Blog series part 9 – House Construction – Marble Sills and Insulations

Having completed the plastering work, we move on to the stage where our building begins to look more like a home. The “heavy” work is finished, and now we proceed to stages that require greater attention to detail.

The next task we need to undertake is the installation of marble sills.

1. What are marble sills?

Marble sills are marble surfaces placed at the bottom of frames to provide a flat base for the future installation of the frames. They usually have a thickness of 2-3 centimeters and are installed with a mixture of sand, cement, and lime. The greater thickness offers a more aesthetically pleasing result and is usually preferred for windows as it is more visible there.

 

Image 1: Installed marble sill made of Kavala marble

2. When are marble sills installed?

It is best to install marble sills after the plastering is completed because we do not want any preceding crew to scratch or break them. After installation, it is advisable to cover them with plaster for better protection.

3. What should I pay attention to when measuring and installing marble sills?

After choosing the type and thickness of marble according to our aesthetic preferences, we must calculate the length and width of each piece of marble. Measuring the length is easy since we measure inside the false frame. However, we need to pay special attention to the width. Here we have two options:

The first option is to cover the marble sill with the thermal insulation system. In this solution, the marble will not be visible after the work is completed, so neither its thickness nor its color matters.

In the second option, to measure the width, we need to account for the thickness of the external insulation that will be installed in the next stage, as well as an overhang that the marble should have to allow water to run off. In this case, the marble will be visible, so its thickness and color matter.

4. Which of the two options should I choose?

In the first case, our building will have a more minimal and unified aesthetic, as we eliminate the visual interruption of the marble from the facade of our building. The disadvantage is that water usually falls on these surfaces, so over time, this spot may get dirty and not clean easily.

Conversely, in the case of exposed marble, we have the ease of cleaning, but our building might seem a bit old-fashioned.

 

Image 2: House construction with visible marble sills

 

Image 3: House construction with non-visible marble sills

5. I have heard about murelo and potamos in marble. What are these?

Murelo is the shaping of the edge of the marble and can have different shapes. It is mainly used for aesthetic reasons. Potamos is the creation of a groove on the underside of the marble. This groove creates a “barrier” that prevents water from continuing to flow on the marble surface and causes it to drip off, thus protecting the structural surfaces from moisture and erosion.

A very important tip: After all the work is completed, make sure that the potamos of the marbles are visible and clean. 

 

Image 4: Point of murelo and potamos in marble

6. Where should I insulate?

Surely, when we hear about insulation, the first thing that comes to mind is the roof. Besides the roof, we need to insulate balconies and areas of the garden where there is a basement underneath.

7. How is roof insulation done?

You can read our detailed guide here. Briefly, we will mention the order of materials to be placed on a roof.

Thorough cleaning – Vapor barrier – Placement of thermal insulation – Spreading of foam concrete or slope screed – Application of asphalt membranes.

If we want our roof to be walkable, we need to proceed with the application of screed and tile installation at a later stage.

If solar panels or pergolas, etc., are to be installed on the roof, it is good to have constructed the necessary bases so that the insulation is not punctured later.

 

Image 5: Roof insulation process

8. How is balcony insulation done?

For balconies, I recommend laying a screed and then applying an insulating material (at least a cementitious waterproofing material) and then placing tiles. 

Image 6: Application of cementitious waterproofing on a balcony

9. How is basement ceiling insulation done?

In garden areas where there is a basement underneath, screed slopes should be laid, followed by the application of a root-resistant waterproofing membrane. After this stage, we place geotextile, gravel, more geotextile, and finally the necessary soil. Care should be taken during the application of materials so that no element of the insulation is “damaged.” 

 

Image 7: Basement ceiling insulation process with membrane application

The next stage is external thermal insulation. Read the next blog on 07/27/2024.

 

The above are not technical texts and are intended to simply inform the reader. The MECHA Engineering team has experienced engineers who will guide you confidently and scientifically in your technical projects.

 

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