Artificial decorative stone: manufacture and installation

Artificial decorative stone - is a common building material, which has high performance and versatility. It is used for lining the inner and outer working surfaces. Such material can be made independently in the home. This article will talk about the benefits of artificial stone, The features of its production and installation.

What is artificial stone for the decoration?

To date range of stone for the walls is very wide. It can be easily purchased in DIY stores and markets. If necessary, this finishing material can be made with your own hands. Industrial production of the bricks are very similar to manual, as both cases involve the use of special molds.

Different materials are used for its production. The most common of these are concrete, plaster and acrylic. For further processing of stone may be used various techniques: firing, glazing, and so on.. Very popular liquid decorative brick having the form uncured composition. You can also buy or do yourself a flexible kind of artificial stone.

Exterior finishing is common to use special plates, which are characterized by low porosity and resistance to low temperatures. In turn, the stone for interior walls has a smaller weight, which contributes to its installation.

Environmental properties of the lining material depends on the components used in its production. For example, cement, gypsum different natural properties and their structure facilitates the penetration of air and moisture.

Helpful information!If a part of the decorative stone is part acrylic, it is not recommended to coat the surface, located in the immediate vicinity of heating elements. This is due to the fact that the material when heated releases harmful chemicals that can cause harm to human health.

Artificial stone is different from the manufacturer a reasonable cost, which certainly makes it more popular among consumers of natural. If you choose high-quality material or to use in its manufacture the right ingredients, it will not yield to the natural lining.

Advantages and disadvantages of artificial stone for interior walls

Decorative stone Price per sq. m ranges from 600 to 1500 rubles. The cost of finished goods from the manufacturer depends on many factors, such as: composition, texture, color and so on..

The use of unnatural decorative stone wall, obtained independently, saves finances as well as perform the required pattern or solid packing without any difficulty. This material also has other positive qualities, which are recommended to pay attention.

First artificial stone can be made independently in the same place where his installation will take place. This eliminates the cost of transportation. This lining material is different small thickness and low weight, as often has the form of thin plates. Due to this, the total weight of the structure is reduced significantly.

Decorative rock unnatural origin allocated good strength properties (especially when passed further processing). You can produce an artificial stone of any color in case of need. To this mixture was added in the appropriate pigments.

The shape of the interior stone can be different. Independently can be made as straight plates and plates having arbitrary dimensions. This property is very important, as it allows you to perform tiles are ideal for the installation site.

Form for such decorative bricks can be purchased or made yourself. In the construction market can be easily purchase products having very different textures (smooth, embossed). It should be noted that in the mixture to obtain such a covering material can add special polymeric additives. They allow you to make flexible the stone, which will change its shape even after installation.

From the viewpoint of decorative properties, the artificial material is more acceptable. Using it can perform not only the trim of the walls, but these interior elements such as fireplaces, furnaces, and so. D. However, in the latter case it is necessary to choose the material that has fire-resistant qualities. For transformation appearance of arches may be used a decorative finishing stone. Photos of the arc-shaped structures can be easily found in the Internet.

Helpful information! Because of its resistance to moisture, it can be used for the organization of the ornament or a solid structure in the bathrooms. But in this case it is recommended to pay attention to the composition of the artificial stone.

Material made with their own hands, does not need special care and is able to become a decoration of any interior. However, like any other product, an artificial brick also has some negative aspects. For example, wild stone has a rather large mass. The surface for placing it should possess high strength and endurance. In addition, articles can be fairly complex, heterogeneous form complicates the selection of individual blocks during installation.

However, the wall of rough stone can be a decoration of the interior of any room. It is equally well suited for both classical and modern style. In order to determine the choice of material, it is necessary to pay attention to the rough stone photo, as there are many varieties of it.

Overview of artificial stone for walls

Such a building material are classified by two major parameters, namely the method of preparation and composition. Depending on these criteria, decorative artificial brick is divided into:

• ceramic;
• gypsum;
• concrete;
• polyester;
• acrylic;
• liquid.

