Aluminum window sills have recently found widespread use. They have an attractive appearance, have virtually no drawbacks, since they are not afraid of moisture, and effectively protect window structures from moisture and various weather conditions. Low tides can have a variety of colors.
What are tides for?
Aluminum window sills are a high-quality analogue of products made of galvanized iron or any other materials. The main task of this element is to protect windows, balcony structures, loggias from moisture penetration into the room. They protect installation seams, give an attractive appearance to the structure, hiding the non-aesthetic side of installation.
Most often, sills are installed at the same time as the windows; less often, they have to be ordered separately. A reputable window company will offer to install the sills right away, but this may cost additional money. The cost of the work is usually the same regardless of what material the molding is made of. But the price of the products themselves can vary significantly depending on their type, size, and manufacturer. If the elements were not installed immediately, you can choose aluminum ebbs and install them yourself or with the help of craftsmen. The element will be able to reliably protect the window, significantly extending its service life.
What kind of external slopes are installed on windows is described in our article “External slopes on windows: purpose, types, features.” For the advantages of galvanized ebbs, see the link
To better retain heat, it is necessary to insulate the slopes of plastic windows. read about it in our material on the website.
Advantages of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) flashings:
- noiselessness: raindrops do not drum on the surface;
- durability;
- ease of care;
- flexibility, ease of installation;
- resistance to fading in the sun, cracking;
- moisture, fire resistance.
Plastic moldings are used in the installation of windows less often than aluminum ones due to their fragility during frosts, but this disadvantage is offset by their attractive cost. Just as in the case of aluminum window sills, the colors of plastic tides can be absolutely any. If desired, you can order lamination to look like stone or wood.
What is the element made of?
Aluminum window sills are made from specially prepared aluminum tape. It is painted in various colors so that you can give the window structure the desired design look. There are vertical and horizontal elements. They are placed at the bottom of the window, on top of the window opening, on the sides of the window opening.
To ensure that the tape does not lose color and the paint does not peel off, it is painted using a special technology, for which special equipment is used. Thanks to this, the tides retain their appearance for a long time and do not require updating the paint.
What are the advantages of aluminum products?
And aluminum window tints have a number of advantages over other materials. These include the following:
- The base of the product will never rust, since aluminum does not enter into chemical reactions with oxygen.
- The paint does not fade or peel, as it is protected by a special two-layer coating.
- The material is highly resistant to mechanical damage, practically no scratches appear on it, it is not afraid of ultraviolet radiation and temperature changes. Aluminum can be used both in the north and in the hottest regions of the country.
- Installing window sills is quite simple and does not require complex tools or any professional skills. If the height of the window allows, you will be able to install the window sills yourself using self-tapping screws.
- The material does not require seasonal maintenance or any specific care. It is easy to clean with a wet cloth; you can use any detergents, since such a cast is not afraid of exposure to aggressive substances or acids.
- The external attractiveness of the product lasts for more than ten years.
- A special protective film prevents damage to the ebb during installation and transportation; after all manipulations with it are completed, the film can be removed.
What are the sizes of ebb tides?
Most companies offer standard product sizes, this allows you to choose either the optimal solution for your window, or cut off the excess and use a part of the desired size. Aluminum is easily cut with a metal saw or grinder.
The width of the window sill is usually 110 or 135 mm. The length varies from 90 to 360 mm, which allows you to choose a design suitable for windows of almost any size. If your window is longer, you can use several elements, connecting them together with self-tapping screws. The thinner the tide itself in this case, the better. For example, 1 mm aluminum castings are well suited for this. In addition, they are lightweight. They are easy to install even for one person; they are suitable for installation on any wall structure.
Tide forms
In wholesale warehouses you can most often find castings 6 meters long. This is done for ease of transportation and storage of materials. Many companies are engaged in cutting ebbs, if you order such a service from them. This will allow you to get an evenly cut, neat-looking product.
