Carved window frames in wooden house have been a traditional option for decorating houses for several centuries; previously, they could even be used to judge the wealth of the owners. Nowadays, many modern materials have appeared, but wood products have not lost their relevance and are still popular.
And if you have a wooden house, then you should definitely decorate the facade with a beautiful frame, I’ll tell you what types it comes in, and you need to choose the option that suits best.
I will only talk about wooden products, since it is not serious to install on a house made of wood plastic trims, it’s like putting cheap stickers on an expensive car: although they are beautiful, they will ruin the impression in any case.
There are several product options, I won’t say that any of them are worse or better, each type fits a certain style of structure and it is important to choose best solution in each specific case.
The industry produces standard platbands, the surface of which can be of different configurations:
| Form | Description |
| Straight planks | The simplest option, which consists of high-quality processed planks with perfectly even corners. Such products are well suited for wooden houses in modern style, the clarity of the lines allows you to highlight the beauty of the wood, and at the same time the frame does not look out-of-date |
| Elements with rounded edges | Such products are often used inside houses and apartments when decorating doorways, but they can also be used outside if they suit the design. In this case, you just need to determine the optimal width of the elements so that the platband looks its best |
| Semicircular products | This option is distinguished by the fact that it is a convex surface, which is well suited in cases where you need to imitate a log or timber. Products should be selected carefully, since on oval elements all flaws are very visible. Again, this design is more suitable for modern buildings |
| Curly trims | The most interesting of standard options, the surface in this case is not straight, but figured, and the profile can be very different, as well as the width. This is a kind of compromise for those who are not suitable for other products, but they also don’t really like the simplicity of even elements. Another plus is the possibility of producing original products to order, their price will be higher, but you will receive a non-standard frame |
As for the work process, it is simple, because you buy ready-made products and can immediately put them to work. The advantage of this option is that the platband can be used both externally and internally, while the rest are intended only for use on facades.
The instructions for carrying out the work look like this:
When choosing, pay attention to the surface: it should not be damaged, blue or otherwise defective. Also, the material must be dry; if it is wet, the casing will be deformed later.
If you need an inexpensive and authentic frame for a country window or you love simplicity and natural lines, then this type of product will come in handy. Such products are made by hand and can be of the following types:
As for the workflow, it consists of the following actions:
This solution is very different from the two described above, both in appearance and in manufacturing complexity. This option looks many times more interesting and original, it traditional solution in a folk style, which is not suitable for any window.
As for such a platband, I cannot help but note the huge variety of options that you can implement, because you can use ready-made templates, or you can draw your own; your imagination is limited only by the complexity of the work. Too elaborate ornaments are much more difficult to implement, remember this.
Let's figure out how to make such skillful products with your own hands. Don’t be afraid, despite all the seeming pretentiousness, you will cope with the job without much difficulty. The main thing is to have everything you need on hand and be patient; the manufacturing process may not be complicated, but it takes a fair amount of time.
We need the following:
The workflow looks like this:
Another traditional solution that has been very popular for centuries. This type of product has a number of differences from the previous one:
Carved window frames of this type are made in much the same way as the option described above, so I will only touch on the differences in the workflow:
If you decide to use plywood, be sure to choose a moisture-resistant option. Regular sheets even with good coverage They will begin to swell and warp within a couple of years.
Without a doubt, this is the most difficult to implement, but also the most luxurious type of window frames. Currently, two main types of products can be distinguished:
As for the work process, there is no point in talking about manufacturing; carving is the topic of a separate review or even an entire book. Therefore, we will deal with installation, since this is an important part of the work and any mistakes will lead to damage to expensive decor:
The video in this article will help you understand some of the important nuances of the topic even better, because it’s worth seeing once than reading a sheet of text. Choose the optimal solution and implement it, of course, few people can do wood carving, but the rest of the options can be brought to life without any special skills. If you have questions, write them in the comments under the review.
October 14, 2016If you want to express gratitude, add a clarification or objection, or ask the author something - add a comment or say thank you!
Hand-made window trims are a wonderful decoration for the facade of a house (ready-made stencils and templates will be given in the article below). They make the house unlike any other, visually changing its proportions.
Today, having certain skills, you can independently create elegant platbands for windows in wooden building. Moreover, they can be made not only from wood, but also from other materials.
When the owner decides to install platbands, he strives to arrange traditional decor in his possessions.
Platbands have the following advantages:
Platbands also have some disadvantages:
Today there are many platbands. Their types are determined by the methods of their installation to the window. According to this criterion, there are two varieties:
An elegant solution is the installation of carved products. It is possible to independently implement such plans only if you have special equipment.
As already noted, wood is the most popular material for platbands. AND performance characteristics wooden platbands depends on the type of wood used.
Here we usually pay attention to such options.
