How To Create Magazine-Style Farmhouse Windows

Alicia W
by Alicia W
7 Materials
$30
3 Hours
Easy

Do you have skinny window casings on your windows? Do you lack a window sill? Do you dream of those farmhouse window casings that you see in magazines? Your dream is about to come true.


Begin by taking down any window treatments.

Using a utility knife, score or cut around the entire window frame along the wall and inside the window.

These are the window casings that most home have. They are skinny and boring. To create thick window casings is really easy and inexpensive.

Using a crowbar and hammer, remove the old casing. It takes a little muscle but once you have the first piece removed, the rest is easy.

Remove all the casing around the window.

The first step is making a window sill.

A- Score around the jam casing inside the window (the skinny piece of wood that sticks up).

B- Pry that piece of wood up with a flat head screwdriver and hammer.

C-Once the casing is removed,

D-Measure and cut a piece of 1”x3” pine board for the sill. Lay the sill on the edge of the window and mark the side casings at the top of the sill.

E-Using a chisel or flathead screwdriver, remove the little bit of wood at the bottom of the side casing.

F-Once that little bit of wood is removed, slide your window sill in place and nail. Before you nail, close the window to make sure the sill fits snuggly against the window but still allows the window to close.

Once the sides are complete, measure and install a piece of 1”x2” pine flat along the top of the window.

On top of the 1”x2”, attach a piece of 1”x6” vertically, then another piece of 1”x2” flat.

The 1”x2” pine should stick out and not be flush with the other wood.

Now begin to add new trim along each side of the window. You want to measure from the top of the window to the bottom of the sill.

Cut 1”x4” pine to size, level and nail in place.

Now attach a piece of 1”x6” pine along the bottom of the window under the sill.

Here is the new window marked with the size of pine board needed.

Fill nail holes with wood filler.

Paint or stain the new trim. I painted mine semi-gloss white.

Once the paint is dry, chaulk around the entire window to seal it.

The windows casings make a huge difference in the room. I love them!!

Resources for this project:
American Wood Clear Pine Board 1 X 2 X 4 ' Pine by AMERICAN WOOD MOULDING
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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 8 questions
  • Debra S Debra S on Sep 20, 2019

    Yes you inspire me. My husband NEVER did put up the trim in our entire house.. I put up some around the doors, I was all are you KIDDING me? peekaboo see thru around bathrooms and bedrooms? Anyway... he had bought the typical mitered standard stuff to put up- I honestly hate the look of it. I grew up in houses built in the 30's with HUGE beautiful wood trim everywhere and I long for it. This craftsman style would do for me, because indeed, I think I CAN do it myself. There is NO hope of the husband doing anything at all here anymore. I have to get over my fear of power tools and just do it.

  • Robin, Minneapolis, MN Robin, Minneapolis, MN on Sep 20, 2020

    I missed what the rubbing alcohol was used for.

  • Dede Diorio Ryle Dede Diorio Ryle on Apr 27, 2022

    Did you take the 1x3 all the way around the inside of window or just for the sill?

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  • Linda Linda on Sep 20, 2020

    After old frame is off, first thing to do is insulate around the window. One of biggest heat wastes is uninsulated windows and doors

  • Susan QC Susan QC on Sep 21, 2020

    I didn't see rubbing alcohol used in any way on this project.

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