Natural elements in an apartment, house or office - this is a spectacular design solution that will give a special piquancy to any room. Moreover, it is not necessary to make a single interior style, individual inserts and eclecticism are permissible. For example, a wall made of “wild stone” looks interesting in a room in a marine style or in a la hi-tech kitchen. But even for a classic living room such an element can be used. And as for the lofts, ethnic and Scandinavian interior, the tile will become the main forming material in them. Today it is in trend. Laconic design and rough, but at the same time elegant simplicity come into fashion, and with the improvement of production technologies to simulate natural materials, decorative stone-faced decorative tiles look realistic.
The popularity of this design supports the fashionable direction of a healthy lifestyle, ecology.
The widespread use of artificial tiles that mimic a wall of cobblestones is due to its advantages. Material advantages:
the installation of tiles of such a plan does not require special skills and can be done independently, subject to the availability of basic knowledge in repair and construction;
this material weighs less than cement tile, therefore it is fixed even on drywall;
budget options are presented in the product line (the minimum cost depends on the region, in Moscow, for example, according to the price lists of individual companies, prices start from 450 rubles / sq.m.);
the material has increased refractoriness and does not conduct electric current, therefore it can be used in the repair of a kitchen or a nursery;
the tile has excellent heat-conducting and sound insulating properties;
natural elements adorn any interior;
This material is environmentally friendly;
There are a lot of modifications of the tile, it can recreate any kind of stone or brick.
disadvantages
But when choosing a building material it is impossible to focus only on the positive aspects. It is better to be aware of all its shortcomings in advance, in order to minimize them during application. You need to understand what you have to sacrifice if you choose this particular tile, and not something else. The main disadvantages of the material:
gypsum products begin to deform quickly due to the high moisture absorption of the tile, this can be avoided with the help of various substances (you can use a special primer in advance, for example, Primer X94);
decorative tile breaks easily, does not have high strength and resistance to abrasive influences, so when installing it should be careful;
the material has poor frost resistance;
“Wild stone” collects dust due to the relief surface and requires frequent cleaning, therefore it is better to varnish it after installation (a non-cloudy surface is treated with a solution of 50 ml of fabric softener dissolved in 200 ml of water).
Kinds
There are several classifications of tiles for natural stone. One of them shares the varieties of this material by application. Types of decorative tiles, depending on the application:
facade - used for exterior wall cladding of buildings in the private and commercial sector. Its features include the lack of a mechanical connection (not including grouting) between adjacent elements, the need to seal the seams and the waterproofness of the entire canvas;
floor - made of PVC or porcelain stoneware. The floor tile is chemically neutral, does not rub off, does not deteriorate from sudden changes in temperature, and also has high strength. The most resistant flooring is paving;
wall - used for interior decoration. It weighs easily, and therefore simplifies the installation process. Such tiles have a huge number of design varieties (for example, tiles in the bathroom);
ceiling - has the smallest weight of all types of decorative tiles. Its thickness should be no more than 1 centimeter to cover the entire ceiling of the room with it.
Gypsum
Tiles are produced in two versions: gypsum and ceramics. Gypsum tiles typically mimic a natural stone or brick wall. It is durable, allows you to forget about redecorating the room for many years to come. Distinguished between painted and unpainted, smooth or embossed varieties of material. It is used for decorating closed loggias and balconies, walls and ceilings in rooms and corridors. Gypsum is used to decorate home fireplaces, but for fire safety it is better to equip them with heat-insulating panels.The natural composition of gypsum allows you to maintain a favorable microclimate. But still, this material is not used in the decoration of bathtubs and saunas due to high moisture absorption. For the same reasons, after installation in any room, the tile is treated with a hydrophobizing agent.
No substances will help cope with the "wild stone" of gypsum with climatic factors, so it is not used in the outer cladding of houses.
