Window Stool Repair

In older homes, window areas are usually the first to need repair. Rain or humidity causes the old wood to rot, or the wood can be damaged by heavy objects or sharp claws. Whatever caused the problem, it can be solved inexpensively and quickly.

Because window stools sit close to the floor and jut out from the wall, they are subject to all sorts of abuse. Rain, falling objects, or animals can inflict all sorts of damage to them. But before repairing the stool, take into consideration the character of your home. The new stool needs to be consistent with the window and other stools in the room.

A stool sits on the sill and is the base that meets the bottom part of the window. The stool will run the length of a single or double window frame. Repairing the stool will take about two hours and $50. With a few tools and a little muscle, almost anyone can make the repair.

Making the fix is basically a three-step process that is fairly straightforward. It involves removing the stool, milling the new piece, and installing it. You won't need all that many tools or materials.

TOOLS
    * Utility knife
    * Putty knife
    * Hammer
    * Pry bar
    * Power saw
    * Router
    * Sandpaper
    * Sawhorse

MATERIALS
    * New wood
    * Nails
    * Casing nails

Before you can remove the stool, you first have to remove the stops on either side of the window (four, if two windows are together), and then move on to the casing trim (usually two pieces for one window and three pieces for two windows).

Removing stops:
   1. Use a utility knife to cut paint around the stops.
   2. Take a putty knife and hammer and loosen stops.
   3. Use a pry bar and carefully remove the stops.

(It's a good idea to purchase replacement stops ahead of time in case one breaks. In old homes, the wood tends to be brittle. But if you remove the stops, you can get a refund on the ones not used.)

Removing trim:
   1. Use utility knife to cut paint.
   2. Take a putty knife and hammer to loosen.
   3. Use a pry bar and carefully remove the trim.

Removing the stool:
   1. Use a utility knife to cut the paint.
   2. Take a putty knife and hammer to loosen.
   3. Use a pry bar and carefully leverage the front part of the stool.
   4. Use a hammer to pry the stool on the window side where it is nailed to the sill.
   5. Carefully remove the stool without damaging the sheetrock or plaster.

If the old stool comes out in one piece, it can be used as a reference for the new one. The new piece of wood doesn't have to be the exact same kind. Many of the old stools were made of pine, but the pine cut seventy or eighty years ago was a much higher quality than what is found today. If new pine is used, the stool won't last very long. It's best to choose a durable wood that not only will match to your window frame, but last for generations.

Cutting new stool:
   1. Take old stool and lay it flat on the new piece of wood.
   2. Take a pencil and trace around the old stool.
   3. Use power saw to cut the new wood.
   4. Use router to round edges to match profile of the old sill.
   5. Use sandpaper to smooth any rough edges created by saw or router.

Once the wood is cut, take the new stool and fit it into the window frame. If it fits snugly, then it can be installed.

Installing new stool:
   1. Hammer in a casing nail about every foot.
   2. Take old nails out of stops and casing trim.
   3. Replace trim using new nails.
   4. Replace stops using new nails.
   5. Putty and paint stops, trim, and stool.

Replacing a damaged stool can revive a window area and return your room to its original condition. The process is relatively simple, inexpensive and satisfying.