Table top made of artificial stone by own hands

The worktop made of stone gives the interior a solid kitchen. She is beautiful and practical. At the same time, natural stone is very expensive. A good alternative is artificial stone. Consider in this article how to make a countertop of artificial stone with your own hands.

Artificial stone? What it is?

What is an artificial stone? This is such a composite material, which includes:

• fillers;
• mineral pigments;
• is a polymer resin that binds all this.

The type of resin and the type of artificial stone is determined. The most commonly used resins are:

1. Acrylic. This is a sheet of artificial stone. Very high temperatures, it can not stand - only up to 180 degrees C, so when applying it in the kitchen, you need to take precautions and do not put on the table top very hot dishes. A good place for him is a bathroom.
2. Polyester. Artificial stone with polyester backing. It is able to withstand temperatures up to 600 ° C. This material is available as separate constituents from which a liquid suspension is prepared. It is either applied to the future table top, more precisely to the chipboard substrate, or a liquid stone is poured into the mold. Advantages of artificial stone

   Artificial stone is not the last among the finishing materials. Of the merits can be called:

   • relatively low price;
   • high mechanical strength;
   • moisture resistance. Due to this, no stains from tea and coffee on the surface are fixed;
   • no pores;
   • easy care;
   • resistance to high temperatures;
   • variety of design solutions;
   • environmentally friendly;
   • ability to take any form;
   • there is no radiation background;
   • in acrylic artificial stone, the color range includes up to 100 shades. At liquid - up to 120.

   Making of table top made of artificial stone

   If you are familiar with carpentry not by hearsay, then the countertop made of artificial stone you can make yourself. To get started, you need to equip a small workshop, and in addition, get:

   • with a piece of artificial stone. The sheets that will be offered to you in the store usually have dimensions of 3.66x0.76 m and a thickness of 12.0 mm. There are also very thin sheets - from 3 to 6 mm;
   • substrate in the form of moisture resistant plywood thickness of 30 mm. Sometimes using fiberboard or chipboard, but this is not a very good solution - swelling due to moisture, they are able to destroy the sheet of artificial stone;
   • with two-component glue. On average, one sheet of artificial stone requires glue up to 150 ml and is better in the tube;
   • with a pencil and ruler.

   A set of necessary tools

   The manufacture of the counter requires a large list of tools and tools, which includes:

   • grinding machine;
   • fret saw;
   • disc and end saws;
   • grinder orbital;
   • drill;
   • vacuum cleaner;
   • cutter, but please note, not any, but only of excellent quality;
   • gun adhesive;
   • milling cutter;
   • cutters equipped with carbide blades;
   • guide rail;
   • measuring instruments.

   

   Technological process

   When using artificial stone, the technology of manufacturing countertops, consists of a number of operations:

   1. We begin with careful measurements of the place where the table top will be installed.
   2. Having thought it all through to the subtleties, draw a cutting chart or drawing.
   3. We cut artificial stone into the necessary elements:
3. actually the countertop. Its standard dimensions are: length - 0,76 m, width - 0,605 m;

• strips for processing of butt-ends in height from 3,5 to 3,7 cm;- Wall plinth or skirting boards, the height of which is 3-6 cm. These dimensions are only recommended, and you can choose others.

1. With the help of the router, we cut the edges of the workpiece and the contours of the cutouts under the sink and the hob.
2. We process the profile, for which the workpiece counter is turned with the wrong side up and using the milling cutter, we perform the groove under the edge. Its depth is 0.2 cm.
3. We cut out strips about 7 cm in width from the plywood to form the frame, and if the thickness of the sheet of artificial stone is minimal, i.е.3 mm, then the frame is cut solid, otherwise there will not be sufficient rigidity.

It is important not to forget: edge is installed on a clean surface, therefore degrease using alcohol or acetone .

