Finishing stone for the apartment. Finishing the apartment with decorative stone. Decorative artificial stone for interior decoration: main characteristics

As the most durable and reliable material, stone has been used for construction, probably since the appearance of the first people on Earth. Egyptian pyramids, the Great Wall of China, megalithic structures of the Mayan civilization, ancient temples and medieval fortresses are laid out of it.

Just a hundred years ago, only wealthy owners could afford stone houses - the rest were content with clay and wooden huts. And even now, despite the huge variety of building materials, the use of natural sandstone, granite, marble in the interior is a sign of elitism.

However, imitations of natural stone look no worse, while they are more affordable, easier to process, and sometimes have better resistance to changes in humidity, temperature, and mechanical stress. More details about this type of finish and how to use it will be discussed in this article.

What is a decorative stone?

Artificial stone has an external resemblance to natural, but it is not mined from the bowels, but is made manually or industrially. The methods are similar to each other - the solution is poured into a mold (silicone, plastic, metal), dried, sometimes heat treatment (roasting), coating with various impregnations or glazes is carried out.

Depending on the composition of the raw material, the product can be concrete, ceramic, gypsum, acrylic, polyester. There is also the so-called liquid stone in the form of an unhardened mixture, as well as flexible - a kind of stone veneer in rolls or sheets.

For outdoor work, frost-resistant plates are used, with minimal porosity and coarser in appearance. Lightweight, thin elements are used in the interior. Their environmental friendliness largely depends on the binder and fillers.

So, cement, sand, gypsum and clay are not inferior to natural stone, freely passing air and moisture, but acrylic resins are safe only at low temperatures - it is not recommended to place them near a fireplace, oven and other heating appliances. If even at +30°C a synthetic countertop, bathtub or sink exudes an unpleasant odor, it is better to refuse to purchase them, since this is often a sign of poor-quality ingredients that are toxic to health.

Application features

In one form or another, decorative stone can be seen anywhere: they decorate houses, apartments, offices, cafes, train stations and administrative buildings. In dry rooms, embossed artificial sandstone, shell rock, cobblestone, slate are more common, and in damp and crowded rooms - smooth "polished" granite, marble, glazed brick-like tiles.

In the first case, the stone gives the interior a cozy and warm look, in the second, it resembles a seashore with its rounded pebbles, as well as turned boulders. From a practical point of view, this also makes sense, because the glossy surface is much easier to clean, and the matte roughness under the influence of water and steam becomes unsightly.

Decorative stone in the interior of the living room

The energy of stone, even decorative, brings a sense of stability, peace and tranquility to the house. Perhaps, on a subconscious level, it is associated with the reliable walls of a fortress protecting from enemies or the constancy of a native hearth.

This material is indispensable when facing an existing fireplace, as it best transfers the heat of the flame to the surrounding space. In apartments where there is no way to arrange such a romantic heating, electric imitations or just niches with candles are often installed. In this case, both the portal itself and the wall can be laid out with a stone - completely or partially.

Sometimes with the help of stone they simply place interior accents, for example, they frame corners, arches, ledges, columns with it. Next to such a noble addition, you should use soft, natural shades, textures of wood and leather, natural fabrics and furs, soft yellowish-white light. Green plants, especially climbing plants, look incredibly beautiful against the background of the stone.

Imitation of sandstone cuts and rough granite is ideal for decorating a country-style living room or chalet. Gypsum and light marble will help to reproduce the classic atmosphere, but in the loft and minimalism, brick-like stone tiles will be most appropriate.

Decorative stone in the interior of the kitchen

The kitchen is exactly the place where the stone cladding looks as natural as possible. Firstly, it reminds of real hearths and stoves, in which it has long been customary to cook food and bake bread. Secondly, it is the most fire-resistant finish option.

Countertops made of artificial stone have confidently won universal love due to their perfectly smooth surface, on which there are no marks from a knife and hot dishes. In addition, they are very aesthetic - the unique pattern of polished stone creates the impression of luxury. The same advantages are distinguished by polymer sinks, window sills, bar counters.

In general, when choosing a decorative stone for the kitchen, it is advisable to focus on products with a high density, glazed or varnished, since porous products (for example, concrete-sand) can accumulate moisture, dirt and odors. Tiles that will be used for lining the apron should be non-staining, easy to clean and not melt when heated.

Decorative stone in the bedroom interior

Combined with other natural finishes, stonework can help create a relaxed country home or spacious loft feel in the bedroom. If you choose natural colors and embossed texture, it will fit well into the Mediterranean, rustic, ethnic interior. As an addition, beams on the ceiling, rough wooden furniture, linen textiles, as well as fluffy carpets on the floor are suitable.

It is better to refuse glossy stone imitations in the bedroom - they look a little cold and can cause disturbing feelings. It is advisable to highlight sections of walls with stone cladding so that the room does not turn into a gloomy crypt.

Lamps stylized as antique metal lanterns, torches or kerosene lamps will look especially impressive.

Decorative stone in the interior of the nursery

Artificial stone can be a real find for some design ideas for decorating a child's room. With it, ordinary walls can easily turn into a tower of a fairy-tale castle, a mysterious cave, a salt dungeon or an underwater kingdom.

An interesting effect can be obtained if the edges of the photo wallpaper with a landscape are lined with stone - the room will expand, gain perspective. Also in the decor of the nursery, you can use imitation of pebbles: make beautiful mosaics and panels, frames for pictures or mirrors, paint in the form of bugs and snails.

