Can you adjust the height of a window sill after placement in Revit?
Short Answer
Yes — in Autodesk Revit, you can adjust the height of a window sill after placement by selecting the window and changing its sill height instance parameter in the Properties palette. This is the most common professional method for controlling window elevation accurately. Limitation: some hosted or constrained conditions can prevent edits.
What You Need to Know Before
Warning: If the window is constrained to a level, attached geometry, or a custom family with locked reference planes, changing the sill height may fail or move the window unexpectedly. In workshared projects, the element may also be owned by another user and temporarily uneditable.
How-to
Command: Properties
Shortcut: [No default shortcut]
Quick Steps:
- Select the window in the drawing area, then go to the Properties palette.
- Find the Sill Height instance parameter and enter the new value.
- Press Enter or click Apply; if needed, verify the related Level and constraints in the instance properties.
Variables & Settings
- Key Setting: Sill Height in the instance Properties controls the vertical distance from the host level to the bottom of the window opening. If the family uses constraints or a read-only setup, this parameter may not behave as expected.
Why it Fails
- Cause 1 (Geometry): The window family may have locked reference planes or built-in dimensional constraints that restrict sill height changes.
- Cause 2 (layers/Locks): In a workshared model, the window or host wall may be checked out by another user, preventing modification.
- Cause 3 (Command/Logic): Some users try to move the window manually instead of editing Sill Height, which can conflict with level-based hosting logic.
Quick Fix & Best Practice
- Quick Fix: Select the window and edit the Sill Height value in Properties; if it is unavailable, use Edit Family to check for locked constraints or confirm the window is not worksharing-locked.
- Manager’s Verdict: Use Sill Height for nearly all standard window elevation changes because it is faster, cleaner, and schedules correctly. Avoid manual moves unless diagnosing a family issue.
FAQ
Can I change the sill height for multiple windows at once?
Yes, if the selected windows share the same editable instance parameter.
Why is the sill height parameter grayed out in Revit?
It is usually controlled by the family, a constraint, or worksharing ownership.
Does changing sill height affect head height too?
Yes, if the window type height stays the same, raising the sill also raises the head height.
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