Tiling windowsill

[colin_dickson]

See attached pic

I’m looking to remove this windowsill in a new build so I can tile thereafter.

What’s the best way to remove it please?

[dewaltdisney]

This is one of those jobs you wished you never started. New builds are invariably dry lined which is where the inner plasterboard walls are dot and dabbed onto the ouert cavity wall. As soon as you start hacking the window sill out there will be a very likely risk of areas of the window reveal being ripped out too meaning you will have a hell of a job making good. If this is a fashion thing forget it, you will thanks me. This fashion belongs to 1950s council houses that had quarry tiled sills.

DWD

[colin_dickson]

So would you recommend just tiling around?

[colin_dickson]

Or would a multi tool all the way along each side not work?

[Grendel]

Well at least it’s painted white dwd…
You do have a point that it’s likely to be on dot and dab walls . It is in all probability glued down and more than likely to be made of mdf. Still if Colin is determined to remove it then I’d advise cutting it . Use something like a multi tool , reciprocating saw or even just stitch drill it around six inches in from the ends . Another decent option here is to use a jigsaw with the blade cut down to the thickness of the window board. That should separate the middle section which can then be levered up and the ends removed afterwards.
I actually don’t mind tiled window cills , our bathroom has them for instance but before you rip out the window board I’d check to see how your tiles are going to fit. I’ve done a number of tiled cills and some of them I haven’t been really satisfied with them as they end up with a row of cuts that look a bit unsightly. Corner beading tends to enhance the look although not always .

[colin_dickson]

How would it look just being tiled around?

[dewaltdisney]

Shite, unless it is a bathroom. Decor is a very personal thing and you should always think carefully if it will add value or detract value when you come to sell. I think this will be a turn-off for anyone looking just like garish wallpaper or paint colours. It looks clean and neat as it is, why mess with it?

DWD

[Grendel]

That’s rather up to you to be honest , your the one who has to live with it. As I say our bathroom is tiled , the kitchen has cills made of the same as the oak worktops . Both look good enough to us but might look naff and dated to others. I’ve both tiled cills and tiled around them and as long as they are set out decently they have looked fine.

[colin_dickson]

Boss wants it tiled.

So it’s either hack it out or it will look shite? Lol

[Grendel]

you should always think carefully if it will add value or detract value when you come to sell.

DWD

I tend to disagree , at least to a point , with dwd on this. If your intention is to sell the house then yes he’s probably right. If you are intending to stay put for at least the next five years or more then decorate however you like , you’re the ones who have to live with it and if others don’t like the style then it’s none of their business…

[dewaltdisney]

There is the point G, if they don't like your style they will not buy or make a low offer. You should always have an eye to the future and changing trends. However, if a style makes you happy go ahead but the warning for the future is there.

DWD

[colin_dickson]

You don’t not buy a house because you don’t like the previous owners taste, that’s just silly otherwise a lot of sales wouldn’t happen. You buy a house based on location, value and potential major work required not cause someone painted/papered/tiled a wall and you don’t like the look of it.

[Rorschach]

I'd probably trim it flush to the wall and then tile over it. Looks like you have plenty of thickness on the window frame for it not to look weird.

[colin_dickson]

I'd probably trim it flush to the wall and then tile over it. Looks like you have plenty of thickness on the window frame for it not to look weird.

How would I get the tiles to stick to glossed wood?

[Grendel]

There is the point G, if they don't like your style they will not buy or make a low offer. You should always have an eye to the future and changing trends. However, if a style makes you happy go ahead but the warning for the future is there.

DWD

If intending to sell in the near future then you have a point but if stopping there for any length of time then I disagree , decorate to your own desires and tastes. Our house is decorated with an eye to an Art Deco look , our daughter thinks it’s a bit old fashioned and has said how she’d change it but that might be 20odd years in the future. We don’t feel like living in a house painted in primer for the next couple of decades. And even if we went for a neutral look now it would most likely need redoing in the future anyway.