Installation of window sills is an important stage of construction, which simultaneously ensures comfort and safety in rooms for various functional purposes. Thanks to well-chosen geometric parameters and high-quality installation, the window sill board fully satisfies the required indicators for strength, reliability and durability, maintaining its original technological characteristics throughout the entire operational period.
Currently, concrete window sills are becoming increasingly popular because, in addition to their high strength and reliability, they are distinguished by a wide variety of geometry and textures to suit every taste.
- What document regulates the installation of window sill slabs?
- What should be the height/distance of the window sill from the floor?
- How long should the window sill be?
- How far should it protrude from the wall?
- How to choose the right width?
- How deep should the window sill be?
- What thickness?
- What should the slope of the window sill be according to GOST?
- What should be the installation of a window sill according to GOST: video
How to calculate correctly
When calculating the level of the window sill, you should take into account the area of the room and windows. In old apartments, the latter are located at a distance of 0.9 m from the flooring. New buildings are often distinguished by panoramic glazing at a height of about 25 cm from the floor base. With this position of the window opening, the usual protrusion is absent.
When arranging a window sill, it is important to take care of the safety of residents (especially small children and the elderly). It is also necessary to remember about the convenience of using usable space:
- In the living room and bedroom, pay attention to the dimensions of the radiators and openings. It is allowed to mount a wide model if the distance to the flooring is 0.85 m.
- In the kitchen, the height to the window sill should correspond to the location of the countertop (usually 85 cm).
- In the nursery, it is important to focus on safety, providing sufficient lighting, and placing a desk. The optimal value is 0.7 m.
Residential buildings built in different periods differ in the size of window openings and basic installation parameters.
A wide window sill model looks good if the distance to the floor surface is 85 Source stroy-podskazka.ru
Canons of proportions
Window systems in living rooms traditionally occupy an area 5.5–8 times less than the floor. In a room with an area of 20 m2, the window area cannot exceed 3.5 m2. For attic structures, the proportion of window and wall areas of 1:10 is acceptable. When placing other buildings or tall trees near the house, the glass filling should be increased for greater illumination. With too small window openings, the room seems dark and cramped. You can make an opening the size of the entire wall, provided it is sufficiently insulated and airtight.
Standard dimensions of window systems from manufacturers in Russia
Consider the location of window openings on the cardinal points. It is better to place living rooms on the south, southwest, southeast side. For utility rooms such as a kitchen or bathroom, it is optimal to have the northern side, where there is no bright natural light.
Living room
As a rule, a room for receiving guests occupies a significant area of housing; it often has huge window openings. But if the outside view is not entirely pleasant (parking lot, wall of a neighboring building), then modern stylish glazing is inappropriate: it is better to replace a large window with several smaller ones.
When huge windows face south, they provide too much light and can cause overheating in the hot summer. In addition, some living rooms have glass doors opening onto the balcony. They create a feeling of openness and visually increase the dimensions of the room. But such a room requires special finishing, the presence of accents, and a window sill panel of a suitable texture.
In a living room with panoramic windows, the distance from the window sill to the floor should be within 25-40 cm. The resulting gap allows you to install radiators that compensate for the considerable loss of heat through the huge window space. Additionally, it is possible to expand the panel to create a convenient place for reading and arranging flowers.
A spacious sofa-window-sill with many decorative pillows fits perfectly into the interior of a living room with a bay window; it is recommended to install it at a height of 50 cm Source dg-home.ru
Standard distance from floor to window according to GOST
Compared to artificial light, natural light does not have as much effect on the fatigue of our eyes. With improperly selected artificial lighting, the eyes quickly get tired, and the sharpness of vision begins to decrease after some time.
Unfortunately, we can only use natural light as a light source during daylight hours. It is worth noting that the uniform illumination of the living space is affected not only by the dimensions of the window opening, but also by the correctly selected height of the window placement above the floor surface.
Anyone who independently equips a private house or cottage will at some point be faced with the height of the window opening. Construction specialists in this case take into account the future location of furniture and heating systems, lighting sources or SNiP recommendations.
Modern standards do not provide specific regulations on what the distance from the floor surface to the window opening should be.
The Soviet SNiP provided for a minimum value, which today people involved in construction take as a basis when constructing a multi-story building. This indicator takes into account the dimensions of the heating system.
It is located strictly under the window opening for better regulation of heat transfer. This prevents condensation from forming on the windows, while ensuring uniform heating throughout the entire room.
