Building a Windowseat #3 - Cabinetry Complete

I finished up the cabinetry portion of the window seat project. As shown in the picture, I installed the top, which has a lift up lid. I also put a small lip on the front, which is there to keep the cushion in place.


The underside of the lid has 3/4" x 1 1/2" support splines to make sure it stays flat over time.


We need to paint the front with our white trim paint. Hopefully my DW will get the cushion made in the next couple of weeks.

Building a Window Seat #2

In the following set of pictures, I show how I installed the window seat cabinet I built earlier...

Here is the bump-out we added for the window seat. It has a concrete floor and foundation (same as the rest of the basement) and standard framed walls.


The cabinet will be hung by the walls in the back and on the sides, and sit on the floor in the front. Here I attached 3/4" plywood pieces to the bottom to bring the cabinet up to the correct height.

Also note that I ran 3/4" boards across the bottom in the center. This was probably not needed - there won't be anything too heavy stored in this. Adding the scrap pieces took no time or cost, and it ensures there will never be sag in the bottom.


Because the wood supports will sit on the concrete, I added a layer of asphalt shingle (poly glued and stapled) to block any moisture that would migrate up into the wood over time. These get poly glued to the concrete once in place.


I build the cabinet approximately 1/2" less deep and 3/4" narrower than the opening. Just like a door, you need the rough-in dimensions to allow for some room to adjust everything. Here I added 1/2" plywood pads across the back and 3/8" ones on the right side. After marking the level-line around the walls, I quickly stapled these in place, and then firmly attached them with 2" screws into the studs.


I set the cabinet in place, pushing it against the back and right side. Once it was level and tight, I quickly shot in 3 finish nails to hold it in place. After that I drilled and secured it with 3" screws into the surrounding studs. Finally, I slid a shim in the left side and put screws in.


Here is the final photo of the cabinet in place. Note that I did not put any insulation between the bottom of the cabinet and the concrete floor. My main reason is to not allow any moisture to get trapped in there and cause problems later. I figure with the cabinet (most likely filled with blankets) and a 4" cushion on top, there will be plenty of insulation.

The next steps are to trim the cabinet to the wall and fit the lid in place. Before I do that, my DW will paint the walls, so she doesn't need to cut it in later.

Building a Window Seat #1

While I have been working on my son's room, I also got the widow seat area ready to go. I am working on building the seat cabinet as well...



Here is an in-progress picture of the seat cabinet. The main structure is made from pre-finished plywood. I put pine battens on the ends to create something I could screw the panels to. I also put scrap peices of 3/4" plywood across the bottom panel to reinforce it (this is good reason to keep those 2 foot cut-off scraps). Finally, you can see where I am adding the front pieces (rails, stiles, beadboard) using brads and poly glue.


Here is a quick picture of the 1/2" pre-finished plywood. I bought these 4x8 sheets for $25 each at Shurway building supply.

Window Seat #2 - Done with Sheetrock

I finished the sheetrock work on the window seat this week. I need to texture the walls, along with the entire wall of the room in the next few days.


Once the texture and painting are done, I will build the seat, which will have a bead board front to match the built-in book shelves. I am juggling this project with a bunch of backyard work, since my son is home right now to help out.

Window Seat

I feel like I have let my blog down... I am almost finished with a window seat project, and I have not taken one picture or written a word.

Here is an in-progress picture - I just started taping the sheetrock.



I got the inspiration to add one from reading the "Not So Big House" series and also looking at the house designs posted on Ross Chapin Architects. I think window seats are similar to kids and ice cream – they have almost universal appeal. Here are some pictures from the site…






Cost details

Bumping the wall out to build this required the following steps (materials costs)

Pour a small foundation - $20

Reframe the existing opening to 6’ wide, put in a 12” header, and frame the new walls (2x6) - $85

Put on sheathing (1/2” plywood) - $35

Flash and roof with architectural shingles - $40

Install a 4’x5’ stock window (Low E) - $170

Install two 4” recessed lights and wire the switch - $45

Insulate – both foam for the corners / gaps and fiberglass for the stud bays - $30

Sheetrock, mud, corners - $50

Total so far is $475. To just do a window (no bump out) would have cost about $230 to this point, so I think its well worth it.

I anticipate the following additional costs:

Window trim (inside and outside) - $50

Siding (Hardieplank lap) - $60

Paint – interior: already have it (maybe $25 if I needed to buy more) / Exterior - $40

Window seat wood – I am doing a bead-board front, pine trim, 3/4” plywood lift top - $40

Cushion – not sure, I need to as my DW, as she will be making that bit.

Estimated total cost: $750 – and well worth it. I think it adds quite a lot of character to the house.

I am planning on re-siding the entire house this summer (lap; board & batten; stone), and I am going to include a rain-screen / drainage plane while I am at it. I will do the first little bit of that when I side the bump-out.