Decorative stone has been used for outdoor decoration for quite some time. This material allows you to give an ugly building an aristocratic gloss or, conversely, to age a new building, to award it with “history”. Depending on the financial capabilities of the owners, a natural and artificial decorative stone is used to decorate the house. Both materials have a set of advantages and are not without drawbacks. Compare the options, consider the types of surface textures, their stylistic affiliation and styling methods.
Advantages and disadvantages of decorative stone for facade cladding
Under the name "decorative" often mean artificial material. In fact, this definition applies to any type of stone that serves as a decoration of the facade of a house. Natural also belongs to this category, because it is used only in the form of facing, and not building material.
Let's try to compare both options:
The artificial decorative stone looks almost the same as natural. Modern production technologies allow reproducing the natural texture exactly to the smallest veins. Imitations also have a wider range of colors. Rare shades adorn the surface of natural stone, which is very expensive.
At a price, imitation again outperforms natural stone. You will have to pay a lot more for the original.
Natural stone will last several times longer than artificial stone. Manufacturers are trying to apply the latest developments, but still have not succeeded in comparing the operational terms of imitation and the original.
Artificial stone is lighter than natural. It is easier to fix on the walls. It is not recommended to use original material for facing surfaces with a height of more than 0.5 m. Natural stone can generally fall off, and creates an additional load on the walls.
Only a professional can distinguish artificial stone from natural “by eye”. However, not all manufacturers can boast of good faith: some imitations are so poorly “molded” that even a knife can leave scratches and dents on their surface.
Decorative stone trim sometimes includes products made of soft materials (plastic, gypsum, polystyrene). They are not suitable for facing the facade at all.
By the way, both artificial and natural stone can be used for interior decoration. The entire wall or their individual areas (around the front door or window openings), decorative niches, fireplaces are lined with material.
Types of decorative stone for outdoor use
As mentioned above, there are two large groups of stone used for outdoor work:
Natural;
Artificial.
Each group includes dozens of varieties that are united only by origin: made by human hands or obtained by natural means. Consider the most popular options.
Natural
Representatives of a group of natural stones that are constantly heard: granite, marble, sandstone, shell rock, travertine, limestone and dolomite. Let's talk about each of them in more detail:
Granite. Magnificent natural beauty, the deposits of which are rich in Russia, Ukraine, India and China. Granite is wear-resistant and frost-resistant. He has proven himself as a material for monuments. As you know, steles are constantly on the street and are constantly tested by weather conditions. If there were no cracks on the granite slab, then the material will last more than a hundred years. If there were damages, then over time water will begin to collect in them, which in the frozen state will expand the fault and the granite fragment will crack. The material has a rich assortment of colors, depending on the percentage of impurities in the stone (from gray, greenish and brown). Absolute black is considered the most popular - black granite mined in India. Do not classify gabbro or gabbro diabase as this breed. These are dolerites, which are mined only in Australia, Ukraine and Russia. The igneous rock looks similar to granite (black with rare specks of gray or green), but belongs to another group of stones.
Marble.Externally beautiful, refined material that is inferior to granite in durability, but outperforms it when we compare the range of colors and textures. Marble cannot be treated with certain types of acids. The material is more loose than granite. Over time, ugly spots (from rains or adhering to moist soil) that can not be washed with anything can cover its surface.
Sandstone. Formed at the bottom of dried ponds from layers of packed sand. Lightweight material whose life is inferior to granite or marble. The surface of the sandstone, even after careful polishing, remains slightly rough. The stone is quite fragile, but withstands brilliance it withstands the test of high humidity and frost. Provides a high level of additional sound insulation.
Shell rock. A breed is formed from the remains of mollusks, which crumbled and caked on the seabed for hundreds of years. The material is lightweight, porous, has low thermal conductivity. Its surface, even with high-quality grinding, has a characteristic texture with dents, from which petrified ammonites sometimes “peep out”. Of shell rock often erected at home. The stone is sold in the form of blocks or tiles. Shell rock cannot be set on fire. For many years of being on the seabed, it is saturated with salt water and iodine. Shell rock is considered not only environmentally friendly, but also useful for humans.
Travertine or Tibur stone. It is a light, porous rock. It has an original texture and an assortment of colors within the shades of brown, gray or white. Some types of travertine remotely resemble marble surfaces.
Limestone. Refers to "marine" rocks, which are formed from caking the remains of living organisms, quartz, silicon, phosphate and particles of sand, clay. The material is very malleable: it is easy to saw and give the desired shape.Limestone is light, often used to decorate not only the foundation, but also the entire facade of the building. It is slightly inferior to sandstone in terms of operation.
