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Ottawa's Brick & Stone Specialist
Phone: 613-859-5090
Custom Sills
Beautify and Protect the Exterior of Your Home
Due to homebuilding economics and the aesthetic tastes of the designer, most brick homes in the Ottawa area are constructed with brick window/door sills. With our common late spring thaws and harsh cold weather, serious problems can occur with sills made of brick units. Custom Cultured Sills are a highly recommended alternative.
What Causes Brick Sills to Spall?
As most bricks are made of clay, they absorb moisture more readily than other materials such as concrete. Water penetrates the bricks and will crystallize during the cold months causing the pores in the brick to expand. This creates a build up of pressure which can lead to spalling of the brick work.
The Importance of a Drip Key
Another essential item critically missed in brick sill construction is the absence of a drip key. A drip key is simply a long continuous groove on the underside of the sill typically less than a ¼” wide.
Rain or melting water will collect in this groove and drip off before it can make any sort of contact with the wall.
Brick sills do not have this vital component which can lead to further damage to the masonry below the window sill and cause mortar stains to develop.
Why Choose a Cultured Sill?
These products come from a quality controlled manufacturer made with a high cementitious content allowing for superior water resistance and repelling qualities than that of a typical brick.
They are custom cut on site to fit to the exact width of the opening (allowing for 10mm mortar joints). A 4 inch thick sill made of concrete is said to have the same water resisting capabilities of a 6mm thick sheet of poly plastic.
All sills are installed with a drip key and with membrane flashing underneath (will not be seen after sill installation) to protect the wall below from any further water damage.
Aesthetic Appeal and Longevity
While beauty is considered in the eye of the beholder, it is of our opinion that cultured window sills provide a home with a clean, fresh and modernized look.
The typical window sills we install are available in a rock face or smooth face design. They have a colour similar to that of angelstone which accents nicely with most brick colours and textures.
Replacement sills are available in a variety of sizes allowing for the perfect fit regardless of the height of the sill pocket.
