How to install a metal sill on a metal-plastic window with your own hands

Metal-plastic windows indoors are perfectly complemented by functional plastic window sills and slopes, which have a number of undeniable advantages over outdated wooden ones. Outside such windows, the most ergonomic option is to install metal window sills, which are called ebbs. They are not designed to perform the same functions that window sills do in the interior of a home. Considering the important role a properly installed drip lining plays in preserving the walls of a house, its installation must be approached with particular care. Let's look at step-by-step instructions for installing low tide on metal-plastic and other windows yourself.

Slope function

Finishing windows on the outside with metal slopes performs decorative and protective functions. By installing slopes on windows with your own hands, you can close the installation seam and thereby protect it from exposure to precipitation and direct sunlight .

Metal slopes perform a protective and decorative role

Polyurethane foam, used to seal the joint between the frame and the window opening, is a porous, vapor-permeable substance that allows moisture from the room to pass through it. As a result, moisture and condensation settle on the surface of the window slopes, which leads to the formation of mold and destruction of the integrity of the structure. Moisture from the street can penetrate through the mounting seam and cause fogging and freezing of the window in winter.

By installing metal slopes on windows, you don’t have to worry about these troubles, since metal is a strong, durable and easy-to-maintain material with high performance indicators.

Window sill transformations

In the old days, a window sill board was needed primarily to protect the wall from moisture: during slanting rain, water seeped through the loose narthex, and in frosty conditions, streams of condensation flowed from the glass. Modern windows are sealed and insulate heat well, so the wall can only get wet if the shutters are not closed during a thunderstorm. But the window sill remained in its place - it adds completeness to the window opening, serves as a home greenhouse or a stand for souvenirs. In a designer interior, a window sill can serve as a computer desk, serve as a kitchen countertop, and even turn into a couch, from where you can watch the rain and snowstorm outside the window.

Purpose

Metal external slopes perform several important functions:

1. The iron platband for windows gives the appearance of the opening an attractive, neat appearance. The steel slope is often made in the same color as the profile of the window structure - white or brown (for wood-laminated profiles). However, if the customer wishes, the panels can be painted in any color according to the RAL catalog.

   
   The customer can choose any color of the slopes from the RAL catalog

2. Protection of the assembly seam from moisture and exposure to natural phenomena in the form of precipitation, wind and temperature changes.
3. Protection of the slope surface from dampness, mold formation and destruction. External metal slopes reliably seal the wall surface and increase its heat-insulating qualities.

Metal window trim should be installed immediately after the windows are installed to prevent moisture from being absorbed by the foam . If this cannot be done in the near future due to work on finishing the facade, then the installation seams on the windows can be temporarily covered with polyethylene.

Withstands heavy loads

Aluminum window sill
People place objects on the windowsill, lean on it, sometimes sit down and even stand up. In addition, it can be affected by deforming loads during shrinkage of the building walls, which sometimes causes products made from stone slabs - hard but brittle - to crack. A chipboard panel with a thickness of more than 35 mm is quite durable, but is susceptible to corner chips. A PVC window sill will not withstand a large vertically applied load - it will undergo plastic deformation.

What about an aluminum window sill? It is made by extrusion, has a hollow structure and is reinforced with stiffeners (the same as plastic and composite), while the thickness of the front wall is 1.2-2 mm. But aluminum is several times harder than the best composite, and it also has a high elastic modulus. Tests show that, for example, window sills can withstand a locally applied load (with a punch in the form of a palm edge) of up to 600 kg. The product is only slightly deformed, and then completely restores its shape.

Advantages over other materials

There are several types of finishing materials, using which you can give the window opening a complete appearance. These are plaster, drywall, plastic and paint. But in terms of its technical characteristics, none of these materials can compare with metal slopes. When deciding how to make slopes, you need to study the characteristics of finishing materials.

The polymer layer of the steel slope protects the product from rust

When using plaster, you must be prepared for the fact that the plaster layer will crack over time. Moisture getting into the gaps between the window frame and the plaster layer can cause mold to appear.

