Plastic window sills (PVC window sill). Narrow window sill? No problem! Expanding horizons! How to make the window sill wider in the apartment

Currently, many people, especially flower growers and gardeners, are not satisfied with narrow window sills in apartments.

There are two options for solving this problem:

1. The first option is the installation of a new plastic window (double-glazed window) with a plastic window sill. A significant drawback in this case is that the size of the window sill will not increase much, but only by about 10 centimeters.
2. The second option is to build an existing window sill yourself. It has an almost indisputable advantage, since in this case its dimensions depend only on the preferences of the owner of the premises.

How to grow a window sill

When building a window sill on your own, first of all, you need to carefully measure its length, depth and width.

Next, you should purchase all the necessary materials, which include a board of the right size, nails, screws, self-tapping screws, special brackets and corners for them, as well as several longer holders - brackets for the eaves.

It should be noted that the building process largely depends on the material from which the window sill is made. If it is wooden, you need to make a special groove in the front part, and cut a scallop of the appropriate size from the edge of the prepared board. Next, 3-4 brackets should be screwed to the bottom of the window sill, each of which should be held on at least three screws, and the board should be attached to the brackets, driving the comb tightly into the groove. To increase the strength of this design, it can also be attached with brackets to the wall on the sides.

Often the window sill is undeservedly left without attention. But it can become a beautiful and functional addition to the interior. For example, turn into a bookshelf, a place to relax or a convenient storage system. We have collected a lot of creative and quite affordable ideas for any interior that will help you use the windowsill wisely.

1. Place to read

Sometimes it's nice to spend time with your favorite book. Do not rush anywhere and do not fuss. It is best to sit by the window, as natural light is the most favorable for this process. And in this case, the window sill will be the most suitable place.

A wide, strong window sill has every chance of becoming a comfortable seating area. At the same time, it is good to equip the tabletop itself with a soft floor cushion and surround it with decorative counterparts. In the cold season, a blanket or a fluffy skin will not be superfluous here.

If the window sill is not suitable for sitting, then it will turn out to be used for other purposes. For example, put books on it, and if there is no heating radiator below, then make comfortable shelves under the windowsill and put the entire book collection on them.

4. Storage systems

Not only books can be stored under the windowsill. It will perfectly accommodate small drawers, which can also be made by hand or ordered from a carpentry workshop. They are convenient to hide seasonal items, shoes, first aid kit, tools - everything that needs to be removed from sight.

5. Workplace

Another way to functionally use the window sill is to equip a workplace on it. The standard width of the surface allows you to safely place a laptop, a lamp, a notepad and a stand for pencils and pens on it. A chair for such a home office should be selected according to the height of the windowsill so that it is comfortable to work behind it. If the countertop is high, then it would be appropriate to pick up a bar stool under it.

6. Place for decorative display

When there are enough storage systems in the interior, there is a place for rest, reading and work, then the window sill is quite suitable for placing a decorative exposition. At any time of the year, freshly cut flowers will refresh the interior well, which can even be put in simple transparent jars or bottles.

The balcony has long ceased to be a utility room and a receptacle for unnecessary trash. Today it is a stylish extra room or a well-appointed space for a recreation area, workshop, study. Glazing and insulation are the basis of a future comfortable balcony or loggia. Plastic windows and balcony glazing frames look complete thanks to the installed window sills. The choice and installation of the window sill will be discussed.

Plastic window sills

Glossy plastic window sill

PVC products are perfectly combined and mated during installation with any metal-plastic window profiles. Their popularity depends on the following properties and performance characteristics:

• The possibility of lamination with a durable decorative film of various colors and textures, which retains a presentable appearance for decades, and small mechanical impacts do not leave scratches and chips on it.
• The material does not rot, does not fade on the sunny side, resistant to temperature extremes, low temperatures and high humidity.
• Plastic window sills are easy to maintain, do not need periodic painting and are durable under normal operating conditions.
• Internal stiffening ribs provide a rather light product with high strength.
• The division of the internal volume into cavities increases the thermal insulation properties of the window sill.
• The material of the product does not support combustion and is difficult to ignite.
• Dismantling and installation is carried out without special tools.
• Environmental friendliness.

