The facade, lined with stone, looks very presentable. However, this material can not be purchased everywhere, and if we are talking about the natural version, then the cost can be very impressive. If you make the facade stone yourself, and then produce the cladding without the help of specialists, then the work can be very affordable.
Production of stone using cement
Stone front can be made for decorating a private or country house. In this case, one should be guided by the instruction, which involves mixing cement with fine sand. It is necessary to adhere to a ratio of one to three. Dye should be added to the ingredients, and then mix the whole mass well. The amount and color of pigment can be selected empirically. After that, water is added to the composition, the solution can be mixed with a concrete mixer or a regular shovel.
In order for the facade stone to turn out to be as durable as possible, it is necessary to compact the mixture well after putting it into the mold. This will eliminate bubble formation. If high strength requirements are imposed on the material, then a synthetic or steel reinforcing mesh can be laid into shape. It is recommended to form shallow grooves on the hardened mortar using a pointed object, which can improve the adhesion of the stone to the facade surface. After a day, the solution can be removed from the mold and laid for two weeks for complete solidification and a set of strength. After use, the mold must be well cleaned with soap or any other liquid detergent.
Self-made stone using gypsum
The facade stone can be made on the basis of gypsum. The technology is the same as that used for the manufacture of stone from cement, however, the technique in this case will have some differences. For example, gypsum is not so resistant to mechanical stress. In order for the artificial stone not to crumble, before pouring the mixture, the form must be greased with lithol, solid oil or spindle. You can use any other oil.
It is worth remembering that hardening of gypsum does not occur in a day, but in just a few tens of minutes. After 24 hours, it can be considered that the stone is completely ready for use.
If you decide to make a facade stone on the basis of gypsum, then you probably want the