Overview of the artificial stone market: varieties of artificial stone products, tricks and rules of masonry, typical facing errors
Parishing "Maple Leaf" (Foreland). Price 1m2- 1380-1500rub.
Photo R.Shelomentsev
A wide opening portal between the living room and the kitchen is decorated with a decorative stone from the "fine Plast" collection ("perfect stone"). Price 1m2 and 1 pose. M- 1130-1320rub.
Collection "Dolomite Wall" (Kamrock). Suture grout replaces metal profile
When finishing the facade of the building accentuated the entrance group. The decorative stone is perfectly combined with wood, ceramics, plaster
Architectural Decor in the form of bas-reliefs
"Perfect stone"
"Perfect stone"
New: Stone "Scythian" (4), price 1m2-950-1100rub.; Facing brick "Vienna Clinker" (5), price 1m2- 700-820rub. ("Perfect stone")
Facing prices depend on the remoteness of the object, the type of stone, the method of laying (with or without seam), the number of decorative elements, windows and doors
White Hills.
White Hills.
New: artificial stone from the collections "Till" (6) and "Lorn" (7), the price is 1m2-960-1050 rubles. (WHITE HILLS)
Successful combination of support pillars lined with artificial stone and brickwork
Cutting plate of artificial stone for supporting columns of stairs and fences, 3838cm, thickness - 8-11cm, price 1 pc.- 275rub. (Kamrock)
Fence from blocks 380190188mm and Eurocarpich 25012088mm, price 1pc. - 55 and 15 rubles. (Rosser)
Specific coloring of decorative facing bricks creates the effect of motley old brick masonry
Kamrock.
Kamrock.
Novelty Kamrock: Stone from the collections "Southern Fort" (11), price- 1350rub.; "Karelian Plateau" (12), the price is 1550rub.
Properly equipped drainage system will protect the decorative cladding of the building from the excessive effects of rainwater and will prolong its service life
Photo E.Kulibaba
The "green corner" of a small loggia is decorated with light fine-fucked artificial stone
Photo S. Morgunov
Bricks and stones with shallow texture - a successful solution for fragmentary finishing of interiors. There are no sharp, protruding embossed areas on their surface, and therefore they are not intended
Facing brick is appropriate in the interior, and in the exterior. New collection "Cologne Brik", price 1m2- 750 rub. (WHITE HILLS)
Branded consumables - the collateral of high-quality cladding
Artificial stone does not need additional protection, but hydrophobic compositions have a positive effect on its appearance and service life.
Foreland.
Foreland.
Foreland stone from Rock collections (13), price 1m2- 1354 rub.; "East Limestone", Decor (14), price 1m2- 3532 rub.
Specively applying a decorative stone, you can give the composition of the facade special expressiveness
Out of any country houses either enervate, thanks to the artificial stone there is always the opportunity to give the facades a monumental appearance, turn the thin partitions into the "brick" walls, to shock the platforms and paths with "ancient" cobblestones. It is important to remember that such a finish looks organically only if the techniques are applied and the rules of the real stone masonry are applied.
Artificial facing, or decorative, the stone reliably reproduces the form, color, texture of real rocks: smooth and sawn, brushing and reservoir, river boulders and pebbles, and has long been used in the construction of sandstone, limestone, slate, tuff. The adjective "artificial" in the title of this material is not synonymous with the word "synthetic" - rather, it indicates its non-existence. The main components of such a stone cement (as a binding component), various fillers (clay, perlite, pemps or mixtures thereof) and pigments. Sometimes plasticizers are introduced to improving properties to its composition, anti-corrosive additives. The price of 1m2 is 750-1400 rubles.
Among the leading manufacturers of this product - the company Chelsea Stone, Eurokam, Foreland, Kamrock, White Hills, "Perfect Stone", "Stroymaster", "Ecolt Trade" (all- Russia). The assortment of each of them includes more than 20-30 collections of stone differing in natural prototypes and color range, several types of thin-walled facing bricks, a variety of decorative elements, original paving slabs, blocking, border stones and flows. No limited freedom of choice of textures and colors helps to create real wonders with facades and grounds of the most ordinary buildings, modify the elements of the landscape architecture - grotto and retaining walls, mountaineering, tracks, the most unexpected way to transform walls, fireplace portals, columns and other interior details. It only remains to choose the appropriate collection of stone and decor, and then fade the walls, following the traditions of a certain era.
