Nowadays, people, thinking about the future for their children and the kind of world they will live in, have increasingly begun to think about environmental problems: air and ocean pollution, the disappearance of entire ecosystems. A huge amount of plastic thrown into the sea, irrational use of natural resources, gigantic carbon dioxide emissions - these problems need to be combated at the government level. But in many developed countries people start small, namely with themselves. They sort garbage, refuse plastic bags and utensils, plant trees and protect forests and plants, which are mechanisms that can absorb carbon from the air. In this context, one of the measures to revive and preserve a favorable ecological environment is the use of environmental technologies in production and everyday life.
In our article we will talk about the window sill and why choosing a metal such as aluminum is the optimal solution for its creation.
What is a window sill?
It is a structural element of a plastic window. The inner part is laid flush with the lower border of the frame or under it. With the help of the canvas, the window takes on a finished look.
The structural element increases the air gap near the window. It protects the wall from moisture entering the room. The canvas is also used for decorative purposes. Place flowers on it or make a work area.
The design makes window maintenance easier. You can lean on it when washing glass, or stand up to hang blinds or curtains.
Environmental friendliness
Aluminum is used everywhere in everyday life. Flasks and cooking pots for camping and military kitchen utensils are made from food-grade aluminum. It is lightweight and heats up quickly without deforming upon contact with open fire. Almost every kitchen has aluminum foil and molds based on it. The corrosion resistance and chemical neutrality of aluminum to many substances make it possible to transport and store most liquids in aluminum containers. Is it worth talking about the environmentally friendly use of aluminum as a window sill? In our opinion, the experience of using aluminum even in the food industry speaks for itself.
Aluminum as a secondary raw material can be processed by cleaning it and further pressing, or by cleaning it and further grinding it to a powder state, as well as by pyrolysis.
Window sill kapinos: what is it
This structural element represents the free space of the canvas in front. This is a small overhang, visually increasing its thickness.
Kapinos are used for decorative purposes. The elements differ from each other:
- forms;
- bend angles;
- various decorative inserts.
They create a unique and interesting room design. Most often, manufacturers produce single-cap models, but on the market you can find double-cap models, which are located on both sides of the canvas.
Instead of an epilogue
Despite the wide range of existing models of window sills for plastic windows, it is better to purchase these products from trusted brands. Companies that respect their reputation will always be able to provide quality certificates for their products. In addition, when purchasing, you should pay attention to the conditions in which the product is intended to be used - the density of the material and sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation will be important properties. Thus, a competent approach to purchasing and high-quality installation of the product will be the key to long-lasting operation while maintaining the same visual and quality characteristics of the material.
Types of window sills for plastic windows
Choose a model in advance, and not after the structure is installed. It’s better to think through everything before starting repairs. The room will turn out organic and complete with a beautiful window. Canvases are divided into 11 main types. Each option has its own characteristics.
Plastic or PVC
The structure is made from the following components:
- unplasticized polyvinyl chloride of the K67 series, which has excellent physical and mechanical properties;
- combined stabilizer, some manufacturers use lead;
- polymers;
- filler;
- color pigment;
- modifiers that protect the structure from impacts;
- modifiers that make it possible to recycle the product in case of disposal.
Advantages:
- they are resistant to high humidity;
- the structures are not susceptible to insects and microorganisms; they are often used for growing flowers;
- plastic models do not fade in the sun even after 10 years of use;
- the canvas has excellent strength indicators;
- withstands sudden temperature changes;
- fire resistant;
- Plastic structures are easy to care for; just wipe with a damp cloth;
- there are no traces of pet claws or scratches left on the surface after rearranging the pots;
- The models are inexpensive compared to other types.
The plastic type is not popular among designers when decorating the interior, as it does not look aesthetically pleasing.
TOP 5 manufacturers of this type:
- Werzalit - they produce premium models, the factory is located in Germany.
- Crystallit are leaders in the Russian market, using elements that are harmless to health for production.
- Moeller - the German representative adds wood flour during production.
- Vitrage Plast are manufacturers from Russia, they make durable and reliable models.
- Danke is a design manufacturer from Germany, the products comply with GOST standards.
PVC window sill technical characteristics.
They are as follows:
- tensile strength indicators – 36.8 MPa;
- elastic modulus is 1557 MPa;
- impact strength values – 29.6 kJ/m²;
- Vicat softening temperature indicators - 83℃;
- the light resistance value reaches 6, and the chemical resistance value reaches 5 points;
- wear resistance coefficients – 175-300.
