In most cases carved platbands used to decorate the windows of wooden houses. But in view of the fact that it is quite problematic to buy a ready-made platband today, it is easier to do it yourself.

Important! All platbands, albeit of the highest quality, have one significant drawback - they need protection from atmospheric precipitation. The manufacture of window frames traditionally begins with the preparation of everything you need.

Stage 1. Equipment

In the process, you will need the following tools:

Stage 2. Material selection

For ordinary platbands, it is better to use pine, while for carved products it is recommended to take soft rocks, for example, linden (the latter, moreover, is much easier to handle by hand).

Important! The only disadvantage of linden - hygroscopicity - can be easily eliminated by applying several layers of paintwork.

Hardwoods should be chosen in three cases:

• with high climate humidity;
• too dry air;
• in the presence of significant temperature fluctuations.

Hardwoods include birch and oak. They are quite difficult to handle. hand tools so you need milling machine, but such a tree will last several times longer than a linden.

Stage 3. Important points in the manufacture

Finished wooden platbands should not impede the opening of the sashes by at least 90ᵒ. With regard to other parameters, they are selected individually in accordance with the size of the opening. For fasteners, you can use spikes or connect the elements in half a tree.

Important! In the future, the upper part of the casing can be enlarged to apply large images to the surface. Spikes are used for fasteners, and the decoration itself is popularly called "kokoshnik".

The lower part of the product is made in the same carved manner and must include the bevel required for the drain. It is characteristic that the thickness of the lower part should exceed the thickness of the upper one by at least 1 cm.

Small slats are nailed on both sides of the opening - they will hide the differences in the walls (if any). The thickness of the strips should match the width of the gap, at least approximately. The final fastening is carried out only after careful adjustment of the joints.

Important! If the sash opens onto the street, then the platbands must be installed 3 cm above the window itself.

Stage 4. Pattern selection

Since ancient times, platbands have been decorated with the most bizarre patterns, which were believed to protect the house from evil spirits and the evil eye. Today, mainly skilled craftsmen are engaged in the manufacture of carved platbands.

Important! To dodo-it-yourself window frames, you first need to choose a good stencil that will allow you to create a pattern of any complexity, even without special skills in woodcarving.

Often the professionals themselves use stencils; without them, only one-time individual orders are carried out.

Stencils are now freely sold in a fairly wide range. They consist of the following components:

• lower bar;
• top bar;
• vertical slats.

In addition, there may be additional decorative details - hangers, and so on.

Step 5. Making the frame

First, a frame is formed from the pre-cut elements. Fastening is carried out using thorns, which are fixed in the hole with beads. A jigsaw is usually used to create the thorns, although a regular small-toothed hacksaw will do. A small knife is used to remove the sawdust.

The width of the finished frame, as well as the platbands described above, should not interfere with the free opening of the doors by 90ᵒ. The frame itself should be at least 2 cm larger than the window frame.

Stage 6. Manufacturing of platbands

Step 1. First, the drawing from the stencil is transferred to the tree by means of a carbon copy.

Step 2. Then a jigsaw with a thin blade is taken and small curly elements are cut out.

Step 3. From the outside, the contours of the pattern are cut out so that the canvas passes along the edge of the workpiece.

Step 4. In any case, you will have to turn the saw in the workpiece. To do this is quite simple, you just need to use one of the two existing methods:

• upon reaching a turn, several parallel cuts are made (the saw should be able to turn to any angle inside the hole);
• you can go the other way - make a small loop that will allow you to enter from the back side.

Important! Modern jigsaws allow you to make cuts at an angle of 45-90ᵒ, so you can not only make the smallest cuts, but also give the decorative element a more intense and voluminous shape.

Step 5. If it is necessary to cut a closed shape in the center of the product, a hole is drilled in the middle of the part to be removed. After that, the jigsaw blade will be easier to move in one direction or another.

If the workpiece is thin enough, then when processing it, you can do without an electric drill. To do this, take a jigsaw and rests on the workpiece at a right angle. Then the tool is turned on and the hole is scratched, as it were, when the canvas is deepened into the wood.

These are all key aspects of the manufacture of window frames. Actually, the whole procedure comes down to repeated repetition of the actions described above, but their specific combination depends only on the skills and complexity of the pattern.

It should be noted that there are other manufacturing methods that differ from those described above. For clarity, we recommend watching a thematic video.

Video - Production of window frames

Find out which ones are better to choose, as well as consider the types and methods of installation, from our new article.

Prices for platbands and accessories for windows and doors

Platbands and extensions for windows and doors

Fundamental rules. What not to do

Below is a list of rules to help you avoid the most common problems.

1. It is recommended to use a board 3-4 cm thick as a starting material.
2. Don't jump on complicated patterns right away. It’s best to practice with regular round parts, which are easy to drill with a drill at first.
3. The width of the workpiece must be such that it is sufficient to cover the ends of the walls and protect it from moisture.
4. Carved elements should be placed along the grain of the wood to prevent cracking.
5. When choosing a stencil, it is better to pay attention to patterns with large elements, since small ones will look crumpled, as a result of which the finish will not have the desired decorative effect.

