Facing stones artificial and natural for external and internal works

Often, when decorating facades , facing stones are used today. They can be natural or artificial, each of these varieties is also used for interior walls of premises. If you want to choose one of these materials, you should first get acquainted with its quality characteristics.

Varieties of artificial stone

Synthetic stone products are used to make artificial stone. Fillers of polyester resins and natural stone crumbs serve as the basis. Among other things, mineral additives, clays and colored concretes can be used. Thus, the agglomerate is used for facing interior and furniture items. Other named varieties are used for decoration of internal and external elements of structures and buildings. It is possible to distinguish three types of artificial stone, each of which differs by the method of manufacture, composition and scope of use. Facing stones of artificial origin can be made of 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 the bearing and strength characteristics, the fabrication of the material uses fibrous reinforcement, which is a special additive made of steel, fiberglass or synthetic fibers.

Porcelain tiles

Facing stones of artificial origin can be presented by ceramic granite, which is manufactured using vibropressing technology under impressive pressure. After the pressing is completed, the material is fired, which allows to fix the obtained effect. Ceramic granite has in its composition feldspar, some types of clay, mineral additives and coloring pigments. Externally, the material resembles a ceramic tile or glass. Among its main qualities - resistance to temperature changes and various influences.

The main characteristics of artificial stone

Facing stones, which have an artificial origin, are characterized by integrity and structure. These products look as if they were cut out of a single piece of natural stone. Choosing this material as a facade cladding or finishing interior walls of premises, you can rely on high strength. As the tests show, some artificial metals have mechanical properties that surpass those possessed by natural analogs. 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 facades and socles of city buildings, which are quite often exposed to aggressive environments, heavy chemistry of other elements. That is why the artificial stone found so widespread.

Positive features of artificial stone

The material described above is longevous, such products are not subject to erosion, which can occur 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 in the production conditions does not burn and has low heat conductivity, this opens up opportunities for creative ideas. With this material, it is possible to decorate 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 appearance. Of course, it should be noted that such a finish is very attractive. Achieve refinement with the help of natural analogs can be difficult, because each stone is individual in shape and size. As for artificial variants, they can be arranged at will.

As one more additional advantage it is possible to allocate possibility of independent manufacturing of a material.

Why choose an artificial stone

If you will be decorated with a facing stone, you should think about what kind of variety - natural or artificial, it is better to choose. Among the advantages of the latter option, it is necessary to highlight the convenience of transportation, ease of processing and less impressive weight of products, if you make comparisons with a natural analogue. The fixing of the material is carried out on a special adhesive compound or cement mortar, and if cracks or chips appear, the shortcomings can be quickly eliminated. During the operation, no special surface care is required, however, it may be necessary to treat the formulations when the stone is not very suitable for outdoor use, which implies a prolonged impact from the negative factors.

Features of natural stone

Facing natural stone is made in the form of plates, which have dimensions equal to 600 x 300, 305 x 305, 400 x 400 mm. In this case, the thickness of the product can vary between 10 and 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, stone tiles will cost $ 5, made products based on cement and quartz have a value of $ 10.

The positive and negative aspects of use

If you have decided that you will be making interior decoration with a stone, then it is worth considering the advantages of natural material, among them ecological compatibility and bactericidal properties, reliability and durability. Among other things, this material can 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 perform these manipulations yourself. However, you should remember that natural stone has its disadvantages, one of them can be an impressive weight of marble and granite, but if you use sandstone or limestone, you can count on less weight.

Recommendations for using natural stone

Facing stone, the price of which was presented above, can be stacked in one of two ways, the first involves the seaming, which will save the finishing materials, while the second method is seamless, it is necessary for some types of stone. As with the artificial analogue, in the case of natural stone, concrete and brick can be used as a rough foundation. Whereas if you have to work with metal or wood, then the surface must be pre-coated with a net.

Nuances of works

If you decide to use a facing stone for the facade, you need to clean the walls and the inner surface of the slab for better grip. The substrate should be primed. To carry out facade work should be used frost resistant adhesive, which is designed for laying a stone. After the cladding works have been completed, a water repellent can be applied to the surface. Experts recommend to make stacking with small patches, gradually moving from top to bottom.

Features of granite

If you decide to prefer a natural facing stone, then you can buy granite, among its positive features can be identified non-adherence to the destructive influence of time, as well as efficiency, severity and beauty. It is important to remember only that working with the material will be very difficult because of its impressive weight, but if the calculation is correct, taking into account the mass and height of the building, the facade will turn out to be beautiful, durable and durable.

Characteristics of limestone

If you use this stone, the facade will acquire bactericidal properties, it will purify the air of pathogens. Limestone is a marine residual rock that is highly dense. In the process of exploitation, the material will exhibit its ecological and decorative properties. You can buy this trim at an affordable price, this will allow you to decorate the building, whose walls will be more thermally insulated. It is necessary to take into account the minus, which is low frost resistance, this indicates the need for processing the facade after carrying out the manipulation of the finish with the help of water repellent compounds. You can choose for yourself a natural limestone of green, white, red or brown shade.

As a variety of limestone is shell rock, which is very popular, it has a shell of mollusks. The material is simple enough to process and polish, which allows you to produce quite complex architectural elements for the creation of the facade, namely: balusters, columns, curbs or handrails.

Characteristics of sandstone

Among the features of this material can be distinguished longevity, strength and majesty. Among other things, it is quite inexpensive. You can buy any color range, which varies from dark brown to light beige. Using contrasts of colors, it is possible to frame window and door apertures, and also to make out corners of the house and columns. It should be noted that this stone for the facade is very popular.

Conclusion

To conduct façade work, you can choose an artificial facing stone. It is distinguished by durability and strength, as well as natural. Only you can decide what kind of material to purchase, as each of them has a lot of advantages. As the only difference, we can distinguish different values. But the more impressive weight of natural stone compared with artificial stone is worth paying attention to.