Recommendation points
Replacement of windows in any room, be it an apartment, a private house or an office, takes place in two stages: dismantling of old and installation of new window blocks. Almost always, after carrying out these works, it is required to restore the slopes or even make them from scratch. There are several options for solving this problem: traditional plastering, finishing with plastic panels, cork or natural wood. High-quality and durable windows and slopes can be made for a relatively small amount, the main thing is to have a clear idea of what to choose from.
Plaster slopes
Plastering slopes technology has been widely used in the construction and decoration industry for a long time. Made with conscience, such slopes serve for a long time. They are used in buildings of various types and purposes, combined with any kind of windows. Today’s finishing materials market offers high quality plaster mixes that are excellent for slopes. Not every plasterer is able to accurately and evenly “pull” the slope. So good work doesn’t come cheap. Plaster slopes have their own disadvantages, the main one being a very low level of thermal insulation. In winter colds, the window block is overcooled, which leads to condensation on the glass and surfaces of the slopes. The use of special heat-insulating plasters does not always help to solve this problem properly. The coefficient of expansion of the plaster and mortar is different, which can lead to cracks in the slope plane over time. Here, the quality directly depends on the choice of materials, strict adherence to technology and the qualifications of workers.
Plastic slopes
Today, plastic sheets, simple thin plates, porous panels, panels with jumpers, sandwich panels (thermal insulation) are used for these purposes..
The advantage of thin plastic is its perfectly smooth and even surface, as well as quick installation. But if you just stick the plastic on the mortar, then there will be practically no thermal insulation. “Landing” on the foam will prevent freezing, but the appearance of the slopes will leave much to be desired: the foam will begin to expand and warp the structure. We’ll have to redo everything. So using thin plastic is not the best option for our climate..
In terms of their structure, porous PVC plates are homogeneous, they also have low thermal conductivity. For slopes, panels with a thickness of 4-10 mm are used. The cost also depends on the thickness. Panel color options are varied. The texture is matte or glossy. PVC is popular with consumers due to its easy installation and beautiful appearance. Perhaps, slopes made of such material have only one significant drawback – a small margin of safety under strong pressure or impact.
Honeycomb wall panels (with lintels) are also often used for slopes. The air layer acts as a heat insulator. The main drawback of such panels is not quite aesthetic appearance. Russian-made panels have a grayish tint, imported ones are yellowish. In good light, stiffeners become visible (the reason is insufficient wall thickness). The price for panels with a thicker wall is an order of magnitude higher.
A sandwich panel is made of two PVC sheets with a layer of polyurethane foam between them, which has good thermal insulation properties. The panels are attached to the window block using a profile, the plastic corner runs along the inner wall of the room. The panels are easy to maintain, moisture resistant and available at an affordable price. The surface texture of the plastic can be selected. The gloss looks good, but in the bright sun it starts to glare.
Natural wood slopes
Natural wood slopes are preferred by connoisseurs of natural materials (environmental friendliness – 100%). Usually, when installing windows made of hardwood, oak or beech, the slopes are trimmed with identical wood. To protect from the cold, a layer of insulation is attached under the wooden panels. Hard rocks are not afraid of even significant mechanical stress. Special protective compounds reliably protect the tree from adverse environmental influences. Wooden windows made of valuable tree species look simply gorgeous. It is more difficult to care for wooden slopes than plastic ones. Not everyone can afford a high-quality “tree”.
Cork slopes
Cork slopes have not yet become widespread, but for lovers of environmentally friendly materials, this is an attractive option. The undoubted advantage of cork oak bark is its excellent sound and heat insulation. The texture of the cork is very pleasant to the touch and such slopes look very original. There will be no problems with the choice of colors – it is very diverse. This material, unlike wood, is soft and has a small margin of safety. The cost of the plug is quite high.
Finishing of external slopes
It must be remembered that, in addition to the interior decoration of the slopes, the device of the external slopes is of no small importance, which will protect against the influence of the external environment and give the structure a complete look. Otherwise, after some time, the window block will have to be repaired. Finishing external slopes implies not only sealing the seam between the wall and the window – additional protection is needed from moisture and sunlight, to which the foam is so sensitive. Plastic or traditional plaster works well for these purposes..
What are the advantages and disadvantages of different types of window slopes? I’m curious to know if there are certain types that are more efficient in terms of energy-saving, as well as which ones provide better ventilation or offer better insulation. Additionally, I’m interested in understanding the aesthetic implications of various window slopes. Overall, I’d like to gather more information on the topic to make an informed decision when choosing windows for my property.