Important! Before starting work, you should calculate the future costs of time and money, as well as the feasibility of the venture itself. In the absence of high skills in working with wood and interest in the process itself, it is easier to buy ready-made platbands.

Moreover, it is advisable to first familiarize yourself with the photographs of different products. So you can find suitable option or to get inspiration for your own hand about creating something.

Step 7. Installing the product on the window

Now all that remains is to install ready-made carved platbands on the windows, for which special glue is used. It is important that it is not organic, otherwise, due to exposure to biological influences, it will harm the products themselves.

You can also use plumbing glue - there shouldn't be any problems with it.

Important! If the fastening will be carried out with the help of nails, then the spikes and joints should be greased with glue solution in advance.

Another option that can further simplify the installation procedure is to use self-tapping screws instead of nails. It will be easier, if only because there is no risk of damaging the platband or the surrounding surfaces with a hammer.

Important! The caps of the self-tapping screws are very easy to disguise. It is necessary to mix sawdust with glue and spread the caps with the resulting mixture. It is advisable to do this even before painting the windows so that the hidden fasteners also acquire the required color.

The final painting procedure is also quite simple. On top of the finish, some kind of protective material is applied (not only paint, but also, for example, varnish, impregnation). It is advisable to do this in any case, since such a coating significantly extends the service life of the products.

The paint is known to peel off, so it is advisable to take it instead. It is much easier to periodically renew the impregnation than to remove cracked paint. And the latter, as you know, will surely crack.

As a conclusion

It is commendable that people strive to follow the traditions of their ancestors, because this is especially important in the current conditions of active urbanization. It will take a little time and appropriate equipment to make the window frames yourself. The procedure is complicated, but the result will more than pay off all the costs. Moreover, this way you can save a considerable amount of money, since the production of trims for one window to order will cost an average of 2.5-15 thousand rubles.

Video - Options for platbands

The appearance of the house largely depends on how the windows are decorated. It is they who emphasize, and at times, shape the style of the building. And the main way to give them character is window frames. Here we will talk about them further.

Purpose and classification

Platbands are narrow, long strips that frame windows or doors. According to this principle, window and door are distinguished. They usually differ in width, but, in order to maintain a uniform style, they must be made of the same material. In addition, they are made in a similar manner using repeating elements and painted in the same color.

Door and window frames serve not only to give the building / room a finished look, although this is also important. They also close the technological gap that forms between the frame of the door or window and the wall. After installing windows and doors, this gap is filled with insulation, but the view does not get better from this, and water, dust and sound continue to penetrate into the room, albeit in smaller quantities. So they once thought of closing that gap with planks, and even decorating them.

At the place of installation, platbands are external and internal. A protective role is played mainly by platbands for outdoor installation... Therefore, they are made of materials resistant to climatic factors (or covered with protective compounds) and the thickness of this material is usually greater. Internal platbands mainly perform just a decorative function. They are operated in gentle conditions, therefore the requirements for the properties of the material are different - decorativeness is important, and not resistance to climatic influences.

Materials used to make window frames

Window platbands are selected depending on the general style of home decoration. Houses are built and finished in different ways, respectively, and the materials and style of additional decorative elements are selected differently. TO brick houses, for example, better fit plastic or metal, but not wood (if there are any platbands at all). Windows are also decorated with plastic or metal. For wooden ones, on the contrary, wood is more suitable. But this is not a rule either. The choice of platbands is a private matter of the owner. He sets what he wants. It is only important to understand all the pros and cons of each material.

Wood

Platbands for wooden house are most often made from wood. But any kind of wood requires constant care - painting and / or varnishing. The coverage has to be renewed every two to three years. Only in this case, products made from it look normal for many years.

A plus wooden windows ny platbands in that they can be carved, with figured elements of various shapes. This gives an almost infinite number of options. There are also very simple models - ordinary planks, perhaps with some additional elements... The choice depends on the style of the house.

Wooden platbands are used, both from the street side and indoors. Just when installing, they will use different protective impregnations and coloring compositions.

Plastic

If PVC windows are installed in the house, then plastic frames are also installed. They are good because all care is periodic wiping from dust and dirt. No other operations are needed.

Do plastic platbands from plastics resistant to climatic factors, adding a fade-resistant dye to the composition. Components are added to the mass that protect the material from high and low temperatures.

The advantage of plastic platbands is their low price. The downside is the limited choice of models and styles, not too large a range of colors. There are usually white, a couple of shades of brown in stock. The rest - may be available only on order, and even then not always. And one more disadvantage is that it is still an artificial material. Not everyone wants to put plastic platbands on a wooden house. Even though wooden ones are not cheap at all.

