The window sills made of artificial stone are an excellent alternative to products from natural stone rocks. What exactly they are beneficial and why they are constant popularity for the design of the interior design of apartments, private houses and commercial premises, you will learn from this article.

Production technology

As a basis for the manufacture of window sills made of artificial stone, an acrylic-mineral composition with pigment additives-dyes is used. They are produced by casting, due to which the monolithic durable and beautiful plates are formed, light in processing and care.

Important! For the first time, the acrylic stone was invented by Donald SMUKUK in 1967. The purpose of the development was to create a solid and hygienic artificial material for the formation of bone prostheses. Later acryl gained wide popularity in construction and still applied in different directions, including for the production of windowsill.

Types of window sills made of artificial stone

There are several criteria for which the classification of the types of window sills made of stone is:

1. Configuration. The group consists of products of classical rectangular shape, cascade, with slopes, window sills as a continuation of the table tops, semi-and all-rounded.
2. Type of outer surface. Depending on the method of finishing processing, matte, peeled, glossy, with imitation of natural stone are distinguished.
   

Important! To understand how wide designer opportunities when installing a window sill made of artificial acrylic stone, it is enough to view the photo and familiarize yourself with the reviews about this material. Anyone who has decided to use this particular window sill when designing the window opening, express their delight on how stylish, beautiful, modernly, they look and how comfortable and practical in operation.

Advantages of installing acrylic stone window sills

Why it is the feedback on the windowsill from the artificial stone only positive, to understand easily, if you familiarize yourself with the properties of the acrylic itself:

1. Fire resistance - class B1 according to DIN 4102/1 5.1 standards.
2. Toxicity - Class FO.
3. Density - 1.78 * 10 ³ Kg / m3 according to DIN 53 479 and ISO R 1183 standards.
4. Service life - from 50 years.
5. Bending strength at a thickness of the window sill 12.3 mm - 60 N / mm2 according to DIN 53 452 and ISO 178-75 standards.
6. Absolute resistance to any mechanical exposure - when testing with burning cigarette, boiling water, a grade drop in 0.5 kg, exposure to UV rays No change of material is observed (tests are carried out according to ISO 4586/2, DIN 53 799).
7. Full resistance to all types of pathogenic bacteria, including mold fungi - zero indicators for tests according to ISO 486 A and V.
8. Thermoplasticity - when heated to 185 ° C, acrylic acquires plasticity, due to which it can be converted to any desired form. The same method is used to remove seams in the case of mounting the windowsills of a complex configuration, due to which the monolithic seamless design is achieved.

Important! In addition to technical parameters, the following advantages of acrylic stone are noted:

• a wide species row with a color palette of more than 400 colors;
• possible feeling;
• ease of care;
• It does not produce cracks, chips, scratches;
• high wear resistance;
• failurelessness of the material;
• hygienic and hypoallergenicity.

Based on these features, it is not surprising that the window sills made of artificial stone are constantly in demand in the market and occupy the first positions of sales.

Popular manufacturers

To buy window sills from an artificial stone of really high quality with the above properties, prefer proven reliable manufacturers. To date, these are such brands:

1. Corian (USA). One of the very first manufacturers of artificial stone. To date, products are represented by window sills with the following parameters:
   • height - 4, 6, 12 mm;
   • length - 2490, 3658 mm;
   • width - 760 and 930 mm.
2. Montelli (China). The cheaper corona analogue, all the products of which can be divided into 2 lines - acrylic, which bends (ULTRA), and a stone that does not possess plasticity (Basic). Available sheets of sheets for cutting windows:
   • length - 3658 mm;
   • height - 12 mm;
   • width - 760 mm.
3. Staron (South Korea). A decent material of this brand has won its popularity due to an acceptable price and a wide view. To date, products are represented by hundreds of calves in Quarry, Sanded, Pebble, Aspen, Solded, Metallic, Tempest. Size chart:
   • length - 3680 and 2490 mm;
   • width - 760 mm;
   • height - 6 and 12 mm.
4. Akrilika (Germany). The price for the windowsill of this brand is somewhat higher, but this manufacturer supplies products to the market for extremely high quality quality with the widest color palette. All types of acrylic stone are grouped into the Collection - Kristall, Stone, Apietra, Desing, Polystone, Deco. This company is one of the few, which supplies an artificial stone of non-standard sizes.
   • height - 3, 6, 12.5, 12.7, 30 mm;
   • width - 200-760 mm;
   • length - 900-3660 mm.
5. TRISTone (South Korea). The window sills of this company are of particular interest among consumers in the series "Romantic", "Modern", "Renaissance", "Classic", "Baroque" and "Byzantium". Due to the conformity of names to styles, it is fairly easy to determine the appropriate material for designing any room in any artistic direction. Dimensional parameters:
   • length - 2490 and 3680 mm;
   • height - 6 and 12 mm;
   • width - 760 mm.

