A decorative vase, installed outdoors, perfectly emphasizes the composition of the architectural ensemble for public use, and can also become an integral part of the landscape design of a country house, summer cottage. Products that became widespread in the 18-19 centuries in many countries are still popular. They can be found in parks, near the buildings of the city administration, in cultural complexes, at the entrance to shopping centers, also in private gardens, house adjoining plots.
Caring for the appearance of their territory for many owners is in the first place. Pursuing beautification, owners are faced with such a decorative element as a flowerpot. Most often, preference is given to concrete options that do not require personal care, look no worse than stone, metal structures, but are much cheaper, you can make them yourself.
Flowerpots made of concrete, previously used as independent objects of small architecture, gradually began to be used for utilitarian purposes. Bowls at the same time act as a decor and serve as a capacity for planting different plants. Thanks to these properties, they perfectly decorate the adjacent area, emphasize the refined taste of the owners.
Outdoor pots designed for growing flowers should be made of materials that are neutral to atmospheric phenomena, while looking natural. The building construction of concrete, cement mortar fully meets these requirements. Products made from this raw material are characterized by functionality. With their help, you can perform zoning of the territory, decorate private estates, equip common areas. The great demand for concrete vases is due to their features and advantages:
The building material is not deformed under the influence of weather conditions, it is not afraid of fire.
The solution is very plastic, malleable, takes any form. From it you can make unusual structures, arrange them in any style.
This is the most budget option, to create a composition does not require large expenses.
The raw materials are environmentally friendly. In cement forms, a wide variety of plants take root well, whether it is bindweed, aubrecia, heliotrope, lavender or others.
At the time of formation, the design can give natural patterns, apply a stamped drawing, after drying, paint, make a painting.
Shape and size
Concrete mortar is characterized by its plasticity, so almost any shape can be given to a vase. The main thing is that the design should be combined with the general style of the site, for example:
English. Products have smooth, curved contours, they do not have sharp and right angles.
Country. Attributes at first glance are distinguished by bad taste, performed carelessly. Are made in a cylindrical form, remind a bucket, a tub, a basin.
Mauritanian. Square models are installed, less often round. Lined with Arabic mosaics.
Classical. Flowerpots along with a sculpture, a fountain are in the center of the composition. They are made in different variations. Standard options have a perfectly round base, crowned with a bowl on the leg.
A number of factors influence the choice of pot size. First of all, its purpose is taken into account, depending on which all designs are divided into indoor, outdoor, decorative. The second and third options are characterized by the largest parameters.
For street structures, the area of the plot is important. In a small courtyard, a large composition will not look appropriate and, conversely, small items will be invisible in a vast territory.
The shape of the vase is chosen independently, it can emphasize the general appearance of the site or stand out, drawing special attention to itself. For some places, products in the form of strict geometric figures are ideal, for others - having chopped, torn, extravagant notes. In turn, the parameters of the bowl should be proportionate and proportional to the location.
Where and how to install
Concrete bowls can be placed both in public places and in private estates. There are many options. They look great in squares and in parks, near cultural institutions and in gardens, in parking lots, inside office rooms, at home, in personal plots, in summer cottages.
Of particular importance is the size of the bowl, its mass and mobility depend on it.These parameters affect its appearance and installation method. Stationary and portable models are distinguished. The first option is characterized by a long basing in one place. Massive structures are quite stable, sometimes additional fixing is used for fixation. The second type is less weight, dimensions. The pot is operated year-round or seasonally.
You can position the products at different levels relative to the floor, in a vertical, horizontal position. Given these characteristics, all models of flowerpots are divided into the following types:
Floor standing. Can be used as fences, zoning items, decoration elements. There are no restrictions on the installation site.
Curbstones. On the stand, you can install a cache-pot, which serves exclusively for decorative purposes. A vase with less weight than objects mounted on the ground. Often placed products require additional fixation.
Vertical and wall. They are characterized by the smallest weight. They can be mounted on top of each other, attached to surfaces perpendicular to the ground. A good choice in the absence of large areas. Also, compositions are used as barriers.