Ceramic. Stone of this material in several steps, and passes a special heat treatment (firing). Self-production of a liner - a rather complicated procedure, so it is a rarity. For the production on an industrial scale requires a fairly large area and a large consumption of electrical energy.

Gypsum. One species of ornamental stone, which is very popular in today's construction market. It is performed by using special molds and molding technology. For manufacturing at home, they tend to use exactly this kind of decorative bricks. However, cladding material made of gypsum, is not resistant to low temperatures. Therefore, it can only be used for finishing interior surfaces in rooms where the temperature is not lower than +18 ° C.

Concrete. This kind of decorative artificial stones, depending on the components, is divided into two types. The first of these includes ingredients such as cement and sand. It is characterized by a somewhat higher value than a plaster, but is also suitable for the formation in the home. The cement-sand facing material is resistant to low temperatures.

The second type is called a monumental concrete blocks. The process for producing such products received the name - free molding. Thanks to this method, produced artificial boulders for garden decor, as well as the whole concrete slabs.

Polyester. This kind of finishing stone wall includes special mineral fillers. They differ in that they are able to pass into the solid state under the influence of high temperatures.

Stone containing polyester resin, similar in composition to the acrylic counterparts. It has good mechanical properties and on this indicator exceeds even the tiles are made of natural, natural materials.

Note! Polyester resin - quite a cheap product, so the cost of the finished product is small.

Among the drawbacks of such a construction material it should be noted odor. Over time, he disappears, but there is still a long time after installation.

For the manufacture of their own hands polyester stone is not suitable, since its production process is too complicated. The process of forming products occur in a vacuum under the influence of very high temperatures.

Related article:

Gypsum tiles under brick: specific installation and operation

Application Method. Working with a variety of bases. How to make plaster tiles with their hands.

Acrylic. Manufactured by casting. Proceeds in the solid state without the use of high temperatures, therefore relates to a decorative facing materials cold curing. It has a presentable appearance. For clarity, it is recommended to study the photo of artificial stone for interior walls, made of acrylic-based.

The process of forming acrylic stone implies the same conditions as for the gypsum type. Different temperature ductility, and therefore it is possible to change the shape of the finished material. And it does not affect its quality characteristics.

Liquid. A special kind of decorative artificial stone producing using gel coating (gelcoat). Features of manufacture of liquid stone technology affect the mechanical properties of finished products. Also worth noting is that the cast decorative tiles are more resistant to temperature changes and moisture than liquid.

How to make a form of artificial stone with their hands

Matrix for molding of a decorative surfacing material will not be difficult to purchase in a specialty store. For financial savings can be made a template yourself. Another common cause of manufacturing molds for decorative stone with his hands - the lack of the necessary variety of facing material on the market.

As a basis for the matrix, as a rule, apply the usual patterns of decorative tiles. Sometimes the invoice template is created using natural materials, which include not only natural stones. For example, very popular templates made as imitation wood patterns.

There are two types of forms:

• homogeneous;
• complex.

In the first case, the manufacturing procedure is less complicated. This is due to the fact that homogeneous matrices are smaller in size and do not require large expenditures of silicone material. In turn, complex shapes can produce several finished tiles, which greatly speeds up the process. It is such a matrix, and is recommended for the manufacture of artificial stone on a wall.

Be that as it may, the need for shuttering wooden box, which can be made with your own hands. Sometimes used for this purpose cartons. When selecting or producing the formwork to remember one important rule: you have a template designing a bit more like the original sample stone width (10-15 mm) and the height (25-30 mm). This would allow for the necessary clearance between the products.

To execute the required forms suitable material. You can use a silicone sealant or polyurethane. Also, there are special adhesives, which consist of two ingredients and sold as a finished product.