Having chosen a window sill made of plastic, you need to remember that it is impossible to repair it after a dent or a punched hole has appeared on the surface. The issue is resolved by a complete replacement of the product.

Plastic window sill can be selected in various colors and textures

Wooden window sills

Wood products always look natural, stylish and cozy. The type of wood and the degree of its drying are the main indicators that affect the quality of the resulting window sill. Solid wood - oak, beech, larch and others - is used to create a solid window sill. Its luxurious texture will be emphasized by special wax, and oils and impregnations will protect against moisture, microorganisms, and the possibility of fire.

To reduce the cost of production, the technology for the production of bonded glued panels from bars (lamellas) of cheaper breeds allows. In this way, window sills of various shapes and sizes are made. Their strength is almost twice as high as that of solid wood products from the same species.

Disadvantages of wooden window sills- the possibility of swelling, cracking, exposure to temperature changes, fear of direct sunlight, fading of coatings in the sun, the need for careful constant care.

Window sills from chipboard and MDF

The material of the products is wood chips, which are pressed and covered with a reliable layer of laminate. Window sills of this type can be classified as a class of wooden products, but they differ significantly in the following characteristics:

• more rigid and durable;
• retain their shape and original dimensions under the influence of external factors;
• resistant to heat and moisture;
• a wide choice of texture and color options;
• ease of care (it is desirable to exclude the use of abrasive cleaners);
• lower cost.

Marble and granite window sills

marble window sill

These are the most common types of natural stone used for the manufacture of window sills. They always look rich, solid, textured. The main advantages of stone products:

• durability while maintaining a beautiful original appearance;
• homogeneity of the material;
• environmental friendliness;
• increased strength;
• organic compatibility with various finishing materials;
• resistance to peak temperatures and their sharp jumps;
• hygiene;
• variety of textures of various colors and shades;
• care practicality.

Of the minuses, we note the following:

• Large weight, which limits the use on remote balconies and balconies with a lightweight parapet.
• High price.

Granite window sill

Window sills made of artificial stone

The basis of the material is mineral fillers bound into a monolith with polymer resins and tinted with a dye in the desired shade. Artificial stone is cheaper, but looks rich, like natural. Window sills made of it are durable, not afraid of shock loads, resistant to chemical attack. A small minus is poor resistance to abrasive cleaning. For them, it is recommended to use special polishes.

Marking, trimming window sill blanks

Having picked up the material, color or decorative finish of the future window sill, we proceed to the main work. At the first stage, the marking and cutting of the workpiece for the window sill is carried out. Its length corresponds to the length of the installed frame. For a linear window sill along the window frame, cut the workpiece along the marking with a perpendicular cut. If the future design will go around the perimeter of the front and sides of the parapet along a broken line, more careful marking of the window sill will be required, taking into account the angles at which the segments of the workpieces connected into a single whole will be located to each other.

To determine the width, measure the distance from the glazing frame to the inner edge of the opening (for the loggia) or parapet. If it is planned to place shelves or cabinets under the windowsill, measure the distance to the edge of the frame (for shelves) or the edge of the hinged door (for cabinets). To the value obtained, add 2-3 cm, on which the window sill will wind up under the frame during installation, and 5-8 cm - the amount of release (canopy). The size of the canopy is selected taking into account the economy of balcony space. A large window sill outlet will prevent the proper circulation of warm air, which does not allow the formation of condensate on the double-glazed windows. The desired thickness of the window sill is selected at the stage of purchasing a production blank.

You can cut a wooden and PVC window sill with a jigsaw, a saw with a fine tooth, a grinder (a special cutting wheel is needed for wood). While working, control the speed of movement of the tool and the force applied to it to obtain smooth edges without scratches, cracks and chips.

