Window decoration outside: a variety of materials and installation methods

Replacing windows has become very common today. Old frames are still being actively replaced with modern plastic analogs, metal and wood. The installation process itself takes place quickly enough, which cannot be said about the decoration of windows from the outside, since a number of technological requirements are imposed on this procedure, and from an aesthetic point of view, the owner should be satisfied. In the article, we will analyze various ways to create beautiful and reliable slopes and frames, focusing on the materials and methods of their installation.

Direct purpose of external window decoration

So why it is worth paying close attention to the correct decoration of the windows outside.

The first thing that comes to mind is the neat exterior of the building. Without high-quality framing, you may not expect your home to look neat. Slopes and platbands are actively used in the formation of the style of the building, its design, but not only. In many ways, they directly affect the comfort of people staying inside the building:

1. The technology of installing window frames requires leaving a technological gap, that is, they are never placed close to the walls.

The resulting gaps are necessary to compensate for the movement of the structure as a result of shrinkage and even seismic activity, as well as the window system itself under temperature influences. If this technology requirement was violated, any changes would lead to deformation of the frames, due to which the windows would stop opening, and, possibly, the glass would be squeezed out.

2. Leaving technological gaps are direct ways of heat exchange between the room and the street, so they must be insulated. Previously, tow, wool, felt were used for these purposes, now it is mainly polyurethane foam or mineral wool.

3. All of these types of materials quickly deteriorate if they come into contact with the atmosphere, moisture, wind, ultraviolet rays, which is why they need reliable protection.

As protection, a coating made of materials that are immune to the above factors is used ...

Moreover, they must have sufficient attractiveness and correlate with the systems with which the facade of the building is finished. In other words, the material of the slopes must be externally and technically combined with the material of the walls.

Next, we will present a list of materials, and separately describe the process of working with them.

Plaster-type slopes

Windows can relate in different ways to the plane of the walls - either they are recessed inward and there are perpendicular slopes, or they are exposed in one plane.In the second case, only an invoice platband is required to protect the insulation, however, such a solution can be realized, in general, only during the construction of a new house, or the old windows were installed in the same way.

It is much easier to make a platband than a slope.

So, the first on our list will be the plastered slopes. They can rightfully be called the classic version.

For such slopes, a sand-cement mixture is used, from which the outline of the window opening is completely formed. Today, this method is not as popular as it used to be, but many still consider it the most reliable and durable solution.

They are used in the event that the walls of the facade of the building are either completely plastered, or an architectural element is formed from the solution, which outwardly will be in harmony with the material of the walls.

The advantages of such slopes are the availability of materials and a fairly simple manufacturing technology, such a finish is stable to weathering, it looks simple, but neat.

An experienced craftsman will make a quality slope within a few hours, if it is a simple rectangular shape. Complex compositions with irregular geometry can be very time consuming. It is almost impossible to do this yourself without experience and templates.

Cement plaster requires a certain time to dry, which will not allow you to immediately decorate the structure. It is also worth considering that such work is dirty, so you should be careful.

Interesting to know! For work, you can use any plaster mixtures, including decorative ones, for example, bark beetle. It all depends on the design approach.

Prices for various types of decorative plaster

Decorative plaster

How to make a plaster slope

Now let's look at what is required for such work, and in what sequence it is performed.

We prepare the following tool:

1. A container for mixing the plaster mixture.
2. Electric kneading tool - mixer, electric drill, puncher.
3. A set of trowels for applying the mixture, an angle trowel and a trowel for applying plaster.
4. Tools for establishing the evenness of the slope - plumb line, bubble construction level, laser axis builder.
5. Wide brush with soft bristles.

6. Plaster float.

From the materials we acquire the following:

1. Ready-made dry plaster mix or cement with sand, if you decide to save a little.A lot of material does not go to the slopes, so it is better to buy it ready-made, since the factory composition contains plasticizers in the right proportions, which adds elasticity to the solution - in general, makes working with it more comfortable.
2. Putty mixture. Formulations for outdoor use are used, including decorative plaster, applied only as a finishing layer.

3. A deep penetration primer for outdoor use, which will reduce water absorption of the substrate and strengthen it.
4. Fiberglass mesh for reinforcing slopes. This material is inexpensive, but it significantly strengthens the concrete layers, so do not neglect it.

