Slopes on windows: varieties and installation with photos and videos

The main thing when installing a window is the slope and its precise installation. Window decoration not only changes the appearance of the window opening, but also hides defects after dismantling the wooden frame, and also protects silicone, sealant and foam from destruction.

Slopes can be insulated using a variety of insulation materials, which will retain heat in the house and prevent windows from freezing.

The work is done quite simply, you need to select materials and know the rules for finishing window slopes with one or another product.

Types of window slopes and their advantages

How to make slopes on windows with your own hands depends on the location of such an opening. The slope can be external, internal and external. When installing the inside of the window, there is no functional role from the design, except for the tightness of the system. The cladding serves to hide the joints between windows and walls. An external slope is necessary to absorb extraneous noise from the street, as well as to preserve heat.

Why are slopes needed on windows?

The finishing of window slopes inside can be different, based on the material:

Plastering.
Wooden.
Plasterboard.
Plastic.
Sandwich panel.

A description of each type with pros and cons is presented in the table:

View:	Description:
Plastering:	The classic way to design a window opening using cement or plaster. Installing a window made of plaster material will take a lot of time, at least a couple of days, due to the duration of drying of the solution at each stage. Working with putty and plaster is labor-intensive and requires certain skills, but you can use it anywhere. The material is the cheapest, after application to the walls, it requires smoothing and painting.
Wooden:	Wood is more often used if the window is also made of wood. In this case, the appearance will be exquisite and expensive. For work, it is better to select only high-quality wood species that are well dried and processed. High-quality wood will last over time, just like plastic. The main advantage is environmental friendliness, the disadvantage is cost.
Plasterboard:	Installing a slope for a gypsum plasterboard window is simple, better than using putties. Drywall is used if the damage to the window opening is severe and cannot be covered. Used for internal slopes; if desired, insulation can be carried out by filling the space between the wall and drywall. Any material is suitable as insulation, especially mineral wool. Such a slope must be puttied and painted. The disadvantage is that the material swells after a while.
Plastic:	Lining is more expensive than drywall, but has many advantages. The plastic slope is easy to install, in just a day, it does not require any maintenance, just rinsing. An ideal frame for a plastic window, since the expansion due to temperature is the same. Used inside and outside, on the facade. The width of the window opening should be up to 25 cm, otherwise additional measures must be taken to fix the material.
Sandwich panel:	One of the types of plastic slope. The panels differ from plastic in their layering, because they have three layers. A couple of layers of plastic and insulation between them. Excellent for installation, without the use of additional materials. The most expensive material for window decoration.

There are also other materials for slopes, for example, siding or aluminum profiles; such materials are often used to decorate the outer part of the window, from the street. The slope turns out to be voluminous and looks beautiful on the house.

Summary table with the pros and cons of each finishing method

As we can see from this review, each of the arrangement options has both its advantages and its limitations. To make it easier to choose the type of finishing coating, let’s try to classify them all according to the criteria presented by consumers:

Advantage	Slope type
Easy to install	Plastic and sandwich panels
Resistance to damage	Plaster
Possibility of changing the design to suit the interior	Drywall and plaster coatings
Thermal insulation and absence of moisture	Sandwich panels
Durability when installed from the street side	Sandwich panels
Suitable for residential use	GKL, plastic, multilayer sandwich panels

As we see, it is impossible to give unanimous leadership to any method of finishing window openings. There are so many design options, so many opinions, because in each specific case, and for each developer, some criteria become dominant, and for others, others. Therefore, which window slope to choose for plastic windows in the house is up to you to decide.

But the choice of slope material is not everything. It is also important to contact a trusted and experienced window treatment company. After all, if you choose the first builders you come across, there is a risk that within a year or two the slope will lose its beauty or, even worse, begin to crack and break.

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Advantages of plastic slopes

What do plastic slopes look like
? The option of slopes made from PVC panels is faster and easier than plastering a window. Of course, making a window will be more expensive, but more time will be saved. PVC panels are made from the same material as the window, so when the temperature changes, the window and the installed material will expand equally.

There is no need to paint the material, there is no need for lengthy preparation. A couple of hours is enough to remove irregularities after dismantling. For windows, it is better to choose a high-quality type of plastic that will not emit harmful substances in the sun and is sufficiently rigid. Materials must be created in accordance with GOST or SNiP. In some cases, it is better to insulate the window opening and window sill or use sandwich panels, which already have sound insulation and thermal insulation inside. Thus, mold and mildew will not appear, and the windows will not fog up and freeze.

