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Robin E. Snyder
Senior Member
Username: robin

Post Number: 582
Registered: 08-2004
Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 - 01:18 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Any recommendations for desired wood to use at sills, where condensation is a concern? Both transparent and opaque (painted). AWS calls out Ponderosa or Sugar Pine at Sashes and Blinds/Shutters - would this be the best for sills or does anyone have other thoughts?
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski

Post Number: 1922
Registered: 07-2002


Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 - 02:39 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I'd go with wood rated for exterior use: Doug Fir maybe?
Dave Metzger
Senior Member
Username: davemetzger

Post Number: 549
Registered: 07-2001
Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 - 03:09 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

It costs, but I'd go with mahogany.
John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: bunzick

Post Number: 1610
Registered: 03-2002
Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 - 03:37 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Is the condensation more than would normally be expected? If not, then I think Ponderosa pine or sugar pine (which are traditional materials for making windows), or eastern pine (depending on where you are, traditionally used for trim) will be fine. One recommendation is to back-prime each piece prior to installation, not typically done on interior work. One consideration for harder woods like mahogany is that they area bit more difficult to keep painted because the paint films don't bond quite as readily due to the tighter cell structure. Tannin bleed can also be a concern.
J. Peter Jordan
Senior Member
Username: jpjordan

Post Number: 788
Registered: 05-2004
Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 - 03:52 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

What I find is that window sills (or, more accurately window stools) are convenient resting places for a variety of stuff including plants that require watering or vases with water in them. Even when neither condensation nor leaking windows are concerns for the user, there may be standing water in these locations. The exact wood species is less of a concern than is getting a good finish.I like John's recommendation for backpriming as well. When my dad added on a second story for us boys in the late 1950s, he had wood sils (mahogany, I think). After Hurricane Carla drove a bunch of water through the windows (and after we left the windows open quite a bit during other rainy periods), he covered them with plastic laminate. For schools, I have always recommended stone window stools or where the client could not afford those, plastic-laminate clad stools so the teachers could put all the sweet potato plant vines they wanted in the windows at these schools.

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