8 tips on which sill to choose

Content

1. №1. Basic requirements for the window sill
2. №2. Material of window sill production
3. No. 3. Choose a plastic (PVC) window sill
4. №4. Wooden window sill: the pros and cons
5. №5. Windowsills made of MDF and chipboard
6. №6. Window-sill made of wood-polymer composite (DPC)
7. №7. Natural and artificial stone
8. №8. Window-sill made of porcelain tiles
9. In conclusion

The windowsill in the apartment serves as additional protection from the cold, can be used to house flowers, books, replace a table-top and even a place for rest, and only the children and animals sill draws a magnet, because it allows you to look out the window and learn about the surrounding peace. So why do we give our choice a minimum of attention and rely on standard solutions that window companies offer? We'll figure out which window sill to choose and which materials to give preference to get a high-quality and durable construction.

№1. Basic requirements for the window sill

Window-sillperforms several functions at once:

• ornamental
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  . Thanks to the use of modern materials, the window sill can become an interesting decoration of the room. Moreover, it allows you to organically link the window, slopes, walls and radiator, located under the window, and, of course, serves as an additional place for the placement of flowers, accessories or storage of necessary trifles. The last on the windowsill should not be much, so as not to smear it and not block the way through the window to the light. A window sill can become a working surface or a dining table in the smallest kitchens;
• protection from cold. Mounted by all the rules, the window sill is a barrier to cold outdoor air and prevents heat leakage outside;
• the correct distribution of heat in the room. Even the ledge of the window sill beyond the wall surface matters. Thanks to him, the streams of warm air from the battery do not immediately go up, but are sent to the room. However, making a window sill too wide is also not worth it, otherwise you can completely isolate the window and adjacent areas of the walls from warm air and provoke condensation on the windows and slopes.

To ensure proper circulation of warm air and not to impede movement near the window sill, the latter mustadvocate for a wall level of no more than 5-6 cm, and in the calculations it is necessary to take into account the future finishing, if it does not already exist. The window sill should not cover the radiator more than half, otherwise it will be necessary to take care of the presence of holes to facilitate convection of the air. As for the length, the window sill may extend beyond the edges of the slopes by 1-8 cm, but not more.

When choosing a window sill, remember that it must meet certain requirements in order to serve more or less long and cope with all the tasks assigned to it. So, the window sillshould have such performance characteristics:

• strength, because the product can accommodate heavy pots with flowers or sit people. If serious loads are to be expected, stone or wooden windowsills thicker than 2 cm thick are chosen;
• resistance to mechanical stress, sunlight and detergents;
• moisture resistance, if the sill is selected for the kitchen, the bathroom, the pool and other rooms with high humidity.

№2. Material of window sill production

Various materials are used for the production of window sills. The choice is based on the planned budget, personal preferences, interior features and room conditions, and also depending on which window is installed.

The most popular materials for making window sills are:

• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), often referred to simply as plastic;
• tree;
• Particleboard and MDF;
• natural and artificial stone.

Sometimes there arenon-standard options: ceramic tile, mosaic, WPC, granite, molding technology or fabric upholstery. A window sill may have not only the usual rectangularform, but also to be rounded or bizarrely bent, but it depends more on the features of the material from which it is made.

No. 3. Choose a plastic (PVC) window sill

The plastic window sill has been strong in recent yearsholds the lead, which is due to its performance and affordable price. Such products, in fact, are a common PVC profile with several cameras and vertical stiffeners. Hollow plastic window sills usually have a thickness of not more than 25 mm, but for a visible increase in thickness the structure is provided with a so-called "nose its thickness is 30-40 mm. On top of the product is covered with a film that takes on decorative and protective functions.

Features of the PVC window sill construction allow us to talk about itsnumerous advantages:

• good strength, which is provided by the presence of stiffeners;
• resistance to moisture, sunlight and chemicals, so in the care of such a product unpretentious;
• light weight;
• simplicity of installation;
• The film covered with plastic can be any color and imitate any pattern. The standard option is white, but it can repeat the texture of a stone or a tree, which is why sometimes wooden windows are set to match the color of plastic windowsills, although they are often used in conjunction with plastic windows;
• low price.

Amongminusescalled the possibility of yellowing over time, absorbing contaminants and even deforming with a strong temperature drop. Finally, such a window sill can not be called natural. The product can be covered asconventional PVC film, andmelamine. The second option is preferable, since it allows to significantly increase the wear resistance.

№4. Wooden window sill: the pros and cons

A wooden window sill is an integral addition to a wooden window. Previously, only such products were used in apartment houses, today they are replaced by cheaper plastic. Nevertheless, there are a lot of fans of wooden window-sills, since theyweight of advantages:

• the highest strength, especially when it comes to oak, beech or larch wood;
• naturalness and environmental friendliness;
• beautiful appearance, pleasant to the touch surface;
• excellent thermal insulation qualities.

The minusesthe wooden window sill has a lot: price, sensitivity to changes in temperature, high humidity, low resistance to ultraviolet, fire, microorganisms and insects. It is better not to spill water on it and do not put hot dishes.