Using sandwich panels

The structure of the sandwich panel speaks for itself. It's like a two-piece sandwich with a layer in the middle. In this way it is similar to a regular PVC wall panel. But if the latter has semi-hollow ribs between the outer sheets, then the sandwich panel is filled with special foam. Typically this is polystyrene or foam.

With this “filling” the panel has the highest thermal insulation performance. “Sandwiches” come in different thicknesses and, importantly, in a variety of colors. They are also significant in size, so they are suitable for window niches deeper than 25 cm.

The disadvantages of sandwich panels include instability to excessively aggressive environmental influences. This means that they cannot be used outdoors. For exterior decoration, take an interest in metal materials.

As for the price of the “sandwich”, it is more than for a regular PVC panel. But the difference is about 300 rubles for a regular window with two sashes.

Subtleties of installing plastic slopes for windows

The window and the slope are inseparable in practice. This is about the same as a window without glass. Without a high-quality slope, the service life of the fittings is reduced. Since the main function of this element can be called not even an aesthetic moment, but a protective one.

The slope covers the seams from external influences: temperatures, damage, sunlight.

It is important to remind and emphasize these points once again, because at some point a person can be “led” by beauty instead of quality.

Installation of plastic slopes

How to measure window slopes
The panel needs processing. The step-by-step instructions are as follows:

First, measurements of the window slope are taken and transferred to the material, then, according to the drawing, the material must be cut.
The fastening is carried out on a prepared frame of wooden planks, fixing it on top and on the sides of the slope. The plastic is fastened to the staples with a stapler. You can also use glue to glue the material to the wall or a starting profile to begin installation.
The finished slope can be covered with a decorative corner.

During work, professional advice is used:

Do-it-yourself window slopes require adherence to technology. It is better to choose panels according to the color of the window so as not to paint them later.
Before starting work, you need to cut out mounting tenons on the material.
It is better to cut the material with a jigsaw or a special knife.
If you foam the space between the wall and the panel, you will have to redo the slope. The foam will increase in size and the device will be deformed.

These instructions are very simple, but there are other ways to make slopes on a window with your own hands.

Selection of quality materials for slope construction

You need to do the following:

Decide on the maximum budget amount that you are willing to spend on slopes.
Decide how much time you can spend on installation. It includes not only the duration of the process of installing slopes, but also the time to study information on this topic and master the necessary skills.
Analyze the pros and cons of the materials described in the article. Decide what you can do without exactly, and what is extremely important to you. For example, if you live in an area with a cold climate, preference should be given to material with increased thermal insulation.
Be sure to look at reviews on the Internet. Chat, at least on social networks or on forums, with those who have already purchased the product you have chosen.

The original design of the window can become the highlight of the interior.

Advice. Strive to purchase only high-quality materials. They should not cost significantly less than their closest analogues. Too low a price in the vast majority of cases indicates hidden shortcomings of the product.

Alternative methods for installing plasterboard slopes

Installing a plasterboard slope on a window
You can bring the slopes to perfect evenness using plasterboard. The plasterboard material is selected to be moisture-resistant, since fogging of windows and condensation will quickly destroy the gypsum material. Regular sheets of drywall are used, but then a primer is used, as well as protective agents and paint. In some cases, a window block with profiles on the sides is used, which is the basis of the entire slope.

For installation, a profile is used, which is installed on the window frame, resulting in a frame. The profile must be coated with acrylic sealant, and then the window must be covered. The space between the wall and the plasterboard material is filled with insulating materials. Next, everything is fixed with self-tapping screws. You can also glue drywall with glue. The mixture is applied to the drywall, after which it is pressed against the wall and held for several seconds, everything is set to the level.

Important! It is convenient to use a metal frame if severe deformation occurred during window replacement and the design cannot be corrected in any other way. Installation is carried out with self-tapping screws directly to the profile; the cracks must be sealed with polyurethane sealant.

Next, a primer is applied, plaster and putty are applied in 2-3 layers. After drying, everything should be painted with colored or white paint. It is recommended to cover the slope angle using a decorative corner.

The surface can be decorated as you like, to suit the desired interior. They also make arches on the window or a standard U-shaped window slope.

Installation of PVC slopes (video)

Application of drywall

Advantages and disadvantages

Drywall is one of the popular and relatively inexpensive options for designing slopes for plastic windows. Sheet material has the following advantages:

low cost;
high installation speed;
Smooth surface;
sound and heat insulation;
possibility of repeated repainting.

The use of drywall also has some disadvantages:

the impossibility of creating a strong bond of the window frame sheet, which leads to cracking along the mating line;
low moisture resistance - the material should not be used for “crying” windows in rooms with constant condensation;
fragility, possibility of bursting.

