Acrylic window sills, their difference from laminated ones

Window sills are the most important element of the interior. They play not only a functional, but also an aesthetic role. That is why it is very important to choose a window sill that will meet all the requirements and wishes of the owner of the room.

Today, one of the most popular options are acrylic window sills. The popularity of this option is due to the characteristics of acrylic. This artificial stone is absolutely seamless. Thanks to this, acrylic window sills are characterized by their aesthetics and style.

Reliability and extreme strength are also the distinguishing characteristics of this stone. You can easily place flowerpots and various heavy vessels with flowers on acrylic window sills. Acrylic stone can withstand extremely heavy weight. In this case, no scratches or chips will appear on the material. In addition, the structure will not delaminate.

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This material is characterized by a complete lack of surface porosity. Due to this, acrylic does not absorb water. Accordingly, stains from accidentally spilled liquid will never appear on acrylic window sills.

Among other features of this material, it is worth noting its non-toxicity. It is absolutely safe for both humans and the environment. Another distinctive feature of acrylic is the ability to combine it with metal, wood, plastic and other materials.

Functionality of an acrylic window sill

The main feature of any acrylic product is versatility. Thus, acrylic window sills can significantly expand their functional purpose. These designs can be used as part of furniture.

For example, products whose width reaches 2-3 meters can be used not only as a window sill, but also as an ordinary tabletop. In this case, the home owner does not have to worry about buying a kitchen table. In addition, acrylic window sills can be used to create a children's corner, a fireplace, a library window sill, and even a comfortable desk.

You can easily place flowerpots and various heavy vessels with flowers on acrylic window sills. Acrylic stone can withstand extremely heavy weight. In this case, no scratches or chips will appear on the material. In addition, the structure will not delaminate.

Among other features of this material, it is worth noting its non-toxicity. It is absolutely safe for both humans and the environment. Another distinctive feature of acrylic is the ability to combine it with metal, wood, plastic and other materials.

A little history

For the first time, a material such as acrylic stone, which belongs to the group of composite stones, saw the light of day in the 60s of the last century. It was invented by scientist D. Smoke for the American company DuPont. This material was originally used to make artificial bones. However, it has become very widespread precisely as a finishing material.

Pros and cons of acrylic window sills

Among the main advantages of acrylic window sills, first of all, it is worth noting their durability, hygiene and versatility.

Advantages

Another advantage is the fact that the strength of acrylic allows the structure to withstand quite large loads. Separately, it is worth mentioning the ease of this design. Due to this, the installation process is significantly simplified.

The main advantages of such products also include:

resistance to damage

ease of care

environmental friendliness

versatility (acrylic window sills are ideal for any room design)

durability

Long service life

We should also talk about the long service life of acrylic window sills. With proper care and use, the average service life of such structures can reach 20-25 years. At the same time, over time, the product will not fade and, accordingly, lose its original aesthetically beautiful appearance.

This durability is due to the resistance of this stone to physical impact, as well as the influence of ultraviolet radiation and the environment. The durability of acrylic window sills is also explained by the fact that acrylic has a high level of heat resistance.

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Reliability and extreme strength are also the distinguishing characteristics of this stone.

No odor or bacteria

A special feature of acrylic is its ability to not absorb various odors and moisture. Due to this feature, stains from food, water, flower pots or any other objects will never remain on the surface of acrylic window sills. In this case, even the slightest traces can be easily removed with a slightly damp cloth.

It should also be noted that acrylic window sills are reliably protected from the appearance and development of bacteria and other pathogens.

▶️ Video: Choosing a window sill. Acrylic window sill Moeller!

Wide choice of designs and shapes

A wide variety of acrylic window sills allows you to choose the ideal option both in size, design or price. These products can have a rectangular, cascade, bay window or corner design. Acrylic window sills can be made in any color scheme.

Due to this, they will fit into the interior of any apartment or house. Moreover, they will determine the style of this room. They can also have different textures and degrees of dullness.

