The construction market offers a variety of products manufactured using the latest technologies. It contains interesting combinations of materials that produce striking visual results.
In this article we will talk about such a finishing material as decorative gypsum stone and its use for interior and exterior decoration.
Gypsum facing stone and its properties
Even in ancient times, craftsmen from India, China, and Egypt used gypsum for exterior and interior decoration. Plaster was used to cover walls, floors and ceilings in various rooms.
Such widespread use is explained by its uniqueness: the mineral stone had the ability to regulate the microclimate of rooms due to good air conductivity.
Currently, facing decorative artificial stone is a composite material, which includes high-strength gypsum. Due to its qualities, it received the name “gypsum polymer stone”. Properties of decorative gypsum stone:
- low specific gravity;
- material strength;
- environmental friendliness;
- ease of processing;
- high level of sound and heat insulation;
- maintains the required level of humidity;
- fire resistance.
Thanks to its interesting texture and aesthetic appearance, decorative stone is suitable for the interior of any room.
The stone is used to cover the internal and external surfaces of walls, both in children's rooms. It looks great when finished with design elements and is absolutely safe.
The fine dispersion of gypsum and the ease of its processing make it possible to create a variety of architectural forms consisting of interesting elements. The low specific gravity facilitates the use of decorative stone even in the cladding of thin partitions between rooms.
Walls lined with artificial gypsum stone are easy to clean and practically do not become dirty. The only drawback of this material is its hygroscopicity.
Making artificial stone from gypsum with your own hands
As a rule, professional production of artificial stone from gypsum occurs in a factory. However, it is quite possible to make it yourself.
Some craftsmen have turned the interesting and exciting activity of making decorative stone into a quite profitable business. Moreover, without large investments and with minimal effort, its production pays off in a short time.
If certain rules are followed and high-quality raw materials are used, such activities are promising and quite profitable.
The use of natural gypsum in its pure form is not advisable, since the products have low strength and are short-lived. Modern technologies offer the production of compositions from modified gypsum that have high strength and retain the qualities of the natural material.
Technology for manufacturing decorative artificial stone from gypsum
Not everyone can afford natural stone cladding, as it has a high cost. Therefore, it is more rational to use artificial stone made of gypsum or cement, which contains various color pigments, as well as polymer materials.
Required material and tools
- Plaster is white;
- A container, preferably made of plastic, for mixing components;
- Pallet;
- Table and polyethylene roll;
- Forms (matrices);
- Electric drill;
- Fluted glass;
- Any water-based dyes.
Preparation of the workplace
To produce stone, large working areas are not required. Two square meters is enough.
We will provide the workplace with a table in advance. There should be racks with shelves at hand where all the necessary elements and equipment will be placed.
Preparing forms
Attention should be paid to the forms themselves (matrices). The most optimal are silicone molds. They are quite flexible and plastic. But forms made of metal, wood, and plastic are also allowed, although they do not so thoroughly convey the texture of plaster, which reflects the smallest details of the relief and its bends.
Preparation of materials
After preparing the workplace and equipment, we prepare the material. For the gypsum test we need mineral gypsum, anhydride, and clean water. This will form the basis of the plaster test. Sand or similar filler is also prepared.
The process of making stone from gypsum
Preparing gypsum dough
In order to save money, the volume of the solution should correspond to the number of forms.
Since gypsum dough hardens very quickly, you cannot leave the mixed solution for the next time.
We independently determine the proportion of gypsum and water. Having poured water into the container, gradually add gypsum and stir continuously until the gypsum dough reaches normal thickness.
The consistency of the solution should be thick, since segments made from a liquid solution are less durable and take a long time to dry. To make the material stronger, add about 10% sand.
Processing forms (matrices)
We lubricate the working surface of the molds with a surfactant (a mixture of wax and turpentine 3:7), this is done so that the finished (frozen) stone can then be easily removed.
This mixture can be made using a water bath, which promotes uniform and complete dissolution of the wax. The mixture is applied in a thin layer to the inner surface of the mold.
Next, to protect the stone from the formation of shells, we apply liquid gypsum to the working surface of the molds.