When choosing a ready-made solution, we advise you to pay attention to the additional properties of the material. Due to the use of some additives, the compositions can compare favorably with the classic sand-cement mixture.

For example, insulating plaster will additionally insulate your window. It contains granules of foam glass, perlite, vermiculite, which gives similar properties. In addition, the material is moisture resistant. Fiber is often used for additional reinforcement.

Now let's take a step-by-step look at how to plaster slopes.

In fact, the technology includes only two stages - setting beacons and working with the mixture. If everything is unambiguous with the second point, then the first one has many options. Today we will analyze a modern method that will help to do everything efficiently, even for a beginner who has not encountered something like this before.

Table 1. Plastering of slopes.

Prices for deep penetration primer

Deep penetration primer

Video - Slopes with your own hands: beacons for plaster

Slopes of frame type

So, if plaster is this is a continuous slope covering, then there is also a frame type, when there is an empty space inside that can be additionally insulated. The choice of material for such solutions directly depends on the type of cladding of the building. Slopes can be made of - plastic, wooden lining, vinyl or metal siding, near-window profile, metal cassette element.The installation of these materials is almost identical, so we did not separate them.

View the following photos showing similar slopes.

Each of the listed materials has its own set of characteristics, but none of them does not provide the window system with additional thermal protection, like special compositions of plaster mixtures. However, there are methods for insulating such slopes: the inner space is filled with polyurethane foam or mineral wool.

Installation is carried out as follows:

1. The frame is exposed , which can be external and internal, or only external. In the first case, a belt is attached from a rail or metal profile near the window frame and the same along the outer perimeter of the slope. In the second - only the outer element - the inner one is replaced by a starting profile, which is attached directly to the frame.

   The latter solution is suitable for plastic and thin lining.

2. All elements of the frame are set clearly in level, since they completely define the geometry of the future slope.
3. They are attached in different ways, depending on the material. Most often, anchors and metal hangers are used as fasteners.
4. The fixing material is installed according to the fastening scheme of the specific material.

   For example, a wooden lining can be held by nails and screws directly or through metal brackets - clamps, and the siding is held by screws and a special fastening profile.

5. The outer corner of the slope is covered with a decorative element. Usually these are overhead corners, examples of which you may have seen in the photographs shown above.

It is much easier to make a frame slope than a plaster one, and in 90% of cases it does not require additional processing. The product begins its service life immediately after installation.

Everything would be great, but not every material will last long. Painted elements fade in the sun over time, the tree can rot and change its color. You can repeat the staining, but it will not look like the factory one, and the slopes will definitely lose their attractiveness. But plaster surfaces can be renewed an unlimited number of times.

Prices for various types of slopes for windows

Slope panel

Video - Slope made of plastic panels

Decorative elements for framing windows

Agree, you won't surprise anyone with ordinary slopes today.

How, then, can you refine the look of your home? For these purposes, various elements and techniques are used that can be combined with the previously described types of slopes.

1. Windows can be framed with polyurethane overlays. They are mounted on glue, so a level surface with good adhesion must be provided. They are also suitable for brick walls.

2. Smooth plastered slopes will serve as an excellent basis for finishing with various decorative materials. The photo shows a variant of decorating a window from the outside with decorative artificial stone. Clinker and porcelain stoneware tiles will also look beautiful.

3.

Extruded expanded polystyrene is also used for similar purposes. Such systems consist of corner elements and a straight profile. Everything is set on glue. You can choose any of the available colors, or paint the material yourself.

4.

In cases of renovation of the facade with decorative brickwork , the windows can be separately lined with molded products to give them an unusual beautiful appearance.

5. You can use the services of professional craftsmen at a high price, who can create such masterpieces of stucco molding. These windows look very, beautiful, luxurious and rich.

6.

Sandrik is a small architectural element above the window, which can be made of concrete, plaster, polyurethane and foam. The difficulty of installing a part depends on the material.

7. A pyramidal or wedge-shaped decorative element made from the same materials. Installed on top of a vault or arch, above a window.

8. A false baluster can be set under the window .

It is worth noting that determining the required decorative elements is a rather complicated matter. If you overdo it, then instead of beauty, you will get wild pretentiousness and tastelessness, so do not be afraid to use the advice of professionals. Of course, they take money for their services, but remember that you create the look of the house and will look at it for more than one year, and only positive emotions should appear from the contemplation of you and the audience.

Read more about decorative elements of the facade in a special article.