Types of natural stones for facing. What stone is the best for facing the fireplace? With jointing

What associations do you have with the words "masonry"? Reliability? Coziness? Thoroughness? Beauty?

Had we lived several centuries in the past, the "cold" would probably have come to mind, but we were lucky, and, as a rule, there are no problems with heating.

However, houses of stone are also not erected, but to implement wall cladding is not a problem. And if you still doubt why it is worth choosing stone cladding, we will tell you about its advantages.

    Aesthetics is the attractiveness of a particular material, a matter of purely personal preference. But the variety of varieties and the possibility of creating an artificial stone can please the most fastidious taste.

    Strength and durability - the stone, both artificial and natural, is a strong and tenacious material. Neither wood nor siding (even vinyl) can compete with it in strength and ability to preserve its original appearance.

    Fire resistance - this factor is very important, even if you choose just cladding. The less combustible materials in the architecture, the more likely it is to keep your home intact in case of trouble.

    Presentability - and we must not forget that the stone has been considered an expensive and elite material since ancient times. Culture has carried this knowledge to our times, so the stone will do an excellent job both to make an impression, and to create a special atmosphere.

But we must not forget about all the possible variety of stone, which really amazes.

Diversity

One of the division methods: artificial and natural stone. However, this almost does not affect the aesthetic characteristics, it is just that natural is created from the processing of natural stone - no matter how amazing it may sound, and artificial imitates the color and texture of the present.

Practical differences between natural and artificial stone

    In density: artificial stone is made using different technologies, however, some types of natural stone will be harder - for example, dolomite, or softer - sandstone. Thus, the artificial stone will be lighter.

    In thermal conductivity: made mainly of concrete with impurities, artificial stone has less thermal conductivity - that is, it will retain heat.

    In a variety: an artificial stone can take the pattern that the customer wishes, but with natural "sources" will have to be measured.

Types of stone

The division into types is much more curious. Not so many "grades" of stone are used in the facing of houses during their construction, but even within one such "grade" there can be impressive differences, both in color and in texture.


Types of facing tiles

In addition to the type of stone, it makes sense to take a closer look at the type of facing tiles - this is the form in which the stone is processed. And these forms are great!

View Description Picture
Flagstone Flat stone plates of various shapes
Breccia Flat plates of various shapes from rocks
Noodles / Strip Stone "cut" in thin plates
Mosaic Plates of various shapes, lined with a certain pattern
Brick Rectangular stones lined with brickwork
Modules Mixed tiles in standardized sizes
Slabs Uniform large slabs, usually marble

In general, there are no restrictions on the shape of the stone - there would be money and desire. Nobody bothers to cut the same sandstone in the form of honeycomb, but in this case the natural charm of the stone will disappear behind the artificiality of this form.

There are also a great variety of types of masonry. The same noodles can be laid strictly horizontally or alternate between vertical and horizontal laying. Bricks of different sizes can be laid out of order and "entertained" as you wish - after all, this is a facing.

Color and texture

Even in the varieties, we examined approximately what the colors and textures of the facing stone are and it makes no sense to chew this question. However, take into account that natural stone is also very diverse.

Stone and not so

Of course, you yourself are free to choose which material to use for facing the house. But if we managed to reveal a stone for you from an unexpected and attractive side, then do not rush to disperse: in the following articles we will talk about the features of facing stone in different interiors, inside and outside the house.

Natural stone has always been valued above other finishing materials. On the market you can find many analogs that accurately convey the color and texture of the stone surface. However, a real stone in the interior looks especially noble, emphasizes the taste and wealth of the owner. Also, this material is especially durable.

There is a fairly large assortment of natural stone on the construction market. This article focuses on the most famous and demanded material - natural slate. In order to use it in the interior, it is worth knowing what properties it has.




Features:

Slate is often called flagstone. This name appeared due to the peculiarities of the origin of the material. Stone is a rock that appears at great depths due to the compaction and crystallization of clay.

Slate has a very wide range of colors. It depends on which chemicals were involved in the formation of the rock.

The most common colors are golden, purple, green, black and brown, as well as their various variations (from rich dark to delicate light shades).

Varieties

Slate is subdivided into types that differ in composition and origin.