Most heating systems intended for residential premises are distinguished by a height not exceeding fifty centimeters. The permissible distance when installing heating elements from the floor surface is ten centimeters, from the window sill - no less than eight centimeters.
Taking into account all the above indicators, we can conclude that the minimum distance from the floor surface to the window opening is sixty-eight centimeters. However, this value is relevant for a multi-storey residential building with standard typical characteristics.
When building in a two-story house, it is necessary to make the distance from the floor to the window according to GOST, this way it is more convenient to place furniture in the future.
Note: when designing, take into account which room is located in which direction of the world. The fact is that the time of day and time of year affect the intensity of the light flux that penetrates the house through window openings.
Considering these factors, you can either add additional lighting to the living space or deprive it of light altogether. In this regard, it is recommended to place window openings in the most sunlit areas of the wall surface.
For energy-efficient private houses, it is recommended to place window openings on the south or west side of the house, where the sun will evenly illuminate the room space. In the northern part of the house, installing windows is not recommended at all.
Children's
For children, the window sill board is usually mounted at a distance of 0.7 m from the floor base. Experts advise using a wide model to ensure sufficient lighting inside the room. In addition, it is important to equip the window with a reliable safety net.
Successful combination of the window sill with the table guarantees long-term lighting for the nursery. In addition, the window structure is often supplemented with ordinary curtains, as well as an opening blocking device.
A window sill table allows you to save space in a small children's room; its height should be about 70 cm Source pdnr.ru
How far should it protrude from the wall?
The window sill board should protrude 5-7 cm from the wall. The width of the protrusion is selected so that its edge is above the central part of the radiator. The larger protrusion blocks the heat from the battery, preventing the circulation of thermal air.
Can it be without a protrusion?
Installing a window sill without a protrusion is quite possible, based on the wishes of the customer or the specific layout of the room. But using a protruding window sill is much more rational for several reasons.
- Heat from the radiator should not flow directly to the window, otherwise there is a high probability of condensation occurring, which will lead to damage to the structure.
- The wall under the window sill is reliably protected from mechanical damage and accidental moisture.
Bedroom
The main purpose of a window in a bedroom is to provide quality ventilation. Such a functional addition as an awning allows you to leave the window opening open during rain.
In the night rest room, the windows must provide some security. According to building codes, if they are located above the second floor, they must have a certain size, as well as the height of the window sill panel. Such rules are established for fire safety.
Small window openings are the best option for a bedroom: they significantly reduce heat loss. Moreover, the level of the window sill from the floor does not matter much. For a sleeping area it is usually 0.9 m (corresponding to the average headboard of the bed).
A window sill-couch allows you to organize additional space for relaxation in the bedroom Source only-remontkvartir.ru
What should you pay special attention to?
If you have decided on the choice of colors, found out such parameters as the thickness of the window sill for plastic windows, as well as the width and length, then it’s time to pay attention to some of the nuances of their installation. To avoid quick breakdown, make sure that the structure fits slightly into the wall
This will ensure reliability and increase the already long service life. Such a window sill will support not only its own weight, but also the weight of flower pots or other things that you place on it. It will also be good if there is some support under it. This will significantly reduce the load on the plastic, thereby increasing its service life. In order to maintain aesthetic appearance and improve functionality, use plugs, which are sold in the same store as windows with window sills.
To avoid quick breakdown, make sure that the structure fits slightly into the wall. This will ensure reliability and increase the already long service life. Such a window sill will support not only its own weight, but also the weight of flower pots or other things that you place on it. It will also be good if there is some support under it. This will significantly reduce the load on the plastic, thereby increasing its service life. In order to maintain the aesthetic appearance and improve functionality, use plugs, which are sold in the same store as windows with window sills.
Remember that the window sill, the dimensions of which can also be adjusted to order, is a very important decorative element, the choice of which should be given priority attention. If we talk about the thickness of window sills for plastic windows, then always pay attention to the top and bottom walls
The top one should be at least 3 mm, and the bottom one should be at least 2.5.
How to choose a window handle, read on our website in the material “Which window handle is the best? Review of window handles."
Cabinet
The location of the window sill in such a room is tied to the furniture. A harmonious appearance of a room is obtained in cases where the top lines of windows and cabinets coincide. With a single-level placement of the window sill and tabletop, the maximum amount of natural light enters the workplace. Because of this, the desk is placed near the window opening. Its placement on the other side requires some design changes. Without changing the dimensions of the window, the window sill board can be lowered to 60 cm. The latter will help improve the lighting of dark corners.
Setting up a workspace on the windowsill is an excellent solution for owners of small apartments, where every square meter counts Source n1s1.elle.ru
Installation of a plastic corner on the slope of a plastic window
- How to attach plastic corners?
- Preparing the surface for gluing PVC corners
- Preparing a plastic corner
- Installation of plastic corners on slopes
Today, a plastic corner is the most popular decorative element for the final finishing of PVC windows.
How to properly install plastic corners with your own hands? And what are the nuances when installing plastic corners?
How to attach plastic corners?
First, we note that before directly installing the plastic corners on the windows, it is necessary to cover the corners with wallpaper, paint, etc. That is, you can start attaching them only after all finishing work has been completed.
To install a plastic corner you will need the following tools:
- assembly adhesive (liquid nails)
- masking tape (scotch tape), and in a room with high humidity - silicone sealant
- metal scissors or hacksaw
- pencil
- directly PVC corners
Finishing windows with plastic corners consists of several stages. Let's look at each of them:
Preparing the surface for gluing PVC corners
1. Remove all protruding parts: curtain nails, wallpaper, even any protrusions on the wall. To do this, knock down part of the plaster.
We cut off the wallpaper near the slope - to make it easier to tear it off if you plan a renovation
2. Remove the wallpaper from the corner of the wall. Otherwise, you will stick the plastic corner not on the wall, but on the wallpaper, which is wrong.
Cut the wallpaper to such a width that there is no gap between it and the plastic corner.
3. Degrease with a weak solvent, or so-called. white spirit that part of the window slope on which the plastic corner will be attached.
Preparing a plastic corner
1. Place the plastic corner against the wall and mark it with a pencil (on top and between the side slopes).
The first nuance: the side corners are measured after gluing the top one. And the bottom one - after installing the side ones. This makes it less likely that there will be gaps between their edges.
Sometimes the outer sides of the corners are cut off after installation
2. Carefully make cuts along the resulting marks using metal scissors. Trim the inside edges of the corners at a 90 degree angle. And the external ones are 45 degrees.
Second point: if you have any excess left on the plastic corner, cut it off with a hacksaw.
The third nuance: the corners must be strictly straight, and the width of both sides must be the same.
Kitchen
The most convenient is considered to be a window sill, which is installed at a level of 0.9 m. Most kitchen equipment has a similar height. The dining table is usually made a little lower, thanks to which it is perfectly illuminated throughout the day.
The most comfortable height of the bar counter is 110 cm. In this case, it is necessary to mount the window sill panel a few centimeters higher. When ordering glazing, it is also important to consider the ease of opening/closing the sashes. An excessively high window makes these procedures extremely uncomfortable, which is why the handles are often located at the bottom of the frame.
In the kitchen, a window sill whose height is 90 cm above the flooring is considered the most convenient Source bazazakonov.ru
The importance of proper selection
The service life of the board and the entire window depends on how correctly the calculations are made. The second reason is the aesthetics and harmony of the product with the interior of the room.
Consequences of errors
What can happen when installing a window sill with the wrong dimensions:
- The element may break quickly. If the edges do not fit into the wall, then it is difficult for such a structure to support its weight. We are no longer talking about the load.
- Condensation will appear on the wall and glass unit. This will lead to mold growth.
- Cold bridges will appear. The room temperature will drop and heating costs will increase.
- During operation, the window will begin to sag or warp. In this case, the sashes do not open well, and the window structure ceases to fulfill its function.
- When the radiator is closed, there is no ventilation, heat exchange is disrupted, the walls become moldy, and fungus appears.
Such problems can be avoided by competently calculating the size of the window sill for a plastic window.
Window sill height in a private house
For individual buildings, the position of the window sill board is not strictly standardized; it is only a recommendation. When constructing a residential building or carrying out renovation work, personal comfort should be taken into account, but remember the appearance of the facade. If window openings are placed at different levels, then from the outside they do not look very nice.
Often the position of windows is thought out during the design of the house. Their placement is considered aesthetic when there is visual harmony on the outside and inside of the building. Additionally, it is worth considering the following points:
- For windows in the bathroom, utility room, toilet, which are installed for fire safety purposes, the recommended window sill level is 1.7 m.
- It is convenient for an adult in a wheelchair to use a window sill placed at a height of about 85 cm.
- If the installation height is 0.8 m, then the upper limit of the opening should be 30 cm below the ceiling.
- In bedrooms on the ground floor, installation above one meter is considered comfortable, which provides considerable heat savings.
Independent design of window openings is a rather difficult task. It can be successfully solved only by carefully considering all existing options.