Decorative stone in the interior of the hallway and corridor

The entrance hall, trimmed with decorative stone, is somewhat reminiscent of the cozy streets of ancient European cities. It immediately feels the excellent taste of the owners of the house.

Masonry can decorate the walls completely or individual fragments, but in any case it will be an elegant design. Mirrors in wrought iron frames, “street” lamps and benches, as well as large clocks with Roman numerals, as in town halls, will help emphasize the beauty of the stone finish in the corridor.

Decorative stone in the interior of the balcony and loggia

Wall decoration with decorative stone is the best fit for an insulated balcony or loggia and will give the interior a rich look. In these small areas, you can arrange a cozy place for tea drinking, reading books, organizing a work area or a mini-greenhouse.

Many people appreciate nature and use natural materials such as wood and stone in their interiors. Decorative stone can be both natural and artificial and allows not only to decorate the facades of buildings from the outside, but also to create unusual combinations in the interior of the house.

Features of the material for decoration

Artificial material is similar to natural, but is made by hand or by industrial means. This way : the solution is poured into the mold(silicone, plastic, metal), dried, sometimes heat treated (firing), and then coated with various impregnations and glazes.

Depending on the composition of the raw materials, the product can be concrete, gypsum, ceramic, acrylic, polyester. There is also liquid stone in the form of an unmixed composition, as well as flexible - a type of stone veneer in rolls or sheets.

For outdoor work, frost-resistant boards with minimal porosity and a rougher appearance are used. Light, thin elements are used in the interior. Their environmental attractiveness largely depends on the binder and fillers.

Thus, cement, sand, gypsum and clay, from which artificial material is made, are not inferior to natural stone, freely resisting air and moisture.

Today, the market offers a wide selection of stone for interior decoration. The undoubted advantage of the material is its compatibility with many textures that are present in the room. If only recently decorative material in the modern interior was a novelty and was present only on the facades of buildings, today this design is increasingly present inside buildings.

Types of artificial stone

Artificial stone perfectly imitates natural, which is why it has become a popular material. . To decorate the walls in the apartment it is used very often, and its varieties are as follows:

concrete;
acrylic;
ceramic;
quartz;
plaster.

There are significant differences between the technical characteristics, but they are all used for interior wall decoration. In order for the facing material to give the decorated surface an aesthetic appearance, it is necessary to perform certain preparatory work.

Currently, the construction market presents a huge number of different finishing and decorative materials. If desired, you can buy cheap stones to make changes to the design of an apartment or house.

Ceramic products are suitable for decorating the interior walls of the house. They not only give the house a resemblance to a medieval castle, but also have excellent performance characteristics.

Tiles are often purchased for areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. This material has long been confirmed its technical specifications and excellent aesthetic parameters. Among the disadvantages of using ceramic tiles in the design, one can note the difficulty of installing this finishing material.

The use of stone in a modern interior

The stone looks original in any interior, but it is important to observe some of the nuances of the design in the room.

decorative trim(especially the interior design) must be carried out taking into account the following rules:

Most often, this facing decorative material can be found in living rooms, spacious kitchens, dining rooms and corridors. Stone decoration of doorways, niches and walls allows you to achieve the effect of monumentality, and in combination with plants brings natural beauty to the room.

Decorating the hall with decorative material is practical and convenient. Finishing stone for walls inside the apartment, imitating masonry, perfectly tolerates wet cleaning with detergents and has good dirt-repellent properties. In addition, such a design will be very durable and will not lose its attractive appearance from frequent touches.

If you completely decorate the hallway with such material, it can have a different effect, so the best solution is a fragmented finishing with the distribution of certain areas:

doorways and arches;
viewed angles;
areas around furniture and separately located decor elements (lamps, paintings, mirrors);
contact zones (hangers, racks, shelves, wall sections above the plinth);
niches.

Interior design technique

In modern interior design, wall decoration with decorative material is increasingly used, and its popularity is growing every day. Minimalist style or modern classic - it doesn't matter.

Decorative stone fits into any interior. It can be a partial decoration of the walls of the living room, kitchen, bedroom, lined with separate corners or columns. It is possible to completely clad the wall, for example, in the hallway or on the balcony. An interesting solution would be to decorate the arch, window and doorways. Finishing with artificial material can be absolutely in any room, apartment or house. It is important to correctly approach the issues of interior solutions so that the stone fits into the overall style of the room.

The main highlight of interior decoration can always be cladding with tiles. Finishing stone indoors should begin with the preparation of the base. When there are irregularities of more than five millimeters on the wall, it is first necessary to plaster. Before laying the material, all surfaces must be primed.

To lay the material harmoniously before you start, you need to lay the tiles on the floor, creating the desired pattern. It is necessary to position the stone so that the cracks and sharp color transitions are not visible. For gluing tiles, you should use gypsum glue or “liquid” nails.

Laying decorative stone in the apartment

To begin with, the surface of the walls is leveled with drywall or plaster. Drywall is installed on a metal frame. The walls are puttied and glued with construction tape. In the case of plaster, each layer is sanded with sandpaper. To process the finishing plaster layer, a fine-grained “sandpaper” fraction is used. After that, you can proceed to facing the wall with artificial stone.

For laying decorative stone on the wall in the apartment, cement mortar or glue is always used, as well as a level and two spatulas. On the surface, using pencil marks, the places where the material will be located are indicated. Then a cement mortar is applied, which is prepared from cement, water and sand. If it is necessary to increase the strength, sand is used in smaller quantities, after which the material is mixed, and the resulting solution is applied to the surface in a thin layer.