Dolomite. Although the material is durable, it is quite flexible, and you should be careful when cutting the plate into fragments, as it is easy to get cracks. Dolomite is colored in shades of brown (from yellowish to coffee with milk).
Also for outdoor work sometimes use basalt, quartzite, slate. The surface of one of the varieties of the latter is studded with small shiny blotches that sparkle play in the sun.
The frightening information that granite and marble “fonit” does not deserve attention. The material, before it goes on sale, must be certified. The radioactivity of the stone is indicated in this document, which is attached to a quality product.
Artificial
The following types are included in the artificial stone group:
Clinker and ceramic facade;
Agglomerates;
Concrete
Acrylic
Clinker is obtained by firing refractory clay. It is not inferior in strength to natural stone and will last for more than one year. Ceramic stone for facades is made of feldspar, clay, sand with the addition of pigments. For exterior work, it is the facade option that is chosen, since it has special strength and frost resistance. Concrete stone is cast from the material of the same name, so it can be safely used for laying garden paths or decorating the facade of a house. Agglomerates (quartz composites) are obtained from quartz and polyester resins by pressing. The content of natural filler in this material is the highest, therefore, according to the characteristics, it is as close as possible to a natural analogue. Quartz composites exactly mimic the surface of marble and granite, but are many times lower. Of acrylic stone, tabletops and surfaces for furniture items are more often performed.Elastic and pliable facade materials are rarely used.
Stone Tips
Decorative stone (both artificial and natural) for outdoor use must meet certain requirements: it must be frost-resistant, moisture- and heat-resistant. It is desirable that the material additionally also has refractoriness. This will significantly reduce the risk of building fire. There should be no cracks, through holes, or other defects in a natural stone.
If available, the fragment will split sooner or later. When it comes to granite or marble, the surface of the rock should be perfectly smooth. Reliable manufacturers must carefully paint artificial stone not only outside but also inside. The second nuance can be checked by looking at the side cut of the tile or panel. Be sure to ask the manufacturer for certificates of conformity for the goods. If not, then you can leave the store immediately. Traditionally, the thickness of the stone for decoration does not exceed 4 cm.
Stone color selection
Natural stone does not have a uniform color. On its surface small inclusions will necessarily be present. The more uniform the color and less impurities, the more expensive the material. The main color scheme of natural stone is gray-brown-white. Of course, marble or granite can have a greenish, reddish, pinkish tint or even be black with silver streaks. Slate, for example, has a dark gray “asphalt” color. For artificial stone, there are no restrictions in the color scheme. Some manufacturers experiment with shades and offer consumers even unexpected orange, deep blue, purple or green tones.
Each style has its own stone
Slate approaches houses whose facades are decorated in high-tech style. The same direction is well combined with granite and marble of certain colors.However, these materials have been used for quite some time, so they will be suitable for classicism. English mansions were traditionally built of stone. To stylize a country house under the British ethnics, use torn masonry made of sandstone or slate. Antique and colonial style is suitable for exterior decoration with limestone or shell rock. Facades from dolomite look good in the style of Provence and a number of ethnic areas. The sandstone is in harmony with modern potpourri trends: fusion and eclecticism.
Features of facade cladding with natural stone
Natural stone, due to its heavy weight, creates an additional load on the walls. This has already been mentioned above. The entire process of facing work is conditionally divided into several stages:
Surface preparation;
Laying stone fragments;
Finishing grouting.
Let's talk about each of the stages in more detail.
Wall preparation
To begin with, the walls are cleaned of a layer of old decorative material (if any) and dirt. If the surface is smooth, then you can not do without a reinforcing mesh. For walls made of brick, the ribs of which will provide additional coupling, you can not resort to additional reinforcement. In other cases, a reinforcing mesh is still needed. It is fixed to the surface with dowels throughout the decorated area. The consumption of fasteners will be approximately 10 pcs. for every square meter.
Material preparation and stone laying on the wall
To begin with, measure the starting level. Putting the first stones follows at the corners. A thread is pulled between the two elements. It will become a guide for the correct arrangement of fragments. This rule applies only to even rows. If the styling is chaotic, then these subtleties are not needed at all. Then they begin to lay out the ranks. The back side of each stone must be coated with cement mortar, as well as the wall section on which it is fixed.A fragment is tapped with a hammer on top to fix it better.
The base is usually finished with the same type of stone as the rest of the facade, but a couple of shades darker. This will hide the spots that the soil will leave during the rainy season.
Grouting
Grouting is done after the cement mortar has completely dried. It is carried out using a special composition, which is bred in a clean container before work. Grout is applied to the seams using a rubber spatula or a special “bag” that looks like a pastry syringe. It is advisable to grout in the warm season. Frost on the street will not contribute to the consolidation of the composition.
