It often happens that in panel houses the window sills are so narrow that you can't even put flower pots on them. Only small cups with seedlings, nothing more. There is no way to place a large flower in a tub, alas. Today I offer three options for how to expand the window sill with wooden lining.
What is a window sill: it is a horizontal element of the window, located below the frame. IN modern design window sills are of great functional importance. They are made wide to allow the placement of certain objects and even places of rest on them.
Attaching an additional board
This mounting option is convenient in that the board can be taken in any width. Such a board is fastened with a clamping bar. How the mount is implemented can be seen in the photo.
A quarter is selected from the bar-beam, then it is fastened with screws to the main window sill, after which a new one is placed on top of everything wide board. The board, in turn, is fixed with furniture screws through a bar-beam.
It turns out that such a wide window sill, on which you can place many pots of flowers or seedlings.
Building a window sill with an additional board
In this case, holes for dowels are drilled in the pre-cut edges of the window sill in increments of 20 cm. Then glued dowels are inserted into the holes.
In the same way, counter holes are marked and drilled in an additional board. Next, glue the protruding parts of the dowels and the entire side surface boards, after which the boards are tightly adjusted.
Retractable countertop - window sill
A chrome-plated bolt secures the table top to the window sill. To ensure the rotation of the table, washers are placed under the bolt, and the left corner of the tabletop is also rounded.
Such a table has three points of support: two legs on wheels and a bolt attachment point. If you need to open the window, then the table is simply turned to the side.
Now everyone is chasing plastic window sills and windows, but fashion can pass, but wood will always be in price. In addition, air does not penetrate through the plastic at all, the room does not breathe.
Ideas for natural window sills
In conclusion, I want to show you two ideas for natural window sills that I really liked.
Therefore, think about whether it is worth clogging the cottage with plastic, is it not better to make the windows wooden, and the window sills too. All the best!
Modern apartments delight with a large area. However, the usable space under the window is most often very limited, but it can be used. A full-fledged desktop, a plant stand, a comfortable seat, and you never know how to use the free space. Therefore, many seek to increase it, using various methods for this.
The easiest of them is to build up a window sill. The job is easy enough to handle on your own. Execution instructions:
We select the material for the future design. A board of the appropriate size, with a thickness equal to the installed canvas, is quite suitable. If it was not possible to pick one up, you can buy an MDF sheet and cut it with an electric jigsaw, outlining the desired dimensions. Do not forget to close the ends of the plate with edge tape, sticking it with a building hair dryer, iron. If this is not possible, it is permissible to use mounting adhesive.
In the prepared part, we drill holes for dowels, small connecting elements from wood. The same cavities and at the same distance must be drilled at the end of the installed canvas. We drive the dowels into the extension element, we check the reliability of the resulting fastening. For a stronger joint, we take assembly glue and coat the ends of the parts to be joined with it, then drive the part of the dowels remaining on the surface into the prepared holes.
The resulting small gap between the window sill and the board is carefully puttied along its entire length. We are waiting for the mixture to dry completely and after a few days we paint the elongated canvas.
You can build up the window sill so that you get a table. Work is carried out in a similar way. But before carrying them out, it is necessary to decide on the desired shape of the countertop, which can be arcuate or rectangular. It is worth considering several options and choosing the most convenient. The workpiece is sawn from an MDF sheet, its ends must be processed with an edge. You also need to prepare the legs of the future table. They must match in height. It is possible to purchase adjustable legs, so it will be easier to install them.
The tabletop is attached to the window sill in the manner described. After that, legs are attached to it, one or two, depending on the size of the structure. The building is ready. If you fix the table top with hinges, you get a convenient folding design. But in this case, it will be necessary to take care of ventilation and drill holes for circulation. warm air coming from the battery. A simple and very practical structure will decorate the interior and make it more functional.
Moving to new apartment, we rejoiced at the increase in our residential meters. But there is much less space for flowers. The window sills turned out to be so narrow that even a saucer could not rest on them, not to mention flower pots. The problem had to be solved urgently before we lost half of the collection. It was especially important to solve the problem of a narrow window sill in the kitchen.
Options
The first option that comes to mind is a plastic window with a plastic window sill. True, the window sill increases by only 10 centimeters. Not as big a gain as we would like. In addition, if the kitchen is small, the desktop (wherever it stands) makes the kitchen cramped and uncomfortable.
