Interior and exterior window sills. What is worth knowing before installation?

Window sills are most often installed when windows are replaced. They fulfill the protective and decorative function. What is worth knowing before installing external and internal window sills?

What is worth knowing about internal window sills?

Interior windowsills are installed on the inner side of the windows. Their main task is to stop dust rising from above the radiator and the mixing of hot and cold air. Lack of window sills is not a mistake, but it is difficult to imagine living without them.

What materials can be used to make an interior window sill?

The material for the interior window sill should be selected according to the purpose of the room. For the bathroom, laundry room or kitchen, it is worth choosing window sills made of water-resistant materials. The most popular materials for window sills are:

• stone – natural stone for making window sills are granite and marble;
• marble conglomerate – a combination of synthetic resin and marble aggregate. Such window sills are cheaper and less absorbable than marble ones;
• synthetic stone – looks like marble and granite but is much lighter than them;
• composite – resistant to impacts but very easy to scratch;
• ceramic tiles;
• wood – boards or glued wood, require regular impregnation;
• PVC – the most popular, comes in different colors;
• acrylic – acrylic mass with fillers;
• laminate.

Interior windowsills are a very important element of interior design. They should not be exposed. They should match the style of the interior.

What is worth knowing about exterior window sills?

Exterior window sills are placed on the outside of the windows. Their main task is to protect the wall from excessive wetting during rainfall. Thanks to them water flows freely to the soil. A properly installed window sill should protect the contact area between the window frame and the building wall from water, ensuring tightness of the window.

What materials can be used to make an exterior window sill?

The most popular materials for making exterior window sills are:

• sheet metal – the most common are galvanized and powder coated steel sills. They are the cheapest. They can be covered with a decorative veneer;
• aluminum – sills are more durable than steel ones;
• PVC – window sills can be solid or chambered (they provide better thermal insulation). They can be made of foamed PVC or hard PVC. They come in different colors;
• stone – most often granite window sills are made, which are long lasting and very good looking;
• ceramics – ceramic or clinker tiles, very durable;
• wood – requires regular maintenance and impregnation.

What kind of exterior window sill will be the best?

Exterior window sills should be nice and durable. Therefore, the best solution will be ceramic or stone window sills – they are the most expensive. Cheap external window sills made of sheet metal can serve for many years, as long as they are regularly maintained. If the house has two-layer walls, it is not allowed to use heavy window sills, e.g. made of stone or brick.

External window sills should also match the color of the window joinery. A white exterior window sill fits best with white windows, but it is impractical – it requires frequent cleaning. Therefore, sills are worth matching the color of the roof or facade.

Main photo: Vlada Karpovich.pexels.com