Installation diagram of plasterboard sheets Source remboo.ru

Measurements

The result of the work depends on the accuracy of the measurements taken by the master. If the plasterboard slopes do not adhere tightly enough to the frame, the following negative consequences are possible:

fungus and mold;
microcracks through which cold will enter the room;
reduced window service life, deterioration of aesthetic and functional characteristics.

Taking measurements Source maison-travaux.fr

Installation

Before finishing, standard sheets of drywall are carefully cut to fit the window opening.

Cutting drywall to size Source hu.aviarydecor.com

The sheets can be installed on a metal profile, lathing, or directly to the wall using special glue. The master selects one of the options in accordance with the actual condition of the wall surface after installing the plastic frame.

The work is performed in the following sequence:

First of all, excess construction foam is removed.

Cutting foam Source sv.decorexpro.com

Then a sloped L-profile or a metal (wooden) sheathing is installed, to which the material sheet will be attached. If necessary, insulation is placed between the wall and the sheathing.

Metal lathing Source myshtukaturka.ru

Next, plasterboard sheets are installed and attached to the corners or sheathing using self-tapping screws. The resulting voids are filled with sealant to eliminate cold bridges.

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in doors and windows.

Plaster slopes for metal-plastic windows

Plastering slopes is inexpensive; the method is old and considered standard. Today there are a lot of putties and any composition can be used. The materials are prepared in water according to the proportions indicated on the package, after which the mixture will be ready. Gypsum mixtures can be replaced with cement-sand mortar.

Before starting work, you need to treat the window area, remove dirt and dust, excess concrete and foam. Additionally, the seams in the corners are enlarged so that the putty adheres better to the wall. Initially, you need to plaster the wall, and only then proceed to the slope.

Important! It is mandatory to follow the tips described below, why? After all, if you don’t follow the instructions, you won’t be able to finish the window correctly; it may get cold in winter, and the slope itself may fall off after a while or simply crack and the paint will peel off.

The need for insulation - how and how to insulate

Insulation of slopes helps retain heat in the room and prevents an increase in humidity inside the room. Let's consider possible insulation options that are advisable to use in this case:

mineral wool – is moisture resistant, provides thermal insulation for the window and reliably protects against the penetration of external noise. The insulation must be fixed to a special mesh that is glued to the wall;
polystyrene foam – has good heat and sound insulating properties, easy to install. You can purchase ready-made foam slopes. Mounted on metal profiles;
expanded polystyrene - a waterproof cellular material with high thermal insulation properties;
Sandwich panels are an option for finishing, endowed with heat-insulating properties - the middle layer is made of extruded polystyrene foam.

Finishing slopes with plaster with insulation

Window plastering is different; it is possible to use insulation, or not to use it. The step-by-step process for decorating a window with plaster and insulation is as follows:

The insulation is being installed, in this case it is better to use polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam. It is glued to an adhesive solution on a primed wall, which is pre-leveled if there is a large flaw. Good insulation should not exceed 1.5 cm in thickness; you need to look in the store when choosing the material.
The material is fastened with glue or foam. The solution is applied directly to the insulation.
First, the material is glued to the side walls of the window, after which the upper part is sealed. If the work is carried out outdoors, then you need to start at low tide. If necessary, the joint of materials is foamed.

Plastering external slopes

Large window openings can be aligned using a similar scheme, but insulating material with fungus is additionally used. For such fastening you need to punch a hole in the wall, through the insulation and install a dowel into the finished hole.
To ensure that the finishing material serves for a long time, mesh is used for reinforcement. External corners need to be finished with corners that are glued directly to the putty or other solution.
The mesh is pressed into the putty and excess material is removed.
The solution is applied using the standard method in several stages, usually 2-3 times is enough to level the window.
At the end, the finishing layer is applied and painting is carried out.

Such a slope will be washable, since paint is applied over the plaster, which protects the window from water.

Briefly about the main thing

A huge selection of high-quality materials and additional elements allows you to choose the best option for making slopes of plastic windows - according to the degree of installation complexity, operational and aesthetic characteristics, in accordance with financial capabilities. The main condition is reliable protection of double-glazed windows from cold bridges and condensation formation, high-quality arrangement of lines connecting the plastic frame to the window opening.

A little more attention!

Write in the comments what you think - is such an abundance of finishing materials really necessary, or does it only complicate the choice?

Finishing slopes with plaster without insulation

Making a window opening without using insulating material is not a modern method, but is often used. The main reason why such finishing disappears is improper execution of the work.