Using wood High Quality it turns out beautiful original design window opening.
The basis of the work comes down to creating stencils and design.
Printing stencils on your own is something that everyone can do. It is important to achieve a combination of the chosen ornament with the entire style. Mixing geometric and floral patterns is not allowed.
When working on platbands, the following subtleties are taken into account:
When you manage to achieve color combination platbands and the plane of the walls, a complete and harmonious facade is obtained.
Before creating window decor, carved frames are selected from photographs. You need to make a template in advance. It should turn out to be the same for the design work of all openings.
The following methods for creating patterns are usually used:
Installation of overhead components should be on the base in compliance with the template pattern.
For all working methods, the presence of stencils is mandatory. This is what they look like:
Also in your work you must have the following tools:
Platbands must be created from prepared materials. The working stages are:
All workpieces are pre-treated with a protective compound. They are cut using templates. And the cutting of ornaments is done using a jigsaw. This tool is best used different types files
Working with an electric jigsaw requires certain skills and special care. The created holes must be filled. An excellent tool for this is sandpaper. After powerful grinding, the part is treated with special impregnation.
Next, all prepared parts are installed on the base. Here you need to use glue or special nails. In such work, it is better to avoid using self-tapping screws. They will cause the products to crack.
The created platband can be attached to the desired position using the following methods:
These methods are justified when working with a wooden window. To attach to metal-plastic, a special powerful liquid glue is used.
The installed platbands require constant attention and care. For processing, special preparations are used - powerful impregnations. They create high-quality protection against:
Carved versions must be coated with a primer, then varnish or paint. The intensity of such treatments is once every 3-5 years. In this way, the service life of the products will be seriously extended, and at the same time their attractive appearance will be preserved.
When installing plastic or metal products, no special care is required. It is necessary to provide high-quality protection against corrosion for products. Periodic paint updates are also required.
Thus, it is very possible to independently make platbands of extraordinary beauty with elegant patterns. Some carpentry, woodworking and tool handling skills are required. This way you can decorate in a very original way. window openings and add an elegant twist to the chosen architectural style.
Window frames, do-it-yourself templates, stencils: drawings, sketches and drawings for cutting, photo gallery, manufacturing instructions
Old Russian architecture is invariably associated with carved window frames. This form of house design is distinguished by its diversity of species. Just a few decades ago, each region had craftsmen with their own style of creating decorative elements. Today's return to roots is accompanied by a revival of interest in window treatments using carved frames.
The word “platband” itself speaks of its location – “on the face”, that is, one of its functions is to decorate the facade of the building. Therefore, people tried to express their individuality through it and decorate their windows with carved frames. In addition to their decorative role, window casings primarily perform a constructive function, closing the gap between the frame and the opening. This prevents dust from entering the house, protects against precipitation, drafts and extraneous sounds.
In the old days, carved platbands were also attributed magical properties. It was believed that framing a window with a certain shape of a strip protects against the evil eye and serves as a kind of amulet. Therefore, in the bizarre patterns one could see various figures and plants carrying a specific meaning.
In modern architecture, the functional purpose of window frames is as follows:
Carved finishes, especially those made of wood, have a number of features that should be taken into account during operation:
The desire to comply with ancient traditions requires knowledge about the meaning of the various elements of carved frames:
Natural and artificial materials are used to produce window frames. Traditionally, carved elements were made from weather-resistant wood. Characteristics of the properties of individual rocks will help determine the most suitable type:
What other materials are used in the production of window trims and what their features are, we will consider below:
There are two main ways to install platbands:
The carved shapes of the platbands give the window individuality, but to make them, you will definitely need templates. Having wood carving skills allows you to choose a complex ornament. If the ability to work with wood is not enough, it is better to find a light pattern for window trim. We suggest studying:
You can copy them completely or add your own details to the pattern. The carved frame design you like or a fragment of it needs to be enlarged to a scale taking into account the size of your window. To make carved templates, fiberboard, thick cardboard or paper are used. It is advisable to decorate windows with platbands with the same carvings. Please note that making small carved elements is much more difficult, and they deteriorate faster than others. In this case you will need partial replacement framing.
The upper part of the window casing is called a kokoshnik, the lower part is called a towel. The most widespread ornaments of carved frames are the contours of plants, images of animals and geometric shapes.
The key details of the drawing for any window casing are:
The pattern can also contain all kinds of hangers, flowerpots or a tiara. A detailed description of the names of carved decorative elements is presented in the diagram below:
If your windows have different size, experts advise making a drawing with an intermediate repeat repeated the required number of times. For rapport, you can choose one or two elements that are repeated alternately. An example of such a scheme is shown in the photo below:
There are several ways to make carved wooden frames for windows:
Sometimes both types of carving are combined.