According to the type of material, there are five types of shale rocks:

  • Chlorite materials... The main distinguishing feature of this slate is its green color with tints. The main mineral is chlorite.
  • Siliceous flagstone... This rock forms sheets, less often slabs of black, purple, red, gray, green. The basis of the material is quartz crystals.
  • Mica flagstone... The base is quartz mica. The most common shades are light gray, brown and black.
  • Clay materials... It is the most popular type of slate used for finishing slabs. The color is dark gray or black. The formations often look like lumps that are easy to split.
  • Oil shale... This material resembles hardened clay in its properties. It is highly flammable.




Properties

When choosing a material for interior decoration, it is important to determine what qualities a decorative tile should have.

Natural stone has many benefits, and slate is no exception:

  • Sustainability... Oil shale products are of natural origin, they are absolutely safe for human health.
  • Increased strength... This is a huge plus of the stone. It is able to withstand maximum loads while maintaining its original appearance.
  • Moisture repellent properties... As you know, rocks do not absorb moisture, which means that dampness is not terrible for such material.

Tiles can be used for floors and walls in a bathroom or sauna.


  • Resistant to temperature changes... Many materials cannot cope with extreme heat and cold, which cannot be said about slate tiles.
  • The ability to provide sound insulation.
  • UV resistance... The material copes well enough with exposure to sunlight, does not fade and does not lose its presentable appearance.
  • Durability... Natural stone will serve you for many years.
  • Ease of installation... You can lay such tiles yourself, without involving specialists in the work.

Application

Tile is a very popular finishing material. It is used not only for exterior decoration of houses and personal plots, but also for interior decoration of premises.

Landscape designers have long appreciated the convenience and pliability of the material and are actively incorporating it into their projects.


External finishing

As a rule, large and thick slabs of slate are used for decorating areas, namely for finishing paths and areas. This helps to emphasize the closeness to nature. Thin slabs will be a great addition to flower beds or stairs. Pergolas decorated with such material become like refined caves.

Also, you can often see the stone cladding of the house or part of it. It is simply ideal for those who value natural and noble materials.



Interior decoration

Slate slabs are also used for interior decoration of premises. Designers offer many solutions using natural stone. You can cover the entire living room floor with such tiles, having previously selected the desired color.


A black or dark gray shade will look especially impressive. This will add a touch of strict luxury to the style of the interior.

Stone was considered one of the first natural materials that people used in construction. But with the development of building technologies, it is in the background. Today it is used, as a rule, for facing work. But this pleasure is expensive and time consuming. Therefore, a modern technology for the production of "artificial stone" was developed, which can be distinguished from the present only at close range.

The latest technologies make it possible to make a facing stone that copies the shape, texture and color of natural. It is made from Portland cement, light natural fillers, such as expanded clay and natural dyes.

Advantageous characteristics

  • Durability and strength (stone is the strongest material and is able to retain its original appearance for a long time).
  • Fire safety (the less combustible materials in architecture, the safer for the house).
  • Presentability (stone has always been considered an elite material).
  • Aesthetic properties (an abundance of types and textures, unique imitation properties of artificial stone satisfy the most sophisticated needs).

Types of natural stones for facade cladding

For finishing work, few types of stone are used, within which there are noticeable differences in color and even texture of the material.

  • Dolomite, consisting mainly of minerals, today it is stylized as "small chips and aging". The color range is large. The advantage of this stone is a high degree of strength and stability. But for cladding, these properties are not fundamentally important, so artificial stone successfully replaces it.
  • Sandstone - one of the varieties of sedimentary rocks, consists of grains of sand, connected by a mineral. Differs in a variety of shades, complex layered texture. Because of this, it is most often used as a facing stone. Easy to assemble by hand.
  • Lemesite - burgundy limestone. It is used in decoration because of its rich color and rough texture. But it is not particularly durable.
  • Slate - a layered structure of a mineral rock. A very fragile material, most often used for finishing the roof of a house. But it can also be installed on walls.
  • Shungite - a rock consisting of coal, formed by a layered method. It is much stronger due to its composition, on which the color of the stone depends (it can vary from dark gray to black). The texture is determined by the processing method.
  • Marble - a rock with a texture filled with veins that make the color combination even more varied. The material is very strong and durable, it is used for decorative finishing of elite buildings.

