Hello everyone! I’m new here, hoping I can get some ideas of how to block/fill these gaps under our kitchen windows. The window with a small gap underneath (1cm gap) catches kitchen debris and is very hard to clean. The window above our kitchen sink has a larger gap (2.5cm tall) it is also deeper and has a thin opening into what I guess is the walls? Creepy crawlies have been making their way into the kitchen through here 😬 and I’m also concerned about water from the kitchen sink possibly being flicked into here and damaging the house/window. I thought about getting some more tiles to fill the gap above the kitchen sink however the bench top doesn’t appear in line with the wall so just putting tiles with some putty won’t block the gap. Does anyone have ideas how I could block these? Thank you very much
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @kitchenfix. It's wonderful to have you join us and many thanks for your question on filling gaps.
For the window with the smaller gap, I’d suggest inserting backing rod inside the gap first, then applying a bead of https://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-300g-white-wet-area-waterproof-silicone-sealant_p1230981 over the top to create a smooth transition between the benchtop and the window sill. However, a 1cm gap is really pushing the limits of what silicone alone can bridge neatly and reliably.
Another option would be to install a small aluminium angle along the front and side faces to physically cover the gap. You could then silicone along the joins for a clean, sealed finish that’s much easier to keep clean.
For the larger gap above the sink, I do think tiling would be a good long-term solution. Alternatively, you could once again use an aluminium flat bar to cover the area neatly.
You mentioned the benchtop doesn’t quite meet the wall, so it sounds like the thickness of tile and adhesive alone may not be enough to close the gap properly. In that case, you could first install a tile underlay (around 6mm thick) behind the tiles. That would bring the tiled surface slightly further forward and help bridge the uneven gap more effectively.
Whatever method you choose, I’d definitely recommend sealing the area fully, especially around the sink, to help stop moisture getting into the wall cavity. Here's a helpful guide: How to apply silicone sealant. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