Drywall as a finishing material for slopes is only suitable for interior work. Even GVLV brand drywall is not able to withstand the direct effects of precipitation. In a short time it will swell, lose its appearance and collapse.

The use of plastic panels for finishing external slopes leads to the fact that in the sun the plastic fades and acquires an unpleasant yellowish tint. And with a sharp drop in air temperature, the plastic becomes brittle and may lose its integrity after minor mechanical stress. Therefore, it is better to use plastic for finishing internal slopes, especially in the kitchen.

Metal slopes are not exposed to weather conditions

The advantages of metal slopes are obvious, since the material for their production is galvanized steel, which is covered with a protective polymer decorative layer at the production stage. This protects products from corrosion and rust.

Low tide cost

The cost of external window sills depends on the country of manufacture, the basis of the material from which the product is made, as well as its size.

Estimated cost of drainage (the price is indicated for 1 linear meter):

1. Galvanized:
   width 90 mm – 150 rubles;
2. 110-130 mm – 190 rubles;
3. 210-250 mm – 330 rubles;
4. 300 mm – 450 rubles.
5. Polyester:
   110-130 mm – 380 rubles;
6. 150-200 mm – 430 rubles;
7. 210-250 mm – 530 rubles;
8. 320 mm – 610 rubles;
9. 340-380 mm – 820 rubles.
10. Aluminum:
    70-90 mm – 570 rubles;
11. 110-130 mm – 650 rubles;
12. 150-165 mm – 720 rubles;
13. 180 mm – 850 rubles;
14. 210-250 mm – 1450 rubles;
15. 300-350 mm – 2270 rubles;
16. 400-500 mm – 3380 rubles;
17. 600-700 mm – 6760 rubles.

Pros and cons of the material

Despite the fact that external metal slopes are more expensive than other types of finishing, their positive qualities more than make up for this drawback:

• they have a high degree of resistance to corrosion and rust;

  
  Metal slopes are covered with a layer of galvanized steel

• they do not lose their technical characteristics over the entire operational period, which is quite long;
• the existing paint layer is durable and does not require updating over time, although, if desired, the slopes for plastic windows can be painted in any color you like;
• resistant to mechanical stress;
• easy to install and maintain;
• have a pleasant external design and look decent on facades lined with different materials;
• not subject to temperature changes and precipitation
• metal slopes can be made in any color scheme.

It is recommended to install noise-absorbing tape along with the slopes. The
disadvantages include the high cost and the presence of sound effects arising from drops or hail falling on their surface . This can be dealt with if you use a special noise-absorbing sealing tape when installing metal slopes.

Another disadvantage of a metal slope is the impossibility of installing it in arched openings.

Advantages and disadvantages of metal castings

In addition to their protective functions, metal external window sills have many other advantages:

1. Strength. The metal from which the ebbs are made ensures a long service life of the product.
2. Possibility to produce castings of various sizes at the request of the customer. As a result, any client can satisfy their needs.
3. Affordable price. Metal products are the most affordable compared to other types of tides.
4. Wide range of colors. The diversity of the palette makes it possible for the ebb to harmonize with the interior of the external facade.
5. Resistance to seasonal temperature conditions. It withstands high and low temperatures perfectly without losing its performance properties.
6. Easy to use and care.
7. UV resistance.
8. In the presence of noise insulation, a significant improvement in the sound insulation characteristics of the product during precipitation is ensured.

Despite the fact that metal drainage systems are the most popular of all other varieties of this product, they have their disadvantages:

1. High noise level. Without a noise barrier tape included, low tides create loud noises during bad weather.
2. High thermal conductivity. In summer, when exposed to high temperatures, the product becomes very hot.
3. Corrosion. During precipitation containing various aggressive acids, the metal, reacting with chemical elements, loses its ability to resist, as a result of which the protective layer is destroyed and rust forms on the surface.

Preparing for installation

Installing modern metal slopes on windows with your own hands will require the preparation of special materials and tools for this type of work:

• metal sheets;
• level;
• fasteners;
• mounting foam and silicone sealant;
• screwdriver and bits;
• painting knife;
• metal scissors;
• roulette

Excess polyurethane foam must be cut off.
Surface preparation consists of removing construction dust and contaminants from it. Excess polyurethane foam is cut off with a painting knife, and the seams and joints are treated with silicone sealant. Do-it-yourself installation of a metal slope on windows should be done after the seams have dried .