Types of artificial imitation stones for facade cladding

Artificial facing stone is an excellent solution for people of average and low income who want to decorate the facade of the house with their own hands. Today there are such varieties of artificial stone.

  • Clinker imitates natural "chipped stone", is produced in the form of clinker bricks (used for facing masonry of facades), tiles stylized as brickwork, perfectly imitates sandstone of all types and forms of surface treatment.
  • Concrete it is considered the most popular facing stone for finishing the foundation due to its low cost; it can imitate any surface, it is made in the form of gray chipped stone tiles and decorative cladding in marble and granite.
  • Architectural a more durable version of concrete, imitating natural stones, sandstone and limestone. It is made from Portland cement with the addition of mineral fillers and modifiers that give strength and improve the appearance of the material.
  • Polymer-sandy (front) - a material that imitates "torn / chipped stone" brickwork. It is used mainly for facing plinths, foundations, made of polymer with characteristic properties (lightness, softness, resistance to temperature extremes).
  • Facade stone, made on the basis of resin - the best option for imitating natural stone for home decoration. It is made from natural stone chips. It can be rectangular, square or with any type of surface.
  • Ceramic stone produced in the form of tiles / bricks imitating any natural stone.

Important! The artificial stone has no radioactive background. Strength and durability are not inferior to the properties of natural stone, but it is much lighter (3-4 times). The walls and plinths decorated with torn stone look attractive, additionally protected from moisture and damage, and the thermal conductivity of the walls increases by almost 25%. You can install it yourself.

Such wall cladding is in harmony with the classic types of wall surfaces (logs, beams). The torn stone contrasts perfectly with the plastered areas and is considered the best option for cladding the foundation.

The main advantages of artificial stone

  • decorative possibilities;
  • a light weight;
  • relatively low cost;
  • ease of do-it-yourself installation;
  • small labor costs for the installation process;
  • versatility.

Such a stone is suitable for cladding various types of surfaces: wood, metal, brick, concrete, etc. It can be used for interior and exterior decoration at home. Facing stone can be used for finishing stoves and fireplaces: it is non-flammable and does not emit smoke when heated. Since during its production all the material is impregnated with dyes, it does not lose its color qualities over time, does not lend itself to aggressive environmental influences, which is especially important for the foundation.

Installation methods

Today, artificial stone is installed in two ways.

With jointing

This method is more popular, moreover, it allows you to significantly save material with a slight increase in labor costs. The stones are fastened at a distance of 1.5 - 2.5 cm from each other. In this way, such types of facing stone as "Torn Stone", "Jurassic Marble", "Medieval Castle", "Old Brick", etc. are installed.

Placing joints is an important step in the artificial stone cladding process. It ensures complete sealing of the masonry and improves the aesthetics of the finish. A special bag is used to fill the seams. Joining is done with a mortar that was used for grouting.

Seamless

Certain types of stones (for example, shale, dolomite, etc.) are installed without seams, tightly adjoining each other.

Important! With seamless cladding, the elements are laid from bottom to top, and the upper rows are pressed against the lower ones. When the first installation method is chosen, a gap of 0.3 to 1 cm must be left between the facade elements.

Fastening options for decorative cladding elements

There are two types of fastening of decorative elements to a plinth or wall:

  • Wet (special mixtures and adhesive mastics are used for masonry).
  • Dry (without the use of glue, use fastening systems for installation)
  • Combined (the stone is mechanically attached to the wall, and then the space between the tile and the wall is filled with mortar).

When using the first method, it is recommended to use special mastics that neutralize the effect of climatic factors on the stone for facing. But for the complete protection of the building from water vapor, mastic will not be enough, it is important to provide internal vapor barrier. This also applies to the combined type of fastening.

Important aspects of installation

  • As a result of adjusting and trimming the stone, there is always waste: you need to buy 10% more material than provided by the calculations.
  • Recently built walls cannot be immediately revetted (at least six months later), only after the walls have shrunk.
  • Strict adherence to the temperature regime - from + 5C to + 25C.
  • White plaque on the back of the stone must be cleaned off with a metal brush.
  • Finishing of the facade begins with the design of the corner elements.
  • If the tiles are laid without joining, it is necessary to monitor the tightness of the fit of the elements. If the installation with jointing is done by hand, observe the recommended joint width.
  • Regardless of the installation method, long vertical seams should be avoided.

Useful video installation instructions

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Stone houses in our time have given way to their cheaper (practical, environmentally friendly, and so on) brothers, but the stone itself, strongly associated with fortress, prosperity and reliability, did not give up its place in suburban construction. Only changed the scope, becoming a favorite finishing material.

Scientists count about 9000 types of natural stone, but not every one is suitable for "building" purposes. There are many reasons for this, and in order not to puzzle over unnecessary questions, we propose today to get acquainted with the most common breeds in the finishing business.

Natural stone of complex composition; an irreplaceable building and finishing material, durable, hard and wear-resistant, it is made by the presence of quartz; has a pronounced granular-crystalline structure, according to the size of the grains it is divided into fine-, medium- and coarse-grained.

Physical properties: durability and strength; well polished, retaining the mirror shine of the surface for a long time; easily lends itself to teasing, thanks to which you can get various textures; has increased wear resistance and low water absorption coefficient; does not lose its decorative qualities under any operating conditions.

Color palette: gray in different shades (the most common), pink, red, orange, bluish gray and bluish green (amazonite), occasionally a stone with blue quartz.

Disadvantage: Rough surface, quick cracking and chipping in case of fire.

Granite Application:

  • cladding of plinths and facades
  • floor and wall cladding inside buildings
  • paving sites and paths
  • as rubble and rubble during construction work

SYENITE (Egyptian granite)


Deep rock, outwardly similar to granite, from which it differs in less pronounced granularity and the absence of quartz (the latter makes syenite more suitable for processing). They are used in construction in the same way as granites.

Color palette: usually darker than granites, there are gray, gray-blue, pink, pinkish-gray colors; the color depends on the presence of dark-colored minerals (pyroxene, hornblende, etc.) in the composition.

Physical properties: syenites have high resistance to pressure and stress, tolerate temperature fluctuations well, are refractory, have a low water absorption coefficient, and are well polished. Density 2600-2800 kg / m2, strength 150-300 MPa.

Disadvantage: Not too resistant to weathering.

Syenite application:

  • cladding of plinths and facades, floors and walls inside buildings
  • manufacture of steps of any type
  • paving sites and paths
  • small architectural forms, including fountains

GABBRO


Deep (igneous) crystalline rock, usually coarse and medium-grained; has the same structure and scope as granite.

Color palette: from dark gray-green to black; green varieties are called olivine gabbro.

Physical properties: easy to machine, very well polished and retains the gloss of the surface for a long time; polished acquires depth, which distinguishes gabbro from other black stones. Highly durable, tolerates frost well, is characterized by increased resistance to weathering.

Disadvantage: In places with heavy traffic, gabbro floors quickly lose their polish.

Application of gabbro:

  • facade cladding, exterior decoration of buildings
  • floor covering in private houses
  • monumental art, monuments

LABRADORITE (peacock stone)


Magmatic granular-crystalline rock.

Color palette: usually black and gray, occasionally light. The decorative effect is given to the stone by iridescent spots on the surface of blue-green, less often golden-yellow or orange shades.

Physical properties: high strength, wear and frost resistance; water absorption no more than 0.21, density 2.71; the stone is moderately hard, brittle, highly polished, extremely decorative.

Application of labrodorite:

  • exterior finishing of buildings
  • monumental architecture

Porphyry


The general name for rocks with a porphyry structure: uneven-granular, when in the bulk (usually volcanic glass) there are large crystals-disseminations of minerals (porphyry segregations). In terms of chemical composition and properties, porphyries are close to granite. The name comes from a peculiar red breed with large white phenocrysts of orthoclase (one of the varieties of feldspars), it was used in ancient Rome for the manufacture of luxury goods and statues of Caesars.

Color palette: dark red, purple porphyry, extremely decorative and used in monumental art; there are also gray, yellow, pink and brown in various shades.

Physical properties: hard, extremely decorative, chipping-resistant, durable; lends itself well to polishing; has a low coefficient of water absorption. Individual characteristics depend on the composition of the stone.

Application of porphyry:

  • facing of floors, columns, wall plinths
  • monumental architecture
  • paving of terraces, sidewalks, paths, car entrances

QUARTZITE


Fine-grained sedimentary rock; formed as a result of the modification of siliceous sandstones. Known for a long time, you can see it in the decoration of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and the upper part of the Lenin Mausoleum.

Color palette: gray, pink, yellow, the most decorative are crimson-red and dark-cherry, sometimes white quartzites are found; the color is determined by the presence of a glandular pigment.

Physical properties: it has a very high hardness, but it lends itself to a very high quality polishing, therefore it is considered a very decorative finishing material. It is extremely durable, acid-resistant, frost-resistant, has a compressive strength of 100-450 MPa, a low coefficient of water absorption and a density of about 2.7 g / cm 3.

Quartzite Applications:

  • monumental construction
  • cladding of facades and plinths
  • interior decoration of interiors
  • paving terraces, platforms, retaining walls

MARBLE


A metamorphic rock formed under the influence of high temperatures and pressure and consisting only of calcite. In construction, not only this stone is called marble, but also other rocks similar to it - marble-like limestones, dolomites, carbonate breccias.

Color palette: "pure" marble, usually of light uniform color - white, grayish, yellowish; silicate marbles, to which the admixtures of other minerals (hematites, limonites, manganese oxides, graphite, etc.) give color shades, are green, red and even black.

Marble often has a pattern - variegated, spotted, twisted, moire; polishing reveals the pattern and color, grinding reduces its brightness and clarity, the chipping texture hides the pattern and brightens the general background.

Physical properties: lends itself well to machining, easy to polish, extremely decorative; medium hardness, density of the order of 2.7, good dielectric, has good heat resistance.

Disadvantage: The most valuable fine-grained white marble, which is famous for its warm tone and "translucent" structure, is quite capricious, as it is prone to staining and yellowing in adverse conditions.

Application of marble:

  • indoor flooring
  • wall cladding, flights of stairs, fireplaces, saunas
  • making balusters
  • creation of sculptures, mosaic compositions and bas-reliefs

Slate


A layered fine-grained stone formed from clays, sedimentary rocks and sometimes quartz. A characteristic feature is the ability to split into thin plates. A very popular type of facing stone today.

Color palette: dark gray, black, gray-brown, yellow, red-brown, often speckled.

Physical properties: properties common to all types of shale - strong structure, sufficient water resistance (water absorption 0.1–3%), frost and fire resistance, exemplary heat and sound insulation. It is easy to process, well cut and at the same time does not crumble, it is resistant to environmental influences Hardness, water absorption, color and texture depend on the type of stone, as it is very heterogeneous. Only black, green and gray slates lend themselves to polishing; slate slabs are usually left with a natural, slightly uneven surface, less often they are sanded.

Oil shale application:

  • external and internal wall and floor cladding
  • facing fireplaces, stairs, highlighting separate areas, decorating arches, niches, etc.
  • landscape compositions; paving and landscaping of the local area
  • as a roofing material

TRAVERTINE


Calcareous tuff, an intermediate stone form between limestone and marble. Ideal material for cladding work.

Color palette: the most common shades from light beige to nutty; less often there are travertines of darker, brownish shades; there are also intensely colored travertines - red and yellow stones from Iran.

Physical properties: low coefficient of abrasion, high thermal conductivity and heat resistance, lightness; lends itself well to cutting, grinding and polishing; does not slip when water gets in. The properties of travertines depend on the conditions of origin of the stone: the more organic inclusions (shells, leaves, etc.) there are in it, the more porous it will be; density is determined by the depth of the stone. A feature of the stone is its property to change after extraction: pale varieties can turn yellow due to oxidation of iron salts, and its hardness increases over time.

Darker travertines have better technical qualities. White travertines are usually left unpolished: their warm color compares favorably with the cool white color of polished marble.

Application of travertine:

  • cladding of facades and external walls
  • floor paving
  • facing of fireplace portals, staircases, allocation of zones, design of arches, niches, etc.
  • finishing of bathrooms, saunas

DOLOMITE


Sedimentary rock, consisting of the mineral of the same name; "Relative" of marble.

Color palette: colorless or white, yellowish, brownish (due to the admixture of iron hydroxides and clay particles), shiny - from glass to matte and pearlescent; often has a bizarre pattern. Valuable pink dolomites, as well as translucent and transparent, are rarely found.