Place the prepared forms in a tray.
Creating Color
Mix the desired dyes with gypsum. We use separate containers for this.
We pour the resulting shades into molds. As a result, we get a rather heterogeneous color.
Pouring plaster
After this, we pour the bulk of the gypsum.
Using a spatula, carefully level the plaster. We cover the molds with pre-prepared corrugated glass, and then subject it to vibration for even laying. This procedure will take approximately 2 minutes. 
The hardening time of the gypsum is approximately 15-20 minutes. When the glass freely separates from the molds, remove the products and dry them in the open air. How to lay decorative gypsum stone
When fixing such gypsum tiles to the base (for example, a wall), the contacting surfaces are primed.
After this, glue the gypsum stone. Suitable glues include mastic, assembly glue, water-acrylic glue, a mixture of gypsum and PVA, sealant, and cement-adhesive mortar.
You can change the geometric parameters of such a workpiece using an ordinary hacksaw. One of the articles has already discussed the process of how it is performed, which, in fact, can be found.
In fact, making decorative stone from gypsum is not difficult. Of course, “the first pancake is lumpy” cannot be ruled out, but nevertheless, the result is worth it.
A rich imagination and flight of fancy will help you find original color solutions and textures (you can even make artificial marble from gypsum). Thanks to this decoration, your home will be filled with a unique flavor, and elements decorated with its help will add extraordinary comfort and beauty to the interior.
Making artificial stone from gypsum - video
Decorative stone made of gypsum - photo in the interior
In terms of mechanical resistance, color range and variety of surface textures, artificial stone is in no way inferior to natural stone, surpassing it in ease of processing and ease of finishing.
Key advantages of artificial stone:
- unlike natural material, artificial stone can be made into thin tiles, which reduces the weight and cost of products while maintaining the necessary strength;
- even at home, such a stone can be produced in the desired shape for a specific application site without additional adjustment;
- artificial stones can be immediately made perfectly smooth without such expensive procedures as sawing, grinding and polishing;
- there is no need to transport the material, since it can be produced directly at the site of use.
Types of artificial stone
One of the main advantages of this material is the ability to produce it with a surface and texture that imitates any natural stone.
The shapes of artificial stones are:
- chipped - with an uneven surface and edges;
- sawn - with smooth, even edges;
- rubble, similar to ordinary boulders;
- arbitrary, embodying any fantasies of the master;
- decorative.
Depending on the purpose of use, artificial stone can be made from several types of materials. For interior decoration, plaster and acrylic are used. For exterior work, the most suitable material is cement, which is resistant to moisture and temperature changes.
In terms of cost, the most expensive is acrylic stone, followed by gypsum products, and the most economical material is cement. To make the stone more durable and save the main raw materials, sand, small crushed stone, marble chips or fiber are added to the pouring mixture, which prevents cracking of the finished products.
Plasticizers help improve the physical characteristics of stone. These substances reduce the volume of water in the mixture and increase its density.
Depending on the source material and methods of its processing, the following types of artificial stone can be made at home:
- molded gypsum - due to low frost resistance, it is suitable only for interior work, and the temperature in the room during its production must be at least +18°C;
- concrete (cement-sand) molded - frost-resistant, during production the temperature in the room can be +12 ° C and higher;
- reinforced concrete of any shape - usually made piece by piece directly at the site of use (artificial boulders, cobblestones or slabs).
Molds for making stone
To produce artificial stone at home, you will need a mold and a casting mixture. You can either buy a ready-made form or make it yourself.
Ready-made matrices are polyurethane and silicone. They usually already come with plasticizers, pigments and fiberglass. Such forms are produced for the production of decorative material of various sizes and thicknesses with imitation of any natural or artificial stone - slate, brick, cobblestone, sandstone or rock.
The choice of shape depends on the area of the object and the available budget. Polyurethane matrices are expensive and are designed to produce several hundred high-quality impressions. The silicone mold is more budget-friendly, but with its help you can make no more than 20-30 products.
