How Best To Finish Interior And Exterior Slopes

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

How and with what materials can you finish?
How to choose a material?
How are the external elements arranged?
Should you use plaster?
Surface preparation and installation
Application of plaster
Installation of plastic slopes

Finishing slopes is an important task, since if it is not fulfilled, the assembly seams not only do not decorate the window structure, but can also become a source of draft or cold air entering the room. Moisture can also pass through the seams, so it is important to properly seal and close them with decorative cladding.

How and with what materials can you finish?

Finishing window slopes can be done on their own, if it is possible to get to the product. In this regard, there are no problems with internal slopes, but external elements, if they are at a sufficiently high height, it is better not to finish it yourself, but entrust this matter to professional installers with the appropriate equipment and the necessary qualifications.

Before starting work, you need to solve the following questions:

What material for finishing to use: most often they use metal, plastic, plaster.
Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of a particular material, assess the complexity of working with it.
Prepare the work surface accordingly.
Prepare the necessary tools.
Purchase material.

How to choose a material?

If the windows are made of plastic, the most competent and harmonious solution would be to trim the slopes with plastic panels. It is easy to work with the materials, it is available in various color variations, it can be laminated under a tree, which allows using such plastic when decorating any plastic windows. The material will also look good with wooden structures if purchased with lamination of the appropriate color and structure.

Plastic is lightweight and inexpensive. Another plus of working with it is that it is easy to saw it with a conventional metal or wood hand saw. Decorating slopes with plastic panels does not cause difficulties, it can be done both from the inside and from the outside of the windows. Plastic is not afraid of moisture, does not let it through and does not absorb; it will reliably protect the seams from wind and other negative phenomena. Aesthetically, the material looks attractive, does not require a complex installation system. PVC slopes are convenient to use. They are suitable for any window structure, as they are produced in sections of three meters.

How are the external elements arranged?

The design of the slopes of windows on both sides of the room follows the same principle. Working outside is difficult due to the fact that getting to the slopes without using climbing equipment or mehruk is often impossible. If there is such an opportunity, for example, you need to trim a window overlooking the balcony, then there will be no obstacles for independent work.

Before buying materials for outdoor work, carefully study their properties. Not all finishes are suitable for use on the façade side.

Pay attention to the fact that the space between the window and the wall is completely filled with polyurethane foam; cutting off the excess, you can start installing the slopes. It is better to start finishing from the outside of the window: this will help protect the structure from weather conditions, make the temperature in the room acceptable, and save you from drafts. Internal finishing with high-quality external processing is done only to give a decorative look to the window and its insulation.

Slope trim can be made of any material that can resist moisture and weather conditions. Plastic or aluminum is an excellent option, you can use stainless steel. The inner side can be finished with materials such as plasterboard, plastic sheets, wood.

Should you use plaster?

Plastering window slopes is one of the oldest ways to put seams in order. However, it has a number of disadvantages, which modern materials are spared from.

The main disadvantage of plastering is the fragility of the coating and the complexity of its application. This takes several days, since the plaster must dry, and it is impossible to apply the next layer until the first dries. In addition, you can face a number of other problems:

Plaster has pores and can absorb moisture.
Due to the porosity of the material, cold air can enter the room. There will be no blowing out of the seams, but the room will cool down rather quickly.
If the windows are plastic, the mortar will not fit well on them due to the smoothness of the frame. The plaster may start to peel off after drying.

If you want to finish the window inexpensively, plaster mix is the best option. There are modern compositions that are superior in quality to ordinary plaster and are more suitable for outdoor and indoor use.

Surface preparation and installation

Window slope decoration begins with surface preparation. If there used to be some kind of finish, for example, the slopes were plastered, you need to completely remove it, then clean the surface, removing traces of old material, dust and dirt. In order not to stain the windows, you can close their frames with tape.

Reinforcement of slopes will not be superfluous. For this, plastic or steel nets are used. It is recommended to install wooden planks along the perimeter of the slope; you can use an aluminum frame. Please note that PVC slopes should not be perpendicular to the frame. Only the sill line can be in this position.

Application of plaster

Plastering of slopes is troublesome, but not costly. You need to start with finishing the top. Before work, you need to fix the plaster mesh, then you can apply the solution with a trowel or spatula. The layer should not be more than 2-3 mm, otherwise it may fall off. Usually plastering is carried out in three layers. Wait until the previous one is dry before applying the next one. It is impossible to dry artificially; on average, one layer dries for a day at a temperature of +20 C.

Installation of plastic slopes

In order to fix plastic slopes on the window, you will need to use the U-shaped profile as the starting one, and the F-shaped one as the finishing one. The slats are fixed with self-tapping screws. It is worth using fasteners, the length of which is 2.5 cm, the step is 40 cm; with a small opening depth, strips of F-profile wood are used.

Before installing the slopes, you can fill the voids with mineral wool, this will make the structure warmer and quieter.

The crate must be mounted using a level. The finishing profile is also attached with self-tapping screws, then the slopes themselves are screwed to the prepared frame.

The finishing of the slopes is a must. There is a large selection of classic and modern finishes to suit your design, performance and price.