Inside the buildings, window structures are used that are installed on window sills, low tides.
Necessary materials and tools
To create products you will need architectural concrete. It differs from ordinary in the presence of various mineral and inorganic additives. To prepare the mixture, you will need cement, sand, gravel, special impurities, water. Additions play an important role, they give the concrete mortar plasticity, fluidity, with their help increase or decrease solidification time, increase resistance to temperature drops, and reduce water absorption.
The composition of binders includes various substances. For example, to give strength to the mixture, silicate dust and various ashes are added, and fine-grained cement is also used.Mobility is regulated by superplasticizers. To prepare a composition that does not require vibration for shrinkage, hyperplasticizers are used.
To give the finished product a certain color, the mixture is injected with colored mineral or organic pigments. However, dyes reduce the structural strength. At the mixing stage, crumbs of marble, granite, quartz, and other rocks can be added to the composition.
Having decided on the materials for work, it is necessary to prepare the tools. Their list is small. This will require:
a container for mixing the solution;
shovel, trowel, putty knife;
mittens;
paints, leaves from trees, stencils in case of drawing a pattern on the surface;
a piece of reinforcement for piercing concrete.
How to prepare the solution
For the manufacture of decorative building materials, Portland cement is used, consisting of cement clinker, gypsum, and impurities. At the same time, a fine-grained composition is selected, grades not lower than M 400. Reinforcing fiber is added to increase strength. To prepare the mixture, we need:
Portland cement M 500 - 1 part;
quartz sand - 3 parts;
fine-grained crushed stone, stone chips - 3 parts;
liquid plasticizer C-3 - 0.5-0.7% by weight of dry cement;
fiberglass - 0.6 kg / m³;
pigment dye - 3%;
purified water - 2 parts.
The step-by-step process is as follows:
Dry cement and sand must be passed through a sieve, after which, observing the proportions, mix both components.
Shredded marble chips, polypropylene, dyes are added to the dry composition, after which everything is mixed into a homogeneous mass.
In the middle of the obtained heap, a depression is formed, pure water is poured into it, a plasticizer, the solution is mixed.
To check the quality of concrete, it is enough to squeeze the resulting mass in your hand. If at the same time water emerges, the mixture is diluted with sand, a liquid is mixed into the loose structure.
Manufacturing methods and materials for molds
Simple flowerpots can be made using patterns and shapes. Both ready-made models and self-made ones are used. With their help, mostly standard structures, simple in structure, are made in the form of geometric figures. As a sample, you can use any improvised material:
buckets, barrels, basins;
carton boxes;
plastic, glass bottles;
wooden boards, old furniture, plywood, fiberboard, particleboard;
kitchen utensils;
paint cans, rags, rubber gloves, clothes;
toys, shoes.
To create more complex vases, in the form of sculptures, birds, animals, fairy-tale characters, you need the skills of a sculptor. In the construction of such structures, in addition to patterns in the work, frames from reinforcement and metal mesh are used. After pouring the solution, the master, using trowels and spatulas, adjusts the sizes. If the flowerpot has a complex structure consisting of several layers, special furrows are made on the previous one for better gripping. The next layer is not applied until the previous one is completely dry.
In addition to these options, you can copy the finished vase using fiberglass to create the shape. To do this, the selected product is glued with fiberglass on both sides. The space between the fibers is filled with epoxy. After complete drying, the material is cut off. You can also perform interesting patterns from fiberglass. However, the use of these substances will require financial investments.
Step-by-step master class
Flowerpots made of concrete can be created in different ways, but the principle of operation will be approximately the same. It consists in the selection of templates and pouring a solution into them. Difficulties can arise when creating models that require modeling skills. Consider the standard technology for manufacturing a vase:
We prepare two containers of different parameters for work, one must go into the other, and the distance between their walls should be at least 3 cm around the entire circumference.
Knead the solution. If the product will have a complex structure, protrusions, small elements, we make it more plastic, as fluid as possible. To create smooth surfaces, we bring the consistency to a more dense state, so that the resulting mass does not spread.
