Modern window sills can be made from a variety of materials. At the same time, one of the most beautiful and practical is considered acrylic stone. Window sills cast from it are distinguished by simply excellent operational characteristics. They can serve for a very long time, and caring for them is extremely simple. Also, a durable and environmentally friendly acrylic window sill (photos are presented below in the article) in no case will spoil the interior of even the most solid apartment with its appearance.
A bit of history
For the first time such a material as acrylic stone, which belongs to the group of composite, saw the light in the 60s of the last century. It was invented by the scientist D. Smoke for the American company DuPont. Initially, this material was used to make artificial bones. However, it was still very widespread precisely as a finishing material.
general description
Acrylic stone gained popularity primarily for its high aesthetic qualities. From the outside, this material resembles a beautiful decorative glass. But at the same time, his density is almost half that. This type of artificial stone is made, as can already be judged by its name, from acrylic resins. Mineral chips are used as a filler. To give the material decorative properties, special artificial dyes are used.
In general, the technology for producing such a stone is rather complicated. To make an acrylic windowsill with your own hands, for example, is unlikely to succeed. The production of such products is possible only on special high-tech equipment available at the enterprises.
How do window sills
The technology for the production of artificial stone products of this variety includes several main stages. An acrylic window sill is made as follows:
It is cast, polished and coated with special compounds (reducing adhesion) form.
The acrylic mixture itself is made and poured into the mold.
After the material has hardened, the front surface of the window sill is carefully sanded.
The advantages of window sills
The advantages of products made of artificial stone, there is simply a huge amount. Such window sills differ:
Resistance to pollution. Acrylic stone has an absolutely monolithic structure. That is, there are simply no pores or microcracks in it. And therefore, nowhere to leak dirty water, grease, paint, etc.
Resistant to chemicals. You can wash such a window sill using any household cleaning products.
Environmental friendliness. In apartments and private homes, window sills are usually located above the radiators of the heating system. Acrylic stone, even being very hot, does not emit absolutely no harmful substances into the air.
UV resistant. Of course, for the windowsill, dignity is important. After all, it can be illuminated by the sun for several hours a day.
The acrylic window sill itself, for obvious reasons, can have absolutely any shape and size. Moreover, on such products there are never any joints and seams.
Disadvantages of Acrylic Window Sills
Of course, such products have not only advantages. They also have some disadvantages. These can be attributed primarily:
The last drawback for the windowsill is not too important. The owners of the apartment need only try not to use it as an alternative to the countertop, that is, do not put hot pots or pans on it. But the possibility of scratches and chips - this, of course, is a more serious problem. Handle the acrylic window sill more carefully. But, in principle, even if any damage appears on its surface, it will not be difficult to eliminate them. In any case, it is not necessary to dismantle the windowsill. You can restore the artificial stone of this variety right on the spot - by grinding.
Product Price
In addition to all the above advantages, acrylic window sills have one more important advantage. They cost, especially in comparison with products from other varieties of artificial stone, not too expensive. The price of such a window sill depends, to a large extent, on its width. So, for a 15 cm product you will have to pay about 600 rubles (s / m). A window sill with a width of 40 cm is already worth about 1,500 rubles, in 85 cm - 4,200 rubles (prices are per meter).
Can I install it myself
The acrylic window sill is mounted according to a relatively simple technology. If necessary, this procedure can be done with your own hands. To do this, in the window opening, at the level of the window sill, do two grooves (grinder). Next, the base for acrylic stone is primed using a special tool. Insert the window sill into the grooves as carefully as possible, trying not to scratch. At the final stage, the plate must be aligned strictly horizontally, using the level. In order to raise one or another edge of the window sill, you should use special plastic gaskets. At home, for this purpose it is allowed to use any improvised materials (for example, trim plastic skirting boards).
Is it possible to repair
The advantage of acrylic window sills is that if any scratches appear on them, you can remove them with your own hands. To do this, the surface is first cleaned of dust, and then polished using a special machine. In this case, it is important to choose the right abrasive. In order for the acrylic window sill to become matte, brand material from 240 and above should be used. Half-gloss is obtained by using an abrasive grade of 600 and a gloss of 1200.
Modern acrylic window sill: reviews
Since the operational characteristics of such products are very good, the opinion of them on the owners of apartments and country houses was simply excellent. The only thing - when choosing a windowsill, real estate owners advise you to pay attention to the brand of the manufacturer. Otherwise, you can stumble on a fake and waste money.
The most popular among our compatriots are products of this variety of the Danke brand. The Danke acrylic window sill has a beautiful shape (with a semicircular kapinos) and is very easy to clean. In addition, the products of this manufacturer are always distinguished by unusual colors. The window sill can be golden (under the oak), gray-blue (under the marble), etc.
Also, owners of apartments and houses praise the products of the German company Verzalit. This company produces mainly window sills from a special kind of chipboard. However, acrylic stone products made at the enterprises of this company can also be found on sale. The Werzalit acrylic window sill is practical and aesthetically pleasing. Due to the high quality of the material used for manufacturing the products of this manufacturer are much more resistant to scratches than products of other, less well-known brands.