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Current page: ROT/EXT-WINDOW-SILL-HEIGHT
Rule of thumbRecommended

Window sill heights by use: 18" living, 24-36" bedroom, 42" kitchen, 60" bath

ROT/EXT-WINDOW-SILL-HEIGHT

Description

Window sill height should match the room's furniture program: 18 in for living rooms (where you can see out from the sofa); 24-36 in for bedrooms (so a dresser fits below); 42 in over a kitchen counter (so a backsplash + counter fit below); 60 in for bathrooms (privacy). For accessible / aging-in-place rooms, lower sills (18-24 in) maintain visual connection from a wheelchair or bed.

Why this exists

Sill height is what separates a window that adds value from one that looks awkward. Architects designing schematic should sketch the room's furniture layout BEFORE picking sill heights.

Categories

AestheticDaylightBedroomKitchenBathroom

Source

Professional consensusno manifest entry
Architectural Graphic Standards (Ramsey/Sleeper) ()
Section: Residential design conventions
Published 2024-01-01 · last verified 2026-05-15

Solver enforcement

Browsable only — the solver does not currently enforce this directive (no spec-level data to check against). This entry exists so the architect personas can cite it in conversation and the user can read what the rule says.

Related directives

Last reviewed 2026-05-15.