Features of facade cladding with artificial stone
It is much easier to work with artificial stone than with natural stone. It is less heavy, easier to cut and more pliable, which allows even complex elements to be veneered. Surface preparation for work with imitation does not differ from the same stage when laying natural stone. You can work with the material only in the warm season, when the temperature does not drop below 5 degrees. And then the fun begins - the choice of the type of styling:
With jointing;
Seamless
No jointing.
Consider the features of each method.
Seamless masonry
With seamless laying, fragments of artificial stone are fitted as close to each other as possible. It turns out a solid surface, which is practically devoid of joints between pieces. To achieve a similar effect, they acquire elements whose edges do not have a chamfer (bevel). The solution lubricates only the reverse sides of the stones. Excess composition is immediately removed from the surface. During the work, the fragments are adjusted to fit each other. To do this, use a grinder to cut off the excess. They begin to work from the corners according to the traditional pattern.
Masonry without jointing
Artificial stone is represented by identical fragments, like bricks.Pre-lay them out is not required. The main thing is that “dressing” should be carried out: each subsequent row has a shift relative to the previous one. It can be half or a quarter of the length of the edge of the fragment. In this case, transverse seams will not be formed, which means that the jointing is not needed. If you use masonry without "dressing", then the builder risks it. The stitching of the seams allows you to cover the frozen cement with an additional protective layer, which over time can still begin to crumble. Masonry without jointing is used in cases where it is necessary to get a slightly rough appearance of the facade, if this is due to a stylistic solution. For example, for country a similar option would be justified.
Conclusion
The facade of the house is really transformed by yourself. For work with stone, it is not at all necessary to involve a whole team of workers and, accordingly, overpay for repairs. A couple of voluntary assistants are enough to give valuable advice and moral support for the newcomer. Although natural stone is an environmentally friendly and durable material, in recent years, more and more consumers prefer imitation. Their relatively short service life plays into the hands, as the bored finish can be replaced after five years by a new, fresh one that meets fashion trends in the exterior design. There are conservatives who adhere to traditional options with expensive granite or luxurious marble. These materials are able to make "candy" even from a shack.
Decorative stone has been used for outdoor decoration for quite some time. This material allows you to give an ugly building an aristocratic gloss or, conversely, to age a new building, to award it with “history”. Depending on the financial capabilities of the owners, a natural and artificial decorative stone is used to decorate the house. Both materials have a set of advantages and are not without drawbacks. Compare the options, consider the types of surface textures, their stylistic affiliation and styling methods.
Content
Advantages and disadvantages of decorative stone for facade cladding
Under the name "decorative" often mean artificial material. In fact, this definition applies to any type of stone that serves as a decoration of the facade of a house. Natural also belongs to this category, because it is used only in the form of facing, and not building material.
Let's try to compare both options:
Decorative stone trim sometimes includes products made of soft materials (plastic, gypsum, polystyrene). They are not suitable for facing the facade at all.
Types of decorative stone for outdoor use
As mentioned above, there are two large groups of stone used for outdoor work:
Each group includes dozens of varieties that are united only by origin: made by human hands or obtained by natural means. Consider the most popular options.
Natural
Representatives of a group of natural stones that are constantly heard: granite, marble, sandstone, shell rock, travertine, limestone and dolomite. Let's talk about each of them in more detail:
Also for outdoor work sometimes use basalt, quartzite, slate. The surface of one of the varieties of the latter is studded with small shiny blotches that sparkle play in the sun.
Artificial
The following types are included in the artificial stone group:
Clinker is obtained by firing refractory clay. It is not inferior in strength to natural stone and will last for more than one year. Ceramic stone for facades is made of feldspar, clay, sand with the addition of pigments. For exterior work, it is the facade option that is chosen, since it has special strength and frost resistance. Concrete stone is cast from the material of the same name, so it can be safely used for laying garden paths or decorating the facade of a house. Agglomerates (quartz composites) are obtained from quartz and polyester resins by pressing. The content of natural filler in this material is the highest, therefore, according to the characteristics, it is as close as possible to a natural analogue. Quartz composites exactly mimic the surface of marble and granite, but are many times lower. Of acrylic stone, tabletops and surfaces for furniture items are more often performed.Elastic and pliable facade materials are rarely used.
Stone Tips
Decorative stone (both artificial and natural) for outdoor use must meet certain requirements: it must be frost-resistant, moisture- and heat-resistant. It is desirable that the material additionally also has refractoriness. This will significantly reduce the risk of building fire. There should be no cracks, through holes, or other defects in a natural stone.