How to properly plaster window slopes

The step by step process is as follows:

Guides made of metal or wood are placed around the window.
Beacons are installed level and fixed with dowels in the walls. In fact, the beacon shows the percentage by which the thickness of the plaster will be.
The second beacon is placed on the corner of the window opening.
Plaster is thrown onto the wall, uneven walls are leveled using a rule that is carried out from the bottom up along the beacons.
By analogy, work is carried out for the ceiling part and drainage.
The main task of the first layer is to fill the voids and form the corners and the window opening itself.
It is necessary to level the walls when the mortar is no longer wet, so the material is thrown on and the surface is leveled along the beacons. A flat plane should form. Excess material is removed and the window is left to dry the solution.
The window opening must be primed and a finishing layer of putty up to 1.5 mm thick must be applied.

At the last stage, the opening can be updated with paint or other finishing materials, for example, a paper layer of wallpaper, etc.

Important! Every meter of work done with your own hands will not only decorate a private house or apartment, but will also provide experience and pleasure. The design of the slope can be carried out according to the described method everywhere, inside, outside, on the balcony and in other places.

You can familiarize yourself with the process in the video at the end of the article.

We use PVC panels

The advantages and disadvantages of wall panels are related to their design. This is a narrow sheet of two-layer thin plastic, between the layers of which there are hollow transverse bridges. The panels are connected to each other using a longitudinal tongue-and-groove end lock. The advantages of the material are accessibility, as well as simplicity and speed of installation.

However, the width of these products is 25 or 50 cm. In large-panel, timber or frame houses, this width is usually sufficient. But the thickness of the walls (depth of openings) of brick buildings often exceeds 80-90 cm. Hence the main disadvantages:

The need to join panels, which negatively affects aesthetics;
Low mechanical and chemical resistance of the front surface;
Lack of maintainability.

In addition, the panels often differ in shade. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase samples from the same batch. But even then the difference can be visually noticeable. Nevertheless, this option is popular - it is worth considering the installation technology in detail.

Preparation

The purpose of these activities is to prepare the seats, as well as isolate the base bevels. If you decide to assemble slopes from PVC panels:

Remove excess mounting foam protruding beyond the plane of the window profile;
Remove dust and dirt, moisten the surface;
Cover the cracks and gaps (if any) on the surface of the base bevels with cement plaster;
If space allows, install sheet insulation - polystyrene foam or penoplex;
Fill the remaining gaps with foam.

Attention! An important condition is waterproofing all surfaces of the light opening. If there are through gaps “to the street”, they must be covered with moisture-resistant material. For example, cement plaster reinforced with the addition of liquid glass.

Installation of sheathing and panels

In cases where the dimensions of the opening are significantly wider than the window structure (by 5-7 cm on each side), it makes sense to assemble the frame. For this purpose, a metal profile or a wooden block (slat) is used. If you want to use a metal profile, and we are talking about a standard window (1.5*1.7 m), you will need:

Guide profile PN 27 * 28 * 3000 – 2 pcs.;
Rack profile PS 27 * 60 * 3000 – 2 pcs.;
Starting U-shaped profile (SP) 8 or 10 mm * 3000mm – 3 pcs.;
Straight perforated hangers – 12 pcs.;
Universal self-tapping screws “bugs” * 10 mm (black, with a small flat head) – 20 pcs.;
Sharp self-tapping screws with a metal press washer * 13 mm (galvanized) – 50 pcs.;
Dowel-nail 6 * 40 mm – 30 pcs.;
Concrete drill 6 * 110 mm – 1 (2) pcs.;
Polyurethane foam 2 - 3 cylinders.

Attach a square to the edge of the window profile to “beat off” a perpendicular line on the surface of the window sill. Make a mark with a pencil and measure the distance from this line to the base bevel. Three measurements - at the beginning, in the center and at the end - are enough. Measure the distance from the line to the edge of the window sill board. If it is less than 2 - 3 cm, the window sill will have no “ears” (parts that extend into the walls on the sides). Then:

Screw the SP to the front side of the window profile (along the edges) around the entire perimeter and to the window sill along the drawn line, using self-tapping screws.
Fix the two outer hangers - left and right for the top, bottom and top - for the sides. Place them near the inside edge of the base base.
Secure the guide profile at the same time as adjusting it with hangers. For the top - horizontally, for the sides - vertically.
Insert pieces of the rack profile into the PN, placing them 40 - 50 cm horizontally and fixing them to the SP. 3 – 4 racks are enough for one side.
Strengthen the rack profile with hangers (one for each piece), drilling them to the base bevel.