Selecting length, width and thickness
As for length , there are a couple of options:
- According to the size of the opening . In this case, the plastic panel fits closely to the side walls. Easy to install. But the strength will remain low. Stand on such a window sill and it will bend.
- With wall supports . The edges are “walled up” into side openings cut into the walls. This will give the board two additional support points. It will be able to withstand heavy loads.
The width is chosen depending on the material from which the load-bearing wall is made:
- Panel . Maximum width: 350 mm. Because of the subtlety.
- Brick . Largest: 780 mm. The masonry will hold up.
The thickness can be chosen as desired. It all depends on the required functionality:
- Standard . The usual parameter is 22 mm. This is enough to put flower pots and place some not too heavy things.
- Extended . From 30 mm. When the window sill serves as a miniature table or shelf. Enough for a sun lounger.
Laminated film for PVC window sills
When producing a structure, the surface is often coated with a special protective compound. Lamination of window sills reliably protects the canvas from dirt, mechanical damage, and ultraviolet radiation.
Using film, they create an imitation of wood, stone or marble. It contains no harmful compounds.
Lamination of PVC window sills allows you to maintain the original appearance for many years. The coating is resistant to high temperatures. When washing, do not use abrasive products.
Installation technology
the installation of a window sill made of stone or acrylic to specialists, since this material is expensive, and if installed incorrectly or with insufficient skill, it can crack. For products made of plastic and wood, much practice is not required, but its installation can also take time and cause problems.
To install a window sill you need:
After installing the window, clean and level the surface on which the window sill slab will be laid.- You need to cut the slab to the required size, taking into account the space in the slopes where the window sill board should go.
- On the window support profile, you need to secure Z-shaped brackets with self-tapping screws in increments of 30 cm.
- Place the window sill into the grooves on the slopes and secure its edge to the brackets. The plane of the slab should extend beyond the bottom of the frame;
- Level the board using wedges that need to be hammered between it and the window opening.
- Blow out the cavities under the slab with foam. It is necessary to wet the surface of the board and concrete so that the foam expands more smoothly. This will prevent her from bending the window sill.
- Seal the joint between the frame and the slab with silicone sealant.
- Until the foam dries, you need to keep the window sill under pressure from above (put something heavy).
- Finish the walls around the slab, and close its edges with plugs (if it is a PVC model).
Attention! When installing a window sill, you must maintain a distance between it and the heating system (15 cm or more) so that warm air can circulate normally and the stove itself does not overheat.
The video below also talks about how to install a window sill with your own hands:
The article reveals in more detail the topic of installing window sills.
How to choose a window sill for plastic windows
You need to pay attention to the following factors:
- wear resistance;
- strength indicators;
- moisture resistance;
- life time;
- color and texture;
- manufacturer.
How to choose the color of the window sill
Select the texture and shade to match the interior of the room. It should be in harmony with the decoration of the room. If the walls and floors are of a light palette, then you should not choose a black or dark brown canvas. Otherwise, when entering the room, it will immediately catch your eye.
If the room is made in a dark palette, then the structural element can be made a tone lighter.
It is better to entrust the selection of the color of the canvas to the designer. He will choose the palette wisely so that it matches the overall interior.
Thermal conductivity
Aluminum is capable of conducting heat, that is, heat will be evenly distributed over the entire surface of the aluminum window sill, and if there is a temperature difference, thermal energy will be transferred from the hotter part of the window sill to the colder one. This solves the problem of windows freezing. If you take a wide window sill from another material (that does not have such thermal conductivity), it will prevent the movement of heat from the radiator to the window unit and, as a result, the double-glazed window will cool with the onset of cold weather. This will not happen in the case of an aluminum window sill, which was clearly confirmed by bench tests.
As an experiment and to conduct a comparative analysis, a stand was made, which was a window unit mounted in a refrigeration unit (freezer). At this stand, the window sill was assembled from two parts. An aluminum window sill is installed on the left side of the window opening, and a PVC window sill on the right.
Figure 2 shows the temperatures at point “B” and thermal imaging images on a PVC window sill with the heating radiator on and off (photo on the right), on the left, on the thermal imager, an aluminum window sill is visible and it is noticeably warmer.
Figure 2 Figure 3 shows the temperatures at point “B” and thermal imaging images on an aluminum window sill with the heating radiator on (photo on the left) and off, the PVC window sill is visible on the right and it is noticeably colder.
Figure 3
