how do I lay the bricks for my window sill so that I get that nice downward slope my other windows have?

I made an opening in one of my exterior walls to accomodate a nice "picture" window. Only thing is, I gotta create a sill like all the other ORIGINAL windows have.


Do I just slap the mortar down and lay them at an angle similar to the other windows ?

what if the slope doesnt stay that way because of the weight of the brick run? (settling?)

should I wait until the window is put in first or should I do this sill now and place window on top of the sill when the mortar cures?

Are there some sort of shims or chocks or something supportive that will give me that angle to run the bricks on?

 

The brick are usually laid after the window unit is installed in new construction. Getting a good fit will be a challenge if you lay the brick before installing the window. I am sure the masons will chime in here, but I think they use small pieces of brick to support the elevated ends of the bricks in a slanted sill while the mortar cures.

 

thats great to know! I will install the window first then. and use small bits of brick under the course I lay to support my slope. thank you very much!

 

Mason here. Aways set the widow first no matter what.

REASONS

You need to have about 4 1/2" of open space in height to accommodate the brick sills slope. Also when you lay the brick it needs to be pressured under the sill tightly to seal right and a full mortar joint in the brick thats laid. Normally we figure no less then a 1" over hang for the brick sill. That brick course in the trades is refereed to a "rowlock" The cut for the brick is usually between 5 1/2" to 6/12" to shorten the brick. This cut is also at an angle.

The way to lay it out is cut all bricks. lay them dry to space the joints properly. Mark with a pencil two spots before you pull out the dry laid brick. ( We use a brick spacing rule in the field for layouts) (standard brick is usually laid at the (6) on spacing rule. Rowlocks are harder to lay then you think. Spread some mortar on brick wall to lay a couple of brick. Do this on both sides. Butter up the sill brick on its on side before you lay it. Once 3 sill bricks are laid now you can use a line to go to filling in the rest. You may relay a couple of brick before you get the hang of it.