Your house is more than just a physical structure in which to shelter from the elements. It is also much more than just the sum of its parts, where these typically come in the form of walls, floors, windows and ceilings. These parts combine with carefully chosen interior decor, personal touches, and a lifetime of memories to create a home in which you can spend your days, whether you live alone or share this space with friends and family.
As such, when it comes to adorning the interior and exterior of your home, even the smallest design choice really matters. This includes how you choose to finish your windows, where the type of glass, the materials used for the frame, and the design of the sill all need to be selected with care.
Cast stone is just one option that could make for the perfect window sill, where there are numerous benefits of selecting this building material. Read on to find out more about why you should choose an attractive cast stone window sill installation for your home.
Understanding Cast Stone
Cast stone is a popular building material that provides for those looking for an artificial option that resembles the appearance of natural stone. It is a refined form of precast concrete that can be used for a range of masonry purposes such as decorative structures, walls, statues and other outdoor ornaments.
Typically cast stone is made from a mixture of white or grey cements combined with a variety of aggregates. Variations in these mixes can alter the appearance and particularly the colour of the cast stone. Although its ingredients are similar, cast stone differs from precast concrete in that it does not contain manmade air holes or voids, making for a sturdier building block.
Your Window Sills
A window sill is an essential facet of any home exterior, where property windows are constructed from numerous internal and external pieces. The window sill in particular can vary widely in design, and it makes for an extremely visible whilst also a practically important piece of the window set up. The sill, also known as the ledge, is the shelf-like piece of material that sits at the bottom of the window pane, found on the outside of the house.
Like every piece of the window, the sill serves a specific purpose in addition to making an aesthetically pleasing feature on the property. The shelf-like design is built to deflect water away from the building, whilst protecting the glass pane from the elements. This can help with drainage and with general weather proofing of the house.
Benefits Of Choosing Cast Stone For Your Sills
There are numerous reasons why you should choose cast stone for the manufacturing of your window sills, where this strong, versatile material is the best choice for any property. Some of the many advantages compared to other options include:
Weather Protection
One of the main advantages of choosing cast stone for your property is that it provides an excellent level of protection against the weather. The combination of cement with aggregates makes for a sturdy building material that’s made to last, where a suitably sized sill can deflect wind and rain away from your property. This can assist with drainage and contribute to the prevention of damage to your exterior throughout the year.
Low Maintenance
Cast stone is also relatively low maintenance, where it is built to endure in a similar way to natural stone. Unlike other sill materials, cast stone doesn’t require repainting, sanding or staining over the years, whilst occasional cleaning is all you need to help this material to retain its original appearance.
Durability
Another reason why you should choose cast stone to adorn your windows is that it is particularly durable compared to other materials, even in comparison to real stone. This is because, unlike real stone, cast stone is resistant to the freeze thaw process that occurs throughout the colder months, where this can lead to the breakdown of natural rock. The artificial nature of cast stone means that it can withstand this, meaning your window sills will endure no matter the weather.
Structural Support
The sturdy nature of cast stone also means that it will provide essential structural support to your windows. This is especially true if you opt for a sturdy design, where the elaborate intricacies of an ornate window sill actually add to its bulk, making for a more reliable support. As such cast stone allows you to have the best of both worlds by delivering on look and practicality.
Classic Appearance
You may wish to choose cast stone for your property because it creates a classic, timeless appearance that is infinitely superior to wood, uPVC or metal alternatives. Cast stone is reminiscent of enduring stone architecture of the past, with its stand out intricacies and sturdy feel. Adding this kind of building material to your exterior will inevitably transport your home into a bygone age of sculptural beauty.
Boost Property Value
Adding such a desirable feature to your home will naturally increase your property’s value, whether you’re looking to sell or simply to increase how much your assets are worth. Potential buyers will always be on the lookout for enduring and attractive features on the exterior of your house, where cast stone is preferable as a durable window sill option. It also adds to the curb appeal of your property, which is one of the first things that a buyer will notice during a house viewing.
Cleaning & Protection Advice For Your Concrete Sills
Whilst cast stone window sills are particularly low maintenance in comparison with other material options, there are still a few tips and tricks that you should abide by in order to keep them looking at their best, especially as you endure adverse weather conditions.
Unlike wood, cast stone does not require any additional sealing, painting or protection once it has been installed. This is because your window sills will have an extremely low water adsorption rate, usually of less than 0.05%. As such, this helps to prevent frost damage and discolouration throughout the year.
But it is important to remember that, much like natural stone, cast stone will evolve over time and eventually show signs of weathering. This very much depends on where your window sills are situated, where light and elevation can all affect levels of deterioration. For instance, cast stone facing north and located next to roads or vegetation will naturally show signs of wear quicker than installations positioned in different locations.
In order to combat these natural signs of wear, you can simply clean your stone with a mild detergent and hot water. Stone can also be pressure washed after a year of installation, but take care not to harm your window sills while doing this at close proximity. Some sealant products are also available that protect cast stone from weathering, where these are particularly useful for preserving the colour of lighter stones. Always carry out a localised patch test before applying such a product to ensure the finish is desirable.
Shropshire Brick & Stone UK: Cast Stone Suppliers In Your Area
At Shropshire Brick & Stone, we can design, supply and install your cast stone so you can reap the benefits of this versatile building material. Whether you’re looking for cast stone window headers, window sills, copings or pier caps, our experienced team is on hand to help.
Beyond this, we can work with cast stone in a more decorative capacity, particularly if you’re looking to install an authentic portico on your property or if you’d like to inquire about cast stone sculpture. We also offer a comprehensive brick cutting service, where we can deliver prepared cast stone to your site. This is a useful option if you’d like to assemble your own installation or if you’re working with an existing building team.
Get in touch with us today to find out more about our cast stone services, where we’re always happy to offer our expert advice and assistance.
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