ᐅ Exterior window sills – aluminum or made from a facing brick layer

Oh, even standard, isjanding, I wouldn’t have thought. I assumed I was sharing a little insider tip, since anodized aluminum is actually not really in fashion right now, but sometimes it’s simply a suitable alternative and not everyone else uses it (so it’s not exotic, but also not something everyone has). Light gray is also somewhat different from the usual anthracite you see everywhere.

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The "standard" for the general contractor is relatively high.
We chose light gray from the beginning, deliberately avoiding white but also not too dark (anthracite). Although I usually like the latter very much, at least for plastered houses 🙂

Hello, as a beginner following along, I’ll join in with my question here: we are also going to build (or have built) a timber frame house with a brick veneer. The windows (also light gray, same contractor as netuser? 😉 ) should have a drip edge as the exterior window sill. Natural stone is too expensive, and aluminum is not desired (appearance, noise). My question: can I do this as well in the basement with the floor-to-ceiling windows that are rarely or never used as exits? Or is it not at all walkable if children happen to jump on it? Presumably, having it so low could also interfere with rainwater drainage or cause moisture problems, right? The distance to the garden is about 30 cm (12 inches), with no gravel or paving planned in that area. The roof overhang is quite large. Unfortunately, we don’t like the granite window sills that the prefab house supplier offers as standard... Aluminum is also not an option again. Otherwise, it would have to be the expensive natural stone, which would probably look nice as well. Best regards (from Münsterland)

Malliwae schrieb:

Hello, as a new reader, I’ll join in with my question here: we are also planning to build (or have built) a timber frame house with brick cladding. The windows (light gray as well, same contractor as netuser? 😉 )

Welcome to the forum!
Since you’re from the Münsterland region, it’s likely we chose the same provider 😉

Malliwae schrieb:

On the outside, the windows should have a “Rollschicht” as the window sill; natural stone is too expensive, aluminum is not desired (appearance, noise).

We were in a very similar situation, although in the end we decided on aluminum.
I wasn’t really enthusiastic about the Rollschicht either...

Malliwae schrieb:

My question: can I also do this in the basement with the floor-to-ceiling windows that are rarely or never used as exit doors?

… especially since the provider includes natural stone as a standard option at no extra cost for floor-to-ceiling windows anyway.

Malliwae schrieb:

Unfortunately, we really don’t like the granite window sills the prefab house provider offers as standard...

There wasn’t much choice, but overall there was something for everyone. At least we found a good option quickly, and in my opinion, it’s preferable to the Rollschicht in this case.

If none of the standard options appeal to you at all, ask about alternatives. In my experience, the provider is quite flexible and willing to find solutions… but I can’t say what additional costs might apply.

Regarding your main question, I don’t have much more to add.

However, if you say that paving or similar is not planned there anyway, I wonder why children would jump around a lot in that area?

Thanks for the quick response! It’s nice to meet like-minded people... I had the impression from the preliminary selection that natural stone was more expensive, so it’s even better if that’s not the case! The final selection is still to come... I’m just not a fan of aluminum window sills, whether anodized or colored in some other way. The roll-formed window sills at friends’ places looked really stylish and cozy, especially combined with the light gray windows. I’m curious if anyone else can answer the question. Regarding the kids: as soon as the windows are open, they probably don’t care whether there’s an exit or anything else—main thing is to get outside 😉

Malliwae schrieb:

I had in mind from the preliminary selection that natural stone was more expensive, so it’s even better if that’s not the case! The actual selection will still come...

This statement is correct and applies to standard windowsills.
For floor-to-ceiling windows, however, natural stone is installed as standard. I am a bit surprised by your comment that you didn’t find anything to your liking here.

Malliwae schrieb:

I’m just not a fan of aluminum windowsills, whether anodized or otherwise colored.

Honestly, neither am I, which is why I asked my original question.
We agreed to the compromise and assume we will be able to live with it.

Malliwae schrieb:

And the roller-coated windowsills at friends’ houses looked really stylish and cozy combined with the light gray windows.

It depends on the house and/or brickwork. In some cases, it looks quite outdated.
Additionally, they are often poorly installed, which allows moisture to penetrate. Depending on the brick type, such windowsills can also be much harder to maintain and tend to collect a lot of dirt.