Physical properties: durability, frost resistance, high strength, fire resistance; easy to process; hard grades are polished.

Dolomites are marble-like, porous and dense in structure. The latter are used for making facing slabs for exterior finishing of buildings. These are the famous Myachkovsky, Kovrovsky and Korobcheevsky dolomites, which have been used since ancient times by Russian architects in the construction of white-stone churches. Porous varieties are used in the decoration of gardens.

Application:

  • interior and exterior decoration of premises
  • landscape design (dry walls, props)
  • paving paths and areas

BRECCIA


Clastic rock consisting of fragments of one (monomictic) or several (polymictic) rocks bound by some mineral substance (cement). It differs from conglomerates (cemented rounded pebbles) by the angular shape of the pebbles and rubble included in the composition and origin.

Physical properties: average density - within 2600-2850 kg / m3, compressive strength - 50-160 MPa. The presence of inclusions of varying hardness complicates the processing of stone with cutting and grinding tools. Breccias are polished unevenly, since the cementitious substance does not lend itself to polishing.

Color palette: variegated varieties of red, brown, gray, black, green, yellow are popular, but relatively monochromatic varieties of brown-yellow or red-brown are also used. The variety of inclusions makes breccia a very decorative stone.

Application:

  • floor covering
  • internal wall cladding (only polished slabs)
  • paving paths and areas

SANDSTONE


Sedimentary rock; homogeneous or layered aggregation of grains of sand, bound by any mineral substance (cement). The strength of the material depends on this element: the most durable are siliceous sandstones, if the binder is easily soluble (gypsum or clay), the sandstone is short-lived.

In construction and decoration, quartz sandstones are used, as well as arkoses (with a predominance of feldspars) and graywackes (sandstones of a complex composition with a large percentage of rock fragments).

Color palette: gray, gray-green, shades of yellow, red-brown, brown. Fine-grained red, brown and green sandstone varieties are considered decorative.

Physical properties: density (2250-2670 kg / m3), durability, high wear resistance; water absorption 0.63–6.0%; porosity depends on the composition of the stone and ranges from 0.69 to 6.70%.

Sandstones do not lend themselves to polishing, therefore the most popular textures of sandstone are chipped, sawn, and sometimes polished. According to the degree of processing, sandstones are divided into three groups:

  • sawn sandstone (noodles) - solid rock sawn into layers;
  • torn sandstone (plate) - irregularly shaped natural strata, differing in different sizes and thicknesses;
  • rubble sandstone - rough stones obtained by blasting; used for landscaping, laying the foundations of buildings.

Sandstone Application:

  • cladding of plinths and walls of houses, fences, columns
  • cladding of interiors (in particular, fireplaces) and stairs
  • laying footpaths, garden paths, terraces
  • landscape design (fountains, streams, cascades, rock gardens)

LIMESTONE


Sedimentary rock, usually of organic origin, consists mainly of calcite, often with an admixture of quartz, clay and sand particles; often contains the remains of the skeletons of fossil organisms.

The physical properties of a material are determined by its composition and structure.

Depending on the structure, limestones are divided into:

  • dense - from fine-grained calcareous spar and fragments of calcareous shells; such limestones are used in the manufacture of slabs for external and internal cladding;
  • porous - calcareous tuff, travertine, all types of decorative shell rock;
  • marbled
  • earthy (chalk)

In terms of compressive strength, limestones, like dolomites, are conventionally divided into three groups: strong, medium strength, and low strength.

  • Durable (marbled) - good polish, high gloss, used for interior and exterior finishes and flooring.
  • Medium strength gives a polished surface - light, not mirror-like shine. Suitable for stone cladding and flooring in private houses and apartments.
  • Low-strength ones do not accept polishing, only polishing is possible. They are not recommended for flooring, but are good for stone carvings, small architectural forms, and vertical stone claddings.

Limestones have good frost resistance (from 40 to 100 cycles), are easy to machine, and polished are very decorative.

Color palette: more often they have white, yellowish, light gray, less often - pinkish colors. The most valuable from the point of view of decorativeness are white limestones with a yellow and pink tint; black limestone is known as anthraconite.

Application of limestones:

  • internal and external cladding of buildings and premises
  • creation of retaining walls in landscape design in the form of masonry stone