The modern range of building materials on the market pleases buyers with a large selection of interesting items that can be used to create new objects. Among them are a large number of artificial stone materials. Consider further some of their main characteristics, as well as features of use in construction.
Advantage of artificial materials
Why are artificial stone materials so popular in modern building practice? This is due to the fact that they have a number of advantages, among which the low price set for products is recognized as the most significant.
Specialists in the field of construction often note that artificial stones do not differ in quality from natural ones and, moreover, they have a beautiful view. As for synthetic stones, according to thisthey even surpass the indicator that is characteristic of natural material. Some experts note that in some natural rocks there are chips and cracks, and they subsequently become the cause of the rapid destruction of objects built from them. It should be noted that in the case of artificial stones, this is simply excluded.
As for materials intended for decorative interior decoration, their lighter weight is a serious advantage - as a rule, they are 1.5-2 times lighter than natural counterparts.
The advantages of artificial materials include high rates of hydrophobicity, impact resistance, aesthetics, as well as resistance to sudden temperature changes. What's more, properly crafted materials can be resistant to harsh chemicals.
Where artificial materials are used
In construction, there are many areas of application of artificial stone materials. It should be noted that they are often used for laying sidewalks and curbs. Decorative materials are used to decorate park and garden benches, as well as fountains, and to create decorative fences.
As mentioned above, many types of artificial stone are great for creating interior decoration. In particular, such materials are very often used for laying out fireplaces, window sills, creating wall panels, as well as wall ledges. Often, entire kitchen panels, sinks, as well as bar counters are created from artificial stone. Enoughsculptures are often carved from artificial stone, designed to decorate rooms and garden plots.
About production methods
Before starting to consider the list of available artificial stone materials, attention should be paid to the main methods of their production. It should be noted that two such types are currently provided: firing and non-firing.
Firing materials include ceramic wall blocks and bricks. As a rule, such materials, due to their high strength, are used for laying pavements, as well as for creating walls and frames. In some cases, this type of material is used to decorate rooms (internal and external), as well as to create solid foundations and ceilings.
The creation of materials by firing production involves their formation from a homogeneous mass, which includes several components, after which the acquired shape is fixed by firing at a very high temperature.
As for the procedure for the production of stone materials without firing, it provides for their creation from a special raw mass by laying it in molds and further solidifying it in special chambers, subject to the availability of specific indicators of heat and steam. In some cases, pre-prepared raw materials are poured into a specially prepared hot mold, but without further firing. Among the most common typesartificial stone materials obtained without firing include silicates and concrete.
It should be noted that many artificial stones are produced using the non-firing method, including agglomerates, porcelain stoneware, as well as materials based on concrete.
Silicate materials
Silicate materials are often distinguished from the total number of artificial stone materials. To create them, a simple basic raw material is used, represented by a combination of lime, quartz sand and water. Depending on the proportions of the ingredients chosen to create the material, in its finished form it can have different strength values - from 75 to 200, which, in fact, determines whether the material is suitable for use in a particular area of construction or not.
Silicate materials are not recommended for creating finishes in rooms with a high degree of humidity, as well as heating surfaces, for example, for laying out fireplaces, stoves, etc.
The most common type of silicate building material is a special type of brick, which can be either hollow or contain porous aggregate. In addition, special materials for building blocks are also produced from silicate.
Concrete materials
It is known that concrete is an artificial stone material that is often used in the process of creating new objects and their decoration. It is based on a binder-type substance, various additives andwater. The main feature of this composition is that its substance is perfectly brought to a state of uniformity, and also quickly hardens. In order for the strength indicators of products to be higher, builders often carry out the procedure of reinforcing them with synthetic or steel fibers.
Today, this artificial stone material based on mineral binders is divided into several types, depending on the characteristics of the composition:
- asph alt concrete;
- cement;
- silicate;
- gypsum;
- polymer concrete.
Various recommendations regarding the production of concrete products state that all aggregates that are used in the process of creating the material must be perfectly clean, without the presence of humus, clay and other possible foreign components. This is especially true for the production of gypsum concrete products.