Lubricate inside a large container or lay on the bottom and sides of polyethylene. This will allow you to remove the template when the composition hardens. Smaller - we process outside.
Pour part of the mixture to the bottom of a larger container. Depending on the size of the structure, we form the thickness of the layer. For small bowls, 3 cm is enough.
Next, create drainage holes. To do this, you can insert metal tubes into the solution, lubricated plastic bottle caps.
We set inside a smaller container filled with crushed stone or sand.
Fill the composition between the walls of the molds. To remove air, pierce the mixture with a stick or reinforcement.
Align the trowel with the top.
Wrap the workpiece on top with a film and leave to dry for several days.
After drying, the patterns are removed.
Then we wet the concrete structure with water and cover it again with a film. This procedure must be performed several times a day for 10 days. Without these actions, the concrete will crack.
After the set time has elapsed, the product can be installed in the place chosen for it, or if necessary, pre-painted, decorated.
Flowerpot sculpture
A flowerpot can be made in the form of different shapes. Consider the example of creating beautiful swans. For work, you will need a plastic container, wire, bandage, building mesh, trowel, spatula. The master class will look as follows.
We take a bottle of plastic with a volume of 6 liters. Cut the side surface.We make a hole in the lid. We attach a characteristic shape to a metal bar with a diameter of 8 mm and a length of up to one meter. We insert into the hole and fix it in the neck with the help of broken brick and tile glue. A bunch of smaller diameter wires we put into the bottom. We fill the bottle inside with sand to the edges so that when applying the mixture the walls do not deform.
Knead the solution. We make it thick. We pour it on the film. We level it, we form the base 4 cm thick.
Install plastic containers on top of the mixture. We begin to smear it with a solution. For better adhesion we use a grid for plastering walls.
For wings, we take two metal rectangular grids, which we attach on both sides to the container, apply a layer of solution.
We form the tail, smear a bunch of wires with the composition.
We make a neck and a head. To do this, after applying the first layer to a metal bar, wrap it with a mesh, apply the next layer, cover with a bandage from above.
Dry the workpiece for several days.
Mix gypsum with water, align the entire structure. Using the skills of a sculptor, we make an imitation of feathers with a spatula, give the head volume, form a beak.
At the final stage, the flowerpot can be covered with acrylic paint and several layers of varnish.
From plastic containers
An elementary way to create a flower vase. For work, two containers of different volume will be required. At the bottom of a larger container, the solution is poured and leveled. Further, drainage holes are formed in it. Filled with sand or other cargo, a smaller tank is installed inward in the center. The gap between the walls is filled with a mixture. After daily drying, the templates are removed. The appearance of the pot will depend on the surface shape of the container used. It can have a pattern in the form of stripes, convex places.
From fabric
Models made of textile fabric look original, while making them is very simple.To work, you need a cloth and a bucket. The process will take a little time. First, the solution is kneaded, a towel or bag is lowered into it, it is there until completely saturated. Then it is hung out on a bucket or basin fixed on a support. After the mixture hardens slightly, the edges of the future garden bowl are formed. They can be cut, bent.
Using a different canvas, you can get an interesting texture of the pot. The surface is smooth, rough, with tubercles, embossed. Various things can be impregnated with concrete, be it a jacket, jeans, a bedspread, burlap or other products.
Unusual ideas
Flowerpots can decorate different territories, both public and private. For each place, the most suitable view is selected. The most unusual options can be found in parks, architectural ensembles. For a summer residence, house sections, constructions are made in any form. There are many ideas for their creation. For clarity, consider several interesting models:
Imitation of hands. This design can be made from a pair of rubber gloves. For this, it is enough to fill them with a solution and dry. Then the gloves are removed. If desired, the pot is painted.
Boot. From an old shoe soaked in concrete, you can build a self-sufficient flowerbed, which does not need additional decoration.
Burdock leaves. The manufacturing process is very simple. An embankment is made on the street, a tubercle of sand. A film is laid on top of it, on it is a sheet of burdock, which is coated with a solution up to 2 cm thick. After which it is covered with polyethylene until completely dry. After a few days, the source can be removed, the bowl painted in green.