Window sill installation

You need to prepare for the installation of the window sill. To install a PVC product, by the way, a U-shaped plastic profile screwed under the bottom of the frame will come in handy. The longitudinal end of the trimmed window sill blank will be inserted into it.

The location of the profile is set strictly horizontal, without sagging (depending on the distance between the fasteners). To give rigidity to a long window sill, substrates made of wooden bars are used. They are laid every 25-30 cm on the parapet or frame under the window sill and fastened with screws or cement mortar. The length of the bars should not reach the edge of the opening or frame 1-2 cm.

Also, plastic wedges can be used instead of bars.

Under a window sill with a large offset, or on which significant static loads will be applied during operation, several support brackets must be installed. They will take on a significant part of the total load.

After the preparation, a window sill is installed.

Important! Before starting the PVC window sill board under the window, special decorative plugs are fixed on its ends.

The panel is carefully inserted into a pre-fixed U-shaped profile or is wound under the frame and fastened. Knock the window sill to the junction with the frame with gentle blows through the guide so as not to damage the surface of the material. The installation of the board is carried out with maintaining an inclination (no more than 3-4 degrees) towards the room to prevent the accumulation of possible condensate. At this stage, we get a window sill installed and lying on substrates made of wooden bars.

Now it's time to tackle the tide. When its installation is completed, they fill the gaps and gaps between the window sill and the parapet (if it is concrete or brick), or with a frame designed for shelves, cabinets, and insulation devices with mounting foam.

Before this, the installed part is securely fixed and bursting so that the pressure of the foam cannot lift or deform it.

You can put something heavy on the windowsill itself

The fastening of narrow balcony window sills is carried out by mounting them on a building or special adhesive solution. With this method, specially installed spacers act as a press.

It is advisable to entrust the installation of stone window sills to specialists from a specialized company. Without the experience of such work, any miscalculation can be very expensive.

The video shows two methods for installing a window sill:

The nuances of the choice and installation of window sills

1. Matte and rough plastic is better than glossy, suitable for use on the balcony. It hides the ubiquitous dust and minor scratches on its surface.
2. A wooden window sill requires competent protection against dampness; it is better to install it on an insulated balcony.
3. For massive window sills made of artificial or natural stone, a reliable parapet base is required - concrete, brick. Such products are more suitable for use on loggias.
4. Due to the large overall length of the balcony frame, support brackets are required for the window sill. A wooden or metal (from a profile) frame for insulation can cope with their role.
5. The choice of the width and material of the future window sill should also take into account its additional functionality and expected loads - use as a shelf or countertop.
6. Unlike a loggia, it is better not to additionally load the base plate of a remote balcony. This factor must also be taken into account when choosing the material of the window sill.
7. When installing a window sill made of wood, MDF or chipboard, the places of its contact with the wall are laid with any convenient waterproofing material.
8. The remote design of the glazing, which extends outside the perimeter of the balcony parapet, allows you to install a wide window sill (up to 40 cm) and at the same time not occupy the usable area of ​​the room.
9. Do not remove the protective film from the window sill board until the installation work is completed. This will protect the surface of the product from chips and scratches.

The window sill in the traditional sense is boring and impartial. Its narrow surface, at best, is perceived as a stand for house plants, at worst - as an unfortunate misunderstanding that hides precious "squares". And rarely does anyone think that, by increasing its size, it is possible to make the window sill a multifunctional home improvement item.

In the West, they have long learned to transform ordinary window sills into sofas, tables and other interior elements. One has only to turn on your imagination, and the boring extension of the window from a useless piece of plastic turns into a cozy corner for tea drinking - when the window sill expands and becomes a table, or into a compact library - when it continues with bookcases, or a stylish podium, or ... About these very "or" we will tell in this article.

From the living space of tiny small apartments, in which literally every centimeter is expensive, it is so pitiful and painful to throw out the whole wall reserved for the window. Meanwhile, it is quite possible to make this space useful and functional. Narrow walls can be equipped with bookcases, and the window sill itself can be turned into a cozy philosophical corner.