Having decided on the pattern, material, type of carving and method of fastening the trim, you can proceed directly to the manufacture of carved frames for the windows.
It is better to mark the places in the pattern where slits need to be made with color. The work on making platbands consists of the following stages:
Overhead thread involves fastening finished elements to a wide casing using nails with their heads removed. The strength of the connection will be strengthened by applying glue to the underside of the casing. It is not recommended to use self-tapping screws due to the risk of damaging the carved section of the connection.
Carved platbands are installed on wooden windows using blind or through tenons. The first option is distinguished by a reliable connection and a complex installation process. The second method is simpler, but less reliable. Installation of carved elements on a plastic window is carried out using liquid nails.
Preliminary protective treatment of carved platbands and regular preventive care will provide long-term preservation attractive appearance of the window.
Carved window frames
Window trims, despite their simplicity, are of great importance in decorative design facade of the house. They not only create a neat look and add an element of individuality to the structure, but also perform the more prosaic task of eliminating the gap between the wall and the window frame. In addition, the platbands must withstand the influence of weather factors without losing their qualities.
The architrave was first mentioned as an element of the house back in the 15th century. Nowadays, platbands have somewhat lost their relevance, but their function is still unchanged, regardless of the material of the building and its decoration. Due to the design features of the windows of high-rise buildings and in cases where glazing is used, their presence is inappropriate.
Platbands appeared many years ago
Simplified, the casing is wooden frame, having a width of 30-40 mm, which frames the window.
The aesthetic function of this part is important, but the main task is to bridge the gap between the window frame and the wall, which increases thermal insulation and protects against the penetration of dust and moisture from the external atmosphere, and also reduces noise levels. In some cases, if there are shutters, they act as a frame.
Their form can be:
Characterized by ease of production and not high cost flat platbands. Convex platbands are made using special machines and, in connection with this, the price of products increases significantly. Carved platbands have a large aesthetic value and significant cost.
Platbands are classified according to the installation method:
An important factor when choosing the profile of this window element is the slope, which is performed at the top of the casing. Its purpose is to remove sediment.
Modern materials and requirements for house elements have determined the trends in homeowners' requests. The leaders in popularity are carved platbands made of plastic.
In addition to high aesthetic qualities, the platband must meet practical requirements. Its important qualities are its ability to withstand temperature fluctuations and high humidity. In addition, the material must withstand wind loads.
It is important that the material has sufficient strength and is not subject to chipping and cracking. ABOUT application of MDF or plywood is out of the question. The properties of these materials are such that they are able to absorb moisture, are prone to cracking, and the paint on them peels off over time. All this is a sign of the fragility of products made from these materials.
In this regard, MDF as a platband material can only be used inside a home. The manufacturability of the material determines its simplicity and relatively low cost. In addition, it does not take much time to receive ready-made platbands. Such platbands on the facade will require constant care and additional processing.
Our ancestors have been making frames from wood for many centuries. Oak and beech are the most common types of wood used for this. Pine and birch have found less use for the production of platbands. Wood tends to absorb moisture, so to increase the service life of the product and its appearance, it is necessary to use protective coatings. In addition, over time, wood tends to darken, so restoration of the original shade of the material is required.
When using gypsum as a decorative facade element, they also face the problem of interaction of the material with moisture. When water that penetrates inside the plaster freezes and thaws during temperature fluctuations, such architectural details are destroyed.
There are certain requirements for materials
The use of glass fiber reinforced concrete and polymer concrete makes it possible to avoid the negative effects of temperature and moisture. Their use is limited by the significant mass of products. In some cases, when installing such platbands, the increased load on the wall is taken into account and made more powerful.
Polyurethane compares favorably with other platband materials. This is due to the fact that its use does not allow the problems described above, and its characteristics make it possible to create additional thermal insulation. In addition, its weight is comparable to the weight of wood, which facilitates the installation of these facade parts.
Wood selection
Wood for the production of platbands can be used in various ways. This may be certain types of it, a combination of rocks by gluing or other connection.
Simple and shaped stencils for window frames are best made from pine.
The production of carved platbands requires that the material be soft. Linden has this quality. The requirements for the material are determined by manual processing of wood.
The choice of wood must be done carefully
Climatic conditions associated with high humidity or significant dryness, as well as significant temperature fluctuations during the day, determine the use of wood with a dense and hard structure. These include oak and birch. Manual processing cutting them is difficult, so the use of milling machines is necessary. Such products have a long service life.
Required Tools
Before solving the problem of how to make carved platbands, you need to decide on the tool used for this work. The main tools for this are knives and chisels, various in shape and size.
Tools for work
For independent production of platbands, manual milling devices, jigsaws, and drills are used. A jigsaw is practically indispensable when performing such work, since with its help you can create almost any pattern. In some cases it can be used homemade device, which includes a step-down transformer and nichrome wire.
