Window Sills

rampantbunny

Hi all. Just a quick one..

Do window sills have to be installed when blocklaying, or can these be installed at a later date?

hexosan

They can be installed after

North West

They can be installed afterwards but you need to give blocklayer details and sizes of cills. They can be hard fitted later if you have to start cutting blocks.
NW

jonniebgood1

It is better to install as they are being built if possible. It allows the jambs to be better finished but they can be done either way.

rampantbunny

Thanks lads.

Blocklayers price includes installation of sills so would like to have a decision made on the product before blocklaying starts. I thought a sill was a sill, until I started looking into it...upstand height, thickness, sill depth, face height, sloped, stooled, overhang, etc...Lots of variations.

Latest advice from neighbour who has a masonry facade (like mine) is to get stonemason to measure and spec the sills when he is on the job. Means a sill is made to exactly suit the stone finish depth and window ope.

Will prob bite the bullet and get an off the shelf sill, to get all blockwork and sills done together. Wouldn't be a fan of coming back to it later.

hexosan

If you install them with the walls how to you plan on covering them and keeping them clean.

rampantbunny

hexosan wrote: »

If you install them with the walls how to you plan on covering them and keeping them clean.

I'll probably tape something over them (the limestone ones at least). Might actually cover with something sturdier than plastic sheeting, in case some lad drops a hammer etc. Another detail to add to the list.

hexosan

All these details don't be long adding up for every job.

rampantbunny

hexosan wrote: »

All these details don't be long adding up for every job.

That is the truth. But better (for me at least) to have this detail, than to be organising someone to install the sills when block layers have left with their teleporter.

Jonny Harris

definitly put them in after blockwork is finished but before redering. Less tension on the cill and WG Nash says so!

rampantbunny

Jonny Harris wrote: »

definitly put them in after blockwork is finished but before redering. Less tension on the cill and WG Nash says so!

Had to google Mr. Nash..had no idea who he was.
By tension, do you mean they might end up cracking as blocks settle (or is that they are emotional, and stress themselves out ) ?

While I'm here, if anyone has sourced limestone sills, ping on suppliers details please (via PM of course).

Jonny Harris

Yes there could be some settlement or shrinkage so fit them after.l. Blocks are buggers for shrinkage when they dry out
regards.

rampantbunny

Jonny Harris wrote: »

Yes there could be some settlement or shrinkage so fit them after.l. Blocks are buggers for shrinkage when they dry out
regards.

Jonny..how does this work in practice? Is a channel cut in the block to allow the sill to slot in?

Jonny Harris

Leave the external blocks next to the opening approx 4 inches back. When you have windows ordered and roof is on etc, tape on a wide dpc to underneath of cill and lift in and pack up. Allow an extra 10mm or more so the window will fit. At the reveals your vertical dpc should be dressed down on top of the cill then brick/blocked up(made good) You already have the dpc underneath. Just dont let the plasterers hack the life out of dpcs around the window. They should just be lapping onto the window,and the one underneath could possibly use a couple of weep holes.
Regards

rampantbunny

Jonny Harris wrote: »

Leave the external blocks next to the opening approx 4 inches back. When you have windows ordered and roof is on etc, tape on a wide dpc to underneath of cill and lift in and pack up. Allow an extra 10mm or more so the window will fit. At the reveals your vertical dpc should be dressed down on top of the cill then brick/blocked up(made good) You already have the dpc underneath. Just dont let the plasterers hack the life out of dpcs around the window. They should just be lapping onto the window,and the one underneath could possibly use a couple of weep holes.
Regards

Thanks Jonny

hexosan

What sort of sills are you looking at. Have you any prices back yet.

rampantbunny

hexosan wrote: »

What sort of sills are you looking at. Have you any prices back yet.

Looking at limestone (preference for Irish). This side of the country (Galway) limestone is most popular. Eastern areas seem to prefer granite...this according to some suppliers anyway.

Have a few prices in, but mostly for Chinese limestone. Hopefully getting a sample of a product next week, and may get a chance to see houses a certain company has done (both new and older..so I can see how the product has aged).

I'll send you the quotes I got.