The stone on the walls in the apartment is attached a few seconds after applying the solution. In a small amount, the solution is applied to the inside of the decorative element. The protrusions on the surface are removed with a spatula. The material for wall cladding in the apartment is laid close to each other, and after the installation is completed, the seams are masked with decorative putty of the appropriate shade. The nuances of fixing the decorative material may depend on the chosen installation method and the desired finishing result.

Using the material for high-quality wall cladding in the apartment, it is necessary to clean and soak the walls, as well as impregnate with a primer. As a basis, you can use a metal mesh. When laying decorative tiles, taking into account its type (angular or planar), the amount of finishing material is determined. Corner tiles are laid with an interval between fragments.

Completion of material laying

After the interior stonework is finished and the mortar is completely dry, you can begin to remove auxiliary structures and details. It is important to consider that the solution must dry completely within two days. The retaining profiles and elements that were used to form the seam are removed and the remaining mortar is removed. Then the solution is mixed, and the seams are filled with it.

Unlike ceramic tiles, it is not always possible to form an even layer of mortar with a rubber trowel. Another version uses a ready-made silicone solution, which will be enough to fill the joints. Work is recommended to be carried out using a special gun and dispenser.

stone wall maintenance

There are many specialized products for protecting, cleaning and maintaining certain types of stone. It is advisable to use them, as they ensure that the surface is not damaged during operation. Avoid products that are not designed for stone (especially bathroom cleaners, scale removers and rust removers). They cause staining and pitting.

Caring for tiles is quite simple. The artificial material does not absorb dirt, but if you notice a stain, it can be wiped off with a cleaning gel and a damp cloth. Do not use metal sponges and dry abrasives: they can damage the surface of the stone.

In public places, especially in cafes and restaurants, the likelihood of pollution becomes much greater. An accidental stain can be removed in the same way as described above: a damp sponge and liquid cleanser will suffice. One of the advantages of artificial material is the variety of textures. It should be noted here that dirt is less noticeable on light and opaque surfaces.

Stone wall decoration will always require special attention in terms of operation and maintenance. It is important to choose the right material, having previously studied its types and varieties. When performing finishing, it is better to consult with the appropriate specialists. In any case, the stone for finishing the walls in the apartment will create a truly unique interior.

Decorative stone surfaces often become decorations in the decoration of any house or apartment. This material is very popular and is presented in a wide variety in the modern market of finishing materials.

Many decide to use it as a primary or secondary coating. But in any case, it is important to take into account all the nuances of a decorative stone before choosing and buying it.

What it is?

Decorative stone is an artificial material that imitates natural stone. This coating is made in two ways: industrial and manual. These technologies differ little from each other. In production, the material chosen for the stone is poured into a special mold made from the appropriate raw material. It can be made from metal, silicone or plastic. The poured composition is dried, often it goes through a special heat treatment. At the final stage, the products are covered with various protective and glazed compositions.

As well as you can make products for cladding by hand. This technology does not require large financial investments and involves the use of concrete as the main next component. It is the standard material. It is also necessary to choose the form into which the composition will be cast, because the future relief of the stone and the thickness of the facing layer depend on the form. Polyurethane molds are flexible, they are able to imitate the structure of natural stone as accurately as possible.

From the materials you will need the following:

cement mixture brand M500;
vibrating table;
inorganic dyes, the amount of which varies depending on individual wishes regarding the design of the cladding.

It is worth paying attention to the color of the selected cement. To create a dark decorative stone, use dark cement, while light raw materials are suitable for light cladding.

And also it should be remembered that To obtain a high-quality result, only fresh material must be used., which has not lost its astringent properties. It is worth paying attention that there are no clay particles in the composition of the material., and that the structure of the sand added during operation is as clean as possible.

Peculiarities

Decorative stone coating, like any other type of finish, has advantages and disadvantages that must be considered before buying or creating elements.

The undeniable advantages of this type of cladding include the following:

the material is quite resistant to various mechanical influences during operation;
This cover is easy to care for. Depending on the specific raw material, it allows various cleaning methods. But compared to wallpaper or paint, removing dirt from decorative stone is an easier procedure;
processing of artificial stone with special impregnations allows it to acquire the ability to repel grease and pollution of various kinds;
mold and fungus do not appear on such a stone;
Compared with natural stone, this material is much cheaper. It does not have such a heavy weight;

the uniformity of the structure of the facing coating gives it additional strength;
decorative stone is quite easy to lay, because the side that connects to the base is perfectly smooth in most cases;
such material is not affected by temperature changes;
almost any material can be used as a basis for such a coating - from brick to wood and even concrete;
despite artificial production, such a stone is considered an environmentally friendly material. It does not emit any substances harmful to health and the environment;
in case of damage, such a lining is easy to restore by replacing the damaged element with another one without destroying the entire structure;
this material is a way to embody the original design. With the help of artificial stone, drawings or elements are created on the walls that successfully complement various interior concepts.

The material has a number of disadvantages that are not critical for most users, such as:

connoisseurs of natural raw materials can feel the difference in tactile contact with an artificial surface;
compared to simpler finishes such as wallpaper or paint, artificial stone will cost more. And also the price is affected by the material from which a particular type of decorative coating is made.
there is a shorter service life of products in comparison with coatings from natural raw materials. But this indicator is more relevant for private houses.

Material

A very important criterion when choosing a decorative stone coating is the raw material from which it is made. Each material has its own strengths and weaknesses, which must be considered when studying the characteristics of the most popular types. Decorative stone can have various materials as its main component.

