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Building a window box is an easy DIY project that is great for any beginner. The best choice of wood for a window box is cedar or cypruss, because both woods will naturally resist rotting the best. This will give your window box the best chance of lasting more than five years. The process of building a window box begins with measuring the window for window box length, followed by assembly, followed lastly by hanging it. Let’s skip straight to the middle and focus in on the actual building of a window box and the steps that are required. You’ll need a drill, a few special bits, a brad gun, and a miter saw for this project.

For simplicity purposes let’s build a 36″ window box from 3/4″ thick cypruss. Cypruss wood stock can be attained from most local lumberyards in a variety of dimensions. For window box purposes, a 1″ x 8″ board is recommended. For this box we will need roughly 12 feet of length. Now, miter the board at 34.5″ three consecutive times such that you have three boards, one for the bottom, front, and back. We’ll use screws to join these boards more tightly. Place two boards up against each other at ninety degree angle and use wood glue between them. You want to make sure you use a wood glue designed for exterior purposes. Once glued, shoot a few brad nails along the joint to hold the two boards together temporarily. Next, countersink three small holes through the boards in preparation to pass screws in to more securely join the boards in a ninety degree fashion. A countersink drill bit is one that drills a pilot hole deep and a big hole shallow so that the ***** head can sink pass the face of the board. Drill three countersunk holes: one on each end and one in the center. Next, sink a ***** into the boards so that they grab tightly. The **** joint should show on the bottom of the box. Repeat the same steps to fasten the back board to the bottom boards. When you’ve finished that, the only thing remaining will be pieces for the side ends.

For fastening of the side pieces I recommend again using gorilla glue and brad nails to quickly secure the piece to the box. Next, countersink some holes and then screws to joing the side pieces. The side piece should be cut to size first. Once the side pieces are attached, the structural assembly of the box is complete. Next, use a drill with a 1/4″ drill bit to drill drain holes in the bottom. I recommend placing a hole in each corner of the box and one in the very center where water will likely migrate to the most. Next, caulk inside the box to seal all the inner joints. This will reinforce the box and also keep water from seeping through. Lastly, staple an erosion tarp to the inside of the box. The will filter out water and keep dirt in. Viola, now you’re ready to hang it and put flowers in it. It’s just that easy. If you’re not up for the challenge of building a wooden window box every five years, a good idea may be to consider investing in a PVC window box. They are completely water resistant and very affordable. From an investment standpoint, they’re usually worth the few extra dollars because they’ll last up to 30 years without rotting or maintenance.

When choosing a window box it is essential that you have all the information in front of you. First off, there are many materials to choose from: wood, vinyl, PVC, fiberglass, aluminum, wrought-iron, and copper to name a few.

Wooden window boxes are the old standard that have been around for centuries and they’re an affordable solution to window box planting and gardening. The advantages are that they can be painted, they can be made custom, and they are often affordable. The disadvantages are that the average wood window box lasts 3-5 years and usually shows signs of rotting after just 2 years. They will require a liner inside and they are vulnerable to splintering, warping, fading, peeling, moisture, and insects. The ideal choice for a wooden window box is either cypruss or cedar. Both woods have the ability to resist rotting and will help the window box last longer than other woods.

Vinyl window boxes are an alternative to wood that is a no rot solution to window boxes. Vinyl is resistant to moisture, however, vinyl window boxes usually do not accept paint, have a shiny appearance, and are made from thin double walled material that can ***** over time. Vinyl is a great choice for someone who wants a no rot planter that needs to be white and lives in an environment where temperature changes are minimal. Although vinyl window boxes are not ideal for supporting heavy loads they are lightweight and easy to install and many smaller sized boxes can easily be clipped to a window with accessory brackets. Vinyl has many advantages over wood and is an affordable no rot solution to window box planting.

PVC window boxes are an upgrade over vinyl in that they are made from solid core material that makes them more durable and prevents them from splitting, cracking, or warping over time. Additionally, PVC window boxes are also moisture and rot free. Unlike vinyl, they have the ability to accept paint readily and they have a matted finish to them that keeps them from looking like plastic. In fact, they often look like wood after being painted. The disadvantages are that they are heavier than vinyl and can cost more on average.

Fiberglass planters offer many of the advantages of PVC window boxes in that they will not rot and are moisture resistant. The advantages of fiberglass window boxes are that they are available in custom sizes and they can usually be painted as well. The disadvantages are that they are generally heavier, limited in availability, and pricier of all the options. They can be more difficult to install, especially for larger boxes. They tend to have a glassier finish to them, but they can usually be painted.

Next, that takes us to aluminum, wrought-iron, and copper window boxes. Aluminum is an upgrade over wrought-iron in that it can be sprayed black to look like iron but will never rust. A wrought-iron window box will generally show signs of rust in 3-5 years and may require maintenance. Metal window box cages will need liners to hold potting soil directly or they can be used to hold potted plants instead. Some metal window boxes are bulk manufactured in certain sizes and are made affordable at that size. However, custom sizing can be pricey or limited in availability. Copper window boxes tend to be pricey, but offer a very distinct look that cannot be substituted in any way.

With so many new materials on the market it’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages to all of your choices. Whether you’re look for affordability, low maintenance, or a distinct look, window box gardening can be a fun hobby that brings lots of joy into your life.

Installing window boxes can be a fun DIY project and proper care should be taken to do it right! There are many brackets nowadays that hook to your window or railing and allow you to just sit the window box on top. This is fine if your window box is small and you don’t plan on filling it with potting soil. However, if your window box is larger than 30″ or it will need to support more weight than just fake flowers, it’s imperative that you install your window boxes in a safe and secure manner so that it doesn’t shift, fall, or break. Decorative window box brackets can be added, but should rarely be used as the go to method for supporting a window box.

First off, window boxes need to be installed so that they are sturdy and level. This is important not only so that it looks right, but also that it drains properly. This is another reason to avoid simplistic bracket systems that can bend and warp under the weight of a well planted window box. The ideal method for installing window boxes is to use the old tried and true anchor-lag bolt method. By securing and installing a window box to a home’s exterior in this manner you can ensure that it is level, sturdy, and most importantly safe. And as an added feature, it will most definitely add value to the home by becoming an integral part of it. The best way to secure a window box to your home is to anchor it through the back of the box and directly into the house. To do this you will need to drill a 3/4″ hole in the back of the window box approximately every 18″ of window box length. The placement of the holes should be centered vertically. Next, transfer the location of these holes by holding the window box up to the window and placing a pencil or marker through the holes. Now, take the window box down and drill a 5/8″ hole into the brick or rock over each mark. These are going to be your anchor points to support the box. Place a 5/8″ expandable lead anchor into each of the holes you drilled. The anchors should be able to receive 3/8″ lag bolts and work by expanding as the bolts are tightened. Now, to finish, hold the window box back up and pass each lag bolt with a washer through the back of the window box and into the lead anchors. Tighten each lag bolt down till finished and then lastly, use a level to adjust the window box if necessary. Viola! You’ve successfully installed a window box.