Making your own mold
First of all, you need formwork. This structure is best made from boards or plywood. The frame must be connected so that there is not a single gap left. The formwork should be 3 cm higher and 1 cm wider than the original stone sample.
Any lubricant, for example, grease, is generously applied to the bottom and walls of the frame. After this, a sample stone is placed in the formwork, which is also generously coated with lubricant. This procedure is necessary so that the finished form can easily move away from the original stone and frame.
At home, the mold is made from silicone sealant. In this case, you can use the cheapest silicone. Squeeze it inside the formwork in a spiral, starting from the center and moving towards the walls until it is filled.
To avoid bubbles, the silicone must be carefully smoothed with a wide paint brush. The brush is first dipped in a solution of dishwashing detergent. An ordinary soap solution will not work, since due to the alkaline environment it can change the properties of acidic silicone.
After filling the formwork with silicone, it is recommended to smooth the surface of the future form with a spatula soaked in the same detergent.
Dry the mold at room temperature in a well-ventilated area. Drying time - 15 days. After this time has expired, the structure can be disassembled and a stone sample can be removed from it.
The output is convenient silicone molds, which are ideal for making artificial stone at home. If there are cracks or other irregularities on the surface of the mold, carefully fill them with silicone.
How to paint artificial stone
To give the stone the desired color, add a coloring pigment to the solution when mixing it. For these purposes, it is the pigment (iron oxide inorganic dye) that is needed, and not the color for paints.
The pigment colors can be mixed with each other to create the desired shade. The amount of pigment is determined in practice. It will be possible to find out exactly what color the final product will be only after the stone has completely dried.
The dye can be applied directly to the silicone mold before pouring the mixture. It is better to paint over the form not entirely, but in fragments. This will give the casts an individual design and help create a better imitation of natural stone.
Creation of artificial stone from gypsum
Most often, artificial stones at home are made from gypsum. For this technology you will need the following materials:
- white plaster;
- river sand;
- warm water;
- large plastic container;
- pallet;
- ready-made form;
- corrugated glass;
- water-based dyes.
In addition, you need to prepare your workplace. To make artificial stone from gypsum, you do not need a large area. Just a few square meters will be enough. It is important that all the necessary racks and shelves are at hand.
Instructions:
- Prepare the required volume of solution equal to the number of molds. The gypsum hardens quickly, so it cannot be left until the next pouring procedure.
- Add water to a plastic container and pour plaster into it. The solution should be thick. To increase the density of the material, you can add sand to the mixture in a ratio of 1 to 10.
- Grease the bottom and sides of the mold with wax and turpentine. This measure will make it easier to remove the frozen stone from the mold.
- Pour the gypsum solution into the mold. Using a spatula, carefully level the surface of the future stone.
- For maximum uniform installation, it is recommended to cover the molds with long corrugated glass and subject the workpieces to light vibration for two minutes.
- The plaster hardens in about 20 minutes. After this, the glass can be removed and the casts can be removed from the molds. The resulting products are dried in the open air.
- When the stones are completely dry, they need to be painted. Don't forget to remove dust and other debris from the surface first. After this, use a brush to evenly distribute the dye over the surface of the stones.
Artificial stone made of cement
Artificial stones for external use are usually made from cement. This material is much cheaper than gypsum, but the strength of products made from it is an order of magnitude higher.
To make cement stones at home, you will need the following materials and tools:
- cement;
- warm water;
- putty knife;
- container for mixing the solution;
- fine sifted sand;
- separation composition;
- ready-made forms;
- reinforcing mesh;
- coloring pigments and brushes.
Manufacturing technology:
- Mix cement and sand in a ratio of 3 to 1. Add to them the coloring pigment necessary to create the desired shade.
- Slowly pour water into the resulting mixture until the solution acquires the consistency of thick sour cream.
- Fill the molds halfway with the mixture, then shake them thoroughly to compact the cement.
- To increase the strength of future products, place a reinforcing mesh on top and fill the molds with mortar to the very top.
- After completing the filling procedure, draw several lines on top with a stack or nail to create shallow grooves. This measure will help improve the adhesion of future stones to the application surface.
