I'm new to framing and finishing my basement, and I've got a project ahead of me! The windows are framed, but now I need to build the sills, jambs, and casing. I'm wondering what type of wood I should use for this task. The depth from the drywall to the window is about 11-1/4 inches, and the framing can accommodate a sill/jamb of 3/4 inches. I want the materials to be plain white since I plan to paint them or use prefinished wood. I saw that Home Depot has a 1 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. Radiata Pine Finger Joint Primed Board. Is that a good choice?
1 Answer
You might want to consider using a solid piece of wood for the sill instead of gluing smaller pieces together. It’ll look cleaner in the long run, although if you go for pine, keep in mind the knots could show through your paint eventually. You can also check out the 1x12 pine boards at Home Depot, but they might have some imperfections. There are larger, pre-glued shelf materials that are smooth and already sanded, which could save you a lot of trouble.
I actually meant to share the link for this one instead: [1 in. x 12 in. x 8 ft. Primed Pine Finger-Joint Board](https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-in-x-12-in-x-8-ft-Primed-Pine-Finger-Joint-Board-PFJB1128/203422125). It's deep enough at 12 inches but costs around $31 per board. Also, those 4x8 sheets of MDF are only $48, but you'll need to paint them, which might be a hassle.