The decision came by itself. It is necessary to make a full-fledged window sill work surface- from wall to wall. In this case, the window sill will have a length of 2 m, a width of 45 cm (near the wall) and 60 cm (in the window opening).
Window sill installation
For the manufacture of a wide window sill, we used 2 simple narrow kitchen cabinets without a "top" and facades. These cabinets are easy to purchase at a home improvement store or ordered from a kitchen furniture company.
The nightstands were placed sideways outer wall, opposite each other. Thus, they have become a reliable support for the countertop. Adjustable legs made it possible to adjust the height of the bedside tables and the level of the window sill.
For the countertop, we took a large sheet of plywood (12 mm). According to the plan, the tabletop is slightly wider than the bedside tables standing sideways, and goes into the window opening. Given the uneven geometry of the walls, the base for the countertop had to be cut out according to a pre-made pattern. For curly carving, an electric jigsaw was needed.
The next stage is the facing of the countertop ceramic tiles. We used medium-sized tiles: with a small kitchen, large tiles visually reduce the free space, and laying very small tiles is a rather tedious task. As a result, the choice fell on the tile with which the wall was finished. The total size is 20x20 cm, while each one consists of four small "tiles" (10x10 cm).
To avoid wet processes, tiles were attached to plywood with glue, which is popularly called "liquid nails".
The seams were covered with white grout. The end was closed with an aluminum threshold. By the way, window slopes they did it last, when the wide window sill was already completely ready.
Impressions from the operation of the window sill(after five years)
No need:
Making wide seams between tiles - the designer's desire to keep the size of the cells and lines, as on the wall, played a cruel joke. Rough seams 5 mm wide turned out to be "dirt accumulators". At first they were intensively cleaned and washed. However, from constant cleaning, the grout began to crack. Hence the moral: on the countertop (window sill), lay the tiles close, with minimal gaps.
Use embossed tiles, even if one has already been used for walls. From an aesthetic point of view, it’s beautiful, but from a household one ... Embossed tiles have to be brushed regularly (for smooth surface a rag is enough).
In order not to block the gas valve, a large hatch (15x15 cm) is made in plywood, one whole tile serves as a cover for it. If necessary, the tiles are easy to remove. You can install a furniture handle on it. True, experience shows that even without a handle, such a hatch is quite convenient to use.
Today there is in every house and in every apartment. Modern window sill- This is a multifunctional device that, firstly, pleases the owners with an aesthetic appearance windows, and secondly, plays a role extra bed where you can store a variety of items. The second function is especially popular among modern consumers, because, leaving car keys, wallet or any other important thing You can easily find it there as well. However, most people, and especially housewives, use window sills as a breeding space. indoor plants and flowers. This process implies window sills considerable width, however, even the widest window sills may sometimes not be enough for a large number flower pots. How to enlarge the window sill with your own hands, described below.
Extension wooden window sill
If the window sills in your home are made of wood, they can be expanded to the desired size using the materials at hand and our advice.
First you need to prepare a wood board from hard rock tree. The board must be completely dry and free from cracks. If necessary, the board is adjusted to fit right size using a jigsaw or a regular saw. The edges of the board should be sanded and leveled.
Next, stock up on metal parts in the form of corners that will be used as brackets. The thickness of the board must match the thickness of the wooden window sill . The dimensions of the brackets should be selected in accordance with the parameters of the window sill, while taking into account that several screws or self-tapping screws will be screwed into the board. You should mark the place of the bend in advance and drill holes in the corners in the appropriate places. Of course, the joint of the bracket would be best welded together with welding machine, however, not every amateur master has one with him. After the board and brackets are ready, you should firmly and securely fasten them. The bracket is screwed to the window sill and the wall, and the board, in turn, to the bracket. All details new design should be perfectly matched to each other. Only in this case, the new window sill will be really reliable and able to withstand significant loads.
If you are not sure if the support that the bracket can provide is enough, you should modify the board. A special comb is cut out on its end side, and a corresponding groove is cut at the junction with the window sill. When assembling the structure, the comb is inserted into the groove, which makes it possible to give the window sill additional rigidity and strength. Also in this assembly option, you can use wood glue.
How enlarge stone window sill, concrete or plastic
If the extension wood window sill possible with only an additional board, then in the case of stone window sills, concrete or plastic It is not that simple.
Here is the variant with additional element is not very suitable. If the width stone or plastic window sill It is not enough for you, it is recommended to simply replace it with a wider one. To do this, you need to remove the old window sill, prepare a place for installation and fix the new one.