Ceramic
Ceramic tile has increased durability and strength. It is able to withstand a variety of mechanical loads without damaging its integral structure. The material is used in facade decoration, as it is not subject to the climatic effects of the environment (although, of course, when choosing a product and brand it is necessary to focus on regional characteristics). But the main role is played by ceramic tiles in the interior of the living room, dining room, kitchen, hallway and bathroom. If you want the room to look “richer”, you can make inserts from tiles that mimic marble or onyx. Moreover, in accordance with international standards, this material practically does not differ from natural analogues in its technical properties and appearance. A wide range of ceramic stone tiles allows you to choose the best material option for absolutely any architectural solution. Moreover, it does not absorb dirt and odors, and therefore is convenient in operation.
Colors
The color schemes of the tiles are diverse and completely imitate the elements of nature. Moreover, the double technology of painting the relief base leads to the fact that there are no two identical tiles. The color of the veins and bulges will always vary. The choice of shade depends on the style and personal preferences of the designer, but anyway, when using this material, you should rely on a natural palette. It is customary to classify decorative tiles by color depending on the type of stone that is imitated.The following types are distinguished:
imitation marbled involves the use of white, black and beige with a small interspersed gray shade;
Malachite tiles should be dark green with some stains;
onyx will be presented in pink, amber and light green flowers;
gray and beige shades are suitable for decorative sandstone;
artificial slate has a brown, gray-green hue with light veins;
a mixture of stones involves the use of natural shades (brown, white, reddish, etc.).
Application
There are a huge number of options for using decorative brick tiles. Conventionally, they can be divided into standard and non-standard. Standard methods include:
decorating a separate corner of the kitchen (for example, next to a gas stove);
facing of internal and external walls;
creation of a special “Christmas” cosiness due to the edging of the fireplace;
decoration of bathrooms;
use for windows and doors;
edging mirrors, etc.
As non-standard (conditionally) ways to use artificial stone are called:
lining the working surface of the kitchen set, which smoothly turns into an apron (while dirt does not accumulate under the bottom edge of the apron tile);
decor of old furniture;
from a broken tile (the material is fragile, something will be broken during installation) you can make a small panel on the wall;
decoration of garden benches, flower beds and pots;
from a white wall tile you can make a custom canvas for adults and children (you need to draw on it using special paints for glass or ceramics);
decoration of stairs in the cottage;
excess tiles can be used as a stand for hot or cold dishes.
How to choose?
Artificial decorative stone for exterior and interior decoration is selected based on the parameter of price, durability, reliability, ease of use and appearance.You should also carefully consider the manufacturer of the goods. If the company has long established itself in the market and has a wide range of products, then its decorative tile is quite possible to purchase. According to the law, tiles are not subject to mandatory certification, but the presence of such a document indicates that the company is attentive to its consumer and conducts product testing (if a large holding buys goods from a small manufacturing company, it always requires technical documentation for inspections). If the consultant refuses to provide quality certificates, you should think about the appropriateness of making a purchase.
When choosing a fake stone, you need to pay attention to its frost resistance indicators. The larger they are, the longer the material will last (this applies not only to the facade, but also to the inner lining). The correct tile has a textured surface, indistinguishable from ordinary natural stone. When buying a tile, you need to look at its surface. If it is porous, then this indicates a violation of production technology (for example, the injection mixture was moved). Such a stone will be short-lived, moisture will begin to enter the pores that will lead to the destruction of the material. You should also pay attention to the thickness of the product. Depending on the purpose of the tile, it varies from 1 to 5 centimeters. Ideally, the thickness of the stone should be uniform over its entire length and width. In case of irregularities, such decorative tiles will be difficult to lay on the wall or floor, additional finishing work will be required to restore the marriage (at least visually).
Stacking
The whole process of laying artificial stone is divided into the following stages:
First, the old coating is dismantled. If you plan to decorate the entire wall or ceiling, then the coating is removed completely. Otherwise, only a part is deleted.
Then the walls are leveled, since it is necessary to lay the stone on a smooth surface.Cracks are putty, and large drops and slopes are sanding.
After sanding, the stage of priming begins. Before this, the surface should be cleaned of dust and other dirt. Only after that the site is treated with a primer (preferably acrylic).
The tile has uneven edges, so it must be assembled like a puzzle on the floor using a meter. Identical fragments should come in contact with larger and smaller ones.
Then glue should be prepared (it should be thick and uniform without lumps) and proceed with the installation itself, paying particular attention to the corner joints.
After laying the tiles, wait 3 to 10 days, depending on the type of glue and the characteristics of the room. Only after this period, the tile adhesive will finally dry out, and the design itself will become durable.
How to care?
Care for decorative tiles consists in timely dusting. To avoid problems with excess moisture, the lining is treated with hydrophobic sprays. Thanks to this coating, the tile can be washed in the future. But it is better to use not a usual, but a special rag with microfiber for its processing. Also suitable for spraying flowers. Vacuum cleaning (preferably washing) will be effective. For some surfaces a static broom is shown, but it is necessary exclusively for dry cleaning. An ordinary porous sponge is suitable for cleaning a kitchen apron. As detergents, it is better to choose special tools for processing artificial stone. Sometimes they use fabric softener, but you do not need to abuse this method, since the surface of the tile can deteriorate. The frequency of cleaning decorative stone depends on the humidity of the room, as well as the presence in the apartment (house, office) of objects collecting dust.
Conclusion
Tile is an excellent interior solution for any room. It’s just that for each design development a certain type of material is used.Artificial stone helps to focus on important details in the interior and dilutes the monotonous finish. Due to the ease of installation, it can be put even with your own hands without the help of tiled specialists, which reduces the cost of repair. If necessary, a person will choose tiles of any price category and quality. And the strength shortcomings that are inherent in artificial stone practically do not manifest themselves with proper installation and further operation. The key advantage of artificial tile is that it is mounted after the overhaul is completed and is in perfect harmony with any building materials.
Natural elements in an apartment, house or office - this is a spectacular design solution that will give a special piquancy to any room. Moreover, it is not necessary to make a single interior style, individual inserts and eclecticism are permissible. For example, a wall made of “wild stone” looks interesting in a room in a marine style or in a la hi-tech kitchen. But even for a classic living room such an element can be used. And as for the lofts, ethnic and Scandinavian interior, the tile will become the main forming material in them. Today it is in trend. Laconic design and rough, but at the same time elegant simplicity come into fashion, and with the improvement of production technologies to simulate natural materials, decorative stone-faced decorative tiles look realistic.
Content
Benefits
The widespread use of artificial tiles that mimic a wall of cobblestones is due to its advantages. Material advantages:
disadvantages
But when choosing a building material it is impossible to focus only on the positive aspects. It is better to be aware of all its shortcomings in advance, in order to minimize them during application. You need to understand what you have to sacrifice if you choose this particular tile, and not something else. The main disadvantages of the material:
Kinds
There are several classifications of tiles for natural stone. One of them shares the varieties of this material by application. Types of decorative tiles, depending on the application:
Gypsum
Tiles are produced in two versions: gypsum and ceramics. Gypsum tiles typically mimic a natural stone or brick wall. It is durable, allows you to forget about redecorating the room for many years to come. Distinguished between painted and unpainted, smooth or embossed varieties of material. It is used for decorating closed loggias and balconies, walls and ceilings in rooms and corridors. Gypsum is used to decorate home fireplaces, but for fire safety it is better to equip them with heat-insulating panels.The natural composition of gypsum allows you to maintain a favorable microclimate. But still, this material is not used in the decoration of bathtubs and saunas due to high moisture absorption. For the same reasons, after installation in any room, the tile is treated with a hydrophobizing agent.