In addition, you may need to make a tool for filing corners. To make such a device, it is necessary to fasten two fine-toothed hacksaw blades between three wooden slats. When using this device, the spikes are filed with one blade, and the eyes of the product with the other.
How to choose patterns for the platband?
The use of the slotted carving technique suggests that the best way will fit aspen, alder, linden or coniferous species. The thickness of the board should be in the range from 5 to 50 mm. It is necessary that the selected pattern for the platband be clearly distinguished from a distance, and act as a single whole of the architectural ensemble. Therefore, it is not advisable to create an image with a large number of small elements.
Platband options
For a long time, at the top of the casing there has been a kokoshnik with the image of the Sun. If desired, the top of the casing can be extended using tenons as a connection. Towels - this is the name given to the bottom of the platband. The design must include a drainage slope. The bottom strip should be 10 mm thick larger size plank located at the top of the plank. It is important to maintain the unity of style of both parts.
To avoid cracks in the threads, parts should be placed along the grain of the wood. As a rule, ends and openwork bends, which are thin, have significant fragility.
Structural diagrams
The simplest cut can be made by drilling a round hole using a drill. That is why it is advisable to choose a pattern with a predominance of round holes. In most cases, the ornament is made up of repeating elements, each of which is made up of holes and cutouts that have a more complex configuration.
Window trim drawings contain the following elements:
Part names
To obtain a stencil, you need to stretch the pattern along its length. For this purpose, a life-size image is applied to paper. Places that suggest the presence of slots should be highlighted in color. Then, the resulting drawing is pasted onto the workpiece. Using a drill, drill holes of the appropriate diameter. If it is necessary to work with a jigsaw, make small holes where necessary.
The direction of opening the window must be taken into account. In the case when it opens outward, the platband should be installed at a distance of 30 mm from the window sashes. In addition, the platbands should not become an obstacle to opening the window frame. Other parameters depend on it geometric dimensions windows
At the initial stage of production of platbands, it is necessary to plan a dry board, the dimensions of which are within the range: thickness up to 30 mm and width 75-150 mm. In this case, the width of the platbands should exceed the corresponding size of the window frame by 25-50 mm. For a better fit of the platbands to the wall surface, select a groove or make a gap of no more than 2 mm so that it is at a distance of 10-15 mm from the edge.
When working with a power tool, you should not make excessive efforts, as if helping it. This may cause it to fail. If you encounter difficulties cutting wood, you should pay attention to sharpening the blade. It is recommended to make long cuts using a wide blade.
How to make fastening of carved platbands
Fastening of platband parts is carried out using blind or through tenons. Moreover, it is believed that the use of the first of them is preferable, since there is no need to decorate the places where the connection occurs.
The grooves for the tenons are made by drilling several holes, the depth of which is slightly greater than the tenon. Removing the partitions between the holes is done with a drill designed for metal. The entry of the spike should be tight, however, without the use of force.
The spikes are secured with dowels made of hard wood. It is not advisable to use glue. This is due to the fact that adhesives are not able to work for a long time under the influence of an aggressive atmospheric environment.
Installation of platbands: features
Installation of platbands is carried out without the use of glue using nails. They are driven in at intervals of 400-500 mm so that the head is recessed into the wood. Most often, the platbands are attached tightly to the box. In some cases, an indentation of 5-20 mm is made on the side, which depends on the direction of opening of the valves.
Platband drawing
The window sill board at the window opening and the platband are installed closely. This design allows you to install bedside tables that protect the lower part of the platbands.
Upon completion of installation work, it is imperative to carry out protective treatment of the platbands. You should also apply paint or varnish, which needs to be renewed from time to time.
Stencils for window frames
For log buildings, carved platbands simply beg for decoration window openings. Making them yourself is not at all a whim or an attempt to save money, because there are very few really good woodcarvers now.
The manufacture of platbands, in contrast to artistic wood carving, involves repeated execution of the same type of operations, resulting in a rather primitive repeating pattern. Therefore, most of the work is done electric tool: this not only increases the processing speed, but also achieves uniform quality in different areas.
1 - jigsaw; 2 - drill; 3 - belt sander; 4 - vibration grinder; 5 - manual router
The main work is done with a jigsaw and drill. The tool must be reliable and of high quality, capable of being in continuous use for a long time. To clean and polish products, it is better to use an electric grinder, at least a simple belt grinder. Quick finishing of the relief is possible using vibration-type machines.
If you intend to add additional small details to the edges of your product, you cannot do without a router. Slopes, chamfers and figured borders can also be done manually, but only if you have a variety of chisels, cutters and specific skills in working with wood.
Set of wood cutters
Hardwood species are best suited for platbands: oak, birch, ash, maple, alder. Because the thickness finished product relatively small (30–45 mm), hard rocks will be less susceptible to rotting and drying out, and therefore will retain their appearance longer.