- The stones are removed from the molds 12 hours after pouring and dried for two weeks. After removing the impressions, do not forget to thoroughly rinse the molds to remove cement residues.
If the coloring components were not added to the mixture before pouring it into the molds, the stones can be painted after they have completely dried. Before painting, be sure to clean the surface of the casts from dust and debris. Apply paint evenly to the surface of the stones, creating the desired pattern, and let the product dry.
Among materials for decorative finishing of buildings, artificial stone occupies a special place. Its production is not as simple as it seems, but the beauty of paintings laid out from high-quality fragments can only be rivaled by 3D drawings under a layer of transparent epoxy resin. The volume of the relief is achieved by different methods of shaping, cutting and laying the stone.
Natural breeds cost a lot of money.
Even common granite or marble has a high chance of breaking during processing, and the amount of waste in them is more than 30% (only wood has more waste). The high cost and complexity of processing prompted designers to create artificial decorative stone. It does not have the same properties as natural, it has low density and less weight. To avoid rapid crumbling, the stone is reinforced when pouring.
You can make artificial stone with your own hands from a mixture of cement (white or gray), gypsum, acrylic resins; different types of sand, small crushed stone; natural dyes. This is a cinder block that can be easily processed with a power tool, emphasizing the edges and assembling a unique pattern from different fragments, more often called a Pattern.
Before you start creating a stone, you should decide what it will be used for. After drawing up a drawing of the future work of art or calculating the size of the required bricks, it is worth starting to form the forms.
Forms for pouring artificial stone
The simplest option is a regular mesh. Any carpenter can knock together small shapes from planks; in this case, you can produce artificial stone on an industrial scale with your own hands.
Silicone mold
They are flexible forms with a clear relief pattern. They are used to form bricks or tiles with a clear pattern that imitates the real texture of stone. They are easy to find in large construction supermarkets and warehouses. The price of one form does not exceed several hundred rubles.
Silicone molds are easy to handle. After the solution hardens and the finished stone is formed, it “breaks”, thereby releasing the finished material. Refilling is possible after washing with plain water. Reusable molds can satisfy the designer's needs in stone in a short time. 
Compound matrices
Similar in application to silicone molds, but allow you to create your own options. These are special solutions with which you can pour 3D stones - make copies from a real sample. The process itself is reminiscent of casting into plaster molds, which are disassembled into two parts - the upper and lower “bowls”. The main advantage is the creation of 3D stones rather than flat bricks or tiles. Polyurethane compounds are sold on trading platforms and have an average price. 
Manufacturing a matrix using a special compound “Poly 74-29”
The soft polyurethane compound “Poly 74-29” can be distinguished into a separate subtype. This is a special mixture that is used to create very complex 3D shapes. The compound mold hardens completely in 7 days at room temperature and low humidity, but allows complex models to be copied many times. For example: statues, interior items, relief bricks. 
Creating a form is carried out in 5 stages:
- Preparing a clay pillow, placing the object to be copied in half (vertically, face down or up).
- Clamp into a “brick” - a form of boards fastened with clamps and self-tapping screws.
- Prepare the compound according to the instructions, fill the figure.
- After the solution has cooled, it is necessary to remove the mold and remove the clay backing.
- Re-pour the mold with compound on the other side.
When performing this procedure, you should work on a workbench or tabletop. It is important to wait 7 days for the mold to completely harden. "Poly 74-29" is a fairly expensive composition that is used for the most complex objects.
Making artificial stone with your own hands
The creation process has features, ignorance of which will lead to the rapid destruction of the final product. When creating a stone, you have to work with chemicals and compounds that are dangerous for the craftsman. For example, a mixture of cobalt and a hardening catalyst produces a low-energy explosion.
DIY artificial stone based on gypsum
For production you need: gypsum, citric acid, dye and water. Let's take a silicone mold as an example.
- In a small container, mix 1 kg of gypsum in 800 ml of water.
- Add lemon juice or granulated acid (10 g). This will slow down the hardening of the plaster.
- Add color pigment (approximately 50 g).