The use of concrete products and gypsum structures is widely practiced in modern house construction and beyond. Concrete is an artificial stone material that is used mainly for the construction of large objects, as well as for their exterior decoration.
Ceramic materials
One of the most common building materials are ceramic artificial stone materials. Products and finishes made from them are distinguished by their high durability.
Ceramic materials are the only kind of raw materials produced by firing method. Bytheir nature, they are divided into three types, depending on the method of formation of elements: hollow, porous-perforated and solid. It should be noted that solid products are the most durable. They are perfect for building walls, they build entire houses from them. As for porous-perforated elements, they are ideal for insulating heated surfaces. They are best used for lining rooms in which there are conditions of moderate humidity.
Separately, it is necessary to consider the features of hollow building ceramic materials. It is worth noting that its production is carried out from high-quality clay, and the firing procedure is carried out at the highest possible temperatures. This type of product is used, as a rule, to create frames in the construction of multi-storey buildings. Builders note that it is advisable to use such material when laying communication cables and telephone wiring.
When considering the list of artificial stone inorganic building materials, it should be noted that wall blocks are very popular. Their advantage lies in dimensions that are much larger than those that are standard for bricks. The voids formed in such blocks can be both through and internal. In some cases, puzzles are made on their side surfaces, which further facilitate the process of mounting products.
Porcelain tile
The main feature of this material is its form:outwardly, porcelain stoneware resembles rather than a stone, but glass ceramics. Currently, wood-effect porcelain stoneware is a very popular flooring material.
The material under consideration is characterized by high strength, as well as resistance to low temperatures. It is created by pressing, and processed under the influence of vibration and only at high pressure. Subsequently, the formed object is subjected to a firing procedure to consolidate the result.
In the manufacture of such material, a composition is used that includes several types of clay, dyes, feldspar and various mineral additives. Depending on the characteristics of the composition, there are several types of porcelain stoneware: homogeneous, painted and glazed.
As for homogeneous porcelain stoneware, in finished form this material has a uniformly colored texture and a rich color that does not fade with time. If we talk about painted porcelain stoneware, then its main difference is that the color is applied to such a material in two layers, of which the first is base, and the second is pigmented. This technique allows the manufacturer to significantly reduce the consumption of expensive coloring materials.
Currently, quite a popular material is wood-effect porcelain stoneware. As a rule, its processing is carried out by glazing. The peculiarity of this material is that it is a decorative tile that rests on a porcelain stoneware substrate.
In the constructionporcelain stoneware is actively used for decorating the interior of premises, for processing walls and floors, as well as for the construction of ventilated facades, etc.
Agglomerates
Materials, the color of which perfectly repeats the texture of granite, jasper, lapis lazuli, marble, as well as onyx, slate and other natural minerals, are called agglomerates.
This material is characterized by high frost resistance, as well as resistance to deformation. The list of its components can be varied - it often includes limestone, quartz sand, marble chips, granite, as well as dyes of a certain type.
It is noted that agglomerates have certain disadvantages. These primarily include rapid abrasion, as well as exposure to acids and ultraviolet radiation. It is also not recommended to use such material for decorating "warm" floors, as the resin included in its composition may float.
This artificial stone is very commonly used for countertops and home decor items. In addition, it is applied to bathroom, kitchen, swimming pool, stairs, etc.
Stones based on concrete
A fairly popular material for decorating the interior of rooms is stone, made on the basis of concrete.
The main raw material for the production of artificial stone materials of this type is cement. To create texture, color anda beautiful-looking finished product, in combination with it, components such as sand, plasticizers, reinforcing additives, dyes, water repellents, as well as various fillers are used, which, as a rule, are ceramic chips, pumice and expanded clay.
Concrete-based artificial stone attracts interior designers and builders because it has not only high strength and heat resistance, but also a beautiful shape and original look.
Best brands of artificial stone
Currently, a huge number of manufacturers of building materials offer their products, which differ in shape, composition, price and many other factors. To date, DuPONT, Polystone and CORIAN are recognized as the highest quality finishing materials. It is known that for their creation only those ingredients are used that will be harmless to the human body, as well as of high quality even during long-term operation in the most adverse conditions. It is often noted by construction professionals that these materials have excellent hygienic characteristics.