Middle of terminology
An artificial stone is called not only products from the formed painted concrete, this term is used to another group of composite materials. These are agglomerates, 95% consisting of marble, quartzite, granite in the form of small crumbs or large (2-3cm) fragments, fillers (calcium carbonate, crushed siliceous raw materials) and organic pigments; The remaining 5% of their composition occupies a polyester resin, playing the role of the binder. Extremely spectacular stones based on marble and granite, quartz compositions are homogeneous or with the inclusion of glass, as well as combinations of quartz, glass, pearl.
The following companies produce agglomerates: "Factory of Composite Materials" - Brand Brand Plaza Stone (Russia), Bisazza, Quarella, Rover, Santa Margherita, Trend (All Italy), COSENTINO-Brand SILESTONE, MARMOL COMPAC (BUSIA), TECHNISTONE (Czech Republic). This kind of artificial stone is produced in the form of a variety of tiles or blanks, which are subsequently subjected to complex machining for the manufacture of tabletops, windowsill and other shaped elements.
The same type of materials includes decorative composite stones based on acrylic compounds and mineral filler (metal oxide). They are known under the trademarks of Corian, Montelli (International Concern DuPont), Hi-Macs and Volcanics (LG), Staron (Samsung), Getacore (WestageTali), Rausolid (Rehau) (Oba Germany).
No past there is no future
Each year, manufacturers offer constructive buyers new collections of artificial stone, expand the range of decors. Interesting ideas are born after a thorough study of traditional European and domestic buildings, such as Belarusian Assumption (1160) and Dmitrievsky (1197) Cathedrals in Vladimir, the Church of Pokrov on Novly (1165), recognized by world masterpieces. These are the most ancient cult facilities. The buildings of civilian purposes in those days in Russia, rich in the forest, were erected from wood, and even in the cities of the house were wooden, majestic cathedrals from stone were elevated in the largest. While European cities with a warmer and soft climate are mostly stone, and one of the main attractions of the Rome-famous Pantheon (IIB. N. E.), or the "temple of all the gods", - older than our cathedrals for almost a whole millennium.
Plaza Stone | 
Plaza Stone | 
Plaza Stone |
The variety of structures, colors and textures of quartz agglomerates depends on the size of quartz fractions (1.2), decorative additives, coloring pigments and type of surface treatment (3).
It would seem stone-material is purely functional. But the samples of ancient architecture came to this day, a vivid example of a combination of useful and decorative properties of stone elements. According to experts, it is relevant today. Daily low-rise building the appearance of most facades predetermine technological techniques and materials that are used in the construction of the house and are responsible for the reliable and long-term protection of its inhabitants from external influences. The walls of many buildings are lined with decorative artificial stone to simulate genuine stone masonry.
For example, the construction of antiquity times was made of large stones. It was expensive to stick them to the same size, and cements that are used now. A peculiar leveling layer became a strip of narrow stones. It was allowed about every meter of the wall. Of the processed parts, only important structural elements were collected: arches, window openings, angles. Consequently, the combination of large-format and small stones not only makes the face of the facade original, but also meets the technological laws of construction.
It is equally important to correctly install the elements that became decorative in the collections of artificial stone, but were initially necessary in real construction. The books include clincling and ampace jumpers of semicircular openings of windows, doors, arches. The arc of the desired radius is laid out of a stone or bricks with wedge-shaped seams, in the center of the jumper strictly vertically, the castle stone. Such structures are in a special way distribute the load and are at the same time interesting architectural details.
Do not save on the purchase of angular elements that are part of all collections of artificial stone. Otherwise, no matter how beautiful the walls of the house are, one look at the angle, where the material is connected by the jack, dispels the illusion of naturalness, volume, and the "stone" will turn into a conventional facing tile.