Flaws

Despite the huge number of advantages, such window sills still have disadvantages. Fortunately, a little:

The material is afraid of heating. Don't put the kettle on hot! Otherwise you will have to repair the window sill

This window sill does not like too sharp objects!
You should not cut on them without a special board Related articles:

Window sills Möller

Window sills Danke

Crystalit window sills

Durability

Acrylic is a durable material

We should also talk about the long service life of acrylic window sills. With proper care and use, the average service life of such structures can reach 20-25 years. At the same time, over time, the product will not fade and, accordingly, lose its original aesthetically beautiful appearance. This durability is due to the resistance of this stone to physical impact, as well as the influence of ultraviolet radiation and the environment. The durability of acrylic window sills is also explained by the fact that acrylic has a high level of heat resistance.

Differences between acrylic stone and other materials

Comparison of the surface properties of acrylic stone and other materials used for the production of window sills:

Despite the fact that the material is practically free of drawbacks, you should pay attention: it is not designed for very high temperatures; objects that are too hot can leave stains on the surface.

Required material

The choice of materials for installing the window sill is of great importance. To do this, you need to prepare a standard concrete solution consisting of:

• cement, suitable M500, 2 parts;
• fine purified sand, 3 parts;
• polymer-based plasticizer, no more than 5% of the total mass;
• pigment to create the effect of marble chips;
• decorative material (natural wood, plastic cladding, etc.)

A solution is created from cement, sand and plasticizer. Pigment is added to it. It is better to give preference to dry pigment to avoid excess moisture. Then water is added to the mixture until a paste-like solution is obtained. Add water a little at a time so that the solution does not become too thin. This composition can be used to cast any concrete structures; for example, it will make an excellent countertop.

Rice. 5. DIY concrete window sill

How thick should the window sill be?

If the window sill will not be heavily loaded (for example, there will only be pots with plants on it), then 10 mm is sufficient. When it is planned to be used as a tabletop, the thickness should be increased to at least 12 mm.

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Leading technical specialist at Okna-Media company

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A special case is a window sill-seat where you can relax with a cup of tea. In such situations, everything is calculated individually, depending on the expected load (person’s weight) - at least 20 mm.

One of the advantages of the material also manifests itself here - the ability to retain heat, unlike natural wood or cheap polymers.

Necessary tool

Making a concrete window sill is easier if you have all the necessary tools. For this you will need:

• jigsaw or grinder;
• formwork board;
• grinding machine with attachments;
• protective equipment;
• level and tape measure;
• fasteners;
• construction vacuum cleaner;
• putty knife;
• reinforcing mesh.

You should plan in advance what additional tools you may need for your work. When creating a window sill, you should take help as installing it yourself can be difficult.

Rice. 4. Grinding the concrete window sill

Acrylic window sill care

Considering the performance characteristics of acrylic, window sills made of this material do not require special care. To keep them clean, you just need to regularly wipe the surface of the structure with a damp cloth. For care, you can use a gentle cleaning agent. In order for the acrylic window sill to be properly cared for, you should definitely wipe it with a dry cloth made of soft material.

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If any persistent dirt or stains have formed on this structure, the owner should use a gentle powder and a very slightly damp sponge. After removing the stain, it is also worth using a dry cloth to remove any water from the windowsill that may leave a mark on it.

A special feature of acrylic products is the fact that they only get better with frequency and duration of use. Therefore, with proper care and proper use, acrylic window sills will serve their owners for several decades.

Hygiene

Acrylic products do not absorb odors and moisture

A special feature of acrylic is its ability to not absorb various odors and moisture. Due to this feature, stains from food, water, flower pots or any other objects will never remain on the surface of acrylic window sills. In this case, even the slightest traces can be easily removed with a slightly damp cloth. It should also be noted that acrylic window sills are reliably protected from the appearance and development of bacteria and other pathogens.

The process of making acrylic window sills

The production process begins with creating a sketch and calling a measurer. A drawing is made based on the exact dimensions. After selecting the desired color and texture, the sheet is marked and further cut into blanks.

The parts are glued using proprietary glue from manufacturers LG, Samsung, DuPont and others. To select the appropriate glue color for the material, a table with codes is used, which allows you to avoid possible color differences.

After hardening, excess glue is removed using a grinding machine.