If you plan to decorate carved frames with flat-relief elements with many small details, you should give preference to softer species with a fine texture pattern. Linden, poplar, aspen, walnut and spruce are suitable.
The wood for platbands must be selected and, preferably, chamber dried, with a moisture content not exceeding 12%. The presence of traces of warping or other pronounced defects or large branches is not allowed. Ideally, you should immediately order calibrated boards with a width of 100–150 mm and a thickness of 30–40 mm.
The length of the workpieces must be sufficient to completely cover window hole horizontally and vertically with an overlap in each direction of 1.5 times the width of the board. It is important that you initially calculate the number of required blanks and, in addition to them, purchase several more boards of the cheapest species for training and practicing carving skills.
Almost any wood carving begins with applying a design to the workpiece according to a pre-made template or stencil. There are plenty of thread diagrams on the Internet; the main difficulty comes down to transferring the lines onto the part exactly and without distortion. Let us warn you right away: do not chase high complexity drawing. A set of even the most primitive elements in the correct sequence and with well-chosen indents impresses with its modesty and quality of processing.
Templates for the upper and lower trim strips for the window
Example of a platband ornament template
The first option for applying markings is to make a small pattern from plastic or hard sheet material, on which a single element of a repeating pattern is applied. Such a template is sequentially applied to the workpiece and outlined with a pencil.
It is also possible to produce a one-piece template. You need to take a strip of paper of the appropriate width, fold it like an accordion several times, and then cut out the pattern according to the principle of a Christmas tree garland. The resulting tape must be glued onto cardboard or LMDF, and then cut out the desired shapes. This method is welcome for a significant amount of work.
The resulting stencil is subsequently simply applied to the board and outlined with a soft pencil. Ideally, rich but precise cutting lines and boundaries for further processing should remain. When marking out the details, you need to take into account the layout of the pattern so that the platbands form a solid and complete outline, and the repeating pattern is not interrupted inappropriately.
The first step is to trim the edges of the workpiece and make holes in the center. Everything is simple with the edges: we cut out the excess with a jigsaw, retreating 1–1.5 mm outward from the marking line for subsequent processing. To cut out shapes in the center of the plane, drill the part at the very line of each cutout, then select the inner contour with a jigsaw.
For making large holes, it is wise to use core drills. In this case, it is necessary to mark on the template not the contours, but the centers of the circles into which the centering drill bit of the crown will be installed. A similar technique can also be used when making oval holes or elements with small rounding radii: complex bend drilled with the appropriate radius, and everything else is cut out with a jigsaw.
When the excess parts of the workpiece are cut out, the cut edges must be carefully processed with a rasp and then with sandpaper. It is recommended to use bars of square, round and rounded profiles, which are filled with sandpaper. This way you'll be less likely to fray the edges and will be able to get straight corners on each edge.
Rectangular ribs look rather rough, so they are smoothed with chamfers and slopes of different profiles. The easiest way to diversify the product is to go along the external and internal contours of the casing with a figured cutter. But manual processing options are also possible:
Once you're done with the shaping, it's a good idea to vary the remaining flat elements with simple designs or floral designs. Here are the simplest working methods:
Due to the carved elements, the wooden product has a larger surface shape, due to which it is more susceptible to aging. Therefore, the wood should be specially treated.
First of all, carved items to be placed on the facade should be soaked in an antiseptic composition for 5–8 hours, for which you can dig a small trench in the ground and put a plastic film there for temporary arrangement of the bath. After soaking, the parts are dried for several days, stacked with pads every 30–40 cm.
When the wood has dried, it must be thoroughly sanded, achieving smoothness and finally eliminating all traces of sawing and carving. The protective composition is selected according to the type facade finishing, it can be either alkyd enamel or polyurethane varnish, tinted or transparent.
Finally, for correct installation platbands, the window opening should be framed with a flat lath 10–15 mm thick and such a width that its outer edge is not visible through the carved pattern along the contour of the platband. The purpose of this strip is to eliminate the remaining unevenness of the wall and provide a reliable base for securing the carved element. Often this strip is painted in a color that contrasts with the coating of the casing itself to make the pattern more expressive.
Platbands can be attached with straight or oblique cutting, which depends on the type and density of the pattern. Oblique trimming is performed with a cut on each side at 45°, while the cutting line should pass through identical sections of the pattern and not intersect the figures cut out inside.
With direct trimming, a horizontal element is located between two vertical ones. Their top edge should be 1–2 cm above the crossbar if the cut end is straight. It is also possible to manufacture on the edge of the thread according to the general scheme, if during the manufacturing process you carry out fitting and precise adjustment of the platbands. The fastening of the platbands itself is elementary - ordinary rough nails without a head are used for it. It is only important that the nail pierces the platband and the strip, protruding at least 5 mm from the inside.
