What stone is the best for facing the fireplace? Facing stone: types, textures, features Basic stone formats

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, it is 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 travertine depend on the conditions of the 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, stairs, allocation of zones, decoration 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) in the angular shape of the pebbles and crushed stones and in origin.

Physical properties: average density - in the range 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. The breccias are polished unevenly, since the cementitious substance cannot be polished.

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
  • interior 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 readily 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, so 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 (slab) - natural layers of irregular shape, differing in different sizes and thicknesses;
  • rubble sandstone - rough stones obtained by blasting; used for landscaping, laying the foundations of buildings.

Sandstone Application:

  • facing 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 polishing, high gloss, used for interior and exterior finishes and flooring.
  • Medium strength gives a polished surface - light, not mirror-like sheen. 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

Even in the old days, stones were used to build a hearth. Nowadays, when technologies allow the use of synthetic materials, nevertheless, stone is very often used for facing a fireplace.

The demand for stone materials is due to the nobility, excellent taste and reliability of this type of facing. Finishing not only adds beauty to the appearance, but also corresponds to the practicality and durability of the structure.

The stone belongs to a natural, environmentally friendly material that can withstand a long period of heating at high temperatures, retaining heat in the oven. Has a long service life.

Facing a fireplace with decorative stone means coordinating the overall design of the room with the location and color shades of the fireplace for a harmonious composition of the entire interior.

Characteristics of natural stones

Facing stone is chosen from a variety of natural materials. At the same time, the texture reflects the elegance, style and nobility of the structures being built.

To get an idea of \u200b\u200bthe variety of natural materials, let's take a look at the most popular options.

Marble

The most common type of cladding. Marble has a rich palette of shades of white, red, gray, pink, green, brown and black. Stone patterns are created by its structure and depend on the way the rock is cut. The unique pattern of marble is used to create pictorial compositions.

Marble is characterized by many blotches of different shades with veins and stripes. Processing methods affect the surface texture of the material: smooth, glossy or aged.

Facing the fireplace with marble can be used in combination with other building materials. An excellent option based on marble stone, while maintaining high natural quality, can be considered the use of ground marble.

Almost all types of rock are crushed into various fractions, which are used to produce marble mosaics or the main filler. The most commonly used monochromatic varieties of white and black marble.

Granite

Refers to the most durable, massive and durable types of materials. Finishing the fireplace with natural granite ensures the reliability and attractiveness of the structure. Natural texture blends harmoniously with the design of the space, containing matching granite objects such as furniture or railings.

Granite material has unique decorative properties. The finish is characterized by bright patterns and uniform grain throughout the entire surface.

The place of production affects the variety of colors and shades. High strength ensures long-term use. The history records the facts of centuries-old granite fireplaces, still heating castles, as well as large mansions.

This stone is easily processed, providing the embodiment of a wide variety of design ideas. The combination of various slabs, mosaics, collages created when facing the fireplace look spectacular. This way of design gives exclusivity to each element of the structure.

The use of granite to decorate the fireplace demonstrates the status of the owner and his attitude to life. Rich people enhanced the impression, using rare colors, in order to give not just beauty, but to create uniqueness and uniqueness of the interior.

Advantages of marble and granite for decoration:

  • resistance to temperature extremes;
  • when heated, they do not emit harmful odors and smoke;
  • always spectacular appearance;
  • combination with various building materials such as wood, metal, glass, ceramics and other natural stones;
  • undemanding operation;
  • high strength, immunity to external influences.

Talcochlorite

Refers to a popular type of finishing materials. Due to the layered structure, it provides high heat capacity, so heat is stored in the stone and its surface is always warm.

They have known about him for many centuries. In Ancient Egypt and Asian countries, magical properties were attributed to him. The frequency of the radiated heat is the same as that of human radiation. It is believed that the stone conveys healthy natural strength when it comes into contact with the human body. This strength increases the body's immunity and increases resistance to various bacteria and diseases.

In folk medicine, there is information about a beneficial effect on human health, normalization of blood pressure, restoration of the respiratory and metabolic organs.

Talcochlorite has a high density, thermal conductivity and low thermal expansion. These qualities are best used when decorating fireplaces and stoves.

Sandstone

It is used for the front decoration of the fireplace, as it is resistant to high temperatures, durability and strong structure. Thanks to the uniqueness of this stone, a variety of original solutions for the fireplace are obtained.

It is easy to process and cut. Possesses a large selection of colors, shades and unique appearance. When facing with sandstone, you can create picturesque stone paintings.

In this type of material, the qualities of decorativeness, environmental friendliness and an affordable price are best combined.

Granite ceramics

Refers to a kind of finishing material, which is made from natural clay and is used for decorative finishing. The appearance is similar to the texture and color of granite, marble and similar stones.

This material differs from ordinary ceramic tiles only in the basis of production. Granite ceramics are made using extra strong clay. In other respects, they are very similar, especially in appearance.

Thanks to the clay included in the porcelain stoneware, this material has a strong structure, is not subject to mechanical stress, is resistant to high temperatures and is durable. During use, the finishing stone always retains its color and original shine.

Shell rock

It belongs to the most unique natural stones that create an original fireplace cladding. Due to its natural porous structure, it has high thermal insulation and resistance to high temperatures, which is an important factor for decorating a fireplace.

The shell rock contains the remains of fossilized sea shells and mollusks that have been preserved inside the stone.

To create the necessary forms from the shell rock, it is subjected to grinding.

The most common yellow and white colors with various shades are successfully used for interior decoration. Cutting out original details from shell rock sandstone allows you to design the structure in accordance with any requests from the owners.

Facing with natural stone is not always suitable for decorating fireplaces. Modern technologies make it possible to use materials superior to natural stones in terms of heat transfer.

Therefore, use a stone for decorating fireplaces if you are satisfied with the low heat capacity of its surface.

It is important to know that:

  • stone finishing reduces the efficiency of the structure, taking heat onto itself;
  • fireplace cladding with granite can be performed in the house if it is not heat transfer that is important, but the presence of a living fire;
  • the durability of marble and granite fireplaces is an undeniable fact.

If you use the softest of stones - limestone, then only after a few decades you will be able to see the destruction of its structure. The rest of the stones are less susceptible to external influences, therefore, finishing with natural materials has no shelf life.

Disadvantages of natural stones

  • Marble slabs tarnish over time, small cracks form on their surface;
  • All natural stones are mined from the depths of the earth, so they have a high value;
  • Natural granite emits a natural radioactive background;
  • Sandstone is characterized by abrasion and the ability to quickly absorb moisture from the air;
  • Due to its loose structure, shell rock can accumulate soot, dust and get dirty.

On the other hand, in comparison with natural beauty, such disadvantages are negligible and therefore, when choosing finishing materials, be guided by practical and theoretical knowledge of stones.

Advantages of natural stones

  • They are unique, diverse and beautiful in multiple manifestations of textures and shades of color.
  • Granite has a powerful natural energy, it has a beneficial effect on the human psyche and calms the nervous system.
  • Stone finishing can be used in rooms without a regular heating regime, as it is resistant to temperature extremes.
  • Almost any shape and configuration of the structure can be coated.

Finishing with natural stone gives a spectacular appearance and pleases residents with its constancy for many years.

Artificial finishing

The interior decoration with artificial stones conveys the appearance of the power and strength of the stone, creating the original beauty of modern styles. The latest technologies make it easy to embody the most incredible fantasies with stone decoration.

Due to the convenience of working with artificial stone, it is used for the manufacture of complex designs of fireplaces.

The advantages include:

  • ease of processing and the creation of various shapes and sizes when facing;
  • light weight, which simplifies the decorating process;
  • can be combined with other types of materials such as metal, glass or ceramics.

The use of decorative stone for finishing the fireplace allows you to create surfaces that are similar in appearance to natural materials, while the work is done much easier and faster.

The appearance of artificial stones among building materials makes it possible to use inexpensive analogs of the place of purchase of expensive stones. At the same time, the functionality and aesthetics of the quality of the finish are preserved.

Although, nevertheless, artificial stones can be inferior to natural ones in energy and natural benefits. Natural stones can heal and fill the space with healing ions and vibrations. For these purposes, semi-precious or natural gems are used, such as jadeite, agate, onyx or malachite.

The harmony of the home atmosphere created by a stone fireplace conveys not only beauty, but also a sense of reliability, stability and well-being.

With the help of a fireplace, faced with wild stone, you can create a work of art, and its originality and uniqueness will correspond to your intentions and attitude to life.

Such a fireplace can be only in a single copy, because natural stones have a unique pattern and inimitable shades created by nature itself. A variety of color shades, different methods of styling and design create the uniqueness and sophistication of your home.

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

If we lived for 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 appeal 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 - 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 chances to keep your house 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 a lower 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. In facing houses during their construction, not so many "grades" of stone are used, but even within one such "grade" there can be impressive differences, both in color and 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. No one bothers to cut the same sandstone in the shape of honeycomb, but in this case the natural charm of the stone will disappear behind the artificiality of this shape.

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 tell you about the features of facing stone in different interiors, inside and outside the house.

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, for example, 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, therefore 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 the composition, on which the color of the stone also 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 harmoniously combined with classical types of wall surfaces (logs, beams). The torn stone contrasts perfectly with the plastered areas and is considered the best option for tiling 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-combustible 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 process of facing with artificial stone. 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 adjacent to 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, mounting systems are used 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.

Helpful installation video

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Sometimes you want the house to look not modern, but, on the contrary, look like an old building built in the Middle Ages. But at the same time, his appearance must be attractive and flawless. To achieve this will help such a far from new, but not losing popularity finishing material, like wild stone for the facade. This expensive but unique and beautiful material deserves special attention.

Wild stone, as you might guess, is a material created by nature itself. It was formed over a long time - millennia - under the influence of various natural factors. Differs in rich colors, allows you to create the most unusual combinations and variations of the facade cladding of the building. This type of natural facing material is made from large stone slabs that are split into many small pieces. All the resulting fragments have completely different shapes and sizes, torn edges, their surface is rough and uneven. It is interesting that in a huge pile of such stones there will not even be a pair of the same - they are all somehow different from each other.

On a note! It is very convenient to transport a wild stone, despite its weight, as it has a flat shape and is easily stored.

Wild stone as a finishing material has several features that significantly distinguish it from other types of finishes:

  • its producer is nature itself, at factories for its processing it simply breaks into pieces;
  • the material has a lot of applications;
  • the stone is unique. Even if you use pieces of the same type, they will still be different from each other;
  • a technological stone slab has dimensions of 30 * 60, 30.5 * 30.5 or 40 * 40 cm, and its thickness is about 1-3 cm;
  • the texture of the wild stone is special - no method of facade decoration can imitate this.

Advantages and disadvantages

Wild stone as a finishing material has its pros and cons. And before you make a decision regarding the decoration of the house with them, you should get acquainted with its features. This will help you make the right choice.

Advantages of wild stone for facade decoration:


On a note! It is believed that some types of natural stone are radioactive. However, this is far from the case - this tale was invented by competitors selling other types of finishing materials. So you can safely buy a wild stone and use it to decorate your home.

Now a few words about the disadvantages of the wild stone. This material is quite strong and heavy. The first, of course, is at the same time its advantage, however, it significantly complicates processing, cutting, if necessary. And not all types of finishing stone are heavy. But the price of a natural natural material is quite high - for example, marble or granite (1 m 2) will cost at least 1,400 rubles, and sandstone - from 230 rubles.

It is worth remembering that not a single method of artificial imitation of stone can convey the charm and beauty that natural material possesses. The stone received its pattern and texture thanks to the centuries-old "labor" of water, air, high temperatures in the bowels of the earth, and other natural factors. That is why facades with such finishes will always look unique and be considered an indicator of the owner's taste. This type of decoration will never go out of fashion.

Types of stone

A large number of types of wild stone are used to decorate the facades of residential buildings and other buildings. They differ from each other in the complexity of processing, strength indicators, appearance and many other factors. Each type has its own disadvantages and advantages.

Table. Types of wild stone used for facade decoration.

ViewCharacteristic

This is the most durable and expensive type of stone. It does not age, is not affected by any natural factors, it looks very expensive. Granite has always been considered a symbol of wealth, reliability, strength. Its main drawback, in addition to the high price, is its heavy weight, which makes the installation process extremely difficult and expensive. Granite is a rock of igneous origin.

Limestone has a relatively low mass. The stone is of organic origin, it is the pressed remains of the shells of marine life. The stone contains a large amount of calcium. Differs in good decorative properties, environmentally friendly, relatively light, has high sound and heat insulation. Limestone also has bactericidal properties - it cleans the air from pathogenic microorganisms. The price is lower than that of granite. At the same time, the stone is well processed. By the way, shell rock is a kind of limestone. The disadvantage is that limestone needs to be treated with water repellent agents.

The stone has an attractive appearance and is relatively inexpensive. It is pleasant, slightly rough to the touch, beige, yellowish in color, less often dark brown. Wear-resistant, but cannot be polished. By the way, it was from this stone that palaces and royal chambers were previously created. And now sandstone is one of the most popular types of finishing stone.

Dense, strong, good in processing, very beautiful kind of finishing stone. But in use, it is extremely difficult and capricious, in certain conditions it can become stained and lose its appearance. Consists of calcite, formed due to the processes of limestone metamorphism.

Frost-resistant, strong and durable finishing material that can be polished. It is an igneous rock with a beautiful blue, less often yellow or red pattern.

The rock is of magmatic origin, very durable, not afraid of temperatures and fire, polished. Light, porous. The disadvantage is that it disappears relatively quickly.

This is a series of dark red rocks, smooth to the touch. The chemical composition is similar to granite. Strong, non-fading, excellent polish. Used in ancient Rome - statues and luxury items were made from porphyry.

Difficult to work material of light or reddish hue. Very heavy, therefore rarely used.

It is not afraid of fire or frost, a very beautiful mineral. Disadvantages - high price, small selection of colors.

It is not afraid of water, frost, sudden temperature fluctuations, does not collapse during mechanical processing. It has black, green, gray, bluish color. Layered material.

Which stone is better?

All rocks differ from each other in terms of strength, appearance, resistance to various influences, price and complexity of processing. Most often, limestone, sandstone, slate are used for facing buildings, and granite from expensive and difficult to process.

It is very difficult to single out the one that can be called the best of all. You need to be guided by your wishes regarding the appearance, the possible amount of costs and other factors. If possible, it is better to buy granite or marble, but if there is not enough money for them, then you can buy sandstone.

Basic stone formats

There are five main types of stone that are used for facade decoration:

  • tiles called "Euro-2", measuring 60 * 30 * 2 cm. Is the most demanded type of material;
  • slabs. The most expensive type of facing stone. Made from solid stone blocks;
  • wild stone. These are layers that have an irregular shape, the corners of which are carefully processed;
  • die - stones are made from pieces of material. It looks very nice, but the installation of the dies is more expensive than the tiles;
  • moscow fur coat - the parameters of these stones are approximately the same, but the stones themselves have ragged edges at the main side. One of the most expensive types.

Where is used

Wild stone is used not only for facade decoration. It is suitable for decorating the basement of buildings; it can also be used to decorate walls from the inside of the room. The openings of windows and doors, decorated with wild stone, also look very beautiful. Floors made of natural minerals, fireplaces, columns and other decorative elements decorated with it will also look good.

On a note! Completely facade walls are rarely finished with wild stone, since this process is long, laborious and expensive.

Wild stone goes well with forged metal products, so grilles, lanterns of various shapes made of alloys can be added to the wall of the house.

Finishing technologies

There are two ways to decorate the facade with wild stone - with jointing and seamless. In the first case, a beautiful pattern will be obtained, formed from stones that are loosely fitted to each other and a solution that holds them together. In the second case, the seams will not be visible, but the stones should fit very tightly to each other. The first option saves the consumption of the finishing material itself.

On a note! Before you start cladding walls with stone, it is important to evaluate the material from which the wall is made. The fact is that it is possible to put a stone directly on the surface only if it is made of brick or concrete. If the facade of the building is wooden, then before laying it should be covered with a special mesh.

We decorate the facade with natural stone

After the stone has been selected, purchased, delivered directly to the construction site, it is sorted, removing too small and fragile pieces from the total number. In general, the whole stone is divided into several piles, in which elements of approximately the same size are collected. Next, the preparation of the facade and its facing with stone begins. Work should be carried out at a positive temperature so that the base heats up to + 5-30 degrees.

Step 1. First of all, the facade is carefully examined. The surface must be solid and dry.

Step 3. All large cracks are putty. If there are greasy stains or paints, they are removed with a solvent.

Step 4. A primer is applied on the prepared surface in one layer (on a porous surface - in two). Wait for the primer to dry.

Step 5. Before starting work, a wild stone is washed with water using a stiff brush and dried. Thus, dust will be removed from it, which reduces the adhesion of the stone.

Step 6. A special dry adhesive mixture is used for gluing the stone. It is diluted immediately before starting work strictly according to the instructions on the package. The required amount of the mixture is dissolved in water and mixed with a construction mixer.

Step 7. A grout for joints from a special mixture is immediately prepared. It can be given the desired color using a color scheme.

Attention! Mixtures harden very quickly, so you need to work quickly and accurately. And it is better not to dilute the entire solution at once.

Step 8. The prepared mixture is applied to the wall and then leveled with the notched side of the trowel.

Step 9. The stone is applied to the applied solution and pressed. You can tap it lightly with a rubber mallet.

Step 10. A thick layer of grout is applied to the edges of the glued stone.

Step 11.

Step 13. After a day, the remains of grout are removed from the surface with a wet brush.

Step 14. The final stage of finishing is the application of varnish. This will accentuate the natural color of the stone and will also protect against moisture.

Finishing the basement is a separate task, which a good owner of a country cottage will definitely pay a lot of attention to. Most often, decorative stone is used for these purposes - an expensive material, in large quantities not available to everyone. But today the material has a cheaper and not inferior alternative in its performance characteristics. It .

Video - Facing the facade with stone

This is how you can turn your home into a real medieval castle. It will seem that it is made according to the old technology of masonry from large monolithic stones. Agree, such a structure looks impressive. And "to blame for everything" - it was the wild stone used to decorate the facade