Porcelain stoneware

Porcelain stoneware is a material that includes high-quality clay, mixtures based on ground rocks and dyes of natural origin (mineral). Facing with artificial stone from porcelain stoneware can often be seen in the bathroom and in the kitchen, where there are frequent changes in temperature and an increased level of humidity.

This raw material is characterized by a number of the following features:

resistance to moisture;
resistance to wear processes;
ability to withstand high surface pressure;
resistance to temperature changes.

The disadvantages of raw materials include the following:

the need for more thorough preparation of the base;
the material is cold to the touch.

Gypsum

Gypsum finishing material is one of the most common.

Such a decorative stone has the following characteristics:

the material is well breathable;
it is able to maintain a certain level of humidity;
gypsum is environmentally friendly;
stones of this type are light in weight;
versatility - the facing material is suitable for finishing any premises: living room, kitchen, hallway, bedroom. It is also worth noting that with the help of such a tile, facing is often done under the "brick".

The disadvantages include the fragility of such a stone. It can be easily damaged or broken directly during the cladding process if the gypsum part is dropped onto the floor from a great height.

Concrete

Concrete decorative stone is mainly used for exterior decoration, but sometimes it harmoniously fits into the interior of a house or apartment.

The advantages of this material include the following:

high strength;
long service life;
over time, the color of the coating does not fade;
the ability to withstand significant temperature changes;
low level of moisture absorption.

Among the shortcomings, it can be noted that the lining of this material is not suitable for all interior styles. It also creates a rather significant load on the walls due to the heavy weight of artificial elements.

Quartz

One of the most durable artificial stones is quartz. In addition to pigments, it contains a natural mineral - quartz, as well as high quality polyester resin.

The material has the following qualities:

resistance to temperature fluctuations;
durability;
strength;
ease of care;
resistance to mold and mildew.

Due to these properties, quartz decorative stone is used for interior decoration not only in residential buildings, but also in public buildings, such as saunas and swimming pools.

Acrylic

Acrylic decorative stone has the following features:

it is a hygienic material;
such a stone has a long service life;
bacteria are less likely to form on acrylic;
this cladding can be easily sanded;
adhesive seams on acrylic artificial stone are usually invisible.

In residential areas, most often you can find a similar finish in the bathrooms. From public premises, this material is preferable for medical institutions, cafes, restaurants and other places of public catering.

liquid stones

A special variety are liquid stones. They are made from gelcoat.. It is a special composition with a gel consistency. The main advantage of a material with such a flexible texture is the ability to create complex non-standard shapes from it.

Liquid decorative stones are used in various types of cladding in addition to interior, sometimes they are even used for the manufacture of plumbing.

But compared to other types of raw materials, it does not have such good physical properties. Another disadvantage is the high cost of the components that are used to create this type of cladding.

Slate

And also for the decoration of various rooms, ready-made decorative elements made of slate are used. Such material is presented in the form of rectangular or elongated elements, most often located horizontally. Due to this cladding, you can visually expand the area of \u200b\u200bthe room. But it should be borne in mind that creating a round pattern from such elements is very problematic.

Colors

The color scheme in which the artificial stone is decorated is no less important than the material of its manufacture. The palette, in which finished facing elements are presented, mainly includes natural shades: beige, gray, brown, white. Naturally, tones can vary in intensity. But not everyone needs a facing composition made of decorative stone in such a color ensemble.

For lovers of the exotic or those who want to create a special accent in the interior with the help of artificial stone, some manufacturers produce more catchy solutions. Their colors are: terracotta, yellow and even black.

If you decide to make facing elements yourself, you should calculate the amount of pigment needed to give the material the desired color.

It must be remembered that the smaller the volume of the mixture will be diluted with color, the more intense it will be in the end. Therefore, to begin with, it is worth taking a trial amount of material for making a stone and calculating the required proportions of the components.

If you want to change the shade of an artificial stone after its installation, you should use special coloring compounds that are sold in hardware stores. In some cases, it is appropriate to combine several colors in one cladding. As a rule, two shades are combined, sometimes creating a slight gradient. These tones should be close so that the appearance of the entire coating looks harmonious.

Style and design

It is important that the selected type of artificial stone for decoration is combined with the interior of the room. It must be remembered that such interior design is not suitable for all styles. Depending on the chosen concept, the appearance of the decorative coating may be different.

You can find similar japanese style decor. As a rule, artificial stone details can be seen not on the entire wall, but only in sections. Such an element frames shelves or niches in the walls. Restrained, light colors are used. This concept should not be deviated from, as the whole Japanese style is generally focused on a minimalist concept.
Country style implies a combination of artificial stone masonry with wooden textures. It is allowed to have an interesting relief on the stone surface. Fireplaces are mainly lined with similar material, which in the concept of this style are massive structures. Sometimes you can find this element even on furniture, for example, on a bar counter.

Country

Japanese style

Stone finish is very appropriate hunting chalet style. In this case, whole walls are made out with masonry. Such a solution looks very relevant in combination with wooden ceilings and hunting accessories. The floor may include laminate and carpets.
Chinese style the contrast between the bright color of the walls and the stone finish in natural tones is common. This peculiar accent "dilutes" the overall richness of the interior and makes it truly original.
African style is quite free in terms of decoration. Often a combination of incongruous colors and textures is acceptable. You can make stone cladding of the entire wall or only certain sections of it, create an ensemble of rich colors or combine natural shades of cladding with African prints.
Particularly relevant is the laying of artificial stone under the "brick" in the direction of the loft. This design emphasizes the special, slightly rough features of this style. Brick trim can be decorated as all the walls, and part of them. A red, white or gray shade of decorative stone is allowed. You can also deliberately highlight the seams between the elements.

