about adhering wood to block is top vague to answer. Tapcons.

 

[farmerjohn1324]

Your question about adhering wood to block is top vague to answer. Tapcons.

Adhering the Poplar window stool to the CMU block. Is tapcons overkill? I wouldn't want to risk damaging this expensive wood.

 

[XSleeper]

Oh, that's concrete the window is sitting on. Then you would just nail it to the wood strapping that is already there. No reason to fasten it to the concrete.

 

[farmerjohn1324]

Okay so earlier I was told just to nail the windowsill to the wood (blue). This will involve having very good aim. But what if the block (red) is lower? Then how should I level this first?

 

[XSleeper]

That's why they invented shims.