Instructions for installing ebb tides with your own hands

Installation of drainage on windows is a sequential process and is carried out in the following sequence:

1. Checking the window sill for compliance in size and color, checking for the absence of flaws and obvious defects.
2. Cut the product in proportion to the size of the side plugs. The required size is measured and the cutting line is marked with a felt-tip pen. A clear perpendicular line can be drawn using a carbon ruler. After applying the markings, the blade is cut using metal scissors.
3. When installing the ebb, it is necessary to position it so that its top edge is covered by the window frame. To do this, it is placed under the frame, pressing the flat part tightly against the stand profile. Particular attention should be paid to the correct angle of inclination: in relation to the window, the drainage system must be installed at an angle with a slope of 10 degrees. This condition will ensure unhindered drainage of water and removal of snow from the surface of the canvas.
4. Using an electric drill and a drill, holes are drilled on the outside of the canvas for subsequent fastening in increments not exceeding 45 cm. An indent of 5-10 cm must be made from the edge of the mounting shelf. The holes should be drilled in such a way that the drainage system fixed with self-tapping screws or foam hangs over the wall by 4-4.5 cm.
5. Using silicone sealant, the side plugs are attached to the canvas. The joint between the slope of the outer wall and the plug should be no more than 5 mm. The connection between the plugs and the wall must be sealed with the same sealant.
6. The final stage of drainage installation is the installation of a diffusion moisture-proof vapor-permeable membrane.

Sequence of work

Installation of metal slopes on windows involves carrying out measuring work. The width and height of the product will correspond to the internal and external parameters of the opening. The manufacture of the top, bottom and side metal elements is carried out by cutting them from a prepared metal sheet in accordance with the measurements obtained.

Scheme for trimming a metal slope

Scheme for trimming the lower metal ebb

Scheme for trimming the upper metal ebb

At the second stage of work, the installation of a low tide takes place, the horizontal position of which is controlled by the building level. The lower junction of the wall and the window frame is equipped with a special heat-insulating material and diffusion tape for noise reduction and moisture protection.

First you need to install the tide

When attaching the ebb, mounting foam is applied to the window opening and to the ebb from the inside. To prevent it from bending due to the expansion of the foam, it is pressed tightly for a while. After the ebb is fixed, the installation of metal slopes begins.

Before installing metal slopes, it is necessary to treat the places where they will come into contact with the window frame with sealant.

Metal slopes are secured with polyurethane foam

First, the side elements are installed, maintaining the required slope from the inside to the outside. The upper and lower parts are adjusted using a knife depending on the level of inclination .

The side elements must be installed in a vertical position and tightened with screws. The upper part is adjusted to the side elements. It is aligned with the outer corners and secured with self-tapping screws.

At the final stage, all contact areas are treated with sealant.

When installing slopes on a façade made of corrugated sheets, use horizontal lintels

If the façade of the house is covered with corrugated sheets, it is necessary to use horizontal lintels when finishing window openings. These are side shelves made of corrugated sheets, which are attached to the wall on one side and to a metal profile on the other. Steel trims give the façade completeness.

What tides are currently being produced

First, let's understand what low tide is in plastic windows. To put it simply, a low tide is an external or external window sill. It gives a finished look to the window opening and protects the part of the facade located under the window from precipitation. But the most important purpose of the ebb is to remove moisture and protect the joint between the wall and the window frame.

Low tide with figured drip.

The dimensions of window sills can hardly be called clearly fixed; in fact, now every serious manufacturer produces products according to their own internal technical specifications (TU). But it is believed that the width of factory castings ranges from 90 to 400 mm, and the length does not exceed 3 m. Anything that falls outside this scope must be made to order.

Galvanized flashings

Standard galvanized metal sheets have been used for making moldings for decades. In Soviet times, such external window sills were manufactured in accordance with GOST 30971, now this standard also exists, but the section relating specifically to external window sills is advisory in nature and is not mandatory for implementation.

