What type of wood for windowsills

[mm289]

Hiya,

beginning to re-build the farmhouse rather than continually knocking stuff off/down so now looking into windowsills. The previous "renovators" had removed original windowsills and replaced with rough brickwork which they simply plastered over (in gypsum of course :? )

I am pretty sure there were wooden windowsills originally as I have found some wooden remnants under the pug!

Going down to a really good timber merchants next week to look for suitable replacements and wondered if anyone had any suggestions - apart from the obvious oak. Farmhouse is circa 1800 and I was thinking a fairly chunky windowsill, maybe 1" thick and flush to the brickwork on each side, maybe projecting over the front by 1/2 to 1", ideally left unvarnished.

If anyone has something similar that is original would love to see pictures, other than that up for opinions on aesthetics and materials.

Cheers,

Paul.

 

[MdB]

I used oak floorboards which has worked well and was cheap.

(sorry about the plastic windows and the dust...)

 

[robgil]

i was going to use quarry tiles on some of mine.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Ooh - well done for getting to the stage of rebuilding - very exciting for you.

Mine (similar age and type to yours) may be original, judging from the construction.

Not pine, or oak, - elm? Ash?

I see the one in the kitchen has been replaced with stone, it looks a little cold to my eye but I won't be changing it.

It's your house so have what finish you like but painted surfaces are both authentic for the period and easy to keep clean of cup rings, etc.

Here's a pic of before, during and after restoration of one - I 've another three to do.

 

[AMc]

It isn't worth much but 'in the trade' they often refer to the wooden bits inside as "window boards" and the bits outside as cills.
My new ones are just stock pine painted which is in keeping with my house.

 

[Nigel Watts]

apart from the obvious oak.

I dont get this bit. There are plent of good reasons for oak being the obvious choice, so why fight it? Teak and Iroko have very good rot resistant properties too, but are not authentic.

 

[mm289]

Thanks all for the replies. Nigel, I wasn't ruling oak out, its just that was an obvious and valid choice, but I wondered if anyone had any other ideas.

Time for a trip to the timber yard I think.

Cheers

 

[chuckey]

In my pre-1803 cottage they are very wide (>18"") and very thin (~ 3/4") planks of soft wood. Over the years condensation has rotted the ends out, so they have all been replaced with oak planks. Edge butted with wafer joiners.
Frank

 

[Victoria]

in our Yorkshire Pennine farmhouse (1727)we have put in stone flag cills to go with t he mullions , but my parents' house circa 1800 with trad georgian panes had timber cills painted. As my bvrther says I reckon the stripped look is a 1970s fad and all woodwork would have been painted. Hope youi anjoy the work!
Victoria

 

[mm289]

Just collected some nice wide rough cut oak from a local source that makes oak frames for restorations etc

Next job is to cut plane and buff before fitting, will try and post some pictures when we do it.

Cheers,

Paul.