The area of ​​use of plastic platbands is indoors or outdoors. If you need external plastic platbands, pay attention to the temperature regime of operation. Plastic must withstand the most severe frosts in your area.

MDF

Platbands made of MDF - an option for indoor use. You can't put it on the street - it will quickly deteriorate. Represents compressed shredded wood fibers, from which products are formed. Their surface is laminated with a film that can be smooth, colored, imitate the surface of a stone (marble, for example) or wood.

If you don't like plastic on the windows, the second possible a budget option- platbands from MDF. In any case, most often it is them. There are even special telescopic models. They are good in that a special additional board is cut to the required size, due to which they can change the width and become in any opening. With their help, the doorway is formed quickly and efficiently.

Caring for MDF platbands is no more difficult than for plastic ones - wet wiping. For stubborn dirt, you can use non-abrasive (liquid) and non-aggressive (no chorus, etc.) detergents.

Metal platbands

This type of platbands are usually placed on the street with plastic or metal-plastic windows. It is a thin sheet of galvanized metal coated with weather-resistant paint (usually powder paint).

Metal window trims belong to the budget category. They don't cost very much. Suitable for private houses designed in modern style... Metal platbands are perfectly combined with houses finished with metal and aluminum composite. The second area of ​​application is for industrial and office space... They are good because they combine practicality, durability, low price.

Platbands device

Classic window trims consist of four elements: upper and lower trim, two side trims. They can be connected using a single spike (as in the picture). They can also be joined end-to-end, since they do not bear any load. In this case, they simply tightly fit the strips to one another, fixing each element separately.

If the window provides for the presence of a window sill, there is no need for a lower strapping. During installation, the window sill is first fixed, then - the side strips and the last - the upper strapping.

The width of the platbands is chosen individually each time, but usually it is in the range of -100-250 mm. When choosing the width, two technical parameters are taken into account:

• the platband should go over the frame by at least 5-10 mm;
• in order not to interfere with opening the windows, they should retreat from the hinges by 10-20 mm (the further, the wider the sashes open).

Finally, the width is chosen based on the style of the house. Somewhere narrow strips are more suitable - 100-130 mm wide, somewhere wide ones are required - 200-250 mm. In order not to be mistaken, you can “try on” the planks by pinning them on a couple of nails and watch from afar which option you like more.

The thickness of the strips for the manufacture of platbands is 20-35 mm. In most cases, a 20-25 mm thick board is used, since this optimal size for self-execution - not too difficult to process, but quite voluminous to obtain a decorative pitchfork.

Platbands in a wooden house

Most of the questions arise when decorating windows in wooden house... Most are inclined to believe that only wooden platbands are suitable for a wooden house. There is a reason for this - a tree with a tree looks the most organic. But choosing a material is far from everything in this case. There are several important points to pay attention to:

So the choice of the appearance of the platbands is far from the last, of those that will have to be decided. It is also necessary to choose the method of wood processing, the method of installation, and the type of platband too.

Types of wooden platbands

Wood is extremely malleable and very beautiful material, therefore, the number of variations in the design of platbands tends to infinity ... All of them can be conditionally divided into several types: simple and carved. Simple ones look great on modern houses, carvings are good for ethnic buildings.

Simple in shape from molded

Industry and private traders sell planks of various sections:

You can make simple platbands from this molding with your own hands. To do this, you need to calculate the amount necessary material(based on the results of measurements of windows). It should be borne in mind that the length of one plank is 220 cm. You are unlikely to make component elements, therefore it is worth considering that there will be a lot of scraps. The most successful case is when it is possible to "carve out" two elements from one plank - usually the sidewall and the upper / lower part.

The planks are joined in two ways - at 90 ° and floor at 45 °. At the same time, the appearance of the platbands is different. When docking the floor at 45 °, a neat frame is obtained, when docking at 90 °, a more expressive design. The protruding edges can be left straight, they can be cut at any angle, rounded, curly trimmed ... At this point, as you like more or what is enough skill, desire, imagination.

The simplest homemade platbands

The option differs from the one described above in that we carry out the primary processing ourselves. Edged and unedged boards are suitable. From the edged ones, a modest finish for a country house or for a house from planed / glued timber is obtained. We grind the board first with coarse sandpaper, then with finer sandpaper. When the surface is smooth and level, you can start cutting.

Nothing fancy at all - just well-finished boards

WITH unedged boards remove the bark, the surface is also polished. There are options here. Smoothness can be achieved by removing imperfections. You can only remove the top rough layer, leaving all the imperfections of the wood in the future, only to emphasize it during processing.

Carved platbands

Openwork wooden platbands for windows are a beautiful but expensive option. Expensive - if you order their execution, and laborious if you do it yourself. There are, however, simple, but spectacular patterns that, if you have a jigsaw and desire, you can make yourself.

There are two types openwork platbands- with slotted and overlaid elements. Slotted - this is when the holes in the platbands are made through and through them the wall is visible. Overhead - this is when the window is decorated with ordinary strips, and on top of them are slotted thread elements or decorative protruding elements (overlays in the form of rhombuses, rectangles, etc.).

