Window Box - Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can your PVC window boxes be painted?
Yes!  Our PVC window boxes are perfect for painting.  They have a matted finish to them which allows them to hold paint exceptionally well without peeling or fading.  Because of that they look like wood as well instead of shiny or plastic looking.  Simply put two coats of a desired color on the window box.  We recommend Sherwin Williams, however you can use any exterior latex paint.  Semi-gloss paints work best for all PVC window boxes.  No primer is necessary and remember to leave the inside of the window box unpainted if you will be placing soil and water in direct contact with the inside of the box.  Click here for some great tips on painting window boxes.

2. Does the window box have to be painted?
No, feel free to leave our PVC window boxes unpainted.  They come standard in a bright white color.  Versatex cellular PVC is #1 for longest warranty against fading.  An inferior grade of PVC or vinyl will fade over time.  We offer a 15 year warranty straight from the manufacturer allowing you the peace of mind of leaving them unpainted for many years.

3. Do you make custom window box lengths?
Yes, we make custom window boxes of every size possible up to 16 feet in length.  If you don't see a particular size on our website or in our shopping cart area, it doesn't mean that we don't do it, so give us a call.   The chances are we can make that custom window box for you in that length.

4. Are your window boxes self-watering?
We offer a variety of products to make each and every one of our window boxes self-watering.  There are two methods to make a self-watering window box.  One method is with the use of "drip-irrigation" - a method in which a continuous drip slowly waters the plant continuously.  The second method is with the use of a "water reservoir" system that will provide enough water to last 3-8 weeks for your plants.  There are also other products to turn your window box into self-watering for vacations as well as the use of our water-absorbing rocks which act as a sort of modified water reservoir system by holding in water for your plants to use for long periods of time.

5. Is there an additional charge for custom window box lengths?
No, because we are a manufacturer we are able to easily make window boxes of any length with no extra cost to you.  Other companies are retailers who usually stock certain sizes.  Because of this, there is usually a custom fee for a non-standard window box length.  We do not believe in charging extra for that service.  Custom window boxes are our specialty and all custom window boxes ship in 1-3 business days.  

6. Do you make custom planters and window boxes?
Yes, we can also make our window boxes taller or shorter to meet your specifications.  We do have certain nominal sizes that are easy for us to make and are more cost-effective.  Call us to inquire about our nominal sizes or we can give you a free quote on a totally custom window box.  We make an entire line of standard PVC planters as well as commercial planters.

7. How do your window boxes drain?
All of our window boxes have drain holes in the bottom.  We place a 5 hole pattern every 10" along the bottom of the window box.  Our window box drainage system works extremely well and is a perfect match for the home gardner.  For indoor use, we can even make them without drain holes.  Drop in liners can be purchased separately to fit our boxes.

8. Do your PVC window boxes have to be taken down in the winter?
No, our cellular composite PVC window boxes are made from high quality Versatex PVC that is resistant to all weather conditions.  The concept behind our window boxes is that they get installed to the house and never need to be maintained or taken down.  Our window boxes outperform other window boxes made from other cellular PVCs and vinyl materials.  They are the ultimate low-maintenance "better than wood" window box solution.

9. How do your window boxes install?
We recommend installing our window boxes in the safest and most durable manner with the use of lag bolts through the back of the box.  Because our boxes are made from solid material you can easily pass a lag bolt through the back for the ultimate installation.  Other hollow vinyl boxes cannot use this method and are forced to use clips and braces which can bend, warp, shift, or break.  Window boxes over 48" in length will often need to support 100+ lbs. and it is very important that the window box is firmly secured to the house for years to come so that they never shift or fall and so that they remain level and always drain properly.  Our window boxes can also be installed on deck railings and fences to give you deck rail planters.

10. How long should my window box be?
As a general rule of thumb, we recommend that you get a window box that matches the width of your window or the length from the outside of your left trim to the outside of your right trim around the window (assuming you have trim around the window).  By doing this the vertical lines on your window box will line up with the vertical lines on your window or window trim.  If you have shutters you should consider adding 4-6 inches to balance the window.  Make sure your shutters don't hang too low to do this, though.  Click here to see pictures of how we recommend to measure for window boxes.

11. What are the dimensions of your window boxes?
No matter how long our window boxes are they have the same consistent height and width (front to back) dimensions.  All of our window boxes are 8.5" wide.  Any additional trim adds to the overall width.  For the Charleston the trim adds .75" at the top and bottom where the trim sticks out.  For the Traditional and Daisy the cap adds 2" and 1" where the cap sticks out.  All of our window boxes are 8" tall, however, custom heights are available upon request. 

12. Are your PVC window boxes protected from the sun?
Yes, we use Versatex PVC with titanium dioxide (TiO2) technology that maintains the structural integrity of the PVC and keeps it white for a long time.  It has built in UV protection and because it is made from the thickest PVC on the market, it will not warp or twist like other vinyl and PVC window boxes.  Versatex PVC is rated #1 among all the cellular PVCs for UV protection, fading, and structural integrity.

13. What is the quality of your PVC window boxes?
Versatex PVC is second to none and beats out all other cellular composite PVC products in most tests.  Architects and builders love it because it is a beautiful product that looks just like wood and homeowners love it because it's maintenance free.  Click here to find out the advantags to PVC window boxes, wooden window boxes, fiberglass window boxes, vinyl window boxes, and composite window boxes.

14. Are your PVC window boxes solid?
Our PVC window boxes are made from solid PVC and are light weight.  Other manufactures use thin or hollow double-walled material that can warp, crack, twist, and bend over time and potentially cause the window box to fail or be less durable than desired.

15. Do you make window box liners out of PVC?
Yes, we get many requests to make PVC liners for customers, give us a call and we'd be happy to give you a free quote.  All liners are made from 5/8" thick material and are designed to last a lifetime.