How to make an artificial stone: Form of silicone

Silicone compounds for sealing, you can easily buy in the construction market or in a specialty store. Typically, the mixture is realized in tubes or buckets. After manufacturing the casing it is necessary to take care of the lubrication of its walls. For this purpose, you can use a regular grease.

Next, you need to take the original sample, for which the template will be executed, and place it at the bottom of the formwork. As I mentioned above, as it is possible to use an ordinary tile, stone or wood. Then, this sample is also applied grease. Fatty substance will make it easy to separate the matrix from the product and will not allow to spoil the pattern shape.

Note! If the plaster element will be used as a model for the stencil, then the normal lubrication is not sufficient. Before you lay into the mold, it is recommended to cover at least two layers of lacquer. Start performance of the matrix is ​​only recommended after complete hardening of lacquer.

In the next step the soap solution is produced. It is needed for the lubrication of tools (brush and spatula) to be used in the distribution of silicone.

Silicone sealant should be evenly distributed across the facing surface of the sample. During the formation of the matrix of this material is necessary to watch so that no air sinuses.

After filling the silicone casing can begin to equalize its surface. For this purpose a second instrument - spatula. The mold for the manufacture of decorative stone is left for a while. This will allow the sealant to harden in the formwork and to get the desired sample shape.

It is worth noting that the longer form a matrix, the better it will turn out. From this will also depend on its service life. Approximate silicone solidification rate of 2 mm per day. Thus, taking into account the thickness of the form, you can easily calculate the time for which you must leave the stencil. Once the matrix is ​​ready, it must be separated from the formwork and artificial stone sample.

Even pre-oiled form rather difficult to be disconnected from the other elements, so it is advisable to trim a little common place. If after removal of the matrix on its surface remained shell, this problem is solved by additional silicone composition. Since the pattern is made to perform an artificial stone. Photo Stencil ready to help you in making them.

How to make an artificial decorative stone plaster

For ready-made decorative items must first deal with how to make the gypsum in the home. Before kneading such a material it is desirable to immediately determine its volume. This is due to the fact that the gypsum slurry has a high solidification rate. Therefore, the amount should correspond to the number of forms. Consider what components are used to produce gypsum mixture:

• gypsum;
• water;
• sand;
• pigment.

Toner used in all cases, but only when it is necessary to obtain decorative stones on a wall of a certain color. mixing the composition process itself is not complicated.

You must first poured into a prepared water tank. Further it is possible to start adding gypsum powder. The proportions may be different, but it is recommended that the amount of water was about 0.6 times the volume of the main component. Sand can increase the strength of the fabric of the future, so it is advised to use anyway. It should be no more than 10% of the total weight of the mixture.

Helpful information! As decorative stone for interior finishing is recommended to use plaster and acrylic products. In turn, for outdoor work best to produce concrete elements.

The amount of pigment may vary (from 2 to 6%). It is selected depending on which color you need to get the decorative tiles. It is advised to conduct trial batches of a small amount of gypsum to determine the shade.

For lubrication forms usually used a substance which is produced from turpentine and wax. The first component must occupy at least 70% by volume, and the second - the remaining 30%.

After addition of the last component in the mixture it was partitioned by forms and is spread by spatula. artificial stone production technology may include one step - vibroobrabotku. Thanks to this, greatly increased performance for future tile. Such treatment is desirably carried out immediately after packing the mixture into the matrix.

Then it is necessary to wait for 15 minutes and pull out the shaped brick of the stencil. The final step is drying it outdoors. Heat treated such products is not recommended, as the plaster is not resistant to high temperatures.

How to make a decorative stone with their hands concrete

For concrete finishing products most commonly used form of polyurethane or plastic. Let us consider, from what makes this type of artificial stone:

• cement;

• sand;
• water;
• a polymeric resin;
• pigment.