Basket. The recipe for cooking is elementary. As a frame, the wicker product itself can be used. It is enough to soak it with a cement mixture and paint it. Such a flowerpot looks gentle.
Flower.It is made of lace fabric impregnated in concrete composition. During drying, petals are formed from a rag. After the bowl is painted.
Decoration
Some flowerpots do not require decoration, others will not do without additional decor. Bowl decoration is a creative process. Decorating is done in many ways. For example, the product can be painted, sprinkled with sand of different fractions to give a surface roughness, make interspersed with shells.
The flowerpot can be painted white, then it will look great near a fountain or statue. A bowl painted in golden color is generally suitable for many styles. Broken glass, dishes, mosaics can be a good solution for decoration. The surfaces with an extruded texture of natural leaves look interesting.
Conclusion
A flowerpot made of concrete will be a magnificent decoration of the house area. There are many options for purchased models, even more you can do it yourself. Concrete products have many positive qualities, do not require constant care. They can be used in composition with other objects, to make the accent of the garden interior.
A decorative vase, installed outdoors, perfectly emphasizes the composition of the architectural ensemble for public use, and can also become an integral part of the landscape design of a country house, summer cottage. Products that became widespread in the 18-19 centuries in many countries are still popular. They can be found in parks, near the buildings of the city administration, in cultural complexes, at the entrance to shopping centers, also in private gardens, house adjoining plots.
Caring for the appearance of their territory for many owners is in the first place. Pursuing beautification, owners are faced with such a decorative element as a flowerpot. Most often, preference is given to concrete options that do not require personal care, look no worse than stone, metal structures, but are much cheaper, you can make them yourself.
Content
Features of products and their application
Flowerpots made of concrete, previously used as independent objects of small architecture, gradually began to be used for utilitarian purposes. Bowls at the same time act as a decor and serve as a capacity for planting different plants. Thanks to these properties, they perfectly decorate the adjacent area, emphasize the refined taste of the owners.
Outdoor pots designed for growing flowers should be made of materials that are neutral to atmospheric phenomena, while looking natural. The building construction of concrete, cement mortar fully meets these requirements. Products made from this raw material are characterized by functionality. With their help, you can perform zoning of the territory, decorate private estates, equip common areas. The great demand for concrete vases is due to their features and advantages:
Shape and size
Concrete mortar is characterized by its plasticity, so almost any shape can be given to a vase. The main thing is that the design should be combined with the general style of the site, for example:
A number of factors influence the choice of pot size. First of all, its purpose is taken into account, depending on which all designs are divided into indoor, outdoor, decorative. The second and third options are characterized by the largest parameters.
For street structures, the area of the plot is important. In a small courtyard, a large composition will not look appropriate and, conversely, small items will be invisible in a vast territory.
Where and how to install
Concrete bowls can be placed both in public places and in private estates. There are many options. They look great in squares and in parks, near cultural institutions and in gardens, in parking lots, inside office rooms, at home, in personal plots, in summer cottages.
Of particular importance is the size of the bowl, its mass and mobility depend on it.These parameters affect its appearance and installation method. Stationary and portable models are distinguished. The first option is characterized by a long basing in one place. Massive structures are quite stable, sometimes additional fixing is used for fixation. The second type is less weight, dimensions. The pot is operated year-round or seasonally.
You can position the products at different levels relative to the floor, in a vertical, horizontal position. Given these characteristics, all models of flowerpots are divided into the following types:
Necessary materials and tools
To create products you will need architectural concrete. It differs from ordinary in the presence of various mineral and inorganic additives. To prepare the mixture, you will need cement, sand, gravel, special impurities, water. Additions play an important role, they give the concrete mortar plasticity, fluidity, with their help increase or decrease solidification time, increase resistance to temperature drops, and reduce water absorption.
The composition of binders includes various substances. For example, to give strength to the mixture, silicate dust and various ashes are added, and fine-grained cement is also used.Mobility is regulated by superplasticizers. To prepare a composition that does not require vibration for shrinkage, hyperplasticizers are used.
