Which window sills are better for plastic windows: glossy or matte?

The window sill is an important element of the interior. It completes the window opening, serves as a shelf and even a seat. Let's look at the best window sills for plastic windows and the rules for choosing them.

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.

Purpose of window sills

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

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

In conclusion

If the described options are not enough, then you can always show your imagination and line the window sill with the remains of ceramic tiles (useful in the kitchen and bathroom), mosaics soft pillows on it to create a cozy place to relax.

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Tags:Windows

Plastic

When replacing wooden windows with PVC frames with double-glazed windows, owners often choose a plastic window sill. When you weigh all the pros and cons, this seems like a very smart choice.

Advantages

Flaws

Same technical characteristics as the window material (chemical composition, expansion coefficients and resistance to temperature influences).
Environmental friendliness. High-quality models do not contain formaldehyde or lead stabilizers, which makes them safe for humans and completely recyclable.

Same care: during cleaning you can use one PVC cleaning product.

Light weight.

Price range: 80–540 rub./p. m with a sheet thickness of 100 mm.

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

Strength, which is ensured by a system of internal ribs.

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

Single service life (30–50 years)

Limitations on the ability to withstand the load.
The absence of an acrylic coating impairs resistance to high temperatures.

Risk of deformation due to mechanical or temperature influence.

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

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

Experts advise choosing models of plastic window sills with a price of 250 rubles per item. m with a sheet thickness of 150 mm. Their production technology eliminates 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 produce expensive models. This pigment maintains the whiteness of the window sill for 10 years. Cheaper models easily absorb dust, acquiring a yellowish tint; colored ones fade over time, creating the effect of unkemptness.
Coverage quality. Brands Moller and Danke use compounds that prevent mechanical damage (scratches, abrasion) and deformation when exposed to high temperatures.

Danke

Moeller

Standard PVC canvas for making window sills has the following dimensions:

Length – 4050–6000 mm.
Width – 100–600 mm in increments of 50 mm. A product with dimensions of 600–1000 mm in increments of 100 mm is considered wide.
Thickness – 18–22 mm. As this parameter increases, strength and resistance to mechanical loads increase.

Canvas of this length are purchased by construction companies and firms. For specific projects, installers independently cut window sills of the required sizes. It is possible to produce PVC sheets according to individual orders for old-style houses or country cottages.

Best options

The rating of manufacturers is compiled based on product characteristics and consumer reviews. German brands are considered the leader :

The most popular brand is Moeller.
The original technology of the manufacturer of plastic window sills is considered to be the mixing of wood flour and polymer.
The finished mixture has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, clearly holds its shape under mechanical stress, and is resistant to high humidity and temperature fluctuations.
An important advantage is the absence of formaldehyde in the composition of the material. Window sills are safe for human health. The price ranges from 800 rubles to 5250 rubles, depending on the size and color of the product.
Another leader is the German brand Werzalit.
The manufacturer produces window sill blocks with increased strength - they are completely filled from the inside. The material is recognized as environmentally friendly, the product is guaranteed for 25 years. Cost from 1200 rubles and above depending on the series. The line contains the System, Expona, Compact and Exclusiv series, differing in parameters and design features.
Vitrage window sills are premium products from a domestic manufacturer.
In addition to standard sizes, the company produces a modification of 900 mm. Calcium-zinc technology, which does not use a lead stabilizer. You can receive your order quickly throughout the country. The price varies from 280 rubles to 680 rubles per block.

Composite (MDF, chipboard)

Well-compressed particle boards form the basis of chipboard window sills. As a rule, they are covered with a thick laminating film. It imparts resistance to chemical agents, temperature and mechanical influences. Any colors and textures, insets, 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 loads than chipboard products. In addition, MDF boards are moisture resistant and can be installed in the bathroom.

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

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

How to choose?

What to consider when choosing a window sill for a plastic window:

Features of the room. In public places, the strength of the material is important - high loads are inevitable, as they often lean on the windowsill, place bags or heavy objects, etc. In conditions of constantly high humidity, products made of wood, chipboard or MDF are unsuitable.
Lifespan. Stone window sills are expensive, but will last much longer than plastic or wooden ones.
Room decoration style.
Difficult to install. Having the tools and minimal experience in repair and construction work, you can install many types of inexpensive window sills yourself. This is additional savings. Professional installation services, especially for stone products, can significantly increase the overall cost of window treatments.
Maintainability. First of all, in public places, the skill and complexity of eliminating a defect are important.

