Ideas to extend window sill?


Tn Ridge Rover

Tn Ridge Rover

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Amazon has some ideas at a cost such as this

Amazon.com: NiHome Wooden Window Sill Extender for Plants, No Drill Window Ledge Extender & Plant Shelf, Easy Installation Renter Friendly 21.2" x 11.8" Sill Extender : Tools & Home Improvement

Buy NiHome Wooden Window Sill Extender for Plants, No Drill Window Ledge Extender & Plant Shelf, Easy Installation Renter Friendly 21.2" x 11.8" Sill Extender: Window Sills - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
But I want to go a cheaper route. Kinda a shortcut greenhouse! At least a plant in the window will not freeze? Anyone have an idea how to extend a window sill to place plants? My idea is a plank and two C-clamps!

All windows are not alike. Maybe the following idea may be what I am stuck with.

As a second note, you can get small disposable plastic cups full of dirt and seeds. It might give you some time until the frosty morns subside.
 
Prairie Walker said:
I put them shelf rails/brackets with the slots up the side of the window trim then I have shelf like that on seal and another in middle of window for plants. I can easily put blinds up and down behind shelves.
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Not exactly sure what you mean, but ya gave me some constructive ideas, like using the center of the window!.
I saw this idea, thats another thing I have not thought of! And can I say something else? Placing racks in front of the window. The plant would not be extremely close to the window, but may be a consideration!
 
Tn Ridge Rover said:
Amazon has some ideas at a cost such as this

Amazon.com: NiHome Wooden Window Sill Extender for Plants, No Drill Window Ledge Extender & Plant Shelf, Easy Installation Renter Friendly 21.2" x 11.8" Sill Extender : Tools & Home Improvement

Buy NiHome Wooden Window Sill Extender for Plants, No Drill Window Ledge Extender & Plant Shelf, Easy Installation Renter Friendly 21.2" x 11.8" Sill Extender: Window Sills - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
But I want to go a cheaper route. Kinda a shortcut greenhouse! At least a plant in the window will not freeze? Anyone have an idea how to extend a window sill to place plants? My idea is a plank and two C-clamps!

All windows are not alike. Maybe the following idea may be what I am stuck with.
Click to expand...
r
Tn Ridge Rover said:
As a second note, you can get small disposable plastic cups full of dirt and seeds. It might give you some time until the frosty morns subside.
Click to expand...

A picture of the existing window would help. They are constructed in different ways, and interior trim is done in different ways. Depending on how your window is currently set up, extending the window sill could be really simple or a little more complex.

Also, a little more clarity about what you are trying to accomplish.
Room for plants directly inside of the window?
How much room?
Permanent? Or easily removable?
Why not put a small table in front of the window?

Help us understand your goals.
 
I think it depends on what you’ve currently got for a window sill. But I WOULD NOT screw anything into current window sill. I’d put a bracket under sill to come up even with sill. Minus thickness of sill. Easy to patch drywall not so easy to fix screw holes in wood
 
Bald1 said:
I think it depends on what you’ve currently got for a window sill. But I WOULD NOT screw anything into current window sill. I’d put a bracket under sill to come up even with sill. Minus thickness of sill. Easy to patch drywall not so easy to fix screw holes in wood
Click to expand...

yeah, good points. It depends what the existing window sill is. It could be a vinyl or aluminum window with a drywall return, or it could have been finished with wood trim, in which case the sill piece is referred to as the "stool" ... so many possibilities. Need pictures.
 
If you are asking about a clear finished solid wood sill in a finished house, I offer 3 thoughts:

1) Screwing down another board to the depth required x 1/2" thick is still a good option. 4 or 6 - #6 screws long enough to catch the 2x4s under the sill will not leave irreparable holes. Easy enough to patch with wax stick if that ever becomes an issue. Would be virtually invisible. Ultimately the potential damage to the sill, using as a plant stand, would be far more irreversible.

2) If you can't bear the idea of patching screw holes you could always use double stick tape. 3M makes a most excellent product called SCOTCH Mount EXTREME. This stuff just works! Might require a light solvent to remove. 1/4" glass with polished edges could be secured with double stick tape too though if you use clear glass the tape will show.

