Window sills options for plastic windows. Types of window sills - which one should you choose? The main operational characteristics of window sills

October 26, 2016
Specialization: a professional in the field of construction and renovation (a full cycle of finishing works, both internal and external, from sewerage to electrical and finishing works), installation of window structures. Hobby: see the column "SPECIALIZATION AND SKILLS"

It is advisable to think about which window sill to choose for plastic windows in advance - not only before the installation of the structures themselves, but also before repair in general. This approach will allow us to choose the optimal size of the product that meets all our requirements, and find an option that fits perfectly into the overall style of the room.

Fortunately, there is definitely something to choose from here - and below I will give a brief description of the most popular parts.

In addition, it is not enough to choose the right sill for PVC window - it must be installed correctly. I will devote a separate section of the article to the nuances of installing window sill boards.

Varieties of window sills

Type 1. Plastic

To analyze the types of window sills for plastic windows, I will start with the most popular type - with plastic products. This rather extensive group includes many models that differ both in appearance and in operational parameters.

By and large, the design of a plastic window sill remains unchanged, regardless of which company produces it:

The basis of the product is a hollow PVC panel with walls 1.5-3 mm thick.
There are stiffeners inside the panel, which are responsible for the mechanical strength of the window sill. The more such ribs, the better the product and the greater the load it can withstand without deformation.

The outside of the panel can have either a smooth or rough texture. Smooth windowsills need to be wiped regularly to remove fingerprints, but textured ones are less susceptible to this type of contamination. On the other hand, the deep texture fills with dirt over time, so it will take more time to clean.

Sizes of window sills for plastic windows can be very different. Most often, these parts are produced in the form of panels 5.8 - 6 m long and 100 to 800 mm wide. The standard board thickness is 20 mm, but thicker products can be found if required.

The differences between models from the budget segment and expensive window sills are as follows:

PVC pigment quality. Cheap white plastic turns yellow over time due to the accumulation of various substances from the air, and when choosing a more expensive product, you do not have to look for how to whiten a window sill: titanium oxide, used to make PVC white, is able to remain whitened for 10 years or more.

The same applies to color models: where a budget product "burns out" and becomes discolored, a high-quality window sill will look like new.
But the main difference is the coverage. In high-quality rulers (here I will include Danke, Moller window sills, etc.), a special compound is applied over the plastic base that can withstand both abrasion and temperature effects. So it is impossible to scratch or burn through the plastic without serious effort.

This, by the way, is not a marketing exaggeration: window sills from a rather expensive segment withstand the impact of a cigarette butt or a hot frying pan with minimal consequences. I checked it personally!

The price of plastic products is flexible: if the cheapest models cost from 50 - 70 rubles per linear meter (with a width of 100 mm), then products from the already mentioned Danke or Moller will cost at least 300 - 450 rubles per meter.

If you need a wider window sill, then of course it will cost more.

Type 2. Wooden

A wooden window sill for a plastic window is quite a worthy solution that can not only look good, but also serve for a long time without deformations and damage. Naturally, not any natural wood sill board is suitable here: it is advisable to choose a product specially designed for this purpose.

It is worth noting that from a design point of view, wooden parts will not fit all windows. For example, in combination with a typical white profile, such a window sill will look somewhat vulgar, but it can be combined with a laminated product (of course, if the shades coincide).

By design, wooden sill boards are divided into two large groups:

solid, made of expensive solid wood;
veneered, covered with decorative veneer with birch or pine base.

And if massive parts are most often made to order for a specific object (this is understandable - the cost of raw materials there will be impressive), then veneered models can quite be found in mass sales:

The basis of the product is made up of a solid or glued board: for budget varieties - pine, for more expensive ones - birch.
To prevent deformation and the formation of a "propeller", technological cuts are made in the base. They compensate for the uneven linear expansion of wood fibers during changes in temperature and humidity and help to maintain the shape of the board.
From the outside, the base is veneered - a thin plate of expensive wood (oak, cedar, wenge, etc.) is glued onto it.

An end plate is installed on the front part (flat, shaped or curly). It can be either solid or veneered.
After manufacturing the window sill, all surfaces are covered with a special varnish that protects the veneer and the base from moisture and mechanical damage.
Also, the ends of the window sill board are subjected to protective treatment after cutting to size just before installation: waterproofing impregnations protect the fibers from atmospheric moisture.

The disadvantages of wooden products include less moisture resistance compared to plastic ones (after all, even a processed tree can swell with prolonged wetting, which cannot be said about PVC).