Designing a private house allows you to realize almost any design idea, limited only by financial issues Source stroy-podskazka.ru
Recommendations
Replacing heating elements yourself is often associated with a number of mistakes. How to avoid them and ensure high heat transfer of the system is indicated in the following recommendations:
- strong fastening of batteries is the key to long-term operation, therefore there should be no less than three fixation points;
- ensuring the correct horizontal level will eliminate the formation of “air jams”;
- regardless of the location of windows in corner apartments, all walls bordering the street must be equipped with radiators;
- creating a reflective screen on the wall side in the plane of the heating element will increase the useful thermal output;
- in a single-pipe wiring diagram, a bypass is installed between the pipes, in the form of a jumper between the inlet and outlet of the coolant, which will allow replacement or repair without shutting down the entire system;
- to calculate the number of heaters, taking into account that the formulas include a significant number of coefficients, it is better to use calculators on construction sites or contact specialists;
- In order to avoid conflicts with the management company when replacing central heating elements in an apartment, actions must be approved in the manner established by the collective agreement.
Do-it-yourself installation diagram
Even with completely correct installation of heating elements, owners can disrupt the heating mode themselves. Thick curtains or curtains, decorative screens, wide window sills and flowers on them reduce work efficiency by up to 20%.
In living rooms
The standard window sill height for residential premises is 70-80 cm. It fully complies with technical requirements (placement of heating batteries), provides high-quality lighting, and creates the impression of harmony. When calculating the level of the window sill, the following nuances are taken into account:
- Aesthetics. An excessively low or high installation of a window looks inharmonious - it does not correspond to the proportions of the room.
- Psychology. An incorrectly selected window opening level causes residents to feel discomfort.
- Safety. A low window sill often causes someone to fall out of a window. This is especially true in cases where small children, people with disabilities, and poor vision live in the building.
An ill-considered height of the window sill from the floor may subsequently turn out to be unacceptable. To avoid the latter, it is important to consider all factors in advance.
For living rooms, the standard window sill height is in the range of 70-80 cm, which meets the basic technical requirements Source img.okna.ua
SNiP requirements
First of all, you need to know that the window sill height standard is not regulated by the requirements of Russian SNIP. However, in this matter, it is customary to focus on the requirements of Soviet SNIP , in which this value is defined in a very specific way; in any case, there is a minimum value.
The calculation is based on the size of the heating radiators, the height of which is
50 cm.
The height of the radiator above the floor must be at least 10 cm, and the distance between the top point of the radiator and the window sill must be at least 8 cm.
Thus, the minimum installation height of the window sill will be 68 cm, but in practice the window sill is located slightly higher, about 75-80 cm.
Find out how to clean a PVC window sill from dirt in our article.
In utility rooms
For non-residential rooms, the level of window sill boards is selected based on their purpose and furniture features. In such cases, windows are first provided to ensure adequate lighting. External aesthetic appearance is taken into account last.
For bathrooms and toilets, the recommended height of the window sill is 1.8 m. This allows the wall to be used for placing mirrors and shelves with all kinds of equipment.
Similar requirements apply to window sill panels on balconies, workshops, and storage rooms. They should not take up usable space.
What thickness?
The thickness of window sill boards is, first of all, determined by their functional use and directly depends on the chosen material of manufacture. For example, wooden window sills are usually assembled from glued panels and have a thickness of at least 28 mm, hollow plastic ones - 20-25 mm (and together with the “nose” protrusion - 30-40 mm), and concrete ones - 30-70 mm (depending on the length of the product).
The LOBAS company produces window sill boards from high-strength reinforced fiber concrete of any size. Standard sizes of window sills: 800x300x70 mm, 1300x450x45 mm, 1450x450x45 mm, 1500x330x40 mm, 1500x600x60 mm, 1600x450x45 mm, 1800x600x60 mm, 1900x200x45 mm, 2000x 530x55 mm, 2200x450x45 mm, etc.
To order window sills, call 8 (800) 333-16-86. Our managers are always ready to help with the selection of concrete products, focusing on the client’s wishes.
Are there standards for ceilings?
If in Soviet times there were GOSTs that regulated this issue, now there are no such rules, and every owner has the right to build a house with a ceiling height that suits him.
Read about finishing windows in a wooden house, arranging slopes and window sills at https://oknanagoda.com/okna/derevo/otdelka-okon-v-derevyannom-dome-otkosy.html.
For an overview of brands of plastic window sills, their main varieties, recommendations for selection, read our material on the website.
