Are window sills and window stools the same.....

[rick91351]

Browsing several books on trim and really studying one of them.  I am running into the term window stool.  Sort of looks, tastes, and smells like a window sill.  Is there a difference?  Does a window sill refer to like the old wooden single or double hung windows?

[Don_P]

What most people call the sill is actually the stool.

The sill is the angled bottommost board of the window frame. The stool is the level interior board that caps over the sill and butts into the bottom of the window sash when it is closed. There is a half dovetail rabbet cut along the bottom edge to lap onto the angled sill and usually an ogee or rounded front and end that lap onto the wall. The side casings drop onto the stool and the apron is under it. Does that all jibe with what you're reading?

[rick91351]

What most people call the sill is actually the stool.

The sill is the angled bottommost board of the window frame. The stool is the level interior board that caps over the sill and butts into the bottom of the window sash when it is closed. There is a half dovetail rabbet cut along the bottom edge to lap onto the angled sill and usually an ogee or rounded front and end that lap onto the wall. The side casings drop onto the stool and the apron is under it. Does that all jibe with what you're reading?

Thanks Don.  It fits but when you have done it before but without any training in the trade.....   I am sort of use to the one size fits all terminology.  Just want to get it right..

Sort of like a spur track or a passing track.  To most people they are the same until you work in the craft. 

[Redoverfarm]

[Redoverfarm]

Hello Journeyman, can I save and use this photo of yours?      (user deleted: spam)

By all means help yourself.

[Redoverfarm]

Hello Journeyman, can I save and use this photo of yours?      (user deleted: spam)


Feel free to use.

[billy boy]

The stool is the horizontal piece you sit stuff on inside, and the sill is the outer horizontal part. Sill is more common lingo, but some old-school folks still use stool.