Do-it-yourself wooden carved window frames
When it comes to window frames, the first thing that comes to mind is my grandmother’s wooden house in the village with carved window frames on the facades.
Sweet memories. From time immemorial, wooden Russian architecture was famous for the variety of decorative wood carvings on the facades of buildings, and later on window frames.
Each region (province, district) had its own craftsmen with their own style, which differed from the craftsmen of the neighboring town.
“Clatband” - “on the face”, decoration and functional part of the window on the facade of the building.
Today, lovers and connoisseurs of Russian architecture, enthusiasts who are not indifferent to the history of Russian architecture, traveling through the regions of Russia, photograph windows with various frames (preserved or in dilapidated condition) so that descendants can see them. You can find the websites of these people on the Internet.
What are window trims? First of all, it's still structural element window, covering the gap between the opening and window frame, preventing dust from entering the room, protecting from precipitation, noise, and drafts.
But in the old days it was still protection from the evil eye; magic spells of the pagans were encrypted in fancy patterns, amulets in the form of various figures, only they were applied to valances, piers, and later on window frames. The patterns were passed down from generation to generation, repeated in embroidery on towels and clothes, and new designs were invented.
Today, the platband has become more of a function of protecting living quarters from external atmospheric influences and decorating facades. But the craftsmen still put love and knowledge into creating the frame, relying on the experience of their ancestors.
Looking at any window you like, framed by a frame, you involuntarily compare it with the face of a Russian woman of past centuries. Even the top decoration of the window is named the same as a woman’s headdress - “kokoshnik”. The peasant woman had a more modest attire, and the noblewoman had a more refined kokoshnik, richly decorated with stones and embroidery.
The same thing happened with the windows: a variety of simple and complex shapes, with rich carvings or very modest shapes. The lower part of the window was decorated with a “towel”, like a towel with bread and salt in a woman’s hands.
Platbands were made from tree species resistant to weathering and temperature changes. Larch is the least susceptible to rotting, but this species is not suitable for making carved openwork overlays, as it is quite fragile. But linden is an excellent material for openwork decor; it is soft and pliable, but requires special impregnation and processing, as it easily absorbs moisture.
Oak wood is the most resistant to all weather conditions and temperature changes, but is difficult to process. But having worked hard on this material, you will get a durable product that not only your children, but also your grandchildren will admire.
Currently, platbands are produced made of wood, composite materials - laminated MDF or plywood, PVC, polyurethane and metal (aluminum, steel).
Wooden trims the most environmentally friendly, elegant - wonderful decoration log house, but less durable. However, when proper care They will last quite a long time. Periodically, the platband must be treated with a fresh layer of waterproof varnish or paint.
MDF trim – This is a slab veneered with various types of wood, the decorative effect lies in the color of a particular type.
Plastic trims They are made of PVC, are not subject to rotting, and are often installed on plastic windows. They have a wide color spectrum and are UV resistant. The color of the casing can be matched to the color of the plaster or siding with which the house is sheathed, or it can be set to contrast with the facades.
Polyurethane trims lightweight and unpretentious to use. This product can be used to frame rounded windows, which is difficult to do from other materials.
Metal trims or flashings installed to protect the installation seam on the inside or outside of a window or door, connecting it with the profile frame into a single whole.
Depending on the installation method, platbands can be overhead or telescopic. Telescopic frame It has an L-shape, is made of wood, veneered with MDF, and has a modern look for the trim. Its advantages lie in the installation method - there are no traces of fasteners (nails, screws), it fits tightly into the grooves of the window frame.
The platband installed on the window will not only functional element finishing, but also a decorative component of your facade. Simple rectangular, carved or curved arched window trims can be purchased from manufacturers or you can make the trim yourself. But handmade products will become the calling card of your home and increase your self-esteem.
You can make templates for the platbands and the platbands themselves on our own. Owning any computer program for drawing, you can make and calculate any template, select the scale and print it on regular A4 paper. In this case, it is not necessary to have any artistic skills; it is enough to find and upload a photo of a window with a pattern or a fragment of a picture you like into the program and trace it, changing or copying it with precision, and then scale the diagram to fit your window sizes.
If you have several window sizes, then it is recommended to implement a scheme with an intermediate repeat, which can be repeated as many times as necessary. The diagram below shows how to do this.
Rapport can be repeated from identical elements or two fragments arranged alternately.
You can fasten with nails, self-tapping screws or special synthetic glue. The horizontal and vertical parts are joined together, often at an angle of 45°, having previously made cuts with a hacksaw using a miter box.
There are several ways to make wooden frames.