Standard galvanized window sill.

Such window sills are made of cold-rolled steel with a thickness of at least 0.55 mm. Galvanized steel is quite strong and durable. One of the main advantages of these products is their affordable price.

Opponents and competitors point out that zinc coating is afraid of an acidic environment. And in modern cities, acid rain can supposedly destroy such low tides in a few years.

So, I have had to dismantle old galvanized sills more than once and I can assure you that a metal window sill with zinc coating will last at least 15 - 20 years. And if you paint it at least once every 5 years, then these tides will please the owners for as long as you like.

Metal casts.

Zinc coating is quite powerful and reliable protection. But all such products have one weak point: cuts and holes. There is no spraying there, and it is from there that the steel begins to actively rust. So I always recommend painting such flashings with some kind of exterior paint.

Polyester Exterior Window Sills

Behind the tricky name lies the usual galvanized castings, only in this case they are additionally coated with polyester or plastisol. In construction supermarkets, consultants call this coating powder paint or enamel.

Coloring of window sills with polyester coating.

The appearance and quality of such window sills are an order of magnitude higher than that of conventional galvanized steel. Powder coating can be either matte or glossy. The price of such window sills is a little higher, but people love them for their decent appearance and almost unlimited color range.

Polyester shimmers.

Again, envious people say that powder coating can be scratched and then the metal will begin to rust, this is indeed true. But I can assure you that birds, no matter how hard they try, are not able to cause any damage to the polyester coating, and if you do not plan to walk along the windowsill in a marching order, then you don’t have to worry about scratches.

Castings from non-ferrous metals

The leader in this niche is, of course, aluminum. Such window sills, in fact, combine all the positive qualities of the previous options. As you know, aluminum is not afraid of corrosion, and even if you don’t protect it with anything, nothing will happen to such a tint.

Although, as far as I have seen, all aluminum window sills come with powder coating. Naturally, the choice of colors is huge. The only serious drawback of absolutely all window sills made of non-ferrous metals is the high price.

Copper tint.

Copper window sills are much less common. Such low tides are more typical for European countries. Our consumer considers copper sills to be unreasonably expensive, plus copper is not suitable for every design, and most importantly, copper window sills are not mass-produced; they must be ordered and installed individually.

Plastic casts

Plastic window trim is often made from polyvinyl chloride, that is, from the same material as the windows themselves. Naturally, when it comes to PVC windows, this combination can be considered close to ideal.

Advertising brochures vying with each other promise consumers to make PVC trim for windows in any color they like. Although, as far as I have seen, all the plastic is white, it’s just that if you order laminated windows, for example, to look like natural wood, then the window sill is also covered with a laminating film, that’s all the wisdom.

Colored plastic on the windowsill.

But this is not the only advantage of plastic external window sills. Such low tides are deservedly considered the quietest. Even with a very heavy downpour, you won’t have to fall asleep to the drumming outside the window.

Separate fittings are produced for such window sills. For example, side plastic moldings and plugs significantly improve the appearance of both the window itself and the outer window sill.

But the most important advantage, of course, is the price. Having a fairly respectable appearance, plastic window tints are cheaper than any of the competitors described above.

But to be honest, before installing external plastic flashings, you need to think twice. The fact is that plastic can be easily scratched, and even birds can do this. A plastic window sill, of course, won’t rust, but it won’t look the same.

Plastic window sill with side trim.

There is another potential danger: now, roughly speaking, everyone is making plastic window sills. While the products are new, they all seem to look “elegant”, but after a year the plastic begins to turn yellow, and in some cases even crack.

The reason is simple, your window sill is cast from low-quality plastic or PVC intended purely for interior decoration. There is only one way to protect yourself from such a misfortune. Order windows from a well-known, trusted manufacturer, and most importantly, get all the accompanying fittings, including external sills, from the same place.

Naturally, in addition to the above types of external window sills, there are also granite, marble and other similar effusions made of natural stone. But I don’t see the point in talking about them in detail within the framework of this article, since, firstly, they cost exorbitant amounts of money. And secondly, the installation of such ebbs requires serious professional training.

Marble tide.