To give the finished product a certain color, the mixture is injected with colored mineral or organic pigments. However, dyes reduce the structural strength. At the mixing stage, crumbs of marble, granite, quartz, and other rocks can be added to the composition.
Having decided on the materials for work, it is necessary to prepare the tools. Their list is small. This will require:
How to prepare the solution
For the manufacture of decorative building materials, Portland cement is used, consisting of cement clinker, gypsum, and impurities. At the same time, a fine-grained composition is selected, grades not lower than M 400. Reinforcing fiber is added to increase strength. To prepare the mixture, we need:
The step-by-step process is as follows:
Manufacturing methods and materials for molds
Simple flowerpots can be made using patterns and shapes. Both ready-made models and self-made ones are used. With their help, mostly standard structures, simple in structure, are made in the form of geometric figures. As a sample, you can use any improvised material:
To create more complex vases, in the form of sculptures, birds, animals, fairy-tale characters, you need the skills of a sculptor. In the construction of such structures, in addition to patterns in the work, frames from reinforcement and metal mesh are used. After pouring the solution, the master, using trowels and spatulas, adjusts the sizes. If the flowerpot has a complex structure consisting of several layers, special furrows are made on the previous one for better gripping. The next layer is not applied until the previous one is completely dry.
In addition to these options, you can copy the finished vase using fiberglass to create the shape. To do this, the selected product is glued with fiberglass on both sides. The space between the fibers is filled with epoxy. After complete drying, the material is cut off. You can also perform interesting patterns from fiberglass. However, the use of these substances will require financial investments.
Step-by-step master class
Flowerpots made of concrete can be created in different ways, but the principle of operation will be approximately the same. It consists in the selection of templates and pouring a solution into them. Difficulties can arise when creating models that require modeling skills. Consider the standard technology for manufacturing a vase:
Flowerpot sculpture
A flowerpot can be made in the form of different shapes. Consider the example of creating beautiful swans. For work, you will need a plastic container, wire, bandage, building mesh, trowel, spatula. The master class will look as follows.
From plastic containers
An elementary way to create a flower vase. For work, two containers of different volume will be required. At the bottom of a larger container, the solution is poured and leveled. Further, drainage holes are formed in it. Filled with sand or other cargo, a smaller tank is installed inward in the center. The gap between the walls is filled with a mixture. After daily drying, the templates are removed. The appearance of the pot will depend on the surface shape of the container used. It can have a pattern in the form of stripes, convex places.
From fabric
Models made of textile fabric look original, while making them is very simple.To work, you need a cloth and a bucket. The process will take a little time. First, the solution is kneaded, a towel or bag is lowered into it, it is there until completely saturated. Then it is hung out on a bucket or basin fixed on a support. After the mixture hardens slightly, the edges of the future garden bowl are formed. They can be cut, bent.
Using a different canvas, you can get an interesting texture of the pot. The surface is smooth, rough, with tubercles, embossed. Various things can be impregnated with concrete, be it a jacket, jeans, a bedspread, burlap or other products.
Unusual ideas
Flowerpots can decorate different territories, both public and private. For each place, the most suitable view is selected. The most unusual options can be found in parks, architectural ensembles. For a summer residence, house sections, constructions are made in any form. There are many ideas for their creation. For clarity, consider several interesting models:
Decoration
Some flowerpots do not require decoration, others will not do without additional decor. Bowl decoration is a creative process. Decorating is done in many ways. For example, the product can be painted, sprinkled with sand of different fractions to give a surface roughness, make interspersed with shells.
The flowerpot can be painted white, then it will look great near a fountain or statue. A bowl painted in golden color is generally suitable for many styles. Broken glass, dishes, mosaics can be a good solution for decoration. The surfaces with an extruded texture of natural leaves look interesting.
Conclusion
A flowerpot made of concrete will be a magnificent decoration of the house area. There are many options for purchased models, even more you can do it yourself. Concrete products have many positive qualities, do not require constant care. They can be used in composition with other objects, to make the accent of the garden interior.