Wooden

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

pine, larch (price – 2500–2800 rub./m²);
oak, ash, beech (price - from 4500 rub./m² with a blade thickness of 40 mm);
elite species (black, mahogany).

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

But such products require regular maintenance. Before making window sills, the array is impregnated with an antiseptic to prevent 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, width – up to 1 m.
The length of the canvas is from 70 cm, width – up to 3 m.

What does the price depend on?

Main parameters of the product that affect its cost:

material;
coating quality;
price of pigment (for color models);
dimensions;
decor;
design features.

Important. When ordering a model, you should immediately determine the required indicators.

How much do they cost in the Russian Federation?

To get your bearings on the pricing policy, you can monitor the cost of each type of window sill.

Material	Price
Plastic	from 360 rubles to 2400 rubles
Tree	from 13,500 rubles to 63,000 rubles
Natural and artificial stone	from 3000 rubles per 1 sq. m up to 12,000 rubles per 1 sq. m
laminated chipboard	from 160 rubles per 1 sq. m up to 240 rubles per 1 sq. m
MDF	from 140 rubles per 1 sq. m up to 320 rubles per 1 sq. m
Glass	from 6,000 rubles to 14,000 rubles

Made from artificial stone

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

Dyes create a rich range of colors; the product can be given any shape, which opens up scope for design solutions. Any device (fan, vice) can be securely fastened/installed on such a hard surface. And any scratches that appear can be easily removed by sanding.

It also has its drawbacks. Only specialists can install the products. To securely fasten such models, brackets that can withstand heavy loads are required. And the high price (3,500–8,000 rubles/sq. m) does not allow the products to be classified as the budget segment of products.

There are 2 options for window sills made of artificial stone:

Made from acrylic composite. A fine filler 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. Additives increase the hardness and viscosity of the material. New properties reduce the likelihood of chipping.

Made from quartz stone. Quartz chips, making up 90–95% of the product’s mass, are bonded with polyester resins. The technological process involves the addition of mineral coloring pigments (iron compounds, red lead, ocher). This window sill is heavier and denser, but the risk of chipping increases.

Made from 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 difficulties in production (possible internal voids in the stone), they are not cheap (up to 4,000 rubles / linear meter with a sheet thickness of 20–30 mm).

Window sills made of natural stone are not resistant to surface damage: they are easily scratched. And deep scratches that stand out on the stone are extremely difficult to remove. To transport and install the stove you will need 2-4 people.

Installation Features

When you no longer need to think about how to choose a suitable plastic window sill, you select a stand profile (a plastic pipe with a rectangular or square cross-section). It serves as the basis for the entire window structure (window sill, drain and frame), therefore it is mounted under the double-glazed window frame, to which the external ebb and flow with the internal window sill are fixed. You can also place the window in a special groove, leveling it with wooden blocks. A plastic board is often placed in a horizontal plane, but sometimes with a slight slope into the room (for every 30 centimeters of board width there is a 3 cm slope).

The service life of the structure depends on the correct installation of the window sill system.

The profile is fixed with high frost-resistant polyurethane foam with a low expansion coefficient. The entire interior space should be treated with foam, after which a heavy object (a bucket of water, books) is placed on the board so that when the foam hardens, the window sill does not rise.

Installation diagram of a plastic window sill

The correct selection and installation of plastic products will ensure high window performance.

Which window sills are better: glossy or matte?

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

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

Resistance to aggressive influences. Matte surfaces turn yellow from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight; chemical agents from detergents destroy the slab over time.
Aesthetics. Any dirt or mechanical damage (scratches) is clearly visible on the glossy finish. The rough matte surface goes without cleaning for a long time.

Care: just 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.

Glossy marbled

Glossy wood effect

Bright glossy

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

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

Condensation can form on windows if the sill is installed too wide. There are two ways to avoid the effect of “crying” windows:

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.

If the width of the window slab is large, the solution will be grilles embedded in it, which will direct warm air currents to the double-glazed window.

But still, which window sill is better?

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