Quite often, when finishing facades, facing stones are used today. They can be natural or artificial, each of these varieties is also used for interior wall decoration. If you want to choose any of these materials, you should first familiarize yourself with its quality characteristics.
Varieties of artificial stone
Synthetic stone products are used to make artificial stone. Fillers of polyester resins and natural stone chips act as the basis. Among other things, mineral additives, clays and colored concretes can be used. Thus, the agglomerate is used for facing interior items and furniture. Other named varieties are used to decorate the interior and exterior elements of structures and buildings. Three types of artificial stone can be distinguished, each of which differs in the method of manufacture, composition and area of \u200b\u200buse. Facingstones of artificial origin can be made from white or gray cement, crushed stone, sand, natural gravel with the addition of coloring pigments. The latter are made on the basis of a mineral base. With the help of these ingredients, it is possible to achieve maximum similarity with natural material. In order to achieve an increase in load-bearing and strength characteristics, fiber reinforcement is used in the manufacture of the material, which is a special additive made of steel, fiberglass or synthetic fibers.
Porcelain tile
Facing stones of artificial origin can be represented by porcelain stoneware, which is made using vibrocompression technology under impressive pressure. After the pressing is completed, the material is fired, which allows you to fix the effect. Porcelain stoneware incorporates feldspar, some types of clay, mineral additives and coloring pigments. Externally, the material resembles ceramic tiles or glass. Among its main qualities is resistance to temperature extremes and various kinds of influences.
Main characteristics of artificial stone
Facing stones, which are of artificial origin, are characterized by integrity and structure. These products look like they were carved from a single piece of natural stone. When choosing this material as a facade cladding or interior wall decoration, you can count on high strength. As tests show, some artificial metals have mechanical properties that are superior to those of their natural counterparts. These materials are moisture resistant and chemically resistant. Products do not absorb moisture and do not react to changes in humidity levels, so mold or fungus does not form on their surface. Finishing materials of artificial origin are used even for finishing the facades and plinths of urban buildings, which are quite often exposed to aggressive environments, heavy chemicals and other elements. That is why artificial stone is so widespread.
Positive features of artificial stone
The material described above is durable, such products are not subject to erosion, which can happen with a natural counterpart of artificial stone. Such surfaces are not afraid of water and wind, which indicates a long service life. The stone produced under production conditions does not burn and has low thermal conductivity, which opens up opportunities for creative ideas. With the help of this material, it is possible to clad fireplaces, walls, stoves and fireproof areas. The finishing materials described above are characterized by exceptional maintainability. Even if the stone was damaged before the split, it can always be returned to its original form. Of course, it should be noted that such a finish is very attractive. It can be quite difficult to achieve sophistication with the help of natural analogues, since each stone is individual in its own way.shape and size. As for artificial options, they can be arranged as desired.
Another additional advantage is the possibility of self-production of the material.
Why choose artificial stone
If you will be finishing with a facing stone, then you should think about what kind of it - natural or artificial, it is better to choose. Among the advantages of the latter option, it is necessary to highlight the ease of transportation, ease of processing and less impressive weight of products, if compared with a natural analogue. The material is fastened to a special adhesive or cement mortar, and if cracks or chips appear, then shortcomings can be quickly eliminated. During operation, special surface care is not required, however, it may be necessary to treat with compounds when the stone is not very suitable for outdoor use, which implies long-term exposure to negative factors.
Features of natural stone
Facing natural stone is made in the form of slabs, which have dimensions equal to 600 x 300, 305 x 305, 400 x 400 millimeters. In this case, the thickness of the product can vary from 10 to 30 millimeters. The average cost of one square meter of granite or marble slab is 25 dollars, as for sandstone, it can be purchased for 4 dollars, tiles underthe stone will cost $5, the cement and quartz-based items cost $10.
Pros and cons of using
If you decide that you will be doing interior decoration with stone, then you should consider the advantages of natural material, including environmental friendliness and bactericidal properties, reliability and durability. Among other things, such material is able to protect the house from climatic factors, for example, from overheating in summer or from cold in winter. Laying such a stone is quite simple, the speed of work is quite high, which is why you can carry out these manipulations yourself. However, you must remember that natural stone has its drawbacks, one of them is the impressive weight of marble and granite, but if you use sandstone or limestone, you can count on less weight.
Recommendations for the use of natural stone
Facing stone, the price of which was presented above, can be installed in one of two ways, the first involves jointing, which will save finishing materials, while the second method is seamless, it is necessary for some varieties of stone. As with the artificial counterpart, in the case of natural stone, concrete and brick can be used as a rough base. Whereas if you have to work with metal or wood, then the surface must first be sheathed with a mesh.
Nuancesworks
If you decide to use a facing stone for the facade, then for better adhesion you need to clean the walls and the inner surface of the slab. The base should be primed. For facade work, frost-resistant glue should be used, which is intended for laying stone. After the facing work is completed, a water-repellent agent can be applied to the surface. Experts recommend laying in small sections, gradually moving from top to bottom.
Features of granite
If you decide to prefer natural facing stone, then you can purchase granite, among its positive features one can distinguish non-susceptibility to the destructive influence of time, as well as efficiency, rigor and beauty. It is only important to remember that it will be very difficult to work with the material due to the impressive weight, however, if you correctly calculate, taking into account the mass and height of the building, the facade will turn out to be beautiful, durable and strong.
Characteristics of limestone
If you use this stone, the facade will acquire bactericidal properties, it will purify the air from pathogenic microbes. Limestone is a marine residual rock that is highly dense. During operation, the material will show its environmental and decorative properties. You can buy such a finish at an affordable price, this will ennoble the building, the walls of which will be more thermally insulated. It is worth considering the minus, which is low frost resistance, this indicatesthe need to process the facade after finishing manipulations with water-repellent compounds. You can choose natural limestone for yourself in green, white, red or brown.
Shell rock is a kind of limestone, which is very popular, it has mollusk shells in its composition. The material is quite easy to process and polish, which makes it possible to produce quite complex architectural elements to create a facade, namely: balusters, columns, borders or railings.
Sandstone Characteristics
Durability, strength and majesty can be distinguished among the features of this material. Among other things, it is quite inexpensive. You can purchase any color scheme, which varies from dark brown to light beige. Using color contrasts, you can frame window and door openings, as well as decorate the corners of the house and columns. It should be noted that this facade stone is very popular.
Conclusion
For facade work, you can choose an artificial facing stone. It differs in durability and durability, as well as natural. Only you can decide which type of material to purchase, as each of them has a lot of advantages. The only difference is the different cost. But the more impressive weight of natural stone compared to artificial is worth paying attention to.