The proportions for the manufacture of artificial stone in the home of the concrete may be different. At first, the above components must be mixed together. The proportions of cement and sand in this case is 1: 3. The next step is to add water in an amount such that the consistency of the mixture reached a thick cream. To impart the necessary mortar coloring pigment is used a small amount (2.5% of the total weight of the composition).

Now the resulting composition is distributed over the stencil. At this stage it is very important not to be mistaken. The solution should be filled form no more than halfway to have enough space for reinforcing component. Often, to enhance the strength properties of decorative tiles, cement is placed on top of the metal net. Then it is necessary to fill the remaining amount of the solution.

Then the composition must be pressed in molds by vibration. After vibrocompaction must wait at least 24 hours to a solution of stencils hardened to the desired state.

How to make an artificial stone with their hands acrylic

For manufacturing decorative articles require acrylic resin and corresponding special hardener. Consider what other tools and materials needed in the manufacture of artificial stone made from these materials:

• electric drill (for kneading components into a homogeneous mixture);
• copolymers powder;
• finished or homemade grease.

Note!Using the acrylic-based and allows you to make your own hands artificial marble. By combining the polyester resin with a mineral crumb and coloring compositions can be prepared very interesting elements for walls.

Primarily for the production of acrylic decorative stone need to mix the polymeric resin with the hardener. The proportion of these components in this case is 5: 1. It is important to remember that after obtaining the mixture of these ingredients, its amount should correspond to 25% of the total compound.

Further, to add to the mixture of an acrylic filler, and a coloring pigment, which will occupy the remaining 75% by weight. In any mineral aggregates (e.g., granite) can be used as the first. Its size depends on the texture of the future facing material. Color acrylic binder weight give pre-chosen pigment. The amount of dye in this case is 6.2% of the total mixture.

For decorative bricks with their hands need to fill in the matrix solution acrylic and wait approximately 24 hours. you can safely remove the finished tile after this time.

Liquid stone with their hands: Manufacturing technology on the gelcoat

Of course, the alloy artificial stones have better physical properties, but have the advantage of liquid. Thanks to the gel coat, it is possible to produce complex, in terms of shape, products. Such material can be performed independently at home.

The components necessary for the implementation of such a facing material, characterized by a fairly high cost. Today, there are two simple manufacturing artificial stone of this type of technology:

• creating facial makeup;
• kneading the primer solution.

These methods differ from each other not only in composition, but also the percentage of filler. For priming mixture is required to take 20% of the gel coat (by total weight of solution). You need to add another ingredient - microcalcite, which accounts for 73%. Then, the above components are admixed 7% accelerator, and 1% of the material to harden.

In turn, the front part will have to spend at exactly 2 times the gel coat, namely 40%. The proportion of accelerator and curing agent in this case is also 7 and 1%. Mineral filler and a colorant occupy the remaining weight of the solution. The solidification of the liquid occurs ornamental stone for 1 day.

Features decorative stone painting

To date, there are two common ways that allow you to change the color made with their own hands, decorative stone. Adding special coloring substances is the most common method. Another option - to apply the paint to the finished decoration material. Some people perform this procedure after installation of facing products.

If the first method all clear, then the second is recommended to pay attention. For painting the finished stones special iron oxide compounds are used for finishing walls. Their price is fully consistent quality, which is quite acceptable.

Helpful information!Zhelezookisnye experts recommend to apply paint using special pneumatic gun. In his absence you can use an ordinary brush, but it will complicate the work.

There are a few rules that should be followed when performing this procedure. For example, the color of artificial ornamental stone should be lighter than the seams. Painting is not recommended to use more than 3 colors.

ABOUTTrimming the walls with decorative brick: preparatory stage

Before proceeding with the laying decorative stone must first prepare the surface of the wall. It has to be not only strong, but also smooth, so no problems with the bonding of facing products. Tolerance in this case is 1 mm per 1 m of the wall. Masters are advised to adhere to this rule, regardless of the variety of finishing material.