Chalet

Loft

Chinese style

African style

Classic style registration with the help of decorative stone fireplaces is welcome. In such pompous styles as baroque and rococo, it is permissible to use gypsum elements from decorative stone, but in small quantities.
Art Nouveau decorative masonry is perfectly combined with pictures of wildlife and large windows.
Ethno style walls are decorated with decorative stone, most often having a not very catchy look. In this direction, for the most part, texture is important, rather than color. And against the background of such walls, all kinds of ethnic accessories will look great.
Since decorative stone goes well with vegetation, it can often be found as an element eco style. Sometimes flower pots or climbing plants are installed in a niche decorated with stone cladding. In most cases, a rectangular or elongated cladding is used, designed in light shades.

Classic

Modern

Ethno style

Ecostyle

In addition to the directions of the interior, it is worth paying special attention to the purpose of the room where the decorative coating of artificial stone will be located. In each room, you can beat this element of the interior in a special way.

The first cladding in the hall there can be a fireplace or a wall around it. Thus, it is possible to designate the central element of the room. If the hall is separated from the hallway by an arch, then it would be appropriate to decorate the arches with decorative stone along the edges. You can combine stone elements with plants, giving a dynamic touch to the interior.
In the hall the lower half of the wall is often finished with decorative stone masonry, while special paints are used for the upper half. Sometimes a protruding corner of the wall is formed with the help of stone, an unusual abstraction is created on it from decorative facing elements. Saturated stones look especially interesting on light walls.

In the kitchen with the help of such a lining, an apron is most often made out. This element helps to zone the cooking area and the dining area, if these two rooms are combined into one. And you also need to remember that for the kitchen you should choose coatings with special impregnation or a layer of glaze that repels dirt and grease.
Matte decorative stone of discreet shades will be very appropriate in the interior of the bedroom. It will not only set you up for relaxation, but also give aesthetic pleasure. Often, sections of stone are located on the wall on the sides of the bed; accessories and paintings can be matched to them. Combined with the right lighting, the brick walls in the sleeping room will help create a special atmosphere.

Making a mold

Many users have a question about whether it is possible to make a mold for casting a decorative stone on their own. The answer to this question is positive. A do-it-yourself mold will save money and create ideal parameters for the material from which it is planned to make facing stone in the future.

Before manufacturing, you need to decide on the desired type of shape. The product can be homogeneous or complex.

The first variety implies the presence of homogeneous matrices with small dimensions. This design does not require large expenditures of materials. But the complex version of the form is more convenient, since it is capable of simultaneously producing several facing products at once. This significantly affects the time to create a decorative stone. For the base of the matrix, in most cases, relief tiles are selected. Natural materials, such as stone, often become an alternative to it.

Wood reliefs can also be used as bases and create a unique relief.

Materials such as wood or cardboard are useful as formwork. With the help of wooden boards, a box is knocked together, an alternative to it is a cardboard box. The size of the template should exceed the parameters of the original stone sample in width by about 15 mm, and in height by 30 mm.

This technique is necessary to create a characteristic clearance between decorative products. Polyurethane or a sealing compound can be used as the main form. A sealant designed specifically for this purpose is also sold ready-made. It contains two components.

Silicone

Silicone molds are incredibly popular for making decorative stone yourself. But there is a certain strategy and a number of nuances that you need to listen to while using this method of making decorative stone for interior decoration.

The silicone base is recommended to be purchased ready-made. In construction stores, you can buy buckets with the composition of the required volume.
With the help of grease, it is necessary to process the walls of the formwork.
The sample to be used as a template should be placed at the bottom of the structure and also treated with grease. This procedure will further contribute to the preservation of the shape of the products, as well as a less problematic separation of the matrix from the base. In the case of gypsum samples, the bottom of the formwork should be covered with two layers of varnish, and only after it has dried, work should be continued.

To lubricate spatulas and brushes for an even distribution of silicone raw materials, it is necessary to prepare a soap solution.
It is necessary to evenly distribute the silicone composition, covering the facing sample with it. It is not necessary to allow the formation of air sinuses during the formation of the matrix.
When the entire formwork is filled with silicone, it will be necessary to level its surface. This procedure is performed with a spatula.
For some time, the mold is not touched so that the sealant hardens and completely repeats the outlines of the samples. The drying time is calculated depending on the thickness of the silicone layer. This substance solidifies on average at a rate of 0.2 cm per day. Based on this, it is possible to calculate the amount of time required for the complete solidification of the composition. The longer the composition will harden, the better and better the form will turn out.
After, it is necessary to separate the product from the formwork. And also carefully remove the samples. For a more convenient separation of samples, the base sometimes needs to be slightly trimmed. If irregularities remain on the silicone mold, they can be eliminated using the same composition.

Thus, you can create a mold for the manufacture of decorative artificial stone with your own hands without making much effort.

But you need to remember that the quality of work will depend on how many times you can use this product.

From different materials

When there is a ready-made form for creating artificial stone cladding, it is necessary to choose the material for its manufacture. Based on this choice, the features of the procedure itself will vary.

If for concrete the technique of making stone is quite simple, then when using other types of raw materials, special nuances are taken into account.