Manufacturers try in every possible wayimprove performancewooden window sills and extend their service life. Wood must necessarily be well dried and treated with antiseptics, then covered with paints, varnishes or enamels, which protect the material from moisture, pests and temperature changes, and at the same time help to emphasize the unique structure tree. No matter how hard the modern industry tried, the tree still remains quite demanding in care, and every few years, this window sill should be covered with special wax or parquet varnish.

Most often usedwindow sills of such breeds:

• coniferous, andlarchhas excellent strength characteristics, andpine, spruce and cedardiffer very beautiful, but soft wood, especially prone to changes in humidity and temperature, so with such products should be extremely cautious;
• hardwoods, including oak, hornbeam, cherry, beech, ash, is a pleasure more expensive, but they are much stronger in strength than most conifers;
• red and ebonyThis is an exclusive, which costs a lot of money and will complement the luxurious interior in a classic style.

Window sills are rarely made from solid wood - more commonly usedglued panels. Those who are willing to choose a window sillfrom the array, should be prepared for big expenses. The thin layers of a tree are glued under the influence of high pressure and temperature, and as a result, an article is obtained which, practically not inferior to the array, but at the same time it acquires additional useful qualities, for example, less susceptibility deformation. In any case, the thickness of the wooden window sill should not be less than 28 mm.

№5. Windowsills made of MDF and chipboard

A cheap substitute for natural wood and stone is a window-sill made of particle board.EAF-boardsare made with the use of resins, which in the process of operation can release formaldehyde. With such products it is necessary to be extremely attentive and always check the emission level of the same formaldehyde in the document accompanying the product (it is permissible - E0 and E1).MDF boardcosts a little more expensive, but it is safe for health, since toxic substances are not used in production.

Combines chipboard and MDFaffordable price and good performance. Above the plate can beveneered with natural wood- the view is decent. Can be usedlamination, which allows to protect the base plate from negative environmental factors. The simplest and cheapest option -facing with plastic or PVC film. In the latter case, the longevity of the window sill is questionable, since moisture that penetrates through the ends or cracks on the folds of the film can lead to delamination. The film has the property of contracting and opening the edges of the plate, and if water gets onto it, then there is a big risk that it will swell and become unusable. On the other hand, due to the use of lamination and films, it is possible to obtain a window sill, preciselyimitation of woodor other noble materials.

№6. Window-sill made of wood-polymer composite (DPC)

The terrace board, which is used as a floor covering on balconies and terraces, is applied for arrangement of garden paths and a zone near the pool, it can easily serve for organization window sill. Materialproduced from organic or mineral filler(sawdust, wood flour, fiberglass) and binder, which is used as polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, less often cereal starch. Staining occurs either in bulk or after the creation of the product. From the mixture, planks are formed, which differ in characteristic relief and the presence of voids inside.

This technology allows us to talk about suchadvantages of window sills from KDP:

• absolute resistance to moisture, fungus, temperature changes;
• high strength;
• resistance to sunlight;
• a variety of colors.

№7. Natural and artificial stone

Dear natural stone today learned to exquisitely "forge getting as a result of the samples, almost not inferior in strength and aesthetics, but much lighter and cheaper. Look stone sills gorgeously, allow you to create exclusive interiors.

To the general advantages we attribute:

• high strength;
• resistance to moisture, sunlight, temperature changes;
• resistance to fire;
• ease of maintenance, especially for artificial stone;
• ecological compatibility and absence of harmful fumes;
• excellent appearance and a large selection of textures and colors, artificial stone can repeat the structure of any kind of natural stone.

A natural stonecan be heterogeneous in structure and have internal defects, it is difficult to obtain a curved sill from it, besides, the surface is cold. Depending on the breed and the processing, the color and type of the surface may differ (be rough or smooth to the shine). Most often used marble, granite and onyx.

Marblehas a beautiful texture, but can absorb pollution, moisture, it is easy to leave scratches on it.Graniteis more resistant to any external influences, but has a less pronounced and bright texture.Onyxalso has sufficient hardness, but also is capable of partially transmitting light, which makes it possible to use it together with illumination in exclusive interiors.

Artificiala stone can be made by different technologies: agglomerate, acrylic stone or casting marble. As a raw material, in any case, mineral fillers, dyes and polymer resin are used, and the difference lies in the percentage of components and the nuances of technology. Artificial stone can have any shape, has a pleasant to the touch surface, it does not eat dirt, and hot and mold are not capable of harm. If scratches occur during operation, they can be removed by grinding.

№8. Window-sill made of porcelain tiles

The window-sill of granite becomes another fine substitute for natural stone. Today, not only tiles for floors and facades are made of porcelain, but also exquisite, strong windowsills. Asraw materialsuse high quality clay, quartz, feldspar, natural coloring pigments. All this is pressed under high pressure and fired at high temperatures. As a result, we achievestructure of natural stone, therefore, porcelain stonewarerepeats all the advantages of the latter. It is dense, strong, durable, resistant to mechanical, chemical, thermal influences, is not afraid of moisture, fire, fungus and mold. Although it is cheaper and lighter than natural stone, it still remains a fairly expensive acquisition, and some confidently state that such a sturdy sill in an apartment is simply not needed.

In conclusion

If the described options are not enough, you can always show your imagination and put a window sillrests of ceramic tiles(actual in the kitchen and bathroom),mosaicor put a few on itsoft pillowsto create a cozy place to relax.

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