Flower boxes are often made specifically for a home or window.
Since flower boxes are a specialty item, specific to each site, these popular planters are frequently constructed onsite by the homeowner. When planning and designing the wooden containers, several factors have to be taken into account that are not usually present in other building projects. Thoughtfully dealing with these various requirements can result in a flower box that works effectively for many years to come.
Waterproofing
Since a flower box will be filled with planting soil that requires frequent watering, it is imperative that the finished product is resistant to all water damage. One possible solution is to use wood that is resistant to water damage. This be accomplished by using a naturally occurring wood like redwood, cypress or cedar or by purchasing pressure-treated yellow pine. The other option is to paint the wood with a water resistant exterior-grade primer-sealer. When you paint be sure to apply the coating before assembly, so you can cover all edges. A primer-sealer can even be applied on top of a water-resistant wood for added protection and some even make a lining from a sheet of black plastic.
Drainage
Another necessary requirement for flower boxes are bottom holes, which allow water to drain out through the bottom. These holes can be made with a drill bit and electric drill. They should be placed in several rows across the bottom of the box. Each hole should be bathed in paint or sealer to protect the exposed wood from water damage. Also it is important to keep the holes small, so soil does not drain out of the hole.
Weight
After installation a flower box will be filled with earth and flowering plants so the container needs to be designed and constructed in a way that limits overall weight. This is usually accomplished by building a narrow trough that seldom exceeds 6 inches in width or 8 inches in height. Overall length should also be kept small. And then when putting the box together, it is necessary to use numerous galvanized wood screws at least 1 1/2 inches long as fasteners.
Bracing
Many woodworking plans call for using metal brackets to attach the box to the edge of the window sill. This technique can work, if your flower planter is small, and you are attaching the box to a first floor level. However, as the weight or height of the box increases it may become necessary to build 45-degree wooden braces to support the box from underneath. These can be made from 2-by-4's and they need to be directly attached to the house frame.
Color
One of the most appealing aspect of a window box is the addition of color to the outside of the building. This can come from the flowers or the box itself. Since the box is usually covered with a durable primer-sealer, adding an exterior paint to the outside of the flower box is a task that can create small areas of color at the bottom of each window. There are two ways that you can go when you finally arrive at painting the flower box. First, you can paint the wooden trough to match the trim or the color of the building, or you can add a bright color that matches the flowers and sets off the box from the rest of the house.
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