Gypsum

First of all, in this case, it is important to make the gypsum itself using the correct technology, taking into account the fact that the rate of solidification of the material is quite high. It is important to take into account the total volume of raw materials needed, as well as the number of forms into which it will be poured.. When all calculations are made, ingredients such as water, gypsum, sand and a pigment of the selected shade (if necessary) should be prepared.

to mix the composition, pour water into a container prepared in advance;
after start adding gypsum powder. The ratio of water to the main component should be 6: 10;
to give the material strength, it is necessary to add sand. Its amount should be 10% of the total mass of the composition;
the amount of coloring pigment must be calculated in advance. It depends on the intensity of the shade that you want to get. On average, the amount of dye varies from 2 to 6%;

make a lubricant for the mold. It consists of turpentine and wax, taken in a ratio of 7: 3;
the composition is placed in molds and leveled with a spatula;
an additional procedure to increase the strength of finished products can be vibration treatment, which must be carried out immediately after pouring the mixture into the matrix;
after a quarter of an hour, the frozen products should be removed from the mold and dried completely in the open air. Since the gypsum material is not resistant to high temperatures, it cannot be processed by firing.

Acrylic

The manufacturing process is as follows:

it is necessary to mix two components - hardener and resin in a ratio of 1: 5. This substance should be 25% of the total mass;
the remaining 75% falls on the coloring pigment and filler, which is a crumb of mineral origin. The texture of the elements of the future coating will depend on the size of the fractions in the crumb, so you should pay attention to this detail;
in order not to make a mistake with the color, you need to decide in advance on its intensity and calculate the appropriate proportions of the pigment;
when the resulting mixture is poured into the molds, it is necessary to wait a day for it to finally harden. After this time, the tiles will be ready and can be removed.

A special kind of artificial stone that can be created using acrylic is marble. Artificial marble is obtained by combining acrylic resin and marble chips, as well as the necessary coloring pigments.

liquid stone

Gelcoat liquid stone is easy to create with your own hands. This type of cladding is manufactured using the following technologies, which differ significantly from each other in the number and type of constituent elements:

technology for creating facial composition;
creating a primer solution by mixing.

40% of the facial composition is gelcoat. You also need 1% hardener and 7% accelerator. The remaining percentage falls on the coloring pigment and mineral content. The composition is able to harden after a day. Half the gelcoat (20%) must be taken for the priming mixing technology. Most of the mass of the solution is occupied by microcalcite - this is a special element, which accounts for 73% of the composition. The proportions of the hardening agent and the accelerator are similar to those of the facial composition.

What to glue?

For interior decoration, glue is used, made in the form of a powder mixture, which must be diluted in water. Proportions and recommendations are usually indicated on the packaging of the composition. Liquid nails can be used as an alternative fastener.. Although cement is a bonding material that is used for exterior cladding with decorative stone, some craftsmen mix this component with PVA glue and use it for interior work.

Preparatory work

In order for the laying of the stone to take place at the highest level, it is necessary to carry out surface preparation in advance. It must be durable. Another important factor is the evenness of the surface. The maximum allowable deviation per 1 m is 1 mm. This rule must be observed regardless of the variety of decorative stone to be applied.

An important step is the cleaning of the surface. It is necessary to remove the old finishing materials from it. These most often include wallpaper, plaster and paint.

It is necessary to completely rid the surface of the smallest particles of dirt and debris. It is most convenient to remove the previous layer of coating with a spatula.

After, the surface should be plastered. Depending on the weight of the future facing material, it is possible to provide the plaster layer with a special reinforcing mesh, which helps to withstand heavy loads and strengthens the base.

To enhance the adhesion of the coating to the plastered surface, it is necessary to cover it with a primer mixture.

There are compositions specifically designed for plaster. You need to make sure that you have all the materials necessary for further work.

These include the following:

glue;
tool for applying a hydrophobic mixture;
hydrophobic mixture;
container for the adhesive composition;
mixture for grouting;
spatula with which glue will be applied;
building level;
cross stitches.

With all this arsenal at hand, you can start preparing the adhesive composition and marking the position of the finishing elements. In addition to preparing materials, you also need to make a sketch. It should indicate the number of decorative elements, the features of their location and the area of \u200b\u200bthe site on which they will be located.

Particular attention should be paid to this process if it is planned to create a certain pattern or ornament from decorative stone on the surface. When all the preparatory work is completed, you can begin the process of laying the material.

Do-it-yourself selection and styling

In order for the room to acquire an interesting look, you must follow the following rules when choosing a material:

you need to carefully examine the material for cladding when choosing. The presence of small inclusions and light stains on the stones will be an additional plus, since this appearance creates the maximum similarity of products with natural stone;
if light inclusions are a positive side, then spots on decorative stones are not at all desirable. They can spoil the whole look of the surface and even break the design concept;
it is worth paying attention that there are no growths on the finishing material. They make it difficult to easily and reliably stick the material to the surface;
An additional plus will be the presence of a water-repellent layer on the material. If it is not available, then it is advisable to apply it to the finished products yourself;
it is also necessary to correctly calculate the weight of the structure. Not all walls are suitable for heavy facing layers. This factor must be taken into account in order to avoid unexpected repair costs in the future.

More recently, stone was used only for processing the outer walls of houses, but over time it began to be used for interior decoration. Undoubtedly, the main argument in favor of using this material indoors is its durability and environmental friendliness.