Before you start to finish with decorative brick walls, you need to remove them all the old siding. These include the following: Wallpaper, paint and plaster. To eliminate them, you can use an ordinary trowel. Especially this tool helps in removing old wallpaper and paint.

Consider what tools and materials required for laying decorative bricks:

• glue;
• a reservoir that will contain the adhesive solution;
• trowel for applying adhesive to a wall;
• crosses for joints;
• building level;
• mixture of grout;
• a hydrophobic composition and a tool for its application (e.g., roller).

Following the acquisition of all the necessary tools and materials should be carried out plaster walls. It is important to remember that in this case may require the installation of reinforcing mesh, which will strengthen the foundation under the decorative tiles. However, such a measure is necessary only when the weight of the artificial stone is too large. For paving thin decorative tiles under the stone there is no need to organize reinforcement. But to eliminate the defects of the walls in any case it is necessary.

It needs to put on the wall surface of the primer. This will strengthen and enhance the surface adhesion effect with her tiles. Experts advise to choose a special primer plaster.

Preparation and application of the adhesive on the wall sketch

Stone of this type require the use of a special adhesive. To prepare a mortar need to use ready-made powder and knead it in a certain amount of water. As a rule, together with the adhesive is the detailed instruction, containing not only the proportions of ingredients, but also the time required for its production. In turn, folding decorative stone for exterior finishing is best done on cement.

For the installation of decorative stone unnatural can also use liquid nails. This mixture is able to provide the necessary adhesion with the wall. Some masters and did use grout to work indoors. However, prior to applying it to the wall previously added PVA glue.

Before proceeding with the installation of decorative tiles with their hands, it is necessary to outline a sketch on paper. It must take into account the area of ​​the wall, allocated under a brick, as well as the nuances of the following: the presence or absence of the seam and the number of artificial stones. The best option is to directly transfer the sketch on the wall. Thus, practically excludes the possibility of error during installation of the lining material.

How to glue decorative stone: instructions

Laying of the cladding material is not very complicated, but it requires appropriate care and accuracy. Primarily performed applying thick glue to the wall. His number should correspond to the width of the first row. After applying the adhesive composition must begin laying. To do this, each element is first applied to the wall, and then - pressed down. Excess solution that stands on the brick after pressing is simply removed from the wall.

Helpful information! When laying stone for home runs back to back, then it is necessary each successive element directly against the previous close. there are special elements for delimiting the organization required seam - tic. If you want to organize a larger distance between the facing products, then you can use plasterboard.

The best starting point is the corner of the room. From it is necessary to lay the tile gradually, one by one row. It is important to remember that the tile is best to stick on top, moving down. This will avoid hitting an engaging blend on the already stacked elements. For cutting the entire stones are usually used conventional grinders.

Some varieties of this decorative material is best to stick to the wall with an offset. This simple action will allow to achieve a more realistic result for finishing artificial stone. Photo of different stylistic solutions can help you determine the choice of colors and textures.

After laying of the finishing material is necessary to wait a few days. During this time, the solution is completely hardened and will be able to eliminate the auxiliary members. It is also desirable to prepare in advance a solution for grouting. It is made of glutinous mastic cement and pigment substances. It is applied in two ways: using a special gun or by a sponge.

In the last step you need to wipe the tiles to remove pieces of the solution, which fell on them during installation. It can be applied to a stone a hydrophobic composition. Its use is recommended in cases where the synthetic material is placed in rooms with high humidity. After application, it forms a strong film on the surface of the lining.

The technology is very similar to the process of laying of natural stone for interior decoration. However, there are some differences, since the structure and the weight of plastics material nevertheless differ from those of natural products.

decorative elements for this type of care is not complicated. All you need to remove dust and other contaminants - to wipe the tiles with a damp sponge.

Thus, artificial decorative stone can be purchased in the construction market, or make your own. The process of its formation is not different complexity. But if you are not sure in their own abilities, it is better to buy ready-made material.