Fed up with drafty windows, boring treatments and torn screens? From choosing the right replacement windows to installing a rip-proof screen to making it all look pretty, here's the 411 on windows.
Window boxes are available in many sizes, but if you want a real custom look, make your own. Here are some key points to keep in mind for this project:
Plan to make your window boxes about the same length as the window’s width.
Cedar and redwood are good choices for wood window boxes. They both are moisture-resistant. You can buy one long board and get a couple of window boxes for just a few dollars each.
Once you’ve measured and cut the wood to size, pre-drill holes for the screws. You should join the wood every 6 to 8 inches to keep them secure and to prevent warping.
Use stainless steel screws or galvanized screws, which won’t rust and stain the window box — and eventually fall apart.
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Drill drainage holes in the bottom of the box about 4 or 5 inches apart. The holes should be about 1/2-inch wide. You need drainage holes even if you’re only putting pots in the box.
You can buy brackets for mounting the window box at a home improvement center.
If you want to paint the window box, use a couple of coats of an alkyd-based paint, which will hold up well outdoors. On the inside of the box, just apply linseed oil and turpentine to protect the wood from moisture.
At the end of the season, take the window boxes down and clean them out. Give them another coat of paint if they need it. For winter, you can fill them with evergreen boughs or dried arrangements..
When you’re choosing plants, aim for a layered design with the tallest ones in the back, the shorter, fuller ones in the middle and some plant trailers in the front to make your window box look lush and overflowing.
You’ll find that the plants in your window boxes will need to be watered regularly, especially in hot weather.