If the dimensions of the opening do not allow the installation of such a structure, you will have to make do with an SP around the perimeter of the window. Further installation of the panels then becomes a little more complicated. In any case, the work steps will be as follows:

Measure the dimensions of the upper slope - width and length - at several points. Most often the result is a rectangle, although there is also a trapezoid.
Cut the part by running a knife along its “face” several times, then breaking it and cutting the rough side.
Insert the part into the upper starting profile. If it is tight (this is good), “tuck” the panel with a square or the sharp edge of a spatula.
Lay the foam in layers of 3-5 cm. Compact the vertical parts from bottom to top. Remember - there should be no voids between the window foam, the street and the back side of the plastic. At the same time, watch out for the expansion of fresh foam - it will easily push through the panels.
In the case of a full sheathing, screw the panels to the profile using a “lock tenon” or directly through. Make sure that the screws are covered with the finishing corner. If there is no frame, you will have to adjust the level by inserting spacers and fix the part with tape.

Finishing is the installation of F-profiles or finishing corners. Their width is chosen so as to cover screws, foam, and wall flaws. The corners are glued to liquid nails, securing them with tape, and the F-profile is simply snapped into place.

F-profile and its installation

Installing slopes on wooden windows

If the windows in the house are made of wood, then it is recommended to use wooden slopes, preferably from a similar species as the frame. It is better to fasten the slope on the second day after installing the window. This will allow the foam to harden, and it will not have time to collapse.

Types of plastic slopes for wooden windows

To work you need to prepare:

Primer.
Knife.
Screwdriver.
Self-tapping screws.
Platband made of wood.

The size of the slope should be taken in advance in order to prepare the platband according to the taken parameters. Next, the remaining foam is removed and the wall is primed. After this, you should secure the slope using self-tapping screws. You can also use MDF or plasterboard systems for wooden windows, on which you can install cork oak. The sound insulation of this material is excellent, but the cost is high and the structure is soft, due to which damage can be caused very easily. In general, internal slopes on wooden windows can be anything, especially if you compare photos on the Internet.

Knowing how to insulate a slope yourself, how to make a slope on windows made of plastic and other materials, you can decorate your home by spending a little time and money. Such repairs are carried out by analogy with a street slope, so the question of how to make a slope on windows from the street automatically disappears. The only thing that is required is laying a vapor barrier.

How installation depends on the selected material

Plaster for slopes.

We can say that this is an old finishing method. Plaster is cheap and not very difficult to apply. But she has too many negative qualities.

It cracks, crumbles, and changes color quite quickly. With a sufficiently strong physical impact, for example, subsidence of a wall, it may completely fall off.

The period for finishing a slope with plaster is calculated in weeks. The reason for this is the need for the material to dry. Since plastering is done in several layers, sometimes with a mesh between them, you need to wait until each layer is completely dry. Then prime and paint.

Plaster will not protect against heat loss and condensation of drops on the windows. And without the necessary skills, there is a risk of making the surface crooked.

Drywall for slopes.

Drywall already scores more points than plaster. It will last longer and is stronger. And if you supplement the material with mineral wool for insulation, good heat retention will appear.

But the big disadvantage of the material is its hostile relationship with water. It is absolutely suitable for external work. And there should also be no high humidity in the premises.

The need for additional treatment with primer and paint is not in favor of drywall. Manufacturing and installation also take a lot of time and require skills.

Photo gallery of finished works

Why plastic?

Finishing window slopes inside with plastic is a universal solution that is currently becoming increasingly popular. This material is used for indoor and outdoor work. The fact is that such a product has excellent technical characteristics, which are as follows:

Easy to install. If you compare the surface covering process with other options, its advantages will immediately become noticeable. Finishing windows with your own hands does not require any special skills; the main thing is to understand the basic principle and follow the rules.
Durability. Indeed, this material has an excellent service life. If installed correctly, plastic slopes will last for many years. The only thing that can happen is that you get tired of this coating.
Easy to care for. Modern versions of the material do not require special conditions. They are quite resistant to any detergents and do not absorb odors and dirt. Of course, this does not mean that strong chemicals can be used for washing. Everything has its own measure.
No impact from moisture. Finishing slopes with plastic avoids destruction. The fact is that metal-plastic windows often contribute to the appearance of condensation. This leads to the fact that gypsum or plaster options quickly become unusable.
Availability. The material has a price that will be affordable for anyone who wants to install slopes on windows with their own hands.

Plastic panels for slopes have good technical characteristics.
Of course, if you set a goal, you can find some disadvantages of such a product, but they are completely offset against the background of the advantages.