Another disadvantage is the high cost: 1 running meter of a 200 mm wide board will cost from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles, depending on the design of the product and the type of wood used in the work.

Type 3. Composite

Composite is the name given to products in the production of which two different materials are combined. As a basis for such window sills, they most often take either MDF or chipboard, and cover the part with vinyl film or natural wood veneer:

Chipboard window sills are based on chipboard, which is produced by adhesive pressing of natural raw materials. The advantages of this material include low cost, and the disadvantages are relatively low strength and a tendency to swell upon contact with moisture.
Veneering for decorative finishing of such boards is used extremely rarely, so that almost exclusively polymer film is used as decoration. However, despite the moisture resistance of the decorative layer, it is advisable to use composite chipboard window sills where the risk of their regular moisture will be minimal.

MDF is a material that is denser and stronger than chipboard, but at the same time much heavier and more expensive. As a coating for a window sill, both films and veneer of natural wood with a protective varnish can be used, but in any case, the moisture resistance of such a window sill will be slightly higher than average.
This means that it will withstand periodic drops, but if it stays in a humid environment for a long time, it will begin to deform.

WPC - wood-polymer composite. A rather specific material, which consists of a polymer base, pigments and wood fiber filler. Wall and floor panels are most often made from WPC, but window sills can also be made - in this case, the products are quite attractive, durable and practically not afraid of moisture or temperature extremes.
As for the price, the cheapest will be chipboard products, somewhat more expensive - MDF window sills. WPC panels are a relatively new material for our market, so the price for them seems to me somewhat overpriced - but good functional performance and durability of the material partially compensate for this drawback.

Type 4. Stone

When deciding which window sills to choose for installation under a plastic window is better, do not forget about natural or artificial stone. And if products cut from a stone slab belong exclusively to the premium segment, then among the models made of artificial material you can find quite affordable ones:

The most popular are acrylic composite parts. The basis of the panel is an acrylic binder, which is supplemented with a finely dispersed mineral filler (marble, granite, quartz), as well as pigments, hardeners and other components.
The result is a monolith that is practically not inferior to natural stone in hardness, but surpasses it in viscosity - hence the lower risk of chipping.

An alternative to acrylic window sills are products made from the so-called quartz stone. As a binder, polyester resin is used here, and the base is a filler - ground quartz (from 90 to 95% by weight).
Colored products are produced by adding various mineral pigments - ocher, red lead, iron compounds, etc. Quartz stone is heavier and denser than acrylic, but more prone to chipping.

In any case, the products are strong, durable and wear-resistant, they are not afraid of moisture, high temperatures, or mechanical stress (within reasonable limits). On the downside, I would attribute the complexity of installation (you need strong brackets) and the high cost: the price of one running meter is from 3.5 to 7 - 8 thousand rubles.

Type 5. Concrete

Considering options for window sills for installation together with reinforced-plastic windows, I would not forget about concrete products. They are presented in two varieties:

Old concrete window sills that were installed during the construction of the building. In the houses of the old building, you can find quite preserved slabs, which look attractive and will last for more than a dozen years. They can be left by performing cosmetic repairs (polishing + processing with a special impregnation for concrete).
New slabs made of cast concrete, often with decorative splashes or pigments. Outwardly, such products are similar to panels made of artificial stone, but they use Portland cement, not polymeric materials, as a binder.

In any case, it seems to me that a concrete window sill is by no means the best solution for a living space. But for public buildings, this option can be called one of the priorities: the parts are reliable, durable, and most importantly, vandal-resistant.

Window sill accessories

In addition to the window sill itself, you need to purchase additional components for finishing the window. There are not many of them, but almost all of them are useful:

Detail	Appointment
End cap	It is installed on the edge of the window sill, covering either the cavities inside the product, or the end of the wooden base. Most often it is made of plastic, but it can also be laminated on an adhesive basis.
Connector	Installed between two sill boards for splicing them along the length. There are longitudinal and corner connectors - the former are used for simple docking, and the latter are used to form complex contours, for example, when glazing bay windows.
Molding	A thin corner or shaped strip that bridges the gap between the sill board and the bottom of the plastic window frame. The use of moldings is justified not only from an aesthetic, but also from a practical point of view: even a small detail can effectively block the gap and block the flow of cold air.
Lattice	Probably the most useful, but at the same time the most difficult accessory to install. If the width of the window sill is such that the part completely overlaps the heating battery, then it is advisable to embed special gratings into the window sill to allow warm air to access the glazing. Otherwise, the inner glass will not be heated efficiently enough, resulting in a large amount of condensation.