Plastic slopes are easy to disassemble, after which it is easy to access pvc window sill. If the slopes are plastered, the window sill will have to be knocked out. Especially if it is made of stone or concrete.
Next, you should clean and prepare the place for installing the future window sill: remove the protruding parts, get rid of debris and prepare a new window sill. Do not forget about the accuracy and clarity in the markup. If at the time of installation it suddenly turns out that the new window sill does not quite fit, the work may be delayed. If the dimensions are exactly the same, you should install a new window sill in the free space, and then fix it from below wooden blocks. This option good for plastic window sills. Any load is placed on top, after which all the free space under the window sill is filled with mounting foam.
In the case of window sills made of natural or artificial stone, as well as concrete, installation work become more complicated, since such window sills have considerable weight. To install them, you need to use cement mortar, and in some cases, metal supports with a special fastening system.
It is worth remembering another small detail related to the expansion of window sills. Do not forget that after the above steps, the edge of the window sill will protrude much more forward from the side of the window. And therefore, the curtains and curtains hanging in the room will begin to touch him. To remedy this situation, it is necessary to replace the cornice or lengthen it so that the distance from the curtains to the wall becomes greater.
The most obvious idea for a window sill is to transform it into a cozy lounge area. Just imagine: after a tiring working day, sit down on a soft sofa by the window, wrap yourself in a blanket, immerse yourself in your thoughts, enjoy the rain or falling snow ... Beauty!
The main thing is that such a lounge area can appear in any room of your house (where there is a window, of course): in the bedroom, in the living room, and in the kitchen. Yes, and make it as easy as shelling pears: put a few on the windowsill decorative pillows and consider that the mini-sofa is ready. Important condition: the height of such a window sill should not be more than 50 cm from the floor, and the width should not be less than 60 cm.
(all photos enlarge by clicking)
2. Reading nook
In continuation of the previous paragraph: on your "soft" window sill, you can equip a reading corner. Place a small bookshelf and hang a pretty sconce for evening reading on the wall (the sconce can be replaced with a floor lamp).
And if there is no battery under the windowsill, then free space can be completely filled with books - another mini-library will appear in your house.
3. Comfortable workplace
Of course, the window sill can become your full-fledged workplace. However, sitting behind an ordinary window sill is not very convenient: the legs will rest against a cold wall or hot battery. Therefore, the first thing you should do is figure out how to increase the working space. There are two main options: either expand the window sill itself, or substitute a small table of the same width and height for it.
By the way, the tabletop can be transformable: the continuation of the window sill will rise and fall. It is necessary to make a report - they raised the table, completed it - removed the table. And on the windowsill itself there will be books, lie stationery and paper. It seems to us that this great idea for a small apartment. And don't forget to add a comfortable chair and table lamp to your makeshift office.
4. Bar counter
Always dreamed of a bar counter in the kitchen, but were well aware that there was nowhere to put it? What about a window sill? It can be turned into a convenient dinner table for two people. Just buy two bar stools and enjoy the morning view from the window!
In addition, this idea will appeal to those in whose apartments the window sills are too high, it is simply impossible to convert them into a lounge area or a desk.
5. Chest of drawers
There is a lot of free space under your wide windowsill, but you do not know how to use this space? Then let the window sill become the base for the chest of drawers. Of course, this idea is only useful to you if there is no battery under the window. However, there you can make ventilation hatches and store next to the battery those things that are not afraid of heat and dryness. This is another great idea for small footage.
6. Dressing table
Girls, just imagine: bright sunlight, a mirror in an openwork frame, a suitcase with cosmetics, a comfortable ottoman, many, many cute little things ... Oh, the dream of every girl is a personal dressing table for cosmetics, jewelry and perfume. Unfortunately, not all women's bedrooms have it: not because it is not needed, but because there is no space in the bedroom.
Maybe your window sill will become your boudoir? It seems to us that it will be very convenient and pleasant for him to take care of himself or get ready for a date.
7. House for a cat or dog
If you don't want to turn the window sill into a warm and soft lounge area for yourself, then give this place to your cat. Lay a small fluffy mattress (an old sweater, a blanket, a blanket) or fix a special upholstered shelf on the windowsill. We are sure that your pet will be delighted with his new bed.
And if a dog lives in your house, then for it you can equip a house not on the windowsill, but under it. There your dog will be warm and cozy.
