Artificial facing stone, what is it?
An artificial stone for decoration appeared relatively recently, and it was used only in the nineties of the last century. Initially it was used exclusively for facing the socle of buildings, but today the scope of its application has expanded, and it is used to decorate fences, terraces, facades, interiors and grottos. Such popularity of the material is explained by its price availability, ease of installation and excellent technical properties.
What is a decorative stone artificial facing? It can be based on polymer concrete, cement, various resins and other binders. To strengthen the material, polymers are used that increase the strength and other characteristics. Note! Choosing the material, you need to know about its composition, because it can include substances harmful to the environment.
The manufacturing process is as follows: the formulation is filled in and left until it dries. As a result, a tile is produced, on one side flat, and on the other hand it exactly repeats the shape, texture and color of the natural stone. The quality of the product is affected not only by the material itself, but also by the form that is used. The size of the artificial stone ranges from 0.5 to 5 square meters, and its thickness - 1-2 centimeters. The thickness of stones, imitating cobblestones, can reach up to 10 centimeters.
Properties and characteristics of
The appearance of a decorative stone was directly affected by the natural, which is traditionally used in construction. It is unlikely that once artificial material will replace natural, but it has many adherents for very reasonable reasons:
- Decorative stone is more aesthetic. Natural material has a limited color range, which does not allow you to fulfill all the desired design ideas. Artificial material can be produced in any color, even such that it does not occur in nature;
- Natural cobblestones have a radioactive background, decorative - no;
- Thanks to the smooth shape, there is no need to saw and straighten the sides for mounting;
- The weight is much lower than the weight of the natural material, which makes it possible to start the lining without first strengthening the walls;
- Additional noise insulation, which, in principle, with a wall thickness of 60 centimeters does not significantly affect the noise level.
The scope of decorative stone is almost unlimited. This is the material that gives the designer, architect or future owner complete freedom in thinking through the design. Due to its characteristics, artificial cobblestone is ideal for facing walls, facades, columns, loggias and so on. There are no serious limitations on where and what type of stone to use. However, it should not be forgotten that this material is necessary to emphasize the dignity of a building or a separate room, so do not overdo it with much.
Note! Often decorative stone is used for restoration or renovation of buildings.
How to choose?
Having decided to purchase this material for finishing, it is necessary to know how to choose it correctly and what to look for. First, it's appearance. The surface should contain as many halftones and different transitions, then it will look natural. In nature, very rare stones are found, so buying these is not recommended. Secondly, the technology of production. It is better to buy domestic products, as they are manufactured taking into account our climate.
The third thing to consider is the body of cobblestones. It should not contain particles of more than 5 millimeters, as in this case the surface is uneven, and the risk of cracking increases. It is best to check this on the spills of the material. The correct distribution of the components should be as follows: in the rear part there is a lightweight filler, and in the front - a strong one, which creates a strong protective layer.
Note! Packaging is also important. It should be convenient for comfortable delivery of materials to the work site.