Stacks of view of architecture The most winning cladding looks with the right ratio of the size of stone elements and the scale of the structure. It is not by chance that the interiors are advised to acquire collections consisting of small stones; The largest natural and more organic look at the facade of buildings. Optimal dimensions are chosen using computer simulation programs. Developing a collection of artificial stone, manufacturers take into account the convenience of work and try to minimize waste. Therefore, most rectangular elements have multiple sizes, but a different-dimensional modular. That is, on the 1m2 area, they can be placed without trimming, which means there will be no waste. In addition, it is calculated how many large and small stones are contained on 1m2 or in one pack.
Chelsea Stone | 
Chelsea Stone | 
Chelsea Stone |
Chelsea Stone | 
Chelsea Stone |
Decorative elements:
A-tile "Flowers" 29,791,5cm, the price is 210 rubles;
b-border 2011,80,8-3cm, price- 135rub.;
in-caps flat 37262610cm, the price is 1220rub.;
M-arched platband 33153.5 cm, price- 300rub.;
D-Capitel column 1716165cm, price- 920 rub.
Brick as decor element
One of the varieties of artificial stone-thinned facing brick enjoys greatly popularity. The thickness of the "brick" tiles is 0.7-2CM. Price 1m2-680-820rub. The facing version is in demand in the interiors, especially in cases where the need arises to build a "brick" wall without increasing the load on overlapping and reducing the useful area of corridors and rooms. Yes, and a country house, folded from foam concrete, after decoration with this material will be attractive, so to speak, anfasis and will find quite an aristocratic profile.The attention of the connoisseurs of antiquities will attract the collections of an ancient or aged brick. They are characterized by some heterogeneity of elements in size and color inherent in real ancient products. The mastering times of the masters knead the solution manually, not always accurately withstanding the ratio of sand and clay. When firing in the ovens, the workpieces were soaked in different ways, and as a result, bricks were slightly different from each other format and shades.
To reproduce a masonry with various dressing - Venetian, Flemish, English, - apply a facing brick, which reproduces the spoonful or tonge side of the ordinary brick. The combination of elements of different types and colors will revitalize the masonry with original geometric ornaments.
Working with decorative brick is not at all difficult. It is important to note the horizontal lines and strictly follow them. One nuance: If the house stands on the hill, when finishing the wall located along the slope, it must be taken into account and in no case do not put bricks along the land line, which is sometimes practiced by unrelated workers, but only horizontally, cutting down the bottom stones.
Opinion of a specialist
Choosing an artificial stone, it is worth paying attention to such a characteristic as a storage stamp. For normal operation, the stone is quite enough strength 150-200kg / cm2. But at the height of the construction season, the situation is often noted when the material does not allow 28 days (for this period, concrete products are gaining complete strength), and shipped after 3-5 days after the manufacture, with 30% of the vintage strength. It is unlikely that such a stone will reach the destination without a fight, chips and scuffs. So that this does not happen, the material should be purchased in advance, without waiting for an attachment demand, or buy products with the highest grade of strength, and confirmed by official documents.
Note that according to the norms in the transport process, we will admit a fight in a volume of 3-5%. Its quantity may increase already at the object, for example, if workers casually refer to the material. But fragments are not thrown away. Competent stackers use defective elements in places of adjustment to windows, doors, decorative inserts, where anyway, artificial stones have to be written.
Denis Panov, CEO of WHITE HILLS
Attention: Decors
With all the variety of species of artificial facing stone, a special flavor to the finish of facades and interiors makes various decorative elements made of the same material. Very unusual series "Vladimir Rus" (Kamrock), consisting of 12 bas-reliefs created based on the blonde patterns of the Dmitrievsky Cathedral in Vladimir. Images of decors are carried by the echoes of the pagan times, when a person trembled to all kinds of overamages. The salary goddess of the morning in Slavic mythologies protects children, brings them health and joy. The cereal deer, described in various fairy tales and myths, attracts good luck. Favong God fun, carelessness and abundance. Life is a patron of marriage bed, protects love and consent to the family. Royal Legal Guardian at home and all property. The size of the decor is 3030cm, the thickness is 3 cm. Price - 650-700 rub.