However, today, natural stone is rarely used because of its high cost and complexity in processing. It has been successfully replaced in modern dwellings by porcelain stoneware and other imitations that can be glued to walls or laid on the floor and that do not require complex maintenance.

Stone in the interior

According to experts, natural stone for wall decoration in an apartment requires large spaces: it fits perfectly into the interiors of villas and cottages. But what about the owners of city apartments who dream of this particular finish? It turns out that a modest-sized apartment is not a sentence in this matter. Strictly observing the stylistic rules, this material can be used in any room in the apartments of high-rise buildings.

The basic principle of using stone in a small apartment is dosage. A fireplace, albeit an artificial one, finished with stone, turns an ordinary room into a modern and stylish room. Stone is a unique highlighting material. If you want to divide the room into functional areas, then the stone segments in the decoration will help to cope with this task without difficulty.

Bedroom

Looks spectacular in the bedroom stone for wall decoration in the apartment. With your own hands, it is not difficult to lay it out at the head of a large spacious bed. And you can decorate the wall opposite the bed so that your eyes rest on the beautiful masonry.

Kitchen

In the kitchen, stone is suitable for an apron in the work area. But in this case, it is necessary to choose a material of a smoothed shape, and then it should be coated with a protective compound. A countertop made of artificial monolithic stone has already become a classic for modern kitchens.

Stone panels look great in the hallways, for example, around the mirror.

Bathroom

And for this room, the stone is ideal. This is a worthy replacement for annoying ceramic tiles and tiles. Only in this case it is necessary to take care of the anti-fungal and moisture-resistant composition for styling.

When should a stone not be used?

Even if the stone for wall decoration in the apartment is used in doses, it must be understood that there are styles and finishing materials with which it does not “get along”. It is difficult to imagine stone elements in a romantic interior, with cute accessories and airy textiles.

Natural stone for wall decoration in an apartment is unrivaled: it occupies all the space, attracts attention and becomes the highlight of the interior. In this case, the stone wall will look organic only in two cases:

In a calm, concise interior, not overloaded with details and bright accents.
If there is another object in the room that is equally strong for perception, for example, a panoramic window.

It should be understood that the stone surface "steals" the volume of the room. Therefore, if it is not spacious enough, do not "sew" it into stone completely, otherwise you risk feeling like in a stone well.

Remember, the decoration of the walls with stone in the apartment (you can see the photo below) suggests that there will be no other decorative elements on the walls or they will be contrasted in texture and color of the stone.

Common natural stone

For use in interior design, natural stone species are divided into several groups:

metamorphic (quartzites, marble, schists);
sedimentary (sandstones, travertines, limestones);
igneous or granite).

Most often for finishing are used:

travertines;
sandstone;
shales;
marble.

But in reality, there are many options.

Undoubtedly, processed natural stone is an unusually beautiful, but expensive pleasure. To reduce its cost and simplify the laying process, sawn, not edged stone, “noodles” made of natural stone and a strip are used. When calculating how much such a repair will cost you, you must take into account the cost of delivery and installation of the material.

Artificial stone for wall decoration in the apartment

Today, there are many finishing materials that are suitable for wall decoration. Classic types of ceramic and natural and artificial stone finishes, wallpaper are popular.

Decorating the walls with artificial stone in an apartment has a number of advantages, most of which are unusual for other materials. The use of solid natural stones is limited by their high cost, complexity of use due to the significant weight of the material and the lack of great availability. Therefore, finishing materials imitating a stone structure are common today.

Material advantages:

Artificial stone weighs much less than its natural counterpart, therefore, the load on the walls is reduced. At the same time, it can be glued to ordinary tile adhesive.
Almost all types of decorative stone-like wall decoration in an apartment, with the possible exception of porcelain stoneware, are resistant to mechanical damage.
Some materials, such as liquid stone, are made with the addition of dyes, but despite this, they do not fade and are not susceptible to the adverse effects of ultraviolet rays.
Finishing walls under a stone in an apartment of even a very large area will take quite a bit of time. Having the skill of laying this material, you can do the work yourself.
Decorative stones for wall decoration in an apartment are made from natural materials: they do not use chemical reagents, so this finishing material is completely safe and can be used even in a nursery.

Artificial stone: types

The very concept of "artificial stone" includes different materials with different characteristics: some of them are afraid of mechanical stress, others are sensitive to moisture. In order not to make a mistake when choosing a material, we will present you with a description of some of them.

liquid stone

This is an excellent imitation made from a mixture of natural granite or marble chips with the addition of resistant polymers. Liquid stone is moisture resistant, does not fade over time. It is successfully used not only for wall decoration, but also for the manufacture of countertops for the kitchen. Thanks to modern production technologies, this material is produced in different widths and any size. It is suitable for creating decorative interior elements, it can be laid on the floor instead of tiles.

Porcelain stoneware

Without exaggeration, this is the most popular and well-known decorative stone for wall decoration in an apartment. As the name implies, this is a mixture of red clay chips, which is pressed and fired at high temperature in a kiln.

After firing, the surface of the material becomes glossy, although many experts consider this characteristic to be its main drawback: such a surface is easily amenable to mechanical stress, and it is extremely difficult to restore scratches that have appeared.

Although porcelain stoneware is considered a finishing material, it is not often used in interior design of an apartment. In addition to a rather easily damaged surface, it has a significant weight, and it is not easy to glue it to the wall.

Concrete or plaster imitation

Taking into account the production technology, this artificial stone for wall decoration in an apartment also falls under the category of liquid. Gypsum or concrete mortar is poured into special rubber molds with a decorative texture. When it dries completely, it is removed from the mold and a high-quality stone imitation is obtained.