In the case of overlays, contrasting colors are often used. For example, the planks are painted in a dark color, and the openwork - in a light one. But this trick is easy only at the installation stage - you can paint both parts separately. Subsequently, you have to carefully apply different paints with a thin brush.

How and what to fix platbands in a wooden house

In squared or log house windows and doors are placed on the casing - a special frame of the opening made of wood, which is not rigidly fixed to the walls, but is held due to the frictional force in the ridge / groove type lock. Casing is made from thick timber... The frame of the window or door is attached to the casing. When installing platbands, they are also attached to the casing. Since there is no load on them, the strips are usually attached from both sides, stepping back 10-15 cm from the edge.

There are two types of fasteners:

Fastening with dowels is more laborious, but it is absolutely invisible. If the process is too difficult, use finishing nails.

How to attach platbands to a log wall

There are no problems when installing platbands on ohm from a bar: the surface is flat, it is easy to attach to it. If the frame is made of logs, everything is more complicated. There are two options:

Which method to choose is your decision. Both are viable and both are not perfect - it is difficult to ensure tightness.

How to prevent moisture leakage under the trims

Ensuring tightness is the main concern when installing platbands on a wooden house. Most of the questions arise about how to prevent moisture from flowing under the upper bar. Water, flowing down the wall, inevitably gets into the gap between the platband and the wall. There are several options for solving the problem, mostly traditional, but using new materials.

Platbands with a wooden "peak"

Such platbands are also called "Finnish", since almost all houses in Finland are framed in this way. In them, in addition to the traditional four slats, they also make an additional inclined visor, which is supported by the consoles resting on the side slats. It is advisable to choose the angle of inclination of the plank the same as the angle of inclination of the roof or close to it. Although an insignificant detail, such a finish looks more organic.

When installing, under a visor in a log or a bar, you can cut a few millimeters, "drown" the edge of the visor there, seal the remaining gap from below and above with a sealant (silicone, frost-resistant, with adhesion to wood).

Finnish platbands are good for everyone, but they are poorly combined with carving. The style is not the same. They are great for simpler, more concise designs. Although there are similar options in the Russian style, it's just not easy to make them.

Metal visor

By the same principle - to divert water from the platbands - this method solves the problem. Only the metal strip is used in the shape of the letter Z - part of the standard molding. The color is matched to the walls or the color of the cashing.

The installation method is the same: they make a cut in the wall, only its size is much smaller - the thickness of the plank is several millimeters. The installation is the same as described earlier: we put one part into the groove, seal the cracks with silicone sealant. The only difference is that the free edge can be fixed to the upper platbands (using self-tapping screws).

Installing the bottom harness at an angle

The lower plank of the casing can simultaneously serve as a protection against precipitation. To do this, it is installed at an angle. The choice of the angle of inclination is no different - close to the angle of inclination of the roof.

With the installation of this strip, everything is simple. From below it is supported by triangles carved from wood, fixed to the frame. The water will not flow down the wall, but at some distance from it. Here it is already important to be correct - so that the water does not undermine the foundation.

Photo of platbands on windows of different types

Simple platbands with only small elements of carving - on the house in scandinavian style they are seen often

Carved overhead platbands - delicate carving on a dark background

Shutters and platbands - this can often be found on old houses

On multi-storey buildings, wooden platbands are rarely seen, but in private construction this is the most common element. Modern private house can be made original and stylish by installing a homemade carved frame on the windows. In the old days, unique patterned platbands were installed on each house, which were not only decorations, but also served as amulets. Today in Russia there is a tendency to revive traditions, and many owners prefer to put a beautiful wooden cashing instead of "boring" metal-plastic frames. In this article, we will tell you in detail how to make a carved platband with your own hands.

Modern platbands are made not only from wood, but also from metal, plywood, PVC and laminated MDF. Plywood and MDF products are not intended for outdoor use, since they are not able to withstand temperature extremes, humidity and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Healthy: correct name external elements of window trim - cashing, and the casing is called the inner framing.

What are the functions of cashing:

• decorative - window openings become complete and aesthetic appearance... Correctly selected form of platband is capable of visually stretching a low building or expanding a narrow one;
• with the help of a well-chosen pattern or ornament on the platband, you can express individual preferences, traditional features family or region;
• platbands help to unite all buildings on the territory into a single architectural style;
• cashing performs a protective function, preventing moisture, litter and dust from getting into the gap between the wall and the window;
• due to the additional wooden framing of the window, heat loss is reduced at the points of abutment of the window frames to the walls;
• sound insulation increases;
• often wooden platbands are the only acceptable way to decorate a window, especially when it comes to a wooden house or frame.

The platbands have no drawbacks as such, but there are a number of features that you need to know in order to correctly install them and extend their service life. So, wooden carved platbands will sooner or later deteriorate from exposure external environment- after all, the tree does not last forever and over time it collapses from moisture, frost and sunlight. But at the same time, treatment with anti-corrosion compounds will extend the "life" of beautiful home-made structures.