How to mount?

It is best to entrust the installation of heavy stone and concrete sill boards to specialists - such parts are quite expensive, so it makes sense to distribute the risks. But with plastic, wood and composite products, it is quite possible to cope with your own hands, and in this section I will tell you how to organize the installation process.

Most often, the window sill is mounted on the inside of the structure, i.e. where the opening sash is. Sometimes it is allowed to install window sills on both sides - for example, when decorating a balcony window. On the outside of the structure, instead of the window sill, a drain bar is installed.

The part is installed strictly horizontally. The slope of the sill board in the transverse plane should be from 3 to 5 degrees towards the room for condensate drainage.
The optimal distance from the lower plane of the window sill to the radiator is 150 mm or more. It is extremely undesirable to reduce this gap: even the installation of grilles in the window sill is not able to fully compensate for the lack of free space above the radiator.

The edges of the window sill are most often brought into the window slopes. For this, a cut is made in the plane of the slope, which is then masked during the finishing process.

The front edge of the window sill can either be flush with the wall or go beyond its plane. The maximum overhang beyond the wall plane is 100 - 120 mm.

If you are making a countertop window sill or are planning to equip an extensive flower garden, then you can take out more. In this case, it is highly desirable to install reinforcing brackets from a steel corner, or additional supports that remove part of the load from the window sill attachment point.

Plastic products

Plastic window sills are easy to install. The instruction assumes work according to the following algorithm:

To begin with, we install the window in the opening and clean the base - the part of the wall on which the window sill will rest.

We cut the window sill board to size, taking into account the size of the sections entering the plane of the slopes.
If the slopes were preserved during the installation of the PVC window, we cut out the grooves in them for the ends of the window sill.

We fasten Z-shaped brackets to the support profile of PVC windows with self-tapping screws. The optimum mounting pitch is about 30 cm.
We start the window sill into the grooves in the slopes and snap its edge onto the brackets. In this case, the plane should go beyond the bottom of the frame.
We align the window sill along the plane, taking into account the desired slope, hammering wooden wedges into the gap between its lower edge and the base.

We fill the cavity under the windowsill with polyurethane foam. Blowing out is carried out in several steps, be sure to moisten the cavity and the foam itself: this contributes to a controlled expansion of the material and will not allow the foam to bend the product (it concerns primarily budget plastic models).
The joint between the frame and the board is either covered with a sealant or closed with a molding.

Until the foam is completely polymerized, we leave the window sill under pressure, after which we install the end caps on the edges.

From my own experience, I strongly advise against using glass jars of water as oppression. The water in the glass works well as a lens, focusing the sun's rays on the plastic surface. What will happen to cheap PVC as a result of such an impact?

Wood and composite products

Products made of wood, chipboard / MDF, composite and similar materials can be placed in the same way as plastic. However, there is another installation option:

To begin with, we align the base on which the window sill will rest, and place wooden / plastic wedges on it in increments of 30-40 cm. We will use these wedges to adjust the position of the product.

Then we form a "pillow": we put either a solution or a layer of polyurethane foam in the gaps between the wedges. The binder layer should be about 5 mm higher than the wedges - we will therefore remove the excess.

If a cement-sand mortar is used, I would advise you to additionally treat the wood with a moisture-proof compound - in order to avoid swelling. But to put the film, as it is sometimes advised, is not worth it - the strength of the connection will drop significantly.

We take a window sill board, adjusted to size, and install it in the opening, leading it under the bottom edge of the frame and resting on the support profile. We put the bottom plane of the board on a "pillow" made of solution or foam and press it, resting on wedges.
From the outside of the window, through the support profile, we twist several self-tapping screws, which will prevent any displacement of the window sill.

We put a level on top, and, focusing on it, with the help of wedges, we expose the window sill along the plane.
We blow out all the gaps with polyurethane foam, after which we put a little oppression - in order to avoid deformation of the wood.

If the edges of the board are hidden under the trim of the slopes, they can be fixed at the ends of the window opening using steel corners with anchors.

Conclusion

For the decoration of PVC windows, you can choose different types of plastic window sills, as well as products from natural wood and materials based on it, natural and synthetic stone, concrete, etc. Each of these varieties has its own characteristics, but they are mounted - and you will see this by watching the video in this article - according to fairly similar schemes.

Be that as it may, this task is not the most difficult, especially since I can always help you with practical advice by providing advice either here in the comments or on the project forum.

Anton Tsugunov

Reading time: 8 minutes

The window sill is an important element of the interior. It completes the window opening, serves as a shelf and even a seat. Consider the best window sills for plastic windows, the rules for their selection.

Often the window sill bears the main decorative load. Especially if the room is small or there are lush flowers, books, vases, photographs on the window sill.

Appointment of window sills

To choose a good window sill, you need to take into account its properties and specifications. This element of the interior performs several useful functions at once:

Protective. Correctly mounted window sill plate provides additional protection against cold and moisture penetration into the room.
Functional. In small rooms (kitchen, bathroom, bedroom), this element can serve as a table or work surface. In the office, on the window sill, there are often books and folders with documents. And in living rooms, it is sometimes used as a bench.
Binder. The product can complement the table space, serve as a transitional element between pieces of furniture.
Decorative. With a successful choice of colors and materials, the window sill becomes a decoration of the room.

Types of window sills

Window sills are:

plastic;
wooden;
composite;
made of natural or artificial stone.

Plastic

When replacing wooden windows with the owners, they often choose a plastic window sill. When you weigh the pros and cons, it seems like a very reasonable choice.

Benefits

disadvantages

The same technical characteristics with the window material (chemical composition, coefficients of expansion and resistance to temperature effects).

Environmental friendliness. High-quality models do not contain formaldehyde, lead stabilizers, which makes them safe for humans and completely recyclable.

Identical care: you can use one PVC detergent for cleaning.

Low weight.

Price range: 80-540 rubles / p. m with a blade thickness of 100 mm.

The acrylic coating makes the window sill more resistant to heat and minor damage.

Strength provided by a system of internal ribs.

Aesthetics: harmonious combination with the material of the glass unit. Laminate flooring can imitate wood or stone.

Uniform service life (30-50 years)

Limitations to be able to withstand the load.

Lack of acrylic coating impairs high temperature resistance.

Risk of deformation due to mechanical or thermal stress.

Cheap models contain formaldehyde, the fumes of which are harmful to health.

Models with a matte finish have rough surfaces that accumulate dirt and dust

Experts advise to choose models of plastic window sills with a price of 250 rubles / p. m with a blade thickness of 150 mm. The technology of their production excludes the addition of additives harmful to humans.

Parameters affecting the price:

The cost of the pigment included in the product. Titanium oxide is used to make expensive models. This pigment maintains the whiteness of the windowsill for 10 years. Cheaper models easily absorb dust, acquiring a yellowish tint, colored ones fade over time, creating an unkempt effect.
Coating quality. Moller, Danke brands use compounds that prevent mechanical damage (scratches, abrasion) and deformation when exposed to high temperatures.

A standard PVC sheet for the manufacture of a window sill has the following dimensions:

Length - 4050-6000 mm.
Width - 100–600 mm with a step of 50 mm. A product with dimensions of 600–1000 mm with a step of 100 mm is considered wide.
Thickness - 18–22 mm. With an increase in this parameter, strength and resistance to mechanical stress increase.

Cloths of this length are purchased by construction companies and firms. For specific projects, installers cut out window sills of the required size on their own. It is possible to manufacture PVC canvases according to individual orders for old-style houses or country cottages.

Composite (MDF, chipboard)

Well-pressed chipboards form the basis of chipboard window sills. Typically they are covered with a thick laminate. It imparts resistance to chemical agents, temperature and mechanical stress. Any colors and textures, frames, inserts can be used.

Fiberboards, firmly bonded with safer and more environmentally friendly compounds (lignin, paraffin), form the basis of MDF window sills. They are 2 times more resistant to mechanical stress than chipboard products. In addition, MDF boards are moisture resistant, they can be installed in the bathroom.

The surface is laminated or covered with a thin natural wood veneer, which makes them look like wood.

Window sills of the German brand Verzalit have excellent characteristics (long service life, moisture resistance, strength, resistance to household chemicals). They are made from wood shavings pressed under high pressure with polymer resins.

Wooden

Beautiful window sills made of solid solid wood of dried wood testify to the good taste of the owner. They are made from:

pines, larch (price - 2500-2800 rubles / m²);
oak, ash, beech (price - from 4500 rubles / m² with a thickness of 40 mm);
elite breeds (black, mahogany).

The solid array can be replaced with separate beams tightly glued together.

