Window sills – how to choose the finishing touch of your windows?

Window sills are an important part of the window, as they greatly affect their appearance. The window sill is the place where people arrange flower pots or other items thus making it a special nook which adds to the homey feeling in any house. The market offers a wide variety of window sills made of different materials. When choosing a window sill need to understand that it is important not only appearance. The window sill must work with your interior and at the same time you need to remember that it is also part of the window construction. You need to consider the material, quality, durability and reliability of the window sill, the size of the windows and the openings.

 

How to choose the best material for out window sills?

 

Nowadays window sills are made of a variety of materials and each one has benefits and drawbacks, each of them has different characteristics, value, and service life and may differ on a whole set of other characteristics. Therefore, each material has to be considered with care and attention. The most popular materials for the manufacture of window sills are wood, stone, plastic, tile, MDF and particleboard. We shall have a close look at their characteristics, pros and cons and of course, appearance.

Pros and cons of wooden window sills

Wooden window sills – this is an excellent choice for your windows. Wood was the main material in house construction for ages and even today, with the presence of modern materials, wooden window sills do not lose their popularity. Wood offers an exclusive high quality, great thermal insulation properties and the most popular wood species are solid oak, larch, cherry, ash, chestnut, maple, mahogany and beech. When you are looking for a more affordable option a window sill made of pine wood is a good solution. Wooden window sills are environmentally friendly and harmless, very durable, especially if you choose species like oak or larch which are very hard.

Wood has many other advantages. We cannot underestimate the positive effect of natural materials on human health. Wooden window sills will not cause allergies, they aid the natural ventilation, normal humidity level. Wood species like pine, for example have natural antiseptic properties. The visual appeal of wood is amazing and one of the greatest advantages of wood is that it can be used in every design style. The different wood species have different texture and grain and when you want a unique aesthetic, character and individuality in your interior design, wood is always the best choice.

One of the main disadvantages of wooden window sills is the poor moisture resistance. Wood needs constant maintenance and special treatment to protect it against rot, mold and fungi. Window sills made of wood should be protected from mechanical damage as they may dent from heavy objects. The high price tag of natural wood is also something to be taken into account. Nowadays, the market offers materials like MDF or particleboard, but they swell when in contact with moisture.

 

Pros and cons of PVC window sills

PVC window sills are the most common choice and those are produced by many manufacturers and they offer a wide variety of width, color, finishes and other characteristics. You can choose pre-fab models or order any any shape, color and size given the overall interior of the room and window decoration. Without any doubt, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), as material, does not have the properties of natural materials like wood and stone, it is not environmentally friendly, but has its advantages. The major advantage of PVC window sills is the the resistance to moisture and temperature extremes, chemical cleaning agents, durability and mechanical strength. The range of colors and finishes on the market and the customization options guarantee that you will be able to find the right window sill which will work with your existing interior. The maintenance of PVC sills is very easy and they can be cleaned with a damp cloth or ordinary home cleaning products. Make sure that they are not abrasive as abrasive cleaners can damage the surface. The attractive price is another serious factor for the popularity of PVC windows and sills. They are affordable but you have to be careful as not all products are of high quality.

 

Pros and cons of stone window sills

Stone window sills add a touch of luxury to the interior and are the most durable option. They practically last forever and offer the benefits of stone – natural or artificial stone. Granite, limestone, marble, slate – you can choose from many options with the knowledge that these products are natural, they look good, they are resistant to moisture and fire. Stone window sills resist damage from sunlight and retain their beautiful appearance for years requiring relatively little maintenance. However, they do not have heat insulating properties and can be quite expensive. The installation can be quite difficult and due to the heavy weight most people prefer to choose PVC options that mimic the appearance of a stone.

Granite window sills are popular for the wide variety of options in terms of color and appearance. Granite is the most popular natural stone and granite window sills are known for their durability, special strength and resistance to chemical and atmospheric influences. Granite is resistant to humidity and spilled water or condensation from the windows will not cause any damage. In terms of color options granite is offered in a variety of colors – black, white, pink, gray, blue-gray, red, orange, green, etc.

Marble window sills look amazingly beautiful and we usually see them in kitchens and bathrooms as a complement to the marble countertop or sink top. Marble is resistant to both high and low temperatures and in addition, it is durable and easy to process. The noble look of marble and the variety of colors of the veining – blue, pink, green, red, yellow, brown and even black – make it especially design friendly. However marble is more fragile than granite and can be damaged by acidic liquids or stained by food – stains from coffee, fruit juices and grease are almost impossible to remove.

Window sills made of artificial stone are a good option as they have excellent characteristics. Corian is especially popular not only for countertops, but as a window sill material. The main advantages of window sills made of artificial stone are the high thermal insulation and moisture resistance, the wide range of sizes, shapes and colors. One of the most important considerations that you need to keep in mind, if you choose artificial stone, is that it is susceptible to mechanical damage and scratches.

 

Pros and cons of tile window sills

Tile window sills are a good option for kitchen windows and bathroom windows. Glass, ceramic, granite or concrete tiles – when installed on a window sill, their properties are more or less similar. Tile is moisture and sunlight resistant, very easy to clean and maintain.In addition to that, the price of tile is affordable and when you are on a budget, this is an important consideration. Tiles come in numerous colors, patterns and designs and you can use the tiles that you chose for your kitchen backsplash or bathroom walls to decorate your window sill. Mosaic tile or tile with beautiful patterns can transform a window into a work of art. The price of tile will depend on the quality and the manufacturer but compared with alternative options tile window sills are probably the most inexpensive way to add style and visual appeal to the windows.

 

How to choose the best window sill?

In this article we focus your attention to interior window sills. We pointed out the advantges and disadvantages of the most popular materials, so that you can carefully consider which one is best for you. When choosing your window sills you have to make sure that they match the architectural design of your house. While the main function of windows is to let in light, the window sill can be a part of the interior, even a furniture piece if you transform it into a seating space, a bench or into a clever storage space. The color of the window sill can work harmoniously with the overall color concept in the room but you can use the opportunity to introduce an accent color in a monochrome room and make the windows a focal point. Before buying or ordering custom made window sills for your home, read as much as possible for the material, the manufacturer and the competence of the craftsmen that will install the sills in your home. Remember that the cheapest is not necessarily the best option as you may not expect the best quality at a low price.