The final work on the worktop

Further work on the worktop is to glue the edges and frame from plywood:

• we take a tube with two-component glue, we equip it with a mixer, squeeze it into a cellophane bag, mix it, then cut off the tip of the bag and squeeze the adhesive onto the edge or 2-x mm groove;
• the countertop with the edge is squeezed by the clamp. Since the glue dries very quickly, we do everything quickly;
• after hardening, clean out the adhesive that comes out the glue;
• around the perimeter of the workpiece with adhesive silicone adhesive strips, cut from the plywood, forming a frame lagging from the edge by 0.2 cm;
• if the table top has an L-shaped shape, then in the place where 2 elements are joined, a strip of plywood is also pasted as a stiffener;
• clamp the structure in the clamp and leave the clock at 7;
• remove silicone residues by chisel;
• in the area where the plywood frame lags 2 mm behind the edge, apply the silicone and smooth until the frame and silicone level match. For alignment, a milling cutter with a lower bearing is used;
• we grind the plywood using a grinder;
• placing the table top face up, rounding the edge, using a router;
• places where there are cutouts for the hob and sink, on the reverse side reinforce by gluing the second layer of artificial stone;
• we grind the surface of the artificial stone to semi-maturity;
• left to do the rounding of the wall edge and the table top can be installed.

The variant of manufacturing of a simple rectangular table-top is described. When the L-shaped table top is made of artificial stone, the technology of processing the ends is slightly different: the ends are milled mirror.

Mirror end milling

The L-shaped table top has two elements and they are joined in a straight line. To perform this docking, both elements must be milled simultaneously. This is called mirror milling. It is performed to make the joint of adjacent parts as inconspicuous as possible.

The whole process of manufacturing the table top made of artificial sheet stone is shown in this video:

The worktop made of liquid stone by one's own hands

The liquid stone in the interior looks very elegant. If you can not allocate enough funds to buy the finished form and liquid stone, then try to do it yourself.

We make the liquid stone ourselves

For this we make a stock of components for liquid stone:

• plasticine;
• fiberglass;
• paste of different colors;
• chemical resin;
• filler;
• hardener;
• of acetone;
• calcinite;
• epoxy transparent gelcoat;
• hot melt adhesive;
• will need more wood and fibreboard sheets.

Mixing all the necessary ingredients, we get a liquid stone. Now we have to decide: by which of the two options we will produce the countertop.

Option number 1 - direct method

This method is fast and not very time consuming:

• after all the necessary measurements, we cut out the workpiece from fiberboard or chipboard;
• prepare the mixture, which we will spray, for which we take 60% gel coat, 40% filler, 1% hardener;
• with the use of a pistol, liquid stone is sprayed onto the workpiece. The thickness of the layer is approximately 0.2 cm;
• is dried and then ground.

Option # 2 - reverse mode

This method of time requires more, but we benefit from a lower consumption of materials:

• billets make 2 pcs.from fiberboard, while, in comparison with the finished table-top, they are 5 mm larger along the entire contour;
• glue the workpieces, draw and cut the hole under the sink and lay them on the table;
• we cut out strips from chipboard or plywood and with the help of hot melt adhesive, we fasten on the contour of the workpiece, which in this case serves as a template for obtaining the matrix, setting them on the edge;
• workpiece is taken out and cut off the 5 mm allowance;
• note the place where there will be a sink;
• we take plasticine and cover the gap between the sink and the table;
• the place where the edge of the countertop is planned is also coated with plasticine, and then shaped to the desired shape, using a special template;
• we process the matrix inside the separating wax or other separating compound and wait 15 minutes until it is absorbed;
• on all surfaces of the matrix, spray the liquid stone;
• after 0.5 hour the composition hardens and we place fiberglass, whose purpose is to increase strength;
• approached the priming stage, which includes resin with an accelerator( 6% of its mass), 1.5% of the amount of dye of the pigment, 80% of calcite and 1% of the hardener of the total weight of the solution;
• the workpiece blank is placed in a matrix and evenly pressed down, removing excess soil and air;
• is aged for 1.5 hours. During this time, the ground will solidify and the cargo will be removed;
• we put on the counter top another layer of soil;
• milling edges;
• we process the surface.

Take into account: for 1 sq. M.m countertops require 8 kg of soil, about 5 kg of which is consumed at the 1st stage and about 3 kg at the second stage. Mixtures of liquid stone to this area will take approximately 3.5-5.5 kg .

And here's another way to make a countertop made of artificial stone, and the liquid stone itself is made from available materials.