But such products need regular maintenance. Before the manufacture of window sills, the array is impregnated with an antiseptic that prevents destruction. The texture and color of natural wood are preserved thanks to a layer of oil (mastic, varnish). And this surface layer needs to be updated (once every 1–1.5 years).

On sale you can find wooden window sills with the following dimensions:

The length of the canvas is from 15 cm, the width is up to 1 m.
The length of the canvas is from 70 cm, the width is up to 3 m.

They are very durable, resistant to all types of influences (mechanical, chemical, biological), have absolute moisture resistance, fire resistance. They are based on mineral fillers and polymer resins.

Dyes create a rich color range, you can give the product any shape, which opens up scope for design solutions. Any device (fan, vice) can be securely fixed / installed on such a solid surface. And the scratches that appear are easily removed by sanding.

There are also disadvantages. Only specialists can install products. These models require brackets that can withstand heavy loads to securely attach. And the high price (3,500–8,000 rubles / l. M) does not allow attributing the products to the budget segment of products.

There are 2 options for artificial stone window sills:

Made of acrylic composite. A finely dispersed filler made of marble, granite or quartz chips is compacted and bonded with an acrylic mixture. During manufacturing, hardeners, pigments and other substances are added to the bulk. The additions increase the hardness and toughness of the material. New properties reduce the chance of chipping.

Quartz stone. Quartz chips, which make up 90–95% of the product mass, are bound by polyester resins. The technological process involves the addition of mineral coloring pigments (iron compounds, red lead, ocher). Such a window sill is heavier and denser, but the risk of chipping increases.

Natural stone

Granite, marble or onyx are used for natural stone window sills. Such slabs are well polished, have a beautiful texture and intricate pattern. But due to the difficulties in production (possible internal voids in the stone), they are not cheap (up to 4,000 rubles / rm with a web thickness of 20–30 mm).

Window sills made of natural stone are not resistant to surface damage: they are easily scratched. Deep scratches that stand out on the stone are extremely difficult to remove. It will take 2–4 people to transport and install the stove.

Which windowsills are better: glossy or matte?

When choosing between a glossy or matte plastic finish, you need to keep in mind the main features of these surfaces. The regularity of cleaning and the general appearance will depend on them.

Texture. Shiny glossy surfaces reflect light well, creating the illusion of intense light flux and increasing the illumination of the apartment.

Resistance to aggressive influences. Matt surfaces turn yellow from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, chemical agents of detergents will destroy the stove over time.
Aesthetics. Any dirt or mechanical damage (scratch) is clearly visible on the glossy finish. A rough matte surface does not require cleaning for a long time.

Care: it is enough to wipe the glossy window sill with a damp soft cloth. For matte surfaces, you cannot do without detergents.
Compatibility with slopes. If the slopes are made of glossy plastic sandwich panels, the same glossy window sill will look good with them.

Window sill and condensation on windows: where is the connection?

Dense wooden window sills accumulate moisture and even if all installation rules are followed, they can provoke condensation. But the stone ones will play the role of a kind of heater: they will warm themselves up and contribute to the uniform heating of the window opening.

Condensation can form on windows if the sill is too wide. can be done in two ways:

The window sill should not cover more than half the width of the radiator located under the window. Warm air currents will be able to rise up to the glass without obstacles.

With a large width of the window sill plate, the exit will be the grilles embedded in it, which will direct warm air flows to the glass unit.

Still, which windowsill is better?

A good plastic window sill can last more than 10 years. Moreover, manufacturers are cautious and usually indicate the minimum service life. In reality, however, these products serve virtually as long as windows without problems - about 40-50 years. Today, such PVC products are represented by a wide range of models that have different dimensions and decors. Thanks to this, window customers have the opportunity to choose window sills for installation in apartments, offices and any other facilities. In order not to make a mistake when buying, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the selection criteria and the main characteristics of these elements of window structures.

Features of the manufacture of plastic window sills

Plastic window sills are made of polyvinyl chloride, which also forms the basis of profiles for PVC windows. To make the material lighter and more durable at the exit, special substances are mixed into it - softeners, fillers, stabilizers. When making brown window sills, special coloring pigments are added to PVC. Thanks to this, the plastic is evenly colored throughout the mass. In Russia, all requirements for such products are regulated in accordance with GOST 30673-99.