Making a window sill with your own hands
To ensure water drainage from window openings, it is not at all necessary to buy expensive factory-made products. For technical structures and country houses, ebb tides are just as necessary as for other buildings, but you can make them yourself. Especially if you have confidence in your own skills, free time and a minimum of tools.
Materials and equipment required for making castings
- Metal sheet. For independent work, it is better to use galvanized steel or metal with a polymer coating with a thickness of 0.3–0.5 mm.
- Metal scissors. Will be necessary for cutting out the tide. If they are absent, you can use an angle grinder.
- Tape measure, square and marker for marking material.
- Mallet, pliers.
Window sill manufacturing process
First you need to measure the width of the opening. This is done with a tape measure. Add 4–5 cm to the resulting size to make it possible to bend the ebb to the slopes. It is better to make the rough workpiece 2–3 cm larger; the excess can be trimmed off later, during the installation process.
Then you need to find out the width of the future drainage. To do this, you need to measure the distance from the seat on the window to the edge of the wall and add 3-4 cm to it (the overhang of the tide) so that the water flows at a certain distance from the wall and does not contribute to its premature destruction.
The size obtained in this way will be an even part of the ebb, in addition to it you need to add the width of all bends:
Of course, neither plastic, nor acrylic, nor wood can be a worthy replacement for steel and iron. From the smallest screws to huge metal structures, metal parts are required everywhere
- 15 mm - a shelf that is screwed to the window;
- 25 mm – drip with rolling (5 mm).
The markings are carried out with a marker; pencil marks on the metal are very difficult to see. The lines should be on the outside of the bend corners, so that they can be seen while bending the metal. It is advisable to press a groove on the inside of the corner with a sharp object. This must be done so as not to damage the polymer coating or galvanized layer.
It is convenient to bend metal by clamping it with clamps along the bend line between two wooden blocks. If there are no clamps, you can twist the bars at the edges with self-tapping screws so as not to damage the metal. After the sheet is clamped, it is bent in the desired direction with light blows of a rubber hammer or mallet.
Having a sheet metal bending machine can greatly simplify the process, but not everyone has such a machine.
What may be included in the package?
Aluminum sills for windows can be sold together with brackets for their fastening or have special decorative attachments that improve the appearance of the products, hiding side joints and other places where metal is cut.
Most often, durable ABS plastic is used for linings; it withstands any atmospheric conditions well, is not afraid of mechanical stress, and can last a long time. The material can be matched to the color of the tint, so it will be almost invisible.
Detailed instructions for installing sills on plastic windows can be found at the link https://oknanagoda.com/okna/plastik/ustanovka-otlivov-dlya-plastikovykh-okon.html Why you need to make external slopes, read our article “Slopes on external windows - purpose, types, features"
It is advisable to insulate the slopes of plastic windows; read how this can be done in our material “Insulating the slopes of plastic windows”.
It is profitable to buy ebb tide
We offer a wide range of window sills with installation or for self-installation. Thanks to direct deliveries of products to end customers, we are able to maintain affordable prices for low tides of any configuration.
Our specialists are ready to advise you on additional questions regarding the sale, delivery and installation of drip tides.
Call us or send a message via online chat - we will be happy to answer any questions. Calling a surveyor is free. Contact us! Liked! Share!
What tides should you pay attention to?
When choosing materials for window finishing, you should not save money by buying the cheapest ones, since most often the low price comes at the expense of quality. Gutmann aluminum drip sills are a good combination of reasonable cost and high quality. The products of this company have high technical characteristics, are well suited for installation in residential buildings and apartments, and have a unique design, which makes it much easier to cope with the tasks assigned to them.
For the manufacture of products, thin aluminum tape is used, the thickness of which does not exceed 1 mm. The tape is most often painted using powder coating, which allows you to achieve an attractive, completely smooth coating that can last for many years.
Window sills play not only an important practical role, protecting window seams from moisture and drafts, but also make the window structure externally complete and aesthetically attractive.