It is very important to choose the right type of wood for the manufacture of platbands, as well as to process all areas with high quality. It is necessary to regularly monitor their condition, timely replace damaged parts, tint the surface, etc.

If you are planning to install wooden casings on plastic windows, you must very carefully choose the pattern and color, otherwise such a design will look ridiculous. But often wood and plastic are simply incompatible. Better to install wooden double-glazed windows, lamination under a tree or paint the platband itself white.

Types of platbands

To make carved window frames, you need to decide on the installation method and the type of the structure itself. So, there are telescopic and overhead platbands. Telescopic ones are often installed not on windows, but on doorways. Special L-shaped projections are made on them, which slide into the grooves of the box. This is a rather complex connection, but the result is a very nice and harmonious framing of the passage.

Overhead platbands are attached to window frames with weather-resistant wood glue or nailed. Very often, the cashing is complemented by carved shutters, which make the facade of the house even more picturesque and authentic.

Choice of wood

Since the cashing is placed outside the house, it must be made of the strongest and most durable wood in order to withstand the impact environment... For the manufacture of carved platbands, the material must also be malleable so that intricate patterns can be easily cut out.

What to make a platband:

1. Hardwood hardwoods - ash, beech and oak. They are very strong and durable, however, it is impossible to make "lace" platbands from such a tree, since they are very difficult to process. When choosing these breeds, it is better to limit yourself to simple ornamentation.
2. Softwood hardwoods - aspen, linden, alder. In this case, the tree, on the contrary, is very pliable and allows you to carve unimaginable motives, however, if improperly processed, all your work will deteriorate very quickly. If the finished platband is poorly coated with a moisture-resistant varnish, it will crack and rot very quickly.
3. Birch and pine are the best options for making carved platbands. In addition to the fact that these rocks are inexpensive, they have sufficient hardness for external use, allow you to realize rather small patterns and make neat cuts.
4. Apple and cherry are mainly used for cutting out small inserts, which are then applied to the main pattern of the canvas.

Choosing a template

To choose a template for a carved window frame, you need to determine what you want to achieve or demonstrate with this pattern. If you just need to "revitalize" the facade, you can choose a not too complicated pattern, especially if you need to make cashing for windows in all buildings on the site. This will save you time and effort.

If you want to emphasize with the help of carved platbands belonging to an ancient family or any nationality, to reflect the cultural heritage of your homeland, we recommend that you study traditional motives and symbols. Moreover, each region, moreover, each village or city may have its own distinctive features.

If possible, arrange all windows with the same platbands. The threads may differ slightly, but the same motifs must be present. For example, on the kitchen window there is a platband with a deer framed with flowers, a bear surrounded by the same flowers can flaunt on the window in the living room, etc.

Below we will show several examples of patterns of carved platbands, but in order not to repeat someone's work, you can copy only part of the drawing, supplementing it with your own patterns. This way you can be sure that your windows have a unique frame.

Useful: if you are dealing with woodcarving for the first time, practice first on a separate piece of wood of the same species from which the platbands will be made. Hone your hand positioning skills, basic movements and cuts. Video tutorials and tutorials for beginner woodcarvers will help you do it quickly and correctly.

The easiest way to make patterns with round holes because they are quite easy to drill even for a beginner. If you want the platband to last as long as possible, give preference to templates with large elements, moreover, they are easier to cut. Small parts will require much more time and skills, and will become unusable earlier, since moisture and fine debris will accumulate in them faster.

Important: in the upper part of each platband, it is imperative to make a slope so that snow and water do not accumulate on the surface of the tree. Just a few degrees of incline, and moisture will quickly drain down, and the surface will dry out faster.

Platband making

The laudable desire to do everything with your own hands requires not only knowledge and skills, but also special tools. In the case of wood processing, you will need a large set of chisels, a hacksaw, sandpaper various grain sizes, milling cutter, drill and jigsaw. In addition, stock up on impregnation to protect the wood from insects, weather-resistant varnish or paint, stain, if you will tint the wood.

To make the same pattern on the trims for all windows, prepare a stencil. Cut it out better on thick paper, cardboard or plastic.

Important: place the stencil pattern along the grain of the wood so that the threads do not crack, and place the places where you need to make through holes with colored dots.

