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streetwizeguy

Advice for Marble Window Sill Installation

6 years ago

So I had my bathroom remodeled and unfortunately the job didn't get completely finished. My house has plaster walls and the bathroom had tile half way up the walls. During the renovation all tile was removed and drywall was installed.


I included a pic below during the renovation but now it's almost done, except for the marble slab I bought for the window sill. I can't seem to find anyone to install it. Window installation companies don't want to do such a small job and I don't know who else to call. Any advice?






Comments (28)

  • 6 years ago

    You need a stone fabricator. You’ll pay a small job premium. $250-$400 for the work. Because it takes specialty skills and specialty tools. And time. It’ll eat up half a day.

    Jeffrey Allen thanked User
  • 6 years ago

    Thanks. I never heard of a stone fabricator. Isn't cutting marble basically like cutting tile? I figured it just needs to be cut on a tile saw (wet saw) and installed.

  • 6 years ago

    No. Cutting and polishing stone is not cutting tile. You need a stone fabricator. Someone who does stone countertops.

    Jeffrey Allen thanked User
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    whoever is doing the tile would be a good choice. Pretty simple to cut, the only thing that would take some more special tools and time would be if the edges required a profile and polishing.

    Jeffrey Allen thanked toddinmn
  • 6 years ago

    That's a simple job, maybe 15 minutes with the right tools. A tile guy would have the tools. A local counter top place might also make the cut for you if you marked it out and brought it by their shop.

    Jeffrey Allen thanked ksc36
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    What does this "marble slab look like"? Is it cut to size and just needs to be notched? Are the edges finished? photos?


    Jeffrey Allen thanked Creative Tile Eastern CT
  • 6 years ago

    I should have described it better. Yes it is cut to size and just needs to be notched. The edges are finished as well. I m going to the house and will take a few photos and update as soon as i can.


    But I agree with the earlier comment, this should be a simple job. Problem is finding someone who wants to do a small job like this. I called a couple window installation places and they don't seem to want to take a job that's this small.

  • 6 years ago

    It looks like the sheet rock was finished on the portion of the window opening you plan to put the marble. To make it look right, you probably need to remove the sheet rock in that area. Otherwise the marble sill will sit too high next to the window.

    Jeffrey Allen thanked lkbum_gw
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Just to clarify some misinformation on this thread.


    Any tile professional worth their salt can fabricate stone as it pertains to tile work to include polishing/profiling/edging. Homeowner TIP: If you have a tiler that is hesitant you may not have a tile pro in your home.


    To the OP. you will certainly have a hard time getting any tile pro to touch an already started job. When you do find one you should be extra cautious hiring them.


    @Houzz

    One could make a full time job correcting the houzz forums misinformation. Sad HOUZZ doesnt care to moderate their forums. bad for the entire industry that made HOUZZ what it is.

    Jeffrey Allen thanked Mint tile Minneapolis
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    The stone fabricator who is cutting your stone vanity counter will do it for you.

    Jeffrey Allen thanked Filipe Custom Woodwork
  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    "But I agree with the earlier comment, this should be a simple job. Problem is finding someone who wants to do a small job like this."


    Correct, but you need to understand why. A contractor is subject to all the poor internet reviews on a $150.00 "simple job" as he is on a $150,000.00 job and plenty of risk. How'd you like a callback on a $150.00 job? Now you've done two $75.00 jobs.


    My minimum charge is $500.00. It makes jobs like this go away and makes them pay very well when they don't. I've been subject to this myself. My metal fabricator complained that he had to have his best guy do my sink alterations, so he raised his rates to discourage my jobs. It didn't work; my customers paid his higher fees without complaint. Ha.


    Another hint: Anytime a potential client tells me how easy a job is going to be, I run for the hills and advise other contractors to do the same.


    I like Filipe's suggestion. Get someone to throw this in please.

    Jeffrey Allen thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I understand why I'm having a hard time finding someone. I get it that nobody wants to take on an already started job.

    The advice earlier about having it was great and reminded me I have a cousin who works in a countertop fabricating company so I called him and he said just to measure and mark with painters tape where i want it cut and he can get it cut for me for a small charge.


    BTW, the sheet rock has been cut down since the earlier pic was taken. Here's some new pics i just took today.

    Only thing I'm unsure of is if the window sill should slide underneath the window or not?






  • 6 years ago

    Some pics of the window








  • 6 years ago

    thats going to be so awesome when done and worth the effort-good luck

    Jeffrey Allen thanked st5330
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Any handyperson should be able to install your window stool (it’s not a sill) easily. In fact, if you’re so inclined, you could install it yourself. It really is that easy. A stone countertop fabricator is total overkill for this job — completely unnecessary.

    Jeffrey Allen thanked Sammy
  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Now that we have a photo it becomes clear. You have a marble threshold. It belongs on the floor in a doorway not a window sill. I cringe when I see these on a shower curb or pony wall. Now I can add window:)

    I suggest you return it. Then cut a piece of cardboard or something ridged as a template. Take that template to any fabricator or stone counter top retailer. Specify polished on all edges. Select a edging profile. (pencil edge for example) Now you can simply pick up the finished stone and adhere it in place. Done. Problem solved.