Finishing with such material has some disadvantages that should be considered before starting repairs:

gypsum does not tolerate water, and even if a protective layer is applied on top, it cannot be glued in the bathroom and kitchen: such a finish will not be durable;
imitation of plaster and concrete requires additional painting, because in its absence it looks unattractive.

Despite the shortcomings, this artificial stone for wall decoration in an apartment is quite popular. This is due to the low cost and the ability to make it yourself. In addition, it has a small weight, you can glue it yourself.

Decorative plaster

The complexity of working with this material depends primarily on the desired effect. Quite often, only a professional can work with it, although most of the “stone” effects are applied simply: even an inexperienced craftsman can create a surface that imitates sandstone or travertine by reading the instructions on the package.

For most types of stone stucco, there is no need to pre-level the walls. The maximum weight per square meter of this coating is 5 kg, which allows it to be used on weakly supporting structures. This material is not too demanding on the surface of the walls. Some types fit perfectly on any materials. For example, Plasma 3D can be applied to tiles or laminate without surface preparation.

Rules for the use of stone in the interior

Natural or looks very modern and fresh. But when designing a design, you must adhere to certain rules:

Parts of the walls partially or completely covered with stone should be well illuminated. Thanks to this, overflows of color, texture and other features of the material will be clearly visible.
Illuminate the wall in the hallway, decorated with stone slabs, from above or below with LEDs.
Refuse to use stone in very cramped rooms or narrow corridors, as it will narrow the space even more.
Indoor flowers look great next to the stone surface, especially curly ones.

DIY finishing

This work is carried out in several stages. The wall is prepared first. If it is concrete, then it is enough just to clean the surface of dirt. Brick or treated with other material must be plastered using a reinforcing mesh. Then it is applied to the surface which will improve the adhesion of materials.

After that, lay the tiles on the floor so that during the gluing process you do not waste time picking them up. To do this, it is advisable to number the stones with a pencil or chalk.

Apply the tile adhesive according to the instructions on the package, pre-moistening the surface of the wall and stone with water from a spray bottle. After that, you should firmly press the stone to the surface of the wall and hold it in this position until the composition adheres to the wall.

Lay tiles, as a rule, from the bottom up. Installation starts from the corner of the room. After gluing one row, let the adhesive dry well before proceeding with the installation of the next.

After finishing work, you should wait a day, and then varnish the surface. If you use a stone in the bathroom, then it must be coated with a water repellent.

To create a sense of sophistication, you can use decorative stone in the interior.

With a variety of textures, shapes and colors, it makes it possible to use it in the design of different rooms, for example, in the hallway, kitchen, bathroom or living room.

Even in ancient times, stone was used not only in construction, but also in interior decoration.

Now natural stone is an expensive, heavy material, which has been successfully replaced by artificial one. To decorate the walls with decorative stone, you should choose only high-quality material.

On the advantages of decorative stone

Rich appearance;
environmentally friendly material;
not afraid of corrosion, fungus and mold;
easy to care for; easy to install;
has different shades; durable, heat-resistant and frost-resistant;
is inexpensive.

Currently, decorative stone in the interior of an apartment can be used in almost all areas of modern housing.

To make sure that the stone looks good in a modern interior, you can see a photo of a decorative stone in the interior of completely different rooms.

hallway stone

No one will argue that the first impression of your home guests get when they enter the hallway. An artificial stone will tell about the sophistication of the owners right from the doorstep.

If you are going to use a decorative stone in the hallway, you should remember about its small size and inaccessibility to natural light.

Therefore, it is necessary to choose light colors here. If you settled on dark shades, add additional lighting to the hallway.

And, besides, the best option is a partial finish. The stone can be used to decorate mirrors, arches, walls behind a hanger. Remember that the room will become sophisticated if you avoid oversaturation.

Living room stone

Here they receive guests or arrange cozy home gatherings. Usually the living room is the largest room in terms of area. Therefore, the stone can be used to highlight zones.

The stone is used to decorate the wall near the table, the shelving area, and its heat resistance allows them to finish the fireplace and the area in front of it.

The bar counter and walls in the TV area can also be decorated with artificial stone. A variety of colors makes it possible to create smooth color transitions, or make contrasting accents, giving uniqueness to the room.

stone in the kitchen

Using a decorative stone, you can transform the room beyond recognition. This material is quite practical, it is easy to clean, it is not afraid of temperature changes and is quite moisture resistant.

With it, you can make a work area, or all the walls, giving the kitchen the look of a medieval room.

Stone trim doorways, niches, part of the wall, dining area. But it is worth remembering that the stone must be combined with the set, and match the size of the room, if the kitchen is small, take a small stone, spacious - large.

Stone in the bedroom

Warm colors are suitable for this room. The best option would be a white decorative stone in the interior. They can trim the headboard area. Stone panels will look good here.

And of course, the stone goes well with natural wood. If a stone of dark tones is chosen, then it is better to combine it with light furniture.

bathroom stone

This room requires high-quality finishing material. If you use artificially made marble or granite, which have water-repellent properties, then the bathroom can be turned into a spa.

Elements of such building material are made without visible seams, so it looks more aesthetically pleasing than ordinary tiles. Beating the marine theme in the bathroom, you can use artificially created pebbles. Rough large stone goes well with wood elements.

Any room has its own atmosphere, but all of them should eventually become part of the overall ensemble of the entire housing.

Photo of decorative stone in the interior

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