Mixing should be done with an industrial mixer or a drill with a special attachment at low speed. Stirring by hand is not recommended - the heterogeneous composition and the presence of air bubbles will cause the fragility of the final product. After pouring the solution into the molds, you must wait 12 hours until it hardens completely. Remove from the mold by straightening. 3.2. Artificial stone made from cement-based mortar 
A more complex process, the main advantage of which is the strength of the final product. For example, here is a recipe for a mold made from a compound:
- 1 part sand (pure sifted yellow sand, white sea or river sand, screenings);
- 3 parts cement (it is advisable to take high quality Portland cement);
- 2 parts water.
It is better to mix with a powerful mixer in a narrow, deep bowl with your own hands, controlling the rotation speed. For large objects it is better to use a concrete mixer.
During casting, it is necessary to distribute the solution evenly throughout the mold. To do this, it is advisable to use a wooden rod or a small spatula (for flat reliefs).
Cast acrylic stone
Expensive type of artificial stone. To create it yourself you will need: 1 part acrylic resin, 3 parts solid filler (pure sifted yellow sand, white sea or river sand, screenings), colored pigment. The preparation of this mixture differs from the previous ones and the characteristics of the resin. For its complete hardening, a special catalyst is used. It is worth mixing the ingredients quickly - add the solvent to the resin, mix and then add the solid filler + pigment. After about 30 minutes of mixing, you need to fill the mold in one portion and wait 3-4 days until it hardens completely. The final product will have a glossy feel and will not require additional sanding.
DIY liquid stone
The most expensive option for creating artificial stone with your own hands. It has a number of advantages: high density, rapid hardening, glossy texture after pouring. To create liquid stone, the following ingredients are used:
- 1 part gelcoat;
- 4 parts microcalcite;
- hardener (1% of the total mass);
- accelerator (5% of the total mass).
Mixing occurs in the following order: The gelcoat is mixed with microcalcite until completely dissolved. Then you need to add an accelerator and hardener. Pouring into the mold occurs immediately after the mixture is homogeneous.
Features of laying artificial wall stone
The process of laying decorative stone is similar to tiling a wall. A layer of glue is applied to the primed wall and spread with a notched trowel. After this, the cubes of the future picture or pattern are laid out. Flat cement stones are less suitable for exterior decoration. Similar gypsum tiles would be appropriate.
You need to carefully read the composition and instructions for use of the glue. For different types of stone - different mixtures for pasting, which will give better adhesion of bricks or tiles to the plane of the wall. 
FAQ:
- How to prevent stone mixture from sticking to the mold?
Different types of solutions have their own methods:
- For gypsum mortar - a mixture of wax and turpentine (ratio 1:8), which is used to wipe the mold.
- For cement - special lubricants (the consistency is similar to liquid machine oil).
- For acrylic - cyatim, styrene or similar chemistry.
- For liquid stone - a solution of stearin and styrene in a ratio of 1:10.
On large trading floors you can find factory separators for different types of castings.
- Is it possible to repair artificial stone with your own hands, and how to polish it?
Do-it-yourself stone repair involves re-pouring individual parts of the product into a mold or cleaning the stone from plaque. In the first case, place the finished object in the mold and add the solution into the cavity where the broken fragment was located. Secondly, it is enough to clean the stone with soapy water and rinse with running water.
Stone grinding:
- It is better to handle small products with sandpaper (plaster figurines, etc.).
- Cement-based stones can be processed with an angle grinder and cut on a band saw. Their processing is quite simple if you have basic skills in handling power tools.
- It is better not to process products made of acrylic resin at all - there is a risk of damaging the glossy texture of the final product.
- How advisable is it to do casting?
It is worth producing facing tiles or bricks on an industrial scale only if you have a lot of time and money. To create unique interior objects, casting stone is easier and cheaper than ordering it. This is especially true for complex products - a monument or memorial plaque, the creation of a multi-colored alpine slide and other objects.
- Which casting method is best for a beginner to try?
Casting with gypsum mixture. This is the easiest and cheapest way to create artificial stone with your own hands.
- How to strengthen the stone and make it more dense?