If available, the fragment will split sooner or later. When it comes to granite or marble, the surface of the rock should be perfectly smooth. Reliable manufacturers must carefully paint artificial stone not only outside but also inside. The second nuance can be checked by looking at the side cut of the tile or panel. Be sure to ask the manufacturer for certificates of conformity for the goods. If not, then you can leave the store immediately. Traditionally, the thickness of the stone for decoration does not exceed 4 cm.
Stone color selection
Natural stone does not have a uniform color. On its surface small inclusions will necessarily be present. The more uniform the color and less impurities, the more expensive the material. The main color scheme of natural stone is gray-brown-white. Of course, marble or granite can have a greenish, reddish, pinkish tint or even be black with silver streaks. Slate, for example, has a dark gray “asphalt” color. For artificial stone, there are no restrictions in the color scheme. Some manufacturers experiment with shades and offer consumers even unexpected orange, deep blue, purple or green tones.
Each style has its own stone
Slate approaches houses whose facades are decorated in high-tech style. The same direction is well combined with granite and marble of certain colors.However, these materials have been used for quite some time, so they will be suitable for classicism. English mansions were traditionally built of stone. To stylize a country house under the British ethnics, use torn masonry made of sandstone or slate. Antique and colonial style is suitable for exterior decoration with limestone or shell rock. Facades from dolomite look good in the style of Provence and a number of ethnic areas. The sandstone is in harmony with modern potpourri trends: fusion and eclecticism.
Features of facade cladding with natural stone
Natural stone, due to its heavy weight, creates an additional load on the walls. This has already been mentioned above. The entire process of facing work is conditionally divided into several stages:
Let's talk about each of the stages in more detail.
Wall preparation
To begin with, the walls are cleaned of a layer of old decorative material (if any) and dirt. If the surface is smooth, then you can not do without a reinforcing mesh. For walls made of brick, the ribs of which will provide additional coupling, you can not resort to additional reinforcement. In other cases, a reinforcing mesh is still needed. It is fixed to the surface with dowels throughout the decorated area. The consumption of fasteners will be approximately 10 pcs. for every square meter.
Material preparation and stone laying on the wall
To begin with, measure the starting level. Putting the first stones follows at the corners. A thread is pulled between the two elements. It will become a guide for the correct arrangement of fragments. This rule applies only to even rows. If the styling is chaotic, then these subtleties are not needed at all. Then they begin to lay out the ranks. The back side of each stone must be coated with cement mortar, as well as the wall section on which it is fixed.A fragment is tapped with a hammer on top to fix it better.
Grouting
Grouting is done after the cement mortar has completely dried. It is carried out using a special composition, which is bred in a clean container before work. Grout is applied to the seams using a rubber spatula or a special “bag” that looks like a pastry syringe. It is advisable to grout in the warm season. Frost on the street will not contribute to the consolidation of the composition.
Features of facade cladding with artificial stone
It is much easier to work with artificial stone than with natural stone. It is less heavy, easier to cut and more pliable, which allows even complex elements to be veneered. Surface preparation for work with imitation does not differ from the same stage when laying natural stone. You can work with the material only in the warm season, when the temperature does not drop below 5 degrees. And then the fun begins - the choice of the type of styling:
Consider the features of each method.
Seamless masonry
With seamless laying, fragments of artificial stone are fitted as close to each other as possible. It turns out a solid surface, which is practically devoid of joints between pieces. To achieve a similar effect, they acquire elements whose edges do not have a chamfer (bevel). The solution lubricates only the reverse sides of the stones. Excess composition is immediately removed from the surface. During the work, the fragments are adjusted to fit each other. To do this, use a grinder to cut off the excess. They begin to work from the corners according to the traditional pattern.
Masonry without jointing
Artificial stone is represented by identical fragments, like bricks.Pre-lay them out is not required. The main thing is that “dressing” should be carried out: each subsequent row has a shift relative to the previous one. It can be half or a quarter of the length of the edge of the fragment. In this case, transverse seams will not be formed, which means that the jointing is not needed. If you use masonry without "dressing", then the builder risks it. The stitching of the seams allows you to cover the frozen cement with an additional protective layer, which over time can still begin to crumble. Masonry without jointing is used in cases where it is necessary to get a slightly rough appearance of the facade, if this is due to a stylistic solution. For example, for country a similar option would be justified.
Conclusion
The facade of the house is really transformed by yourself. For work with stone, it is not at all necessary to involve a whole team of workers and, accordingly, overpay for repairs. A couple of voluntary assistants are enough to give valuable advice and moral support for the newcomer. Although natural stone is an environmentally friendly and durable material, in recent years, more and more consumers prefer imitation. Their relatively short service life plays into the hands, as the bored finish can be replaced after five years by a new, fresh one that meets fashion trends in the exterior design. There are conservatives who adhere to traditional options with expensive granite or luxurious marble. These materials are able to make "candy" even from a shack.