Foreland. | 
Foreland. | 
Foreland. |
Decorative facing stone from the "Rock" collection (8), "Fortress Wall" (9), price 1m2- 1354 rub.; Composition of four tiles collection "Rivero" (10), Price 1M2-1585 rub. (Foreland).
Adherents of a classic style, one of the bright features of which was the appeal to the images and forms of ancient architecture, it is worth paying attention to the warrant decors of the collection of artificial stone "Lyon" (Chelsea Stone). The facing material itself reproduces the texture of the travertine. Architectural decorations are the plot tiles inserts inserts 2020 and 1010cm (the price is 120 and 80 rubles, respectively), columns with bases and capitals, platbands, including arched, 3315 cm (300 rub.), Curls with angular elements, plinths, eaves.
The company "Perfect Stone" Along with eaves decorated with ornamental patterns, arched and rectangular bypass for windows, rusts, castle stones, window sills, lowers for the base, the original insert decors with mysterious ancient Egyptian signs and real hieroglyphs having a completely definite meaning with imitation Fashionable painting, founding in the habitats of primitive people, as well as embossed tiles, intended for furnaces and fireplace portals. Dimensions of decors: 29/24,514,5 and 3030cm. Price 1 piece- 190 rub.
Opinion of a specialist
Collections of decorative artificial stone reproduce the texture and color of natural. Creating them, our company does not just copy the natural samples, but chooses the best and modests. For greater persuasiveness, some collections are combined in one element smooth and more embossed areas, enhancing the effect of naturalness and natural harmony, and color solutions for different collections are chosen based on their natural prototypes. At the request of the customer, you can make the collection you like in any other color.
When placing the facade to give greater decorativeness, several different in size and color of the species of stone are used, for example, one for the base and two for wall decoration. In this case, one species is distinguished separately architectural elements: windows opening, input group, erkers IT.D., and others are lining the plane of the walls. When laying, traditional techniques used in construction from stone should be used. The choice of collections and colors dictates the appearance and style of a particular building. The correct solution will help to take architects, designers, and see the possible options for finishing a computer modeling program.
Vasily Lapin, Kamrock Architect
Secrets of mastery
The beauty and durability of the finish are largely dependent on the professionalism of the stackers. As a rule, all manufacturers may recommend experienced brigades, familiar with technological methods of such work. The cost of facing services 1m2 varies within 680-1200rub. And the price is influenced by several circumstances. First, the texture of the stone. The easiest way to put decorative bricks and other rectangular elements. Different stones with incorrect form is more complicated, and naturally the process is more expensive. Secondly, the cost increases the laying with the extender, that is, followed by the filling of the seams with a special composition. The most expensive creation of a beautiful and organic mix of stones of different collections, differing in size, color and texture, are required for highly qualified wizards.
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The visual effect of monolithic stone masonry is largely created by angular elements. It is from them that the walls should always be started, moving at the same time from two angles to the middle.
Of great importance is the right choice of adhesive and grout formulations, soils, hydropobizers. It is not by chance that the manufacturer's warranty applies to work performed in strict accordance with the instructions issued and when using branded (or recommended) consumables. The fact is that the adhesive should be applied for products from concrete. Tile only are suitable for ceramics, which otherwise absorbs moisture and behaves differently when the temperature changes. Particular composition and at the waist for artificial stone. They are able to "hold" the seams with a width to 5 cm without shrinkage and reliably protect them from the penetration of moisture for lining.
Anti-crisis finish
The decoration of the apartment with decorative artificial stone, especially in the conditions of a difficult economic situation, can be considered a long-term investment in a beautiful and stylish interior. To arrange corridors, halls, living rooms, manufacturers offer collections of internal-oriented stones. As a rule, they consist of elements of small size and thickness. Small pebbles, laid with a small distance from each other, are indispensable when cladding arches, columns and other radius surfaces. Extremely spectacular "dressed" in the artificial stone of the portals of fireplaces and the nearby zones, especially since the non-flammable material and stands the temperature differences. With the correct device of the fireplace, its external walls should not be heated above 60-70 C. Such temperatures without problems transfers and ordinary cement glue, but many manufacturers advise using a special heat-resistant. It is worth showing prudency and not to apply "key" textures with sharp edges in the rooms of bathrooms or pools to avoid uncomfortable contact with facing.
Caution: non-warranty cases!
Sometimes it happens that the manufacturer does not provide a guarantee. The reason is the typical errors that you need to know - this will help prevent them from, and will also save them from material and temporary correction costs.
Head the list of shrinkage of the building and standing walls. It seems that it is clear that you begin to external, and to the interior finish, until the shrinkage of the house should not, because as a result, the facing sometimes cracks or even falls off. But there are various types of foundations, construction technologies and structural materials. Therefore, the degree of shrinkage of each structure is an individual. One can be faced with a stone immediately after the end of construction, the other one after a while, and which particular the builders should indicate.
It also looks like the requirement to observe the appropriate slips. A simple example: in the absence or improper installation of the drainage system, rain and melting water often flows right through the facade. It is clear that the lifetime of decorative decoration in such extreme conditions is sharply reduced.
Failure to submit a warranty after contacts of material with chemicals and paint, as well as in the case of contamination and oxidation, stands in a row of quite frequent complaints. Unscorns masters managed to stain cladding cement glue, grouting for seams, paints IT.D. The idea that it would be nice to remove these formulations from the surface, often comes after they tightly connected with a stone. YB best case can be done only by resorting to chemicals. Often, after decoration of the walls, it is started ... Poor the ceilings! The owners of a bath and saunas with brick stoves decorated with artificial stone are often unhappy with the fact that it appears spots from essential oils, traces from brooms or darken. Although all this is the natural consequences of such an exploitation. On the facing of the fireplace portals, especially on the upper part of them, coordinates the soot. Kitchen "Aprons" are covered with fat stains and traces of culinary sizes. Moreover, unlike ceramic tiles, clean the embossed surface of an artificial stone is much more complicated.
Opinion of a specialist
Another effective option to finish the facades - the use of decorative blocks, facing and decorative bricks, one or two facial sides of which have a "torn" surface, imitating the appearance of the critical natural stone. Thanks to them, the construction of bearing structures and their cladding are combined into one, which makes it possible to significantly save time and means. The price of 1m2 masonry fluctuates within 485-1200rub.
For the construction of fences in country areas, when laying a thickness of one stone, blocks with two decorative sides are comfortable. Elements (390190188mm) are placed on each other (the price is 1 pc. - 46-83 rubles), the voids are reinforced and poured with a solution. Products are produced by semi-dry vibropress. They are distinguished by high strength (M100- M250), frost resistance (50-150 cycles) and durability. The material "breathes", since it has a pores that transmit air (the coefficient of moisture absorption is 4-6%). The color gamut has more than 100 tones, from the reproducing color of natural stones to unusual blue and green, as well as light, pastel elements with splashes of natural granite and marble.
Alexey Samokhvalov,
Leading Specialist TM Rosser Company Warranty-Stroy
Separate mention deserve cases of using artificial stone not for its intended purpose. Our economical fellow citizens all the remnants try to put into the case, they raise the porches and tracks, and then surprise that the stone cracked. Let's say briefly: a decorative artificial stone is designed for vertical surfaces. Garden paths and platforms - prerogatives of special collections of paving slabs and cobblestones.
Probably some of the above examples can cause surprise. Attachments for manufacturers, agree, are quite reasonable. Successful Success Not so much: the choice of material of the well-known manufacturer, the consultation of an architect or designer, possibly the creation of a computer model of future cladding, the acquisition of high-quality materials and access to qualified stackers.
The editorial board thanks for help in preparing the material of the company Chelsea Stone, Foreland, Kamrock, Rosser, White Hills, "Perfect Stone", "Plazastone", "Ecolt Trade".