Reinforcement with silicate mesh is a good option. During pouring, a special mesh is placed into the mold - like reinforcement when pouring reinforced concrete.
Natural stone is widely used to create landscape designs, paving garden paths and cladding the facades of low-rise buildings. Using natural granite, marble, sandstone, slate and other types of natural stone, you can create exclusive compositions, facades and landscape designs.
A self-made artificial stone made from cement does not include in its cost price: wages of hired workers and office specialists, payroll charges, profit percentage, transportation and storage costs, VAT, etc.
Therefore, cement-based artificial stone produced at home has a minimal cost compared to artificial material produced by specialized companies and firms. In this article we will take a closer look at the question: How to make artificial stone from cement on your own?
Instructions for making artificial stone from cement
The technology for producing artificial structural or facing stone is quite simple, but it will require the purchase or manufacture of special equipment - mold matrices for pouring artificial stone.
You can purchase ready-made matrices at a building materials store. However, it is best to make the molds yourself. This is much cheaper, and in this case, you will have at your disposal exactly the configuration of elements that is most suitable for specific conditions.
To make matrix molds you will need the following materials:
- Master model. The master model is a natural or artificial stone of a suitable configuration, size and surface texture. The master model can be picked up in a quarry, on the river bank, or in a store selling natural or artificial stone.
- Formwork. The internal dimensions of the formwork should be larger than the master model by 15 cm around the perimeter and 30 cm in height. As formwork, you can use a ready-made cardboard box, juice packaging, or a square (rectangular) frame made of plywood, boards, or fiberboard.
- The material for filling molds is liquid silicone. The material can be purchased in-person construction stores and via the Internet. Popular types: Super Mold 30 (990 rub./kg), Poly Food (1,345 rub./kg), Mold Max10 (1,158 rub./kg) and others.
- Release agent. You can use a budget option - grease or any other grease for bearings and rubbing parts of mechanisms. You can purchase branded material: Elastex RS (455 rubles/kg), Izola-FTB (85-160 rubles/kg), Barrier-8 (154 rubles/kg) and others.
Forms for artificial stone
Having prepared the specified materials, you can begin the actual production of the mold. Technology stages:
- Lubricating the inner surface of the formwork and the surface of the master model facing the silicone with a release agent.
- Laying out the master model in the center of the formwork.
- Filling the formwork with silicone, leveling the surface of the silicone with a spatula.
- After the silicone has hardened, disassemble the formwork, remove the master model, and clean the finished form from the release agent. For reference! The curing rate of silicone is about 2 mm/day. Therefore, there is no need to rush into removing the formwork.
In order to speed up the production of artificial stone and effectively use cement and other components, it makes sense to produce several pieces or several dozen forms.
Having produced the required number of mold-matrices, you can begin to produce artificial stone from cement. In addition to the forms, you will need the following materials and tools:
- Portland cement CEM I 32.5N PC or CEM I 42.5N PC, clean coarse quartz sand of fraction 0.63-1.5 mm, granite screenings or marble crushed stone of fraction 5-10 mm, clean water.
- Superplasticizer S-3.
- Colors for concrete brands: Baer, DuPont, Kemira, etc.
- Reinforcing mesh for plaster.
- Concrete mixer.
- Measuring containers.
- Metal scissors, trowel, spatula, nail.
Proportions of materials for the solution
Proportions of materials for the production of artificial stone from cement: cement 1 part, sand 0.5 parts, granots or crushed marble 1-2.5 parts, superplasticizer 0.2 - 0.7% by weight of cement, dye 5% by weight of the solution, water 0.6 parts (approximately).
Cement, sand and granotsev (marble crushed stone) and dye are loaded into a concrete mixer and mixed thoroughly. Next, a superplasticizer and water are added and everything is thoroughly mixed again. The finished solution should have the consistency of thick sour cream.
Using a trowel or spatula, the solution is poured halfway into a matrix form lubricated with a release agent and compacted by vibration and “bayoneting”. According to the configuration of the mold, a reinforcing mesh is cut out with metal scissors and placed in the mold, after which the mold is filled with mortar up to the top cut and compacted again.