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Leading technical specialist at Okna-Media company

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As a rule, the thickness of the window sill itself is 12 mm; sometimes acrylic with a thickness of 30 mm can be used.

What are the best window sills?

Typically, products are made without a base, but if it is made at the same level as the tabletop, special substrates are used that provide additional rigidity and increase the overall thickness of the product. In this case, the installation and installation of an artificial stone window sill is carried out using special construction foam with a low coefficient of secondary expansion, and not using silicone, as when installing a conventional one.

Curly bay window sills made of artificial stone can be either radius or consist of several parts. Once installed, all parts are sanded and polished to give the finished product a one-piece appearance.

Liquid acrylic coating

Owners who are completely satisfied with the strength and quality of installation of existing window sills, sooner or later still begin to notice how their surface becomes unpresentable. Removing old and installing new window sills will require a lot of money, so the search for a restoration solution begins. And here again acrylic comes to the rescue, but not in the form of an artificial stone or film, but liquid. It is with his help that the surface of bathtubs and sinks is restored, and he is quite capable of tidying up the window sill.

If there is a slight slope of the panel towards the room, as it should be in case of raindrops in order to easily remove them, filling the surface with liquid acrylic will not be difficult. The simplest method is that the composition, which has the consistency of liquid sour cream, covers the window sill by gravity; all that remains is to level it with a rubber spatula, directing it to areas that are not yet covered. The disadvantages of such acrylic are the strong odor and long drying time; for the mixture to completely harden, it takes two days, and it is recommended to cover the window sill, like the bathtub, in 2 layers.

• Author: Mikhail Malofeev
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Combination of shapes and colors in the interior of the apartment

All acrylic products have an excellent texture that completely imitates the surface of a natural product: travertine, granite, marble. Depending on the customer’s wishes, it can be matte, semi-gloss or glossy.

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Vladislav Dobronravov

Leading technical specialist at Okna-Media company

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The color palette of this material includes up to 400 different shades. It can be either plain or with variegated patches of different sizes.

Most often there are white window sills, especially standard ones, which are installed with metal-plastic windows. If you are tired of this and decide to install a window sill made of artificial stone, it would be a sin not to experiment with color.

Of course, white is a universal color. But you can choose any other light shades. White and other light colors for such a product are good because they reflect light, and with them the room will be much lighter.

If you want to make a bolder decision and install a brightly colored window sill, try an experiment. Buy multi-colored paper and try covering the existing window sill with it. This way you will have the opportunity to clearly see how a particular color will look. You can even take a photo of the result so you can compare different options later.

Preparing for the workflow

After developing the drawing, the necessary materials are collected. For a concrete window sill, grade 500 concrete is suitable. To finish or paint concrete, you must first select a material (wood, plastic) or select a pigment. Preparation of the window sill consists of processing the slopes and the front part of the wall. It is necessary to mark the level on both sides to avoid distortion of the surface. You should also think about a form for pouring the concrete. You can use plastic panels, but a board is better. Also, for this purpose you can use special forms that are sold in the store.

Rice. 3. Drawing of a concrete window sill

Danke is a leader in the production of artificial stone window sills

Danke is considered one of the main manufacturers of acrylic window sills. This company is known for its wide range. This manufacturer provides the opportunity to purchase window sills of various colors and textures. Customers of this company can count on purchasing both shiny and matte acrylic window sills. Thanks to this, Danke window sills will easily fit into the interior of any room.

Among the main advantages of acrylic window sills, first of all, it is worth noting their durability, hygiene and versatility. Another advantage is the fact that the strength of acrylic allows the structure to withstand quite large loads. Separately, it is worth mentioning the ease of this design. Due to this, the installation process is significantly simplified.

Advantages of Danke window sills

The main advantages of such products include:

resistance to damage

easy care

environmental friendliness of the material

wide choice of colors

Variety of designs

Acrylic window sills can take any shape

A wide variety of acrylic window sills allows you to choose the ideal option both in size, design or price. These products can have a rectangular, cascade, bay window or corner design. Acrylic window sills can be made in any color scheme. Due to this, they will fit into the interior of any apartment or house. Moreover, they will determine the style of this room. They can also have different textures and degrees of dullness.