    If you added a solid surface vanity top in the remodel have the piece made from the same material.

    Jeffrey Allen thanked Creative Tile Eastern CT
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    It needs to be butted to the window. If you are taking it offsite to your cousin to cut, I’d make a cardboard template vs marking it, you‘ll get a better fit. You may have to shim under it to get it to the proper height (A piece of paneling or something along those lines). If the marble extends a moderate distance from the wall, I’d add a piece of small quarter round on something along those lines where the Sheetrock meets the bottom of the marble to act as an apron (personal preference). This will keep it from looking like it’s hanging in space from your wall.

    Jeffrey Allen thanked lkbum_gw
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Is that window anywhere close to the shower? Because I see issues if so. Big ones. And that is NOT the correct material for the installation . You need the stone fabricator, as I said. Only you need him to supply the correct slab materials too. Vanity top, niche bottom, shower curb, anything that’s horizontal in there needs the same material.

    Jeffrey Allen thanked User
  • 6 years ago

    Yes the window is relatively close to the tub/shower, a couple feet away. But how is it that marble is not the right material?


    I was unaware this piece is only supposed to be used for a threshold. I bought it because it's the perfect width and it matches the Carrara Vanity Top I bought at HD. And the return window closed awhile ago so I can't return the threshold. Purchased it from a tile shop for about $75.


    What I find it interesting is the totally conflicting advice here on whether I can use this piece anyway and the need for a stone fabricator.

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    You can use what ever you wish. It's your house. It will look like a floor threshold installed on a window. No need for a fabricator. The piece has a double bevel. You will create a valley where bevel butts the window. Cleaning nightmare. Cut notches as needed and have the ends return beveled & finished as they are currently raw. Also the bottom edge should be eased where exposed.

    OR

    Just order from a fabricator a properly finished piece and set it in place.

    Jeffrey Allen thanked Creative Tile Eastern CT
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    It’s a cheap and cheesy undesigned approach that isn’t worthy of a well designed bathroom. It’s also usually the wrong size for a window stool, and has that dysfunctional bevel that needs cutting off to begin to fit. And other manhandling. It’s a D level choice. An A level bath needs to be better.

    A well designed bathroom will have continuity between materials, and will use the right ones for the right job.


    And if that window is in the shower, there are much bigger issues.

    Jeffrey Allen thanked User
  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Yes it is mostly an aesthetic objection to the bevel. Jamb pieces will work as they will have a eased or pencil edge. The ends would still need to be finished to match for this application. Unfortunately Jeffery does not have a Tile Setter on site leaving him with this situation. As Mint pointed out with a qualified Tile Setter this is remedied in no time. We would profile edges on the spot. Working with modular stone is part of our trade. I only suggested a fabricator because of the OP's current situation.

    Jeffrey Allen thanked Creative Tile Eastern CT
  • 6 years ago

    Very informative. Thank you both!

    Jeffrey Allen thanked scottie mom
  • 6 years ago

    Yes, you guys are very informative and I appreciate your input. I did not think about any of this stuff prior to purchase because I didn't know. Apparently there is a lot to bathroom design when remodeling and I made a lot of mistakes (which is duly noted if you're able to look up my prior posts).


    One thing to say is this isn't a million dollar home. It's a three bedroom ranch and the bathroom is quite small. So I tried to do this remodel on the cheap but have run into many issues because of that.


    It’s a cheap and cheesy undesigned approach that isn’t worthy of a well designed bathroom. It’s also usually the wrong size for a window stool, and has that dysfunctional bevel that needs cutting off to begin to fit. And other manhandling.


    Doing some measuring I can see now that butting it up to the window has the sill sticking out from the wall too far, so the back will need to be cut to reduce the ledge distance. Not sure how far is ideal but I reckon I can go by the other window sills in my house for an approximate size. The good thing is cutting it down will eliminate the bevel in the back.


    It’s a D level choice. An A level bath needs to be better.

    A well designed bathroom will have continuity between materials, and will use the right ones for the right job.


    And if that window is in the shower, there are much bigger issues.


    I wish I had known all of this before hand. The window is adjacent to the shower but not actually in the shower. You can actually see the edge of the shower in the last picture I posted which shows the proximity to the window.

  • 6 years ago

    Hey FWIW, I think you're doing fine, and you're learning along the way. I do agree with @lkbum_gw above about using a small piece of trim under the marble stool to make the transition more graceful. This is a picture of one I designed recently. I found a piece of profiled marble that worked as an apron of sorts. It just happened to match the the wood casing in the rest of the house. In your case, I think you'd have wood around the window and below, but the marble would be the stool. Good luck!




    Jeffrey Allen thanked scottie mom
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Yes, a stone fabricator is who you need - whoever installs quartz or granite countertops in your area. Look for a reliable company with good reviews, tell them that you can be patient - it is a small job. A do expect for them to charge you a minimum fee....If it becomes problematic or expensive - maybe best to just finish off with wood - good luck.

    Jeffrey Allen thanked CK Hoffman Design
  • 6 years ago

    following