Filling forms
The final stage of pouring artificial stone is making notches with a nail in the form of a mesh. Notches are necessary for better adhesion of the element to the base. The molds filled with the solution are kept in the shade for 12 hours, after which the artificial stone is removed from the molds, the molds are thoroughly washed, and the resulting products are dried in the shade for 14 days. After complete drying, the artificial stone can be used for its intended purpose.
There are times when cladding elements need to be adjusted to each other or mortar build-ups need to be carefully removed. In this regard, non-specialists in the field of stone processing will have a question: how to cut artificial stone from cement? Option one is an angle grinder and a diamond disc of the appropriate diameter. Popular brands of diamond blades: KEOS Standart, KEOS Professional, TURBO DS SORMA, Diam Almaz RV, Grost and others.
Modern construction technologies make it possible to decorate facades using natural finishing stone. But the cost of such materials is quite high. Those who want to save money can make an artificial finishing stone from concrete. At the same time, the appearance of stones, the production of which was carried out at home, will be little inferior to the qualities of natural materials. Using artificial concrete stones, specialists manage to create amazing design solutions. If the rules are followed, the quality of home-made building materials will not be inferior to the characteristics of products created by professionals.
Areas of use
Externally, such materials look almost identical to natural stones. At the same time, the concrete used in their production is many times cheaper than marble, granite, boulders and other natural materials. You can use such building materials for interior decoration and exterior decoration of buildings. Experts resort to artificial stone when performing indoor work, replacing ceramic tiles with it, decorating the appearance of sinks, fireplaces, window sills, furniture, etc. In addition, artificial stone and concrete are used to decorate architectural elements of large and small sizes. Many products can be created from this artificial material.
Advantages
Flaws
Such building materials have practically no disadvantages, since they are only inferior to their natural analogues in some characteristics. The disadvantages include the need for treatment with hydrophobic agents. Also, some artificial samples are not durable, but this only applies to agglomerates.
Manufacturing methods
When producing building materials, specialists resort to two methods: vibration casting and vibration pressing.
- Vibration pressing. The technology is as follows: a concrete solution placed in a special form is processed with a special vibrating device - this makes the products as durable as possible. Vibrocompression is often used in the manufacture of sidewalk tiles.
- Vibrocasting is used to create facing stones. The solution is poured into molds that replicate the texture of natural materials. Such forms can be plastic, polyurethane or plaster. It all depends on what kind of stone needs to be imitated. In this case, it is desirable that there be more than a dozen different forms. The more diverse the concrete elements are, the more natural the masonry will look. A quality product is determined by its texture: it is important that it be unique every three square meters.
Manufacturing technology
Specialists produce finishing materials using technology using molds made of polyurethane and plastic. First of all, you need to mix cement, resin and other components in a special mixer, then pour the mixture into prepared molds. To increase the strength of the building material, a metal mesh is placed in the solution. The next stage of the process is vibration compaction of the concrete solution, which is necessary in order to displace air and distribute all components of the mixture. Due to this, the top layer of material becomes stronger. Then you need to wait until the products harden (about a day). After this, the slabs can be removed from special containers.
Shape selection
Molds can be wooden or silicone. You can make molds of large or small sizes and any texture. Thus, you can realize your wildest ideas. For example, you can make an imitation of the seabed with shells or create a semblance of ancient arched openings or wood parts. The prepared solution should be poured into prepared containers. Cover them on top with polyethylene film and wait until the mixture is completely dry.
Preparing the Components
To make an artificial finishing stone, you will need various materials and tools. First of all, you need to prepare the forms. They can be purchased in specialized stores or made independently. To carry out the work you need a vibration stand. It is also necessary to purchase a release agent - it should be coated with the mold before pouring so that the finished product can be easily removed. In addition, you will need pigments that will help give the mixture the desired shade.
The required color can also be obtained by using dyes and pastes. In some cases, a heat gun is useful for decorating – it can be used to glue various parts and elements. In addition, you need a vibrating device. When producing concrete-based stones, cement, sand, and fiber fibers are used (allows you to create an imitation of brick and other materials).