The first method is a slotted platband - perhaps the most decorative and delicate. The platband made of light tones of wood or painted with white paint against a darker background of the facade looks very elegant and sophisticated, like Vologda lace. There is something mysterious and fabulous in such a casing.
The next manufacturing method is overhead thread. The individual cut out elements are laid (nailed or glued) onto a solid board. A feeling of a three-dimensional pattern is created. In this way, you can decorate a simple-to-make platband.
The protruding part of the design is often painted in a contrasting color or shade. You can combine both types of thread in one product.
Existing but already dilapidated platbands can be repaired by removing old elements that cannot be restored and replacing them with new ones. Clean off old paint and paint with a fresh coat of moisture-resistant paint to wooden products or varnish.
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Window trims, despite their simplicity, are of great importance in the decorative design of the facade of a house. They not only create a neat look and add an element of individuality to the structure, but also perform the more prosaic task of eliminating the gap between the wall and the window frame. In addition, the platbands must withstand the influence of weather factors without losing their qualities.
The architrave was first mentioned as an element of the house back in the 15th century. Nowadays, platbands have somewhat lost their relevance, but their function is still unchanged, regardless of the material of the building and its decoration. Due to the design features of the windows of high-rise buildings and in cases where glazing is used, their presence is inappropriate.
Platbands appeared many years ago
In simple terms, the platband is a wooden frame 30-40 mm wide that frames the window.
The aesthetic function of this part is important, but the main task is to bridge the gap between the window frame and the wall, which increases thermal insulation and protects against the penetration of dust and moisture from the external atmosphere, and also reduces noise levels. In some cases, if there are shutters, they act as a frame.
Their form can be:
Flat-shaped platbands are characterized by ease of production and low cost. Convex platbands are made using special machines and, in connection with this, the price of products increases significantly. Carved platbands have great aesthetic value and significant cost.
Platbands are classified according to the installation method:
An important factor when choosing the profile of this window element is the slope, which is performed at the top of the casing. Its purpose is to remove sediment.
Modern materials and requirements for house elements have determined the trends in homeowners' requests. The leaders in popularity are carved platbands made of plastic.
In addition to high aesthetic qualities, the platband must meet practical requirements. Its important qualities are its ability to withstand temperature fluctuations and high humidity. In addition, the material must withstand wind loads.
It is important that the material has sufficient strength and is not subject to chipping and cracking. The use of MDF or plywood is out of the question. The properties of these materials are such that they are able to absorb moisture, are prone to cracking, and the paint on them peels off over time. All this is a sign of the fragility of products made from these materials.
In this regard, MDF as a platband material can only be used inside a home. The manufacturability of the material determines its simplicity and relatively low cost. In addition, it does not take much time to receive ready-made platbands. Such platbands on the facade will require constant care and additional processing.
Our ancestors have been making frames from wood for many centuries. Oak and beech are the most common types of wood used for this. Pine and birch have found less use for the production of platbands. Wood tends to absorb moisture, so to increase the service life of the product and its appearance, it is necessary to use protective coatings. In addition, over time, wood tends to darken, so restoration of the original shade of the material is required.
When using gypsum as a decorative facade element, they also face the problem of interaction of the material with moisture. When water that penetrates inside the plaster freezes and thaws during temperature fluctuations, such architectural details are destroyed.
There are certain requirements for materials The use of glass fiber reinforced concrete and polymer concrete makes it possible to avoid the negative effects of temperature and moisture. Their use is limited by the significant mass of products. In some cases, when installing such platbands, the increased load on the wall is taken into account and made more powerful.
Polyurethane compares favorably with other platband materials. This is due to the fact that its use does not allow the problems described above, and its characteristics make it possible to create additional thermal insulation. In addition, its weight is comparable to the weight of wood, which facilitates the installation of these facade parts.
Wood for the production of platbands can be used in various ways. This may be certain types of it, a combination of rocks by gluing or other connection.
Simple and shaped stencils for window frames are best made from pine.
The production of carved platbands requires that the material be soft. Linden has this quality. The requirements for the material are determined by manual processing of wood.
The choice of wood must be done carefully Climatic conditions associated with high humidity or significant dryness, as well as significant temperature fluctuations during the day, determine the use of wood with a dense and hard structure. These include oak and birch. Manual processing is difficult, so the use of milling machines is necessary. Such products have a long service life.
Before solving the problem of how to make carved platbands, you need to decide on the tool used for this work. The main tools for this are knives and chisels, various in shape and size.
Tools for work For independent production of platbands, manual milling devices, jigsaws, and drills are used. A jigsaw is practically indispensable when performing such work, since with its help you can create almost any pattern. In some cases, a homemade device can be used, which includes a step-down transformer and nichrome wire.
In addition, you may need to make a tool for filing corners. To make such a device, it is necessary to fasten two fine-toothed hacksaw blades between three wooden slats. When using this device, the spikes are filed with one blade, and the eyes of the product with the other.
