Window sills are made of many different materials, but the most hardwearing and durable are the ones made of stone. The primary function of a window sill is to drain away water from the building and the stone window sills do this best as they can better withstand the extremities of weather unlike the other construction materials like wood, PVC and aluminum.

Advantages of stone window sills

The most important feature and advantage of a stone window sill is that it normally requires fewer joints than brick window sills and therefore reduces the possibilities and avenues of water penetration- a problem that persists with the latter. A stone window sill in a cavity wall construction has to also be sloping away from the building and at the ends towards the center beyond 15degrees from the horizontal for it to perform its function of draining water away, to its optimum.

Recent trends and changes in stone window sills

In the recent years, the construction industry has grown to accommodate the modern user's needs and weather conditions best for stone window sills requirements of a standard level. It has been established that wherever stone window sills are used, they should have section lengths as long as it is practical and the constructor or designer should keep in mind that the length of the stone window sill should be easy to handle and withstand the stress it will undergo while being erected. The joints that appear between long sill sections should be constructed using a soft joint and the very long runs; the need for expansion joints may also arise at the ends where the sill abuts the window jamb.

Essential features of stone window sills and their functions

In a concrete or a stone window sill, there are cavities or air spaces that may be interrupted and flashings may need to be provided to increase the functionality and durability of the sill as these work as collectors for any moisture penetrating the wall or sill. The next important feature in a stone window sill is a drip which prevents water from returning to the exterior face of the wall and this is usually formed or cut into the bottom face of the sill. This can be a V-shape, rectangular, semi-circular or round, or even a combination of sorts. Lastly, there are Weep slots or small openings that allow water to escape, which would otherwise have accumulated and deteriorated the value and utility of the stone window sill.