The window sill belonging to the panoramic window may well become the main space-forming element of interior design. In this version, it is he who will act as a trendsetter and style setter in the premises under his jurisdiction.

It is not necessary to hide the window sill behind the curtains. After all, it can become a logical and natural continuation of the general decoration of the living space. Expressed in the same style with the interior, it will become its integral part, from which the ideal whole is ultimately constructed.

The window sill should be always and everywhere, no matter what the shape and style of the window or the room itself. You won't find a lighter, more comfortable and necessary corner in the whole house.

The feeling of integrity and unity without a well-designed window sill would not be complete enough. In this idyllic picture, each subject has its own, of course, the main role. Smooth flow of lines and well-placed accents create a unique image of the interior itself.

A wide window sill is a real panacea for a cramped children's room for a large family. Properly and concisely designed, it can easily cope with the role of a cozy bed. Just don't forget to warm it well so that your kids don't catch a cold.

Another example of the functional organization of space near the window. The narrow window sill in this case has grown to the size of two beds. Miracles of ergonomics at its best, the idea is simple and logical, and its implementation is comfortable and compact.

If the arrangement of an open veranda still remains at the level of long-term projects, and you don’t want to part with the landscape even for lunch, then such a window sill can be a real salvation for you. Stylized as a large and comfortable bench adjacent to the kitchen, it will not interfere with your communication with the beautiful.

To turn an ordinary window sill into a comfortable place to relax, sometimes a couple of pillows and a fluffy blanket are enough. A voluminous mug will complete a picture that embodies home comfort, and a home flower will help you relax after a hard day's work.

And yet there is never too much white in interior design. Surprisingly gentle, evoking the most romantic thoughts and evoking vague associations, he is able to push the walls of any, even the cramped room. Complemented by panoramic windows, from which the pearl light stream enters the very depths of the room, the wide window sills silently invite you to sit on them and enjoy the unique views both inside the living room and outside it.

Without such a window sill, even a rich landscape will lose a particle of its significance. A standard plastic extension of the window would look wild and incomprehensible here, like an aborigine in a loincloth under a snow-covered Christmas tree. Forms flow from one to another so naturally that they form a single whole, competent and complete.

Unfortunately, not everyone has a country house where it is so pleasant and joyful to spend the weekend. So why not create at least the illusion of warmth and multicolor outside the window? Invite summer into your home by planting a real flower bed on your windowsill. Or act like a more rational hostess and plant future tomatoes, peppers and eggplants on it. Here, the plants will definitely receive the right portion of natural light and prepare to please the owners with abundant harvests in the beds and in greenhouses.

Surely each of us in childhood dreamed of such a window sill. Sitting comfortably on it, it’s so great to watch passers-by and it’s so fun to open your mouth when mom tries to surprise you with the actions or landscapes unfolding outside the window in order to feed you semolina.

Such a window sill will become a recognized and beloved center of home comfort. Indeed, the owners have invested the soul of their home in its improvement, and it is immediately felt!

In the struggle for the quality of life, all means are good. Even the rejection of the standard window sill.

The window sill in a small kitchen is like a bike path for a motorist in a traffic jam. In ordinary life and in a spacious kitchen, he has every right to be empty, but on a tiny one, every centimeter counts. How to use the window sill in the kitchen? What nuances can arise during the "reorientation" of the window sill? And what non-standard ideas for re-arranging the window sill exist?

1. Window sill in the kitchen as a work area

How to make a countertop instead of a window sill in the kitchen depends on the repair budget and the dimensions of the kitchen. Let's start with the last one.

The standard height of the headset (and its countertops) is 85 cm. But sometimes it is made higher due to height-adjustable legs and an enlarged plinth. The correct height of the working area is 15 cm from the bent elbow. Keep this in mind when ordering food.

So, if the height of the window sill is approximately equal to the height of the countertop plus or minus a couple of centimeters, we simply continue the work area along the window. The battery at the bottom can be left open.

Advice: Consider the width of the slopes when choosing a countertop that you plan to mount instead of a window sill. And pay special attention to their material.

