Windows in stone houses: why silicone doesn't work
If you live in a stone house, you know what happens with standard window installations: a bead of white silicone stuck to the stone. The contrast is brutal. It looks like a plastic patch on a noble material.
There's also a technical problem. A PVC window frame is perfectly straight and precise. A stone wall is the opposite: irregular surfaces, protruding stones, openings that aren't straight. The uneven gap between the straight frame and irregular stone can't be properly resolved with silicone — it stretches too much in some areas, bunches up in others, and loses adhesion on porous stone within a few years.
The solution must be a material that adapts to stone irregularities and looks like part of the wall. That material is cement mortar.
Installing windows without silicone: our cement finish
We replace the exterior silicone with cement mortar applied by hand by our own masonry team. You don't need to find a separate mason — we do everything in one visit: window, sealing, finish and cleanup. One team, one day, one person responsible.
The cement joint fills the entire irregular space between the straight frame and the stone, exactly like the wall's original joints. The new window integrates into the stone just like the original wooden window was. You can't see where the wall ends and the window begins.
- Natural stone walls — mortar adapts to every irregularity that silicone can't cover
- Exposed brick façades — the mortar is the same colour as the cement joints between the bricks, so it blends seamlessly with the existing façade joints
- Farmhouses with 50-80 cm walls — deep openings needing real masonry, not a surface bead
- Protected historic centres — villages like Begur, Peratallada or Pals with aesthetic regulations
Once dry, the cement joint is indistinguishable from the wall's original joints.
How to install PVC windows in stone walls: the full process
Installing in stone isn't like new build. Walls are irregular and openings aren't straight. Our team handles the entire process — we don't subcontract:
- Adapted measurement — We measure at multiple points because nothing is straight in stone. The window is manufactured to the tightest dimension.
- Mechanical anchoring — Specific anchors for natural stone, longer and with stronger grip.
- Interior foam seal — Inside we use polyurethane foam for thermal and acoustic sealing. Outside, never silicone.
- Waterproof membrane — Perimeter band between frame and wall to prevent capillary water ingress.
- Cement mortar finish — Our mason fills the entire exterior joint, working the texture to match the wall's original joints. The result is identical to a traditional wooden window installation.
All in one day: removal, installation, masonry, cleanup. One team responsible for the entire result.
Windows for farmhouses and rural homes in the Empordà
Empordà farmhouses have stone walls 50-80 cm thick. The opening is deep and the gap between straight frame and irregular stone is very visible. Sealing with silicone is unworkable.
We reproduce the original finish: hand-worked mortar that fills the gap with the same texture as the wall. The new window integrates exactly like the original wooden one, but with PVC performance.
If you have a farmhouse in the Baix Empordà or Alt Empordà, request a quote — everything included.
PVC windows with rustic aesthetics: wood-effect finish
The cement finish pairs perfectly with PVC windows in wood-effect colours: golden oak, walnut, natural pine... From outside they look like solid wood but need zero maintenance. And the cement joint completes the illusion.
Full Cover foiling (3 sides) ensures the entire window — including the rebate — has the same wood finish. Available in Kömmerling, systems 76 and 82. More details in our 3D Full Cover Kömmerling article.
Windows in exposed brick façades: no silicone
Exposed brick has the same problem: silicone doesn't integrate. The contrast between ceramic brick and silicone is obvious.
The cement mortar is the same colour as the joints between the bricks — standard grey mortar — so the window joint blends with the façade joints and becomes practically invisible. Popular in villas in Calonge, La Bisbal and Sant Feliu. We do everything ourselves — window and masonry in one visit.
Silicone vs cement for windows: comparison
On rustic façades the comparison is clear:
- Durability — Mortar lasts the window's lifetime (30+ years). Silicone on porous stone degrades in 4-6 years.
- Irregularity — Cement fills any gap between straight frame and irregular stone. Silicone only covers the linear joint.
- Aesthetics — Cement joint matches original wall joints. Silicone always looks foreign.
- Trades — With silicone you need installer + separate mason. With us everything is included in one service.
On smooth new-build walls, quality silicone works fine. But on any textured façade cement is better in every way.
Price of cement finish for windows
The supplement over standard silicone is €30-60 per window, depending on opening size and wall irregularity. Everything included: materials, masonry and cleanup.
For a 6-8 window farmhouse project, total extra cost is €200-400 on a €4,000-8,000 project.
Request a quote via WhatsApp or use our contact form if you prefer us to call you.
FAQ: windows in rustic houses
Do I need to find a separate mason?
No. We do everything — window, sealing, masonry and cleanup. Our team includes the mason.
Does cement finish work on very irregular walls?
That's exactly where it works best. The mortar fills every irregularity. The more irregular the stone, the more sense cement makes over silicone.
Can I request this finish only for the exterior?
Yes, that's the standard approach. Interior is finished with foam and PVC trim or plaster.
Do you offer this finish across Girona province?
Yes. Common in Begur, Palafrugell, Calonge and La Bisbal.
Leave a comment