Ceramic
Ceramic tile has increased durability and strength. It is able to withstand a variety of mechanical loads without damaging its integral structure. The material is used in facade decoration, as it is not subject to the climatic effects of the environment (although, of course, when choosing a product and brand it is necessary to focus on regional characteristics). But the main role is played by ceramic tiles in the interior of the living room, dining room, kitchen, hallway and bathroom. If you want the room to look “richer”, you can make inserts from tiles that mimic marble or onyx. Moreover, in accordance with international standards, this material practically does not differ from natural analogues in its technical properties and appearance. A wide range of ceramic stone tiles allows you to choose the best material option for absolutely any architectural solution. Moreover, it does not absorb dirt and odors, and therefore is convenient in operation.
Colors
The color schemes of the tiles are diverse and completely imitate the elements of nature. Moreover, the double technology of painting the relief base leads to the fact that there are no two identical tiles. The color of the veins and bulges will always vary. The choice of shade depends on the style and personal preferences of the designer, but anyway, when using this material, you should rely on a natural palette. It is customary to classify decorative tiles by color depending on the type of stone that is imitated.The following types are distinguished:
Application
There are a huge number of options for using decorative brick tiles. Conventionally, they can be divided into standard and non-standard. Standard methods include:
As non-standard (conditionally) ways to use artificial stone are called:
How to choose?
Artificial decorative stone for exterior and interior decoration is selected based on the parameter of price, durability, reliability, ease of use and appearance.You should also carefully consider the manufacturer of the goods. If the company has long established itself in the market and has a wide range of products, then its decorative tile is quite possible to purchase. According to the law, tiles are not subject to mandatory certification, but the presence of such a document indicates that the company is attentive to its consumer and conducts product testing (if a large holding buys goods from a small manufacturing company, it always requires technical documentation for inspections). If the consultant refuses to provide quality certificates, you should think about the appropriateness of making a purchase.
When choosing a fake stone, you need to pay attention to its frost resistance indicators. The larger they are, the longer the material will last (this applies not only to the facade, but also to the inner lining). The correct tile has a textured surface, indistinguishable from ordinary natural stone. When buying a tile, you need to look at its surface. If it is porous, then this indicates a violation of production technology (for example, the injection mixture was moved). Such a stone will be short-lived, moisture will begin to enter the pores that will lead to the destruction of the material. You should also pay attention to the thickness of the product. Depending on the purpose of the tile, it varies from 1 to 5 centimeters. Ideally, the thickness of the stone should be uniform over its entire length and width. In case of irregularities, such decorative tiles will be difficult to lay on the wall or floor, additional finishing work will be required to restore the marriage (at least visually).
Stacking
The whole process of laying artificial stone is divided into the following stages:
How to care?
Care for decorative tiles consists in timely dusting. To avoid problems with excess moisture, the lining is treated with hydrophobic sprays. Thanks to this coating, the tile can be washed in the future. But it is better to use not a usual, but a special rag with microfiber for its processing. Also suitable for spraying flowers. Vacuum cleaning (preferably washing) will be effective. For some surfaces a static broom is shown, but it is necessary exclusively for dry cleaning. An ordinary porous sponge is suitable for cleaning a kitchen apron. As detergents, it is better to choose special tools for processing artificial stone. Sometimes they use fabric softener, but you do not need to abuse this method, since the surface of the tile can deteriorate. The frequency of cleaning decorative stone depends on the humidity of the room, as well as the presence in the apartment (house, office) of objects collecting dust.
Conclusion
Tile is an excellent interior solution for any room. It’s just that for each design development a certain type of material is used.Artificial stone helps to focus on important details in the interior and dilutes the monotonous finish. Due to the ease of installation, it can be put even with your own hands without the help of tiled specialists, which reduces the cost of repair. If necessary, a person will choose tiles of any price category and quality. And the strength shortcomings that are inherent in artificial stone practically do not manifest themselves with proper installation and further operation. The key advantage of artificial tile is that it is mounted after the overhaul is completed and is in perfect harmony with any building materials.