3) You could add a pair of decorative angle brackets or simply wood blocks at either end secured to the extension jambs using screws or double stick tape or a combination (and maybe on the center divider between the sashes - using tape not screws). Yes, more screw holes but the holes in the side jambs would be less noticeable if needing repair some day. The brackets or blocks would press down on the added sill to keep it from tipping. This would work with the glass shelf option too as long as you used the double stick tape between the side wall support and the shelf.

Honestly I don't see any other way other than adding a piece of furniture in front of the wood as has been suggested.
 
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Two years ago I did that to most of the windows in our house, and it has worked well. We didn't have any wooden sills to begin with, just finished drywall, so I was able to just buy plain board, varnish it, and glue them in. But its been great for the plants!
 
New idea :) My ideas above are OK if this is a a permanent need BUT if you only want to have the shelf up long enough to get your seedlings going each year consider this :

Just add a few weights on the boards, along the back edge or placed between your planters. 1x6 boards (3/4" x 5-1/2") or 1x 8 s (3/4" x 7-1/2) are easily available from most box stores. The weights could be some scrap iron pieces or even some big enough clean rocks or bricks. I'm trying not to spend any (or much) of your money. I have lots of weight options available around me, maybe you do too. Even some tins or plastic containers filled with sand or rocks. It really would not take much to hold the seasonal sill down. The heavier the weights though the less concerned you need to be that some accident will tumble your set up.
 
Black Beret Chickadee said:
Why not just screw the right size board on top of the existing window sill?
Click to expand...
Good question I never thought of and may do. I would rather not drill holes in a pristine place. I will check the middle part of the window to see if I can use screws. That would not be an eyesore, so your answer is one of function! I can always remove the screws in the hidden place.
 
Black Beret Chickadee said:
New idea :) My ideas above are OK if this is a a permanent need BUT if you only want to have the shelf up long enough to get your seedlings going each year consider this :

Just add a few weights on the boards, along the back edge or placed between your planters. 1x6 boards (3/4" x 5-1/2") or 1x 8 s (3/4" x 7-1/2) are easily available from most box stores. The weights could be some scrap iron pieces or even some big enough clean rocks or bricks. I'm trying not to spend any (or much) of your money. I have lots of weight options available around me, maybe you do too. Even some tins or plastic containers filled with sand or rocks. It really would not take much to hold the seasonal sill down. The heavier the weights though the less concerned you need to be that some accident will tumble your set up.
Click to expand...
Another good idea! Our Dojang sometimes uses the thin boards for breaking at events. They are showy and what they use on TV and demos. That would be perfect! I will check about buying those. I have a broken one at home I stashed up for projects. However, the boards you reccomend are easily available and will check them out!
 
GBinGA said:
yeah, good points. It depends what the existing window sill is. It could be a vinyl or aluminum window with a drywall return, or it could have been finished with wood trim, in which case the sill piece is referred to as the "stool" ... so many possibilities. Need pictures.
Click to expand...
My computer stuff is stashed for the move along with my camera. Good thought though! Later I will post some new home pics but things are crazy now with telling everyone in the governments I moved! Got river trips pics stashed for later.
 
They have these cheapo little green houses that come in different sizes that could fit right in front of your window. They are very lite and you might even be able to get one for free on side of the road or cheap on market place.
 
Tn Ridge Rover said:
Another good idea! Our Dojang sometimes uses the thin boards for breaking at events. They are showy and what they use on TV and demos. That would be perfect! I will check about buying those. I have a broken one at home I stashed up for projects. However, the boards you reccomend are easily available and will check them out!
Click to expand...

Could work, as long as you don't have any cats stalking around the house.
 
You could do some extenders using the pink rigid insulation panels in 1 inch and cut them to fit laterally and give yourself two or three inches more depth. If you want more shelf depth build a two leg 90 degree extender out of 1/4 underlayment and go out double that width. I would use double face tape for that to keep it from walking away from the window sill.
 
TWill said:
You could do some extenders using the pink rigid insulation panels in 1 inch and cut them to fit laterally and give yourself two or three inches more depth. If you want more shelf depth build a two leg 90 degree extender out of 1/4 underlayment and go out double that width. I would use double face tape for that to keep it from walking away from the window sill.
Click to expand...
Doubleface tape, never thought of that!
 
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