Using the slotted carving technique suggests that aspen, alder, linden or conifers are best suited. The thickness of the board should be in the range from 5 to 50 mm. It is necessary that the selected pattern for the platband be clearly distinguished from a distance, and act as a single whole of the architectural ensemble. Therefore, it is not advisable to create an image with a large number of small elements.
Platband options For a long time, at the top of the casing there has been a kokoshnik with the image of the Sun. If desired, the top of the casing can be extended using tenons as a connection. Towels - this is the name given to the bottom of the platband. The design must include a drainage slope. The bottom plank should be 10mm thicker than the plank on top of the plank. It is important to maintain the unity of style of both parts.
To avoid cracks in the threads, parts should be placed along the grain of the wood. As a rule, ends and openwork bends, which are thin, have significant fragility.
Structural diagrams The simplest cut can be made by drilling a round hole using a drill. That is why it is advisable to choose a pattern with a predominance of round holes. In most cases, the ornament is made up of repeating elements, each of which is made up of holes and cutouts that have a more complex configuration.
Window trim drawings contain the following elements:
Part names To obtain a stencil, you need to stretch the pattern along its length. For this purpose, a life-size image is applied to paper. Places that suggest the presence of slots should be highlighted in color. Then, the resulting drawing is pasted onto the workpiece. Using a drill, drill holes of the appropriate diameter. If it is necessary to work with a jigsaw, make small holes where necessary.
Platband The direction of opening the window must be taken into account. In the case when it opens outward, the platband should be installed at a distance of 30 mm from the window sashes. In addition, the platbands should not become an obstacle to opening the window frame. Other parameters depend on the geometric dimensions of the windows.
At the initial stage of production of platbands, it is necessary to plan a dry board, the dimensions of which are within the range: thickness up to 30 mm and width 75-150 mm. In this case, the width of the platbands should exceed the corresponding size of the window frame by 25-50 mm. For a better fit of the platbands to the wall surface, select a groove or make a gap of no more than 2 mm so that it is at a distance of 10-15 mm from the edge.
When working with a power tool, you should not make excessive efforts, as if helping it. This may cause it to fail. If you encounter difficulties cutting wood, you should pay attention to sharpening the blade. It is recommended to make long cuts using a wide blade.
Fastening of platband parts is carried out using blind or through tenons. Moreover, it is believed that the use of the first of them is preferable, since there is no need to decorate the places where the connection occurs.
The grooves for the tenons are made by drilling several holes, the depth of which is slightly greater than the tenon. Removing the partitions between the holes is done with a drill designed for metal. The entry of the spike should be tight, however, without the use of force.
The spikes are secured with dowels made of hard wood. It is not advisable to use glue. This is due to the fact that adhesives are not able to work for a long time under the influence of an aggressive atmospheric environment.
Installation of platbands is carried out without the use of glue using nails. They are driven in at intervals of 400-500 mm so that the head is recessed into the wood. Most often, the platbands are attached tightly to the box. In some cases, an indentation of 5-20 mm is made on the side, which depends on the direction of opening of the valves.
Platband drawing The window sill board at the window opening and the platband are installed closely. This design allows you to install bedside tables that protect the lower part of the platbands.
Upon completion of installation work, it is imperative to carry out protective treatment of the platbands. You should also apply paint or varnish, which needs to be renewed from time to time.
Beautiful rose frames 
Platbands 
Platbands are an important part of the architecture of the house 
Beautiful platbands 
Original platbands The tradition of decorating windows with carved frames comes from old times. It was believed that decorating windows with fancy patterns not only protected the room from drafts and cold, but also served as a kind of protective amulet against evil spirits or the evil eye.
A selection of templates for carvings window casings
A stencil is a device for applying identical patterns and symbols to the desired surface. Before you start making the trim, you will need to get stencils and templates. Finding a sketch for a carved frame is not difficult - they can be downloaded for free and in a wide variety on the Internet, purchased in specialized stores or found in magazines.
Finished stencils and templates can be made on paper, cardboard or wood fiber. They just need to be applied to the surface of the future casing and circled. You can make a stencil yourself in several ways:
Stencils and templates are the main assistants in creating carved platbands. In the drawing you need to take into account which pattern will be chosen for the various components of the casing.
Carved platbands include the following main details:
These are only the basic elements; carved frames can include many more decorative details: a tiara, hangers, flowerpots, etc.
After the sketch has been created, you need to make a stencil directly onto which all the elements of the design for the carved frames are transferred. You can transfer the contour to the workpiece in the following ways:
Cutting the platband according to the template The stencils should be placed on the workpiece along the grain of the wood: in the future, the thread of such a casing will not crack. For convenience, the places where the cuts will be made can be colored.