There are two ways of carving:

Step-by-step instructions for making a carved wooden platband:

1. Take measurements from the window.
2. The wood for platbands must be thoroughly dried. The height and width of the boards can be any, depending on your preferences, but the thickness should be 3 cm for the slotted carving method, from 1 cm or more for the laid on.
3. Sand the wood with sandpaper (first # 3, then # 1 and zero) - the surface should be perfectly flat and smooth.
4. Cut out stencils.
5. On the back of the casing, select a layer of wood up to 2 mm thick, leaving small edges at the edges. So the cashing will fit more tightly to the window frame.
6. Apply the pattern to the front wooden surface with a simple pencil. Paint over the places where the through-slots will be.
7. Start cutting out the pattern. It’s more convenient to do away with through holes, and then start working with chisels. Use drills for through cuts different sizes, jigsaw and milling machine. Make the point of entry of the jigsaw with a drill - so the cut will be more accurate.
8. Grind all holes thoroughly with sandpaper (from coarse to finer grain).
9. Remove all dust from blind patterns with a brush or vacuum cleaner.
10. Nail the elements of the overlaid thread to the canvas with nails without hats. For a more secure hold, apply on back side element weatherproof glue.
11. Wipe the cut out trim with a damp, clean cloth to completely remove dust from the surface. The rag should be barely damp so that the wood fibers do not rise.
12. Now you can tint the platband with wood stain or immediately cover it with weather-resistant varnish. Alkyd or Yacht varnish is suitable for this - they will reliably protect the wood from burnout and moisture.

Platband installation

The durability of the cashing depends not only on the correct processing of the carved elements, but also on competent installation her on the windows. For this, two types of fastening are used: a deaf or through thorn. With the method, a deaf thorn in the casing is fastened with thorns, and voids of the corresponding shape are drilled in the window profile. Weatherproof glue is applied to the spike and inserted into the hole. It is contented complex mount, but very durable and neat.

To make a through fastening, install the spike in the most inconspicuous place of the casing and perform fastening. This method is less reliable and durable, but it is much easier to implement it.

However, it should be borne in mind that these fastening methods can only be used for wooden windows. To fix the carved platbands on plastic or metal-plastic windows, special high-strength glue or liquid nails are used so as not to violate the integrity of the profile.

At the very beginning of the article, we mentioned that earlier, carved wooden platbands were used not only as protection and decoration of the house, but also as protective amulets for residents. The application of certain symbols and ornaments protected the family and created a barrier to evil intentions and black witchcraft.

In the old days, our ancestors believed that evil force penetrates into the house precisely through doorways and windows, so they tried to protect these places by all possible methods. The most common and “reliable” way to protect homes was to apply magical patterns.

Even today, most of the templates for platbands posted on the Internet can be found with these protective symbols, but now they play more of a decorative role. If you want to make not only an aesthetic, but also a useful element on the windows, you can combine various security symbols with decorative elements... It should be borne in mind that each country (region, village) has its own traditions. So, for example, it was customary for the Scandinavians to apply runes, and for the Slavs, a subject image (animals, plants, birds) is characteristic.

The images on the platbands helped not only protect houses from evil spirits, but also strengthen or develop certain qualities in a person. So, plant ornaments have always meant unity with nature and love before Mother Earth. Wings meant strength of mind, and the bird fully personified the unity of times. The snake symbolizes wisdom, and the cross said that the owners of the house strive to maintain harmony between the spiritual and material world.

Carved platbands: photo

Any owner dreams of making his home memorable and beautiful. If the house is no longer new, it is not so easy. One of the possibilities is carved platbands. They will even turn an ordinary "box" into a masterpiece.

Material for platbands

Carved platbands are made mainly of wood. conifers. The best option- pine, normally cut, inexpensive, durable due to its high resin content. In principle, you can use any other coniferous board, but it is better not to try with spruce: it is too fibrous, it cannot be cut even with the sharpest tool.

You can also make carved platbands from hardwood - linden (the softest), poplar, maple, oak, cherry, etc. But you need to know how to work with each species, get your hands on it, and there is no guarantee that something digestible will turn out, and hardwood is expensive. Therefore, window frames are often made of pine. You just need to pay attention to the quality characteristics.

Carved window trims - a way to make your home unique

If there is wood or a board that has lain for 3 years or more, you can use it: it is already definitely dry, only processing and calibration will be required. If there is no woodworking equipment at home (thicknesser and circular saw), you will need edged board... Carved platbands wood will do first or highest grade. This means that there should be no knots, chips, or resin pockets on the board. Take wood from a chamber drying, with a moisture content of no more than 8-12%. This is not for sale in the markets, you need to look for it at sawmills and in hardware stores.

Why chamber drying? Because it is dried in a special chamber, rapidly removing moisture. At the same time, some of the boards crack, bend - these go to rejection, the rest are sold. If you make carved platbands from oven-dried wood, they will definitely not be crumpled and they will not crack.

Instruments

To make carved platbands with your own hands, you will need the following minimum set:

• drill with a set of drills;
• an electric jigsaw with a smooth start and a bunch of different wood saws;
• chisels;
• sandpaper with different grain sizes;
• flap disc made of sandpaper for wood on a drill.

To reduce the time it takes to create carvings and sanding, it is better to have a router and sander.

One by one or in bulk?

Carved platbands usually consist of repeating elements. At least two vertical battens on each window are made the same. And since usually several windows are drawn up, many identical elements are required. If the platbands are going to be slotted, naturally there is a desire to cut out several pieces at the same time, folding the boards in a pile and somehow fixing them.

