In the late seventies, observant residents of large cities could see that road workers are beginning to replace the usual rough bars of curbstone (certainly of natural origin) on the gray, nondescript-looking, but perfect geometric shape of concrete rectangles. Perhaps, this replacement can be considered the beginning of the mass introduction of a new product in the construction — artificial facing stone. I must say that the appearance of the first products was far from perfect, that is, they were not like natural stone.
Wide horizon
Today, the situation has changed — the market is presented in abundance stone, which is created by the latest technology and exactly repeats the texture of natural material. Now there are several dozen types of artificial stone, differing in color and texture. Every month there are more and more modernized models, the quality of which is getting better and better, so artificial stone is very popular in the construction market. This is explained by the ease of installation, the relative cheapness and almost limitless number of use cases. For example, for:
- lining caps, elements, facades, fences, various garden structures (gazebos, fountains and so on);
- paving, reminiscent of a medieval bridge;
- for decoration of stairs and steps.
This is one of the few materials that does not put a rigid framework in front of designers, architects and customers. On any surface (whether wood, brickwork, concrete) artificial stone will look decent and beautiful, perfectly recreating the imitation of any architectural style.
Production secret
The method of manufacturing artificial stone looks simple: a wet mixture of cement, fillers and dyes is poured into molds and subjected to volumetric vibration. Solidifying, the mixture turns into tiles up to 10-12 cm thick. Their front side imitates the texture of natural stone, the reverse, smooth, facilitates installation.
However, not everything is as simple as it seems not at first glance. Production is fraught with many secrets, because it is not only attractive in appearance, but also extremely reliable and durable material.
Advantages of natural stone:
- very high frost resistance and low degree of water absorption: these indicators artificial stone exceeds its natural counterparts;
- the composition of the artificial stone is reminiscent of architectural concrete, but thanks to a special porous unit, it is lighter than its natural counterpart nearly 2 times! Agree, it is important and during transportation, and when laying;
- it is easily processed, and does not require special expensive tools when laying;
- climatic conditions – a serious test for any building materials, but for the consumer quality of artificial stone can not worry, as the “exam of four seasons” on the strength it has already passed. This confirms the more than 20-year history of its successful operation.
It is appropriate to mention another positive property of artificial stone, which often becomes decisive in the choice of materials by customers: many natural granite background radiation level significantly exceeds the permissible. And artificial stone, the figure is missing by definition.
Can you do it with your own hands?
Yes, now in the construction markets you can find ready-made elastic molds for mixing cement paste, but personally I do not believe in the durability of homemade. And only for one reason: the cement paste should be sufficiently tightly compacted with at least two-minute vibration. On a conventional garden site such special equipment and bad profiled concrete stone not destined for a long life outdoors.
But exceptions are possible
As a positive example, I propose to get acquainted with the successful experience in the manufacture of artificial stone. Our reader and an active participant in the technological discussions, was able to so efficiently vibrate homemade facing plates that they were uneasy and severe frosts, which is confirmed by years of their impeccable operation!
However, let’s return to the artificial substitute of natural stone, made by industrial technologies. To purchase high-quality material, it is necessary to carefully examine both product samples and documentation. The surface of the material should be uniform, and the cement mass — well painted. Some manufacturers save expensive pigments and paint the stone not to the full depth. If such a tile is randomly split into a piece that will remain a bright spot.
Children’s dreams come true
Who of us in childhood did not dream of his home on the banks of some quiet river unnamed? Of course, in the first place it had to be beautiful, comfortable and unusual: like an impregnable fortress or a fairy-tale castle with soaring columns, graceful arches, gazebos and rotunda, cobblestones, leading to a shady garden or a pond with goldfish. Not so long ago, such dreams remained unfulfilled. But now, when there was an artificial stone, on simplicity and speed of laying surpassed natural analog, children’s dreams can quite find the real embodiment.
Types of artificial stone
This material can be divided into three groups:
- stone for facing the facade and interior of buildings;
- floor (paving) tiles;
- stone for decorating terraces, verandas, outbuildings, fences and so on.
Professional advice
Installation of plates is simple, and even an unskilled specialist will be able to turn an ordinary inconspicuous surface into a memorable relief canvas. The main thing to remember during installation is necessary so abundantly to miss the mark “brick” with the opposite (smooth) side that when pressed on it the adhesive flowed outwards. This is necessary in order to “squeeze” out of the glue under the tiles all the air bubbles. With this installation, the tile will be stronger and longer stay on the surface.
If the air layers still remain, they are a real danger to the wall cladding. The problem is the following: in the transition temperature through the “0” accumulates in the air bubbles of moisture changes its aggregate state, changes in volume and adversely affects the bond strength of veneer. By the way, this applies equally to artificial and natural stones.
It is also worth remembering that every five years in order to prevent the surface should be treated with hydrophobizing compounds.
Artificial facing is a promising direction in construction and finishing materials. In a short time, man-made analogues of natural stone surpassed the originals in many ways. Apparently, further they will become even better: stronger, more durable, more beautiful, more various.