How many window sills are from an artificial stone?

The price of window sills made of artificial stone is determined by the complex characteristics:

• color filling - large-scale and shiny elements increase the price category;
• type of surface - products with glossy coating percent by 10% more expensive than matte window sills;
• thickness - as this parameter increases, the cost of the entire product increases;
• the method of end processing is the harder the configuration, the more expensive the product.

Important! In addition to these parameters, take into account the specific rates of the selected manufacturer, plus the costs of measurement, transportation and installation, if you do not fulfill them yourself, and beat the specialists.

Installation of window sill made of artificial stone

The correct installation of the windowsill will not only give the desired aesthetic result, but also will affect the term of its service, as well as the volume of heat loss and moisture penetration inside the room. Therefore, before installing a window sill of artificial stone with your own hands, carefully read the rules of installation technology.

General rules for installation

1. The minimum ledge of the canvas beyond the walls - 4-5 cm.
2. The slope of the installation angle is from 5 degrees.
3. The distance from heating radiators is at least 15 cm.
4. An indent of 2-3 mm from the walls along the ends of the window sill.

Important! Also note that when the ledge of the canvas is more than 1/3 of the total width, additional supports will have to install.

Mounting a window sill with artificial stone

Before installing the windowsill of an artificial stone, make a dismantling of the old one. For this:

1. Prepare a hammer, chisel, perforator.
2. Slide the slope to the level when the windowsill will easily be removed from the niche.
3. Remove the remnants of the mounting foam on the base and plaster with slopes.
4. Remove all major garbage and construction dust.
5. Make sure in accordance with the parameters of the prepared product with the size of the window niche.
6. Align the base of the cracked, chips, abrasive protrusions.
7. Select the correct position of the new window sill with the help of the line and building level, given the above rules.
8. Make marking a pencil.

Directly installation is carried out by one of 2 technologies:

1. Method 1. In this case, special subheads are installed on the basis. The rules of competent installation are included in the following:
   • material for rigidity - wood or metal, small bars are suitable;
   • the distance between the supports is 10-15 cm, the direction is transverse (by the width of the windowsill);
   • material for fastening the supports to the base and the windowsill and rigidity ribs are special glue. It is desirable to the same manufacturer that the acrylic stove itself.
2. Method 2. This technology provides for the design of a concrete screed. Rules are:
   • height - up to 14 mm down from the estimated height of the installation of the window sill made of artificial stone;
   • brackets - plunge into the screed. On them and the mounting of the windowsill is carried out;
   • dissemination design - dusting the shoping of a depth of up to 30 mm to finally fix the windowsill.
3. Further actions:
   • install the slab selected method;
   • check the clarity of the horizontal line in the level;
   • close the slots between the rigids or the cement screed and stove of the mounting foam;
   • wait for pouring and remove the surplus;
   • shuffling or squeezing, preferably in 2-3 layers;
   • hold the technical pause to the full setting of all solutions;
   • wipe all the surfaces of the window design with a damp rag to remove the rest of the garbage and dust;
   • remove the protective film from the side of the windowsill.

Terminal Care Rules from Artificial Stone

The window sills made of artificial stone are very practical, comfortable, unpretentious in care. However, specially creating unfavorable conditions, reducing the service life, is not worth it. Therefore, when cleaning at home, stick to such rules:

1. Use soap solutions or disinfectants (can with ammonia) for regular surface cleaning.
2. Remove all pollution immediately - even caustic dyes do not penetrate in the material, and easily erased with a damp cloth. Therefore, such a procedure does not take much time.
3. Do not use sharp solid items to remove strong contaminants and droplets of building mixtures from the surface of the windowsill from the artificial stone. Better apply suitable, to measure aggressive solvents.
4. Do not allow too much heat heating - at temperatures above 185 ° C, the possible deformation of the canvas.
5. In the event of visible defects, perform simple procedures for recovery by heat treatment and grinding, or invite a professional wizard. Acrylic plates are distinguished by high maintainability.

Conclusion

The window sills made of artificial stone are an excellent modern solution. With their help, you will easily place the original interior, avoid excessive installation costs, maintenance and reinstalling several years later. Choose high-quality products from proven brands, comply with the installation rules and a great result of the strength, beauty and reliability of the windowsill are provided!