In the production of these products, the extrusion method is used - the molten polyvinyl chloride is slowly squeezed out into special forms, where it solidifies. The use of this technology makes it possible to produce windowsills that are hollow from the inside - a solid inner chamber is divided by thin vertical ribs. Due to this cross-sectional shape, these products with a low weight have a high degree of resistance to external loads. The presence of internal honeycombs not only reduces the weight of products without reducing their strength, but also allows the window sills to withstand bends.

Pros and cons of PVC window sills

Before choosing and buying a window sill based on polyvinyl chloride, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with its main advantages and disadvantages. Such information will help you to take full advantage of the capabilities of these products and avoid many problems during their operation.

pros	Minuses
Do not burn	Unable to withstand harsh and directional impacts from heavy objects
Increase the level of thermal insulation of windows	Easy to scratch if the window sill has a glossy surface
Easily cleaned from dirt	The front side with capinos cannot be given a convex or concave shape
Are not afraid of exposure to moisture	Dark windowsills with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may deform slightly due to overheating
Independent of the main window structure, which makes it possible to mount and dismantle them
Easily support the weight of heavy objects and an adult - maximum load up to 400 kg per 1 m²
Can be used as a writing or dressing table, shelf and even a bench
Models with a matte surface have a high degree of abrasion resistance
Do not turn yellow, do not delaminate and are resistant to UV rays if made of high-quality polyvinyl chloride

Types of window sills

PVC window sills have approximately the same performance and dimensions, so the main differences are in the decors. Today there are several models on the market with a matte or glossy surface:

white;
colored throughout the mass (brown);
laminated (wood-like and fantasy decors, as well as imitation of natural stone);
with co-extruded topcoat.

Window sills are most often chosen based on their compatibility with window profiles. However, you can consider options for combining with, you can read about which you can on OknaTrade, floor coverings and wall cladding, as well as furniture. A wide choice of decors allows you to choose a window sill for any interior and type of window structure, including aluminum and natural wood products.

Modern technologies for lamination of window sills make it possible to apply a film on their surface, which has an absolute vapor and moisture resistance.

Dimensions and weight of window sills

One square meter of window sills from different manufacturers weighs about 7.5 kg on average. Also, when releasing their products, brands try to adhere to the same sizes:

blade length - up to 6000 mm;
width - from 100 to 1000 mm (step 50-100 mm);
height - from 18 to 22 mm;
kapinos height - from 30 to 45 mm.

All window sills can be easily cut with a well-sharpened hand or electric cutting tool. Thanks to this, their dimensions and shape can be quickly adapted to individual needs.
Usually, for window sills with a width of up to 600 mm, the difference in size is determined by a step of 50 mm, and for models with a leaf width of 600-1000 mm - 100 mm.

How window sills are labeled

When selling window sills, the manufacturer must provide all important information about the product. This information is contained in the marking, which, according to GOST, should consist of the following points:

Date of manufacture of the product;
Profile structure type;
Window sill dimensions (height, width, length);
The main material from which the product is made, and what additives were used in the production;
Installation recommendations;
Individual features of the product;
Shift, batch and extruder number.

Before buying, it is recommended to check not only the presence of marking, but also ask the seller for quality certificates. Today, some entrepreneurs purchase extruders and use low-quality recyclables for the production of window sills with impurities that are unacceptable by standards. As a result, it is necessary to personally verify the quality of the purchased products.

What else needs to be purchased with the windowsill

To complete the installation according to all the rules, it is necessary to use plugs and, in some cases, connecting profiles. These items are usually sold with window sills and come in white, black and brown. If you plan to install a wide panel that protrudes far into the room, you will definitely need to buy and embed ventilation grilles. Why do you need it,.

You need to pay extra attention

Marking and quality certificates are not the only things you need to pay attention to when purchasing window sills. When purchasing these products, it is recommended that you:

Give preference to products of time-tested brands;
Make sure you have a protective film;
Get information from the seller about the manufacturer's warranty obligations;
Check the number of stiffeners - it is desirable that the distance between them does not exceed 35 mm;
Find out the ultimate load that the product can withstand.

If window sills are ordered together with windows, then all this information must be obtained from the manager, and then checked upon delivery of products to the object.

The minimum thickness of the upper wall of the plastic window sill should be 3 mm, the vertical stiffeners - 1.5 mm, and the lower wall - 2 mm.

New modification - combined plastic window sills

Some manufacturers began to mix wood filler into PVC to improve the performance of window sills. This unusual combination of materials made it possible to increase the strength of the window sills and reduce their weight. Products made of wood-polymer composites are recommended for use in buildings that simultaneously require increased safety and environmental friendliness - in schools, kindergartens and hospitals. However, today they are increasingly used in all other facilities - residential, retail, office and industrial premises. Manufacturers have achieved great success in the development and manufacture of new products.

