Vinyl Product Window Sill Damage

Cleaning Vinyl Windowsills

• Harsh chemical cleaners damage vinyl windowsills, but leaving the sills dirty also causes them to break down. Basic glass cleaners work for cleaning dirt and dust off of the sill without damaging it, according to MW Windows & Doors. Paint peels off the vinyl, but cleaners with abrasive particles sand the vinyl sill’s surface. Once the surface is sanded, it can't be restored.

Vinyl Sill Cracks

• Vinyl becomes brittle after years of heating and cooling, or direct sun exposure. These things weaken the material and lead it to cracking when weight is applied, notes the Homeowner's Defense League. A cracked vinyl windowsill can't be repaired. These windowsills also bend and can't support the weight of items such as flowerpots unless the vinyl has metal supports inside of it. A wood windowsill that is not rotted can support much more weight.

Sill Twisting and Warping

• Vinyl is affected by heat at much lower temperatures that other materials like wood. This type plastic softens at 149 degrees Fahrenheit, reports the Chicago Window Expert website. The windowsill easily reaches that temperature with direct sun contact if the air temperature reaches 90 F or higher. When the sill softens, it sags and stick in this warped position after it cools and hardens again. This leads to leaks and air drafts around the window’s base.

Vinyl Sill Covers

• The vinyl sill covers that cover old brick or wood windowsills rather than replace them offer better protection against these damages that affect solid-vinyl sills. A thin vinyl layer wraps around the solid sill, according to Echo Home Inspections. The sill below must be repaired first, so that it remains structurally sound and offers better weight support and resistance against cracking. The wrap is easier to replace than a solid-vinyl sill.