The desire is understandable, but difficult to realize, and the benefits in time are not as great as it seems. The first difficulty is that home craftsmen usually have jigsaws that are not too powerful. To cut through several planks, you have to move the file more slowly along the intended pattern. On straight lines the speed is still tolerable, on curves it is low. And, the smaller the bending radius, the slower you have to move the file. If you are working with one board, there are no such problems. So, in terms of time, the gain, if there is, is quite small.

One more point. Even thick, good, expensive files are deflected with a large thickness of the workpiece. So, when cutting several boards at the same time, the quality of the cut on the bottom (or two) remains a big question.

The procedure for making a platband with a slotted thread

Using a template, we transfer the desired drawing to the board (where to get it, how to enlarge it, how to make a template, read below). If necessary, we correct, draw the details well. Next, we will describe the procedure step by step.

We remove the wood in the slots of the picture

Since the carving will be looked at from afar, some inaccuracies are not fatal, but it's still worth striving for the ideal.

Making a curly edge

Some platbands have a straight edge. Then we skip this stage. If the edge is curly, you will still have to work with a jigsaw.

If the cut is difficult, it may not be very attractive places. This is not scary, then we will process them where necessary - with chisels, the same jigsaw, emery. When you are satisfied with the result, you can move on.

Final revision

The owners of wooden houses probably know everything about how to handle wood. But, just in case, let's repeat the general rules again.

Choice paints and varnishes very wide. Any for outdoor work. But keep in mind that opaque paints will have to be renewed periodically - just like that once a year. And that means - to shoot old paint, primer, paint again. The situation is simpler with oils for wood - they do not give a film on the surface of the wood, but are absorbed into the fibers. It is also necessary to renew the coating, but just remove dust and cover with a new layer. And the processing frequency is less. Cons of oil for wood - higher price, fewer flowers.

How to enlarge a template

Simple carved platbands can be made without templates. There will be several examples in the video - it shows how to outline, how to cut. But not everyone will be able to draw more or less complex patterns on their own. You need skill and talent. The easiest way is to find the diagram, print it in the right size, transfer to cardboard and cut out. This will create a pattern that you can trace.

The second way is to sketch from a photograph. Not all schemes can be found. Some, especially the antique window frames, are nowhere to be found. If you have at least some drawing ability, you can sketch them.

Even such an ornament can be drawn ... if you have the skill

Questions may arise about how to increase the size of the found schema or template. There are three options:

• Using any graphics editor. The simplest one - Paint - is in any computer running Windows (the "Image" tab, the "Resize image" line, select "centimeters" and put the desired length (height) in the box. The resulting file can be printed. If the printer is small format, it may be necessary to split into several pages, then glue them together and, according to the resulting picture, make a template.
• Using a photocopy. Copier has a zoom function.
• Taking graph paper, transfer the drawing to the desired scale. To do this, divide the original image into squares with a side of 0.5 or 1 cm (you can print it on a piece of paper in a cage). Then we transfer the lines to graph paper, increasing them in the required proportion.

The first two are faster. But when scaling, the picture may turn out to be fuzzy and blurry. It can be corrected by hand, you can draw in some kind of editor, for example, CorelDRAW. How to do this, see the video. Just an example of drawing a diagram for a thread.

Related Videos

Schemes, templates, patterns

The style is completely different ...

For buildings from a log frame, carved platbands simply suggest themselves for decorating window openings. Their self-production- not a whim or an attempt to save money, because really good masters there are very few wood carvings now.

Required minimum tools

The manufacture of platbands, in contrast to artistic woodcarving, involves the repeated execution of the same type of operations, as a result of which a rather primitive repeating pattern is obtained. Therefore, most of the work is done with an electric tool: this not only increases the processing speed, but also achieves its uniform quality in different areas.

1 - jigsaw; 2 - drill; 3 - belt grinder; 4 - vibration grinder; 5 - manual router

The main work is done with a jigsaw and a drill. The tool must be reliable and of high quality, capable of being in continuous use for a long time. For cleaning and grinding products, it is better to use an electric grinder, at least the simplest belt one. Fast finishing of the terrain is possible with the use of 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 curly edging can also be made manually, but only if you have a variety of chisels, cutters and specific skills in working with wood.

How to choose wood

Hardwoods are best suited for platbands: oak, birch, ash, maple, alder. Since the thickness finished product relatively small (30-45 mm), hard rocks will be less susceptible to decay and desiccation, therefore, they will retain their appearance longer.

If you plan to decorate the carved platbands with flat-relief elements with many small parts, you should give preference to softer rocks with a fine texture pattern. Linden, poplar, aspen, walnut and spruce will do.