The window sill in the apartment serves as an additional protection from the cold, can be used to place flowers, books, replace the countertop and even a place to rest, and even the windowsill pulls children and animals with a magnet, because it allows you to look out the window and learn about the world around you. So why do we pay minimum attention to his choice and rely on standard solutions offered by window companies? Let's figure out which window sill to choose and which materials to give preference to in order to get a high-quality and durable construction.

# 1. Basic requirements for the windowsill

Window sill performs several functions at once:

decorative... 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, slopes, walls and, located under the window, and, of course, serves as an additional place for placing flowers, accessories or storing the necessary little things. There should not be many of the latter on the windowsill, so as not to litter it and not block the path of light penetrating through the window. The windowsill can become a work surface or dining table at most;
cold protection... A window sill assembled according to all the rules is a barrier to cold outside air and prevents heat leakage to the outside;
correct distribution of heat in the room... Even the protrusion of the sill outside the wall surface matters. Thanks to him, the streams of warm air from the battery do not immediately rise up, but are directed into the room. However, making the window sill too wide is also not worth it, otherwise you can completely isolate the window and adjacent sections of the walls from warm air and provoke the appearance of condensation on the glass and slopes.

In order to ensure proper circulation of warm air and not make it difficult to move around the windowsill, the latter must protrude beyond the level of the walls by no more than 5-6 cm, and in the calculations it is worth considering the future finishing, if it is not already there. The window sill should not cover the radiator more than half, otherwise it will be necessary to take care of the availability. As for the length, the window sill can protrude 1-8 cm beyond the edges of the slopes, but no more.

When choosing a window sill, it should be remembered that it must meet certain requirements in order to last more or less a long time and cope with all the loads assigned to it. So the windowsill must have such performance characteristics:

# 2. Window sill material

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

The most popular materials for the manufacture of window sills include:

polyvinyl chloride (PVC), often referred to simply as plastic;
wood;
Chipboard and MDF;
natural and artificial stone.

Sometimes they meet and non-standard options:, mosaic, WPC, injection molding technology or fabric upholstery. The window sill can have not only the usual rectangular shape, but also to be rounded or bizarrely curved, but this depends more on the characteristics of the material from which it is made.

Number 3. Choosing a plastic (PVC) window sill

The plastic window sill has been durable in recent years holds the lead, which is explained by its performance and affordable price. Such products, in fact, are an ordinary PVC profile with several chambers and vertical stiffeners. Hollow plastic window sills usually have a thickness of no more than 25 mm, but for a visible increase in thickness, the structure is equipped with a so-called "nose", its thickness is 30-40 mm. From above, the product is covered with a film that takes on decorative and protective functions.

The design features of the PVC window sill allow us to talk about it numerous advantages:

Among cons they call the ability to turn yellow over time, "absorb" dirt and even deform at a strong temperature drop. Finally, such a window sill cannot be called natural. The product can be covered as ordinary PVC filmand melamine... The second option is preferable, since it allows you to significantly increase the wear resistance.

No. 4. Wooden window sill: pros and cons

A wooden window sill is an essential addition. Previously, only such products were used in residential buildings, but today they are replaced by cheaper plastic. Nevertheless, there are many fans of wooden window sills, as they have many advantages:

Cons a wooden window sill has a lot: price, sensitivity to temperature extremes, high humidity, low resistance to ultraviolet radiation, fire, microorganisms and insects. It is better not to spill water on it or put hot dishes on it.

Manufacturers try their best improve performance wooden window sills and extend their service life. The wood must be dried well and treated with antiseptics, then covered with paints, varnishes or enamels that protect the material from moisture, pests and temperature extremes, and at the same time help to emphasize the unique structure of the tree. No matter how hard modern industry tries, all the same, the tree remains quite demanding in care, and once every few years such a window sill will have to be covered with special wax or parquet varnish.

Most often used window sills of the following species:

Window sills are rarely made from solid wood - more often used glued panels... Those who are ready to choose a windowsill from array, must prepare for big expenses. Thin layers of wood are glued together under the influence of high pressure and temperature, and as a result, a product is obtained that is practically not inferior in strength to the massif, but at the same time acquires additional useful qualities, for example, less susceptibility to deformation. In any case, the thickness of the wooden window sill should not be less than 28 mm.