It is important that the countertop does not get wet from condensation on the window, the end must be protected from moisture penetration. But if the wall is “wet” and also freezes through, do not use a chipboard countertop as a window sill. Better take an artificial stone.

If the window sill is higher than the countertop

In this case, the “riser” between the top and bottom countertops is usually decorated with tiles or covered with a plinth, depending on the design of the kitchen.
They make a wide window sill from the same material as the countertop, and use it as an additional shelf.

If the window sill is left in its original version, it is cut to the width of the slope.
In the example in the photo, a height difference was used to insert ventilation grilles to circulate warm air from the radiators.

If the window sill is lower than the countertop

The most obvious is to brick part of the window opening and order a smaller window. But this solution is only suitable for a private house. If the house is an apartment building, you will break the law by changing the architectural appearance of the building.

Of course, if the kitchen window overlooks a glazed balcony, the changes in the facade will not be noticeable. But in any case, it will not be easy to agree on such changes, which means that in the future there may be problems with updating the registration certificate and selling the apartment. In addition, you will worsen the insolation of the room.

The easiest option on the technical side is to build a kitchen line on top of the window sill, leaving 10-15 cm so that you can open the sash for ventilation. The "groove" between kitchen furniture and window glass can be filled with potted plants. Although this is not the most ergonomic option, but the most economical. You do not have to change the double-glazed window and go for tricks with furniture. However, in this case, the window will not fully open. This will make it difficult to wash plus worsen fire safety.

If you were going to change windows anyway, you can order a double-glazed window with a horizontal impost (frame element) at the level of the countertop. The window will look like in this photo, only the horizontal lintel and the edge of the countertop will match. Part of the glazing will be under the countertop. If you have cabinets there, it's okay, but you can organize open shelves with natural lighting.

The advantages of this solution are that you do not interfere with the facade, the window opens, there are no gaps. Minus - the amount of sunlight is reduced.

Finally, you can beat the height difference, as they did in the project in the photo. The working area at the window is lowered to the level of the window sill. Cooking there is not too inconvenient, but it is quite possible to arrange storage areas and some kitchen appliances. At what height the microwave, toaster and kettle are not so important, but they take up a lot of space. The height difference is played with a colored countertop.

In this project, only a part of the working area with a sink and cabinets was organized by the window. The other part was combined with a stove and taken out to the island (or you could just put it in line with the opposite wall). Since the surfaces do not join, the height difference is imperceptible. Of course, the location of the sink away from the stove is not very ergonomic, but in this case the distance is small.

What to do with the battery

A full-fledged countertop instead of a window sill in the kitchen also implies the arrangement of cabinets under it. In this case, you need to figure out what to do with the battery. Closing it is not recommended - it is harmful to nearby furniture, in addition, it affects the temperature in the kitchen.

Free air circulation is required around the battery. This means that holes must be provided in the countertop, plinth and / or in the doors. Cold air should flow to the battery, and warm air should rise calmly. The window sill in the kitchen with a photo has a convection grate.

Advice: if pipes and batteries remain in sight, you can not hide or transfer them, but on the contrary, highlight them with color - make them an accent detail.

A popular option for solving the problem with a battery is lattice or louvered doors that do not interfere with air exchange. However, keep in mind that even a half-closed battery will heat the kitchen worse. If you have trouble with heating, consider moving the battery to another wall, an additional radiator or underfloor heating.

Formally, battery transfer is an operation that requires a project and even a thermal calculation. In fact, if you do not change the number of sections, the consent of the management company will be sufficient. Without it, nothing can be done anyway - they will have to turn off the riser and drain the water. Therefore, batteries are usually changed in the summer. Do not transfer the battery to an adjacent loggia - this is prohibited. The transfer of the battery from under the window automatically implies the insulation of the window sill. Especially if there is a refrigerator.

In the photo - another window sill-countertop in the kitchen of a small area, where the problem of spreading warm air is elegantly solved. Plywood facades with large perforations close the storage area and at the same time do not interfere with air circulation.