Wood for platbands should be selected and, preferably, chamber drying, moisture content not higher than 12%. The presence of traces of warpage or other pronounced defects, 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 overlap window hole horizontally and vertically with an overlap in each direction by 1.5 times the width of the board. It is important that you initially calculate the number of blanks required and, in addition to them, purchase a few more boards of the cheapest breed for training and practicing carving skills.

Making templates and stencils

Almost any wood carving begins with drawing a pattern on the workpiece using a pre-made template or stencil. There are plenty of threading schemes in the network, the main difficulty comes down to transferring the lines to the part exactly and without distortion. Let us warn you right away: do not pursue the high complexity of the drawing. A set of even the most primitive elements in the correct sequence and with well-chosen indents takes on its modesty and quality of processing.

The first option for applying markings is to make a small piece of plastic or solid 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 make 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 to cardboard or LMDF, and then cut out the desired shapes. This method is welcomed with a significant amount of work.

The resulting stencil is subsequently simply superimposed on the board and outlined with a soft pencil. Ideally, rich, but accurate cut lines and boundaries for further processing should remain. When marking out the details, it is necessary to take into account the pattern of the pattern, so that the platbands form an integral and complete contour, and the repeating pattern does not interrupt inappropriately.

Sampling of through holes

The first step is trimming the edges of the workpiece and sampling holes in the center. Everything is simple with the edges: we cut out the excess with a jigsaw, retreating from the marking line 1-1.5 mm outward for subsequent processing. To cut 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 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 in which the centering drill of the crown will be installed. A similar technique can also be used in the manufacture of oval holes or elements with small rounding radii: a complex bend is drilled with an appropriate radius, and everything else is cut out with a jigsaw.

When the excess parts of the workpiece have been cut out, the cut edges must be carefully processed with a rasp, and then with sandpaper. It is recommended to use square, round and rounded profiles with sandpaper stuffed on them. This way you are less likely to "rock" the edges and be able to get right angles at each edge.

Rectangular edges look rather rough, so they are smoothed with chamfers and slopes of different profiles. The easiest way to diversify the product is to walk along the outer and inner contours of the casing with a curly cutter. But manual processing options are also possible:

• for chamfering, walk along straight edges with chips, keeping the angle of inclination of the handle to the part constant;
• a semicircular convex descent can also be performed with chips, changing the inclination of the blade, or use a concave cutter for this;
• concave semicircular mating is performed with a chisel or a cutter with a rounded edge. Such elements must be cut out in stages, removing small chips layer by layer and carefully controlling the depth of the tool and the inclination of the handle;
• if the descent has a profile complex shape With several convex, concave and straight elements, this profile is divided into several stages and cut in a strict sequence, from the widest outside to the deepest and shallowest tier.

Blind thread: apply relief

Once you've finished shaping, it might be a good idea to diversify the remaining flat elements with simple ornamentation or floral designs. Here are the simplest ways to work:

1. A groove (branch, groove) is made with a narrow chisel or a cutter with a square, triangular or concave blade shape. The carving is carried out strictly along the line, the relief is selected with small chips and then grinded.
2. Sheet - several small grooves imitating veins, cut circular knife... From the center between the veins, small notches are made with a semicircular chisel to each of them, imitating the body of the sheet, then the outer contour is induced with a thin incisor.
3. The flat areas adjacent to the slope can be diversified with dull carvings of small ornaments. For example, cut two grooves from the edge, forming a triangle with it, and pierce an asterisk in the center with a notch.

Wood processing and installation of platbands

Due to the carved elements, the wooden product has large form surface, due to which it is more susceptible to aging. Therefore, the wood must be treated in a special way.

First of all, carved products for placement 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 it there plastic wrap for temporary arrangement of a bath. After soaking, the parts are dried in a stack with lining for several days after 30-40 cm.

When the wood is dry, it must be carefully sanded to achieve smoothness and finally eliminate all traces of sawing and carving. The protective composition is selected according to the type facade decoration, it can be both alkyd enamel and polyurethane varnish, tinted or transparent.

Finally, for correct installation platbands, the window opening should be framed with a flat strip 10-15 mm thick and of such a width that its outer edge is not visible through the carved pattern along the contour of the platband. The purpose of this plank is to eliminate any remaining unevenness in the wall and to provide a solid base for anchoring the carved element. Often this strip is painted in a color that contrasts with the coating of the casing itself for greater expressiveness of the pattern.

Platbands can be attached with straight and oblique trimming, which depends on the type and density of the pattern. An oblique trimming is performed by sawing each side at 45 °, while the cutting line must pass through identical sections of the pattern and not intersect the figures cut out inside.

With straight clipping, a horizontal element is positioned between two vertical ones. Their upper edge should be 1–2 cm above the crossbar if the cut edge is straight. It is also possible to manufacture on the edge of the thread along general scheme, if during the manufacturing process to carry out the fitting and exact fit of the platbands. The fastening of the platbands itself is elementary - ordinary brushed nails without a cap are used for it. It is only important that the nail stitches the platband and strip, protruding at least 5 mm from the inside out.