No. 5. Window sills made of MDF and chipboard

A cheap replacement for natural wood and stone is a chipboard window sill. Particleboard boards are made using resins that can emit formaldehyde during operation. With such products, you should be extremely careful and always check the emission level of that very formaldehyde in the documentation accompanying the product (acceptable - E0 and E1). MDF plate it costs a little more, but is safe for health, since no toxic substances are used in the production.

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

Artificial the stone can be made using different technologies: agglomerate, acrylic stone or cast marble. In any case, mineral fillers, dyes and polymer resin are used as raw materials, and the difference lies in the percentage of the components and the nuances of technologies. Artificial stone can have any shape, has a pleasant-to-touch surface, dirt does not eat into it, and hot and mold are not capable of causing harm. If scratches appear during use, they can be removed by grinding.

The window sill performs three functions at once: it unites the window frame and walls, decorates the common space of the window - from the street to the house, and prevents heat leakage. Materials for arranging a window sill are very different, let's deal with their pros and cons.

Plastic

Since today PVC windows are the most popular, this choice is logical, the simplest and most affordable. When ordering plastic windows, any manufacturer will immediately offer you a similar window sill in the kit. Traditionally they are white to match the color of the window. Of course, there are brown options that imitate wood and even stone, but the plastic remains plastic.

Pros: affordable cost, ease of installation, very light weight, moisture resistance, durability.

Cons: Matte light plastic window sill gets dirty very easily. The dust literally eats into it; it can only be washed off with abrasive agents. Of course, if the window sill is not white, this problem is less noticeable, but it is. If you put something hot on a plastic window sill, it will deform. It's also very easy to scratch.

Important! For the kitchen, it is better to choose plastic window sills with a special heat-resistant and durable coating. Yes, they cost a little more, but they will last longer. Although, judging by the reviews, it is categorically impossible to put a hot pan on such windowsills.

MDF and chipboard

Window sills just made of chipboard are now practically not used, since they have a lot of disadvantages. Laminated chipboard is stronger than MDF, so let's talk about these materials. In general, if you have MDF furniture in your house, then you can perfectly imagine all the advantages and disadvantages of such window sills.

The price is higher than that of plastic, there is a wide selection of shades and textures. It is more expedient to choose laminated plates for window sills, they are more resistant to moisture.

Minus: you cannot put hot things, during installation you can damage the edge, a special tape should be laid between the window sill plate and the wall. If the top layer is damaged, the entire window sill may swell under the influence of moisture.

Wood

Do you still remember the good old wooden window sills, usually covered with white paint? We lived with them for many years, and they remained in many old houses. Natural wood has a lot of advantages: safety, environmental friendliness, ease of care.

But old window sills made of ordinary boards could crack over time, the paint had to be renewed regularly. And this traditional version itself is simply considered unfashionable.

Now solid wood window sills cost a lot. Resistant oak and ash are especially appreciated, which look great even without tinting.

Disadvantages of natural wooden window sills: high price, obligatory grinding and impregnation with colorless wax or varnish, risk of scratches. In addition, the varnish or wax coating will have to be renewed regularly.

Artificial and natural stone

This is the most expensive, but very beautiful and durable option. Now the window sills made of artificially created stone are almost in no way inferior to natural ones, so their popularity continues to grow. You can not be afraid to put it on hot, drop something heavy, dust is easy to brush off and usually it is not too noticeable.

Cons of stone windowsills: high price. This is, of course, the most powerful argument against. Otherwise, it cannot be cleaned with abrasive products, natural marble, for example, can absorb spilled liquids, you will have to regularly take care of it.

Concrete

There is nothing new in concrete window sills. Outside the house, they were often decorated this way, this is a traditional technique. Why not? The concrete is durable and can be painted with different colors. A massive, durable, reliable, if necessary, subject to repair and restoration, maybe a little cold, but quite attractive concrete window sill has few shortcomings. These include the complexity of mounting a heavy slab, as well as the likelihood of cracks in the event of temperature drops and violation of the pouring technology.

Tile

In general, we admit that it is wrong to carry out ceramic tiles and mosaics into a separate type of window sill decoration. A base is needed for such coverage. It can serve as concrete, wood, plastic. That is, tiles can be used to refine, for example, an ordinary plastic window sill, but cannot be used as an independent material.

This option has many advantages - resistance to damage, easy maintenance, beauty, durability, the ability to replace individual parts in case of damage. But you should be especially careful about the tile joints, because they are often responsible for the durability of the entire coating.