We make the form

The contour of the future table depends on the shape we have made, so we approach the question responsibly:

• we measure the place of installation of the countertop, providing holes for the sink and the plate, if they are there;
• make strong stands for the base. Everything should be strong, as liquid stone is a heavy material;
• as a base we take a canvas sheet of particleboard coated with a polymer film. A countertop will stick to a simple chipboard and it will not be possible to remove it;
• is screwed to the base of the bar, both longitudinal and transverse in size of the future countertop;
• in the received form we insert the molds for the parts that will be mounted in the table: washing, cooking panel;
• in places where there will be a faucet, faucet or other plumbing, the table top should be thinner, so we attach there small wooden blocks;
• plaster the corners of the mold, slightly rounding them.

Preparing the mixture

For obtaining a cheap liquid stone we take:

• cement not lower than M400 - 1 part;
• 3 parts of sand;
• 1 part water;
• color.

Everything is mixed in a suitable container.

We proceed to manufacture the table top

To make the top of the liquid stone strong, observe the following technology:

• on the base of the mold we place the reinforcing mesh;
• we introduce the mixture into the mold, trying to distribute it evenly. At the same time, we remove air from the mixture by means of a vibration grinder or at least a perforator, in case of emergency. This is the first layer;
• is reinforced with a metal wire over the first layer along the perimeter of the mold;
• lay out the rest of the solution, equalize and let the product dries. The time to complete drying for different mixtures is different and sometimes can last for weeks 3;
• we take out the finished product from the mold;
• we grind the front side, we grind sharp edges;
• well polished, rub the surface of the table top, giving it a glossy sheen.

Installing the table top

Installing the countertop from artificial stone to the kitchen base is not so simple, because it has a lot of weight, and therefore, one can not cope.

Inviting helpers:

• remove the table top from the desktop, place it in the right place and fix it;
• we make holes for plumbing;
• we install a sink and hob;
• wipe the finished structure.

Manufacturers of artificial stone

Having assembled to make a table top made of artificial stone, you are sure to ask: - And which composite material is better to buy? Consider the advantages and disadvantages of the material produced by different manufacturers.

MONTELLI and Corian

Manufacturer from America DuPont( DuPont).Materials under this name have the following qualities:

• are durable;
• resistant to bacteria, contamination;
• are homogeneous;
• color palette - wide;
• gluing seamless;
• price is relatively low.

Acrylic stone Tristone

Produces company from South Korea LION CHEMTECH.Several collections are issued:

• "CLASSIC" - monochrome tones;
• "ROMANTIC" - only natural colors;
• "BAROQUE" - the material includes natural and transparent particles;
• "VISANTIA" - artificial stone of premium class, has a 3D effect.

Hi-Macs

Issued by LG Corporation. The stone has in its composition:

• 70% of natural materials;
• base of acrylic resin;

The quality of the composite is high, the price is democratic. The thickness of the sheet is from 6 to 12 mm.

Liquid stone company ColGran( ColGran)

Produces liquid polyester stone of excellent quality and has:

• color spectrum includes 150 colors;
• is resistant to stains and scratches;
• is easy to clean. It is cleaned with ordinary household means.

Repair of countertops of artificial stone

Despite the excellent characteristics, sometimes there is a need for repair of countertops made of artificial stone.

Kinds of possible damage to the

On the countertop of artificial stone, if it is misused, the following damage can occur:

• scratches;
• cracked;
• bloat;
• stains white from hot dishes;
• chips.

Cracks, scratches and their elimination

If you are tempted by a low price and bought an artificial stone from Chinese manufacturers, the crack may appear due to non-compliance with the manufacturing technology. Eliminate the crack so:

• cleans and cleans the crack, dilate it a little;
• we introduce into the formed channel the glue consisting of two components - the same as used for gluing edges;
• is ground, and then polish the surface.

Visually, the surface of the countertop does not differ from the new one, but the strength characteristics will deteriorate, therefore:

• buy only high-quality material;
• clearly observe the technology in the manufacture of table tops.

Not deep scratches, and also some stains are removed by grinding, using sandpaper of different granularity, starting with the largest and ending with the shallow. Subsequently, these places are ground with a felt attachment, which is worn on a drill. This repair is possible if a thick enough sheet was used for the countertop.

Elimination of blisters and spots

If such defects appear on a thin sheet, then:

• cut out the damaged area using a milling cutter;
• from the remnants of sheet artificial stone cut out the patch, choosing the color;
• grease with glue and insert a patch on the damaged place;
• we rub and grind the joints.

To learn how to fix a chip on the artificial stone countertop, watch this video: