Types and features of installation, pros and cons of artificial stone for finishing the base

Artificial stone is becoming a more and more popular option when it comes to finishing the base of your home. This adaptable material is a fantastic choice for both new construction and renovations because it provides a number of practical and aesthetic advantages. Artificial stone can help you achieve your desired style, whether you’re going for a more traditional, rustic vibe or a sleek, modern appearance.

The affordability of artificial stone is one of its key benefits. It is much less expensive than natural stone, so homeowners can still enjoy the opulent look of stone without going over budget. Furthermore, artificial stone weighs less, which makes installation easier and lessens the structural load on your house.

Artificial stone’s durability is yet another important advantage. It is made to endure a range of weather conditions, from torrential rain to bright sunshine, so the foundation of your house will always look good and be structurally sound. Furthermore, artificial stone offers an additional degree of protection for your property by being resistant to mold and pests.

But it’s crucial to be mindful of a few possible disadvantages. Even though artificial stone is usually strong, natural stone may last longer. Exposure to severe weather conditions can lead to some wear and tear over time. Furthermore, even though artificial stone looks extremely realistic, it might not perfectly capture the special qualities of real stone.

This post will discuss the various artificial stone options for completing the foundation of your house as well as the particulars of installing them. In order to assist you in making an informed choice for your upcoming building or renovation project, we’ll also go into the advantages and disadvantages. You’ll be able to see why artificial stone might be the best option for your house if you are aware of these factors.

What is the material?

This is a decorative material that is used to clad the lower portion of commercial, industrial, and country houses. It offers defense against meteorological and physical anomalies. The coating consistently shields the base part from the infiltration of water and cold, regardless of where it came from.

There are several benefits to the material:

1. Availability, which is several times lower compared to natural analogues.
2. Easy installation thanks to lightweight design and processing capabilities.
3. Variety of textures, textures and shades.
4. Resistance to changes in humidity and temperature.
5. Long service life.
6. Significant fire safety.
7. No harmful components are released when heated.
8. Environmental purity and safety.
9. The coating can be easily maintained with standard detergents.

Consequently, the synthetic material preserves the majority of the benefits associated with natural coating. Its feature is a wider selection at the same time. a range of colors and a unique composition.

Varieties

A large variety of materials are produced by manufacturers to finish the base element. Artificial stone is separated based on color scheme, internal composition, and decor.

Notable varieties include the following:

• flexible;
• cement;
• polymer sand;
• tile;
• homemade.

The primary material of the facade and the installation site determine the selection. Consideration is given to the essential indicators of power protection and thermal insulation.

Flexible

There are two polymer layers in the material. Rolls and piece tiles are both available. The cladding offers the following features and benefits:

1. Light weight.
2. High flexibility for decorating the basements of facades with complex shape and texture.
3. Resistance to steam and moisture.
4. Resistance to extreme temperatures.
5. Resistance to temperature changes.
6. Easy installation.
7. One of the most economical materials.

Installing the material is simple. It can be cut in any direction, including to remove individual pieces of trim. Film is used as additional protection for the exterior. It is employed in installation, storage, and transportation tasks.

The primary drawback is that artificial compositions can be expensive. Stone that is flexible and fits on any surface. Making sure that fixation is dependable is crucial.

Cement

This is the natural material’s less expensive equivalent. Cement facing stone offers advantages.

• resistance to negative temperatures;
• protection from the formation of mold and mildew;
• not affected by precipitation;
• characterized by increased frost resistance and high strength characteristics;
• long service life with regular and proper care.

If there are substantial vertical surfaces, the base has already been reinforced. Because the stone is heavy, it is fastened to an anchor. It should be noted that the completed structure won’t stick to the adhesive substance.

Tile

Certain kinds of clay are used to make base tiles. It is treated at a high temperature. As a result, a robust product with excellent defense against outside influences is produced.

The ornamental surface can mimic brickwork as well as real stone. As a result, you can select a choice for your own house while considering fencing, roofing, facade decoration, and personal preferences.

The characteristics and benefits of the tile are as follows:

1. Resistance to thermal influences.
2. Increased water impermeability.
3. Weather protection.
4. Resists temperature changes.
5. Maintains original shape and appearance.
6. Protection from mechanical impact.

The cladding’s long lifespan and lack of new problems are its defining features. Considering that it is a synthetic material, the cost is somewhat high. In addition, the coating’s quality is maintained for a considerable amount of time.

Polymer sand

This composite material is used for basement finishing and facade finishing. It is composed of a sand mixture that has plasticizers and polymer additives. The latter enhance the completed composition’s performance. The chosen composition results in the appearance of a decorative coating that mimics the external pattern and structure of natural stone.

There are locking joints on the slabs for easy fastening. It is sufficient to level the surface in one plane in order to prepare the frame for installation. Conventional self-tapping screws are used to secure the tiles to the frame. Polymer sand stone is lightweight, but it has stronger properties and keeps the building’s heat from escaping.

The product is reasonably priced and has good qualities. But it lacks some of the artificial materials’ flexibility. To establish a level base, it is crucial to prepare the frame beforehand.

Homemade

This is the least expensive material, but it requires more work to install. For the base, you will need to apply cement mortar. The mixture is applied thickly to the surface. Finally, a specialized hook is used to draw the stone’s relief.

Benefits of applying your own stone coating:

• reliable adhesion to the surface of the base;
• Durability proven by time;
• no leveling required before cladding.

The final product only closely mimics or replicates a stone. Paint is applied to the surface to achieve the desired shade once it has fully hardened. For optimal protection, the varnish is subsequently treated.

Nuances of choosing decorative stone

The following factors are considered when selecting a material:

1. Superb view.
2. Compliance with installation technology.
3. Functional and technological connection with blind areas, since when facing it is important to ensure normal moisture release and thermal insulation.
4. Compliance with the architectural solution.

The substance complies with environmental safety and protection regulations. The surface shouldn’t have any chips, cracks, or damage. Every strip needs to have the same color as the others.

Tools and Supplies

You must prepare the necessary tools and materials before installation. For high-quality work, you’ll require:

• trowel;
• mesh for reinforcement;
• concrete solution;
• adhesive composition;
• screwdriver;
• drill or hammer drill;
• composition for jointing;
• dowels;
• building level;
• deep penetration primer.

The precise arrangement is contingent upon the installation technique selected. The frame may occasionally need to be welded. In other situations, you must glue the prepared strips and prepare an even coating.

How to cover the basement floor of a private house with your own hands?

The weight of artificial stone is comparatively low. As such, installation is not too difficult. It’s crucial to start by clearing the base of any dirt, grease stains, and uneven surfaces. The base element should be aligned with a maximum deviation of 15 mm. For fastening, an adhesive composition is used if the base is comparatively flat.

Take the following actions to accomplish this:

1. The base is covered with deep penetration soil.
2. Then the notches are made.
3. Apply special glue.
4. Attach strips or panels.

This technique works well with low-density materials or flexible stone. Since the glue dries quickly in this situation, it’s important to avoid applying glue to the entire surface at once. It is sufficient to prep the stone ahead of time and apply a maximum of one square meter of glue coating.

Big tiles are affixed to the frame, like polymer sandstone. To securely fasten the tiles to one another, it features grooves. Install a wooden or metal sheathing first. It is then possible to fasten with dowels.

Possible errors when facing

Errors should be avoided when putting artificial stone on a plinth element. As a result, the material sustains damage and loses some of its aesthetic and functional qualities.

The following common mistakes are discernible:

1. Unprepared surface. This is the most common mistake when doing DIY work. It is often believed that if the base is not visible from the outside, it does not need to be cleaned, treated with protective compounds and leveled. This leads to poor grip. In addition, decorative strips cannot be fixed in a single plane.
2. Choosing adhesive for interior tiles. Adhesive is often used for ceramic tiles used in interior spaces. It is believed that the façade cladding has a similar coating. The mistake is that the artificial stone is heavier. The adhesive composition for the installation of stone has high strength, the quality of the clutch.
3. Laying on the base of interior stone or gypsum tiles. Coating of such a plan cannot cope with temperature drops, serious mechanical and physical influences. They are suitable exclusively for internal work. They are used for the hallway of the bedroom or living room. For external work, a special stone is required.
4. Stone of one series, but from different parties. When ordering several packages, it is necessary to ensure that they have a mark on the supply of one batch. If this is not done, a noticeable color difference is possible.
5. Use of grout for ceramic tiles. This happens for considerations of savings, as many try to use the remaining material after repair. For decorative stone, extension is used. If you use tile grout, it will be absorbed into the surface of the stone, after which it will not be possible to correct the situation.
6. Purchasing finishing material without a reserve. This is a mandatory condition, since some amount of stone can be damaged during the installation process. You will need at least 10% of the material as a reserve.

Simple installation guidelines will result in a nice-looking final surface. It will take a very long time to revert to its former state. The basement finish’s protection indicators will be at their best at the same time.

Raw material price in Russia

It’s critical to budget ahead for the cost of supplies and labor. The type of stone, its density and thickness, and the size of each tile all affect the cost. The location of the artificial cladding’s sale is considered.

It is possible to distinguish between the following material costs per square meter indicators:

Moscow	St. Petersburg	Krasnodar	Yekaterinburg	Kaliningrad
Tile	350 rubles.	380 rubles.	400 rubles.	400 rubles.	450 rubles.
Flexible	600 rubles.	500 rubles.	550 rubles.	650 rubles.	650 rub.
Polymer sand	250 rub.	250 rub.	230 rub.	270 rub.	300 rub.
Homemade	150 rub.	130 rub.	160 rub.	140 rub.	170 rub.
Cement	700 rub.	650 rub.	500 rub.	600 rub.	700 rub.

Materials vary greatly in price based on a number of variables. Considerations include products from both established and emerging manufacturers, design patterns, and layer thickness.

It’s also critical to consider the anticipated costs per square meter for artisan cladding:

• in Moscow from 300 rubles.;
• in Yekaterinburg from 350 rubles.;
• in St. Petersburg from 250 rubles.

This section contains important and helpful information about using natural and artificial stone to finish the plinth.

Video on the topic of the article

In the video, there are instructions for laying artificial stone.

For finishing a building’s base, artificial stone is a useful and adaptable option. It is easy to match with any architectural design because it comes in a wide variety of styles and colors. For individuals with some home improvement experience, the installation process can be a do-it-yourself project if the necessary preparations are made. Artificial stone has several benefits, including durability and low maintenance. It can withstand severe weather and doesn’t need to be maintained frequently.

There are certain drawbacks to take into account despite its many advantages. Artificial stone can be more costly than other siding options, and in certain cases, the initial installation cost may be higher because professional assistance is required. Furthermore, even though it mimics the appearance of natural stone, some people might still favor the genuine article.

All things considered, artificial stone offers a chic and long-lasting way to complete a building’s base. It blends practicality and aesthetic appeal, making it a popular option for both builders and homeowners. You can determine whether this material is the best choice for your project by carefully weighing the benefits and drawbacks, guaranteeing your home will have a stunning and long-lasting finish.

Because artificial stone is durable and adaptable, it is a popular choice for finishing building bases. This article examines the various kinds of artificial stone, how to install it, and the benefits and drawbacks of doing so. We’ll go over how artificial stone is popular among builders and homeowners because of its low cost, low maintenance requirements, and attractive appearance. We’ll also talk about possible downsides like chipping sensitivity and the significance of correct installation for longevity and functionality.

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