Acrylic window sill price

The cost of a finished artificial stone window sill depends on the manufacturer and brand of acrylic used, the area of ​​the product, and the complexity of the shape.

In addition, the calculation of the final cost takes into account:

• Thickness _ It can range from 12 to 30 mm. The greater the thickness, the higher the price of the product;
• Color and filling . The inclusion of glitter causes an increase in price by 10%, and of very large fractions by 30%;
• Gloss level . Matte surfaces are on average 10% cheaper than glossy ones;
• Face processing . Curly and combined edges are more expensive than regular ones;
• The cost of measuring and making a template, manufacturing the final product, delivery, installation.

Cost of Danke window sills, table

Installation sequence

First of all, it should be noted that it is better to entrust the installation of an acrylic window sill to an experienced craftsman, who, after installation, will tell you how the structure is installed and explain how to care for it. Why should you entrust this process to an experienced specialist? Correct installation of this structure will not only give the necessary aesthetic result, but can also affect its service life. In addition, a properly installed acrylic window sill will reduce the level of heat loss and prevent moisture from penetrating into the house or apartment.

Correct installation of this acrylic product requires compliance with several rules:

• the minimum protrusion of the structure beyond the walls should be 4 cm;
• the minimum distance of the canvas from heating radiators should not be less than 15 cm;
• the installation angle must be tilted at least 5 cm;
• the distance from the walls at the ends of the structure is 2-3 mm.

Direct installation of the canvas is carried out in two ways. Firstly, you can use special supports on the base for this. To attach the supports, you should choose high-quality glue. Secondly, installation can be done using a concrete screed. In this case, brackets are used that are recessed into the screed. It is on them that the acrylic product is installed.

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Vladislav Dobronravov

Leading technical specialist at Okna-Media company

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The most important characteristic of acrylic is its thermoplasticity. At a temperature of 185°C it becomes deformable and can be given any desired shape. Since all technological seams can be removed by grinding and polishing, the final product acquires a single, seamless surface.

Product price

In addition to all the above advantages, acrylic window sills have one more important advantage. They are not too expensive, especially compared to products made from other types of artificial stone. The price of such a window sill largely depends on its width. So, for a 15 cm product you will have to pay about 600 rubles (p/m). A window sill 40 cm wide costs about 1,500 rubles, and 85 cm wide - 4,200 rubles (prices are per linear meter).

Preparation of concrete solution

Preparing the solution is one of the most important steps when creating a concrete window sill. If you make the solution too thick or, conversely, liquid, cracks may form on the surface during drying and repairs or complete replacement of the structure will be required. Therefore, a plasticizer must be added to the concrete solution, which makes the mass more pliable and flexible, and also promotes better adhesion of the components to each other. The plasticizer also helps the cement dry quickly. Standard set of materials for concrete mortar: cement, sand, plasticizer. It is better to take grade 500 or 400 cement, because the others are not quite intended for casting decorative elements.

Cement and sand are mixed in a ratio of 1 to 2. You need to add 50 grams of plasticizer for every kilogram of dry mixture. Then pigment is added. There are many colors of pigments that give concrete the appearance of natural stone. Afterwards, water is added to the dry mixture, approximately 200 ml per kilogram, but it is better to be guided by the requirement of a thick consistency. Everything is thoroughly mixed and poured into the mold. Prepare the concrete solution immediately before pouring the window sill so that it is fresh and sets better.

Rice. 7. Rough concrete window sill

Decorative treatment of window sill

After the surface has dried, all sagging, roughness and protrusions are removed with a spatula. Below in the photo is the window sill after drying.

After drying, the surface is leveled with a spatula.

Then final leveling is carried out using putty (gypsum or ready-made acrylic). The number of layers of the composition is at least two . The main thing is to achieve a smooth final surface.

After the putty has dried, the surface is sanded with fine sandpaper. Next, dust is removed from the window sill and primer is applied again.

A perfectly flat surface is shown in the photo.

Final leveling is carried out using putty

After final drying, the surface is painted. Take light-colored enamel or a water-based version - it does not have a pungent odor. Painting is done in several layers with a brush or narrow roller.