Step 2 - Wood Sill Repair

After investigating the various concepts for repairing our leaky building envelope, we settled on the roof as the most effective place to insulate. We would like to have purchased new insluating windows as well, but the expense was offset by the limited R-Value benefits derived from window replacement.

The seventeen existing windows did, however, still require major attention from us. Some time, perhaps in the 1960's, the window sashes were replaced and most are still in good (or at least passable) condition. We did entirely replace two windows in the "master" bedroom with a double-pane vinyl sliding glass door that was donated by Sue's sister and husband (replaced when Steve designed an addition to the back of their home). This allowed us to install a much-needed dog door for our American Eskimo dog, Siku.

Many of the remaining 15 window sills had rotted away over the 76 years since they were originally set in place, especially on the south and east sides of the building. The sill restoration project consisted of two levels of repair. Sills that were damaged but servicible received epoxy wood repair to replace any rotted areas (there were many). Some sills crumbled into splinters and dust when removed; these were replaced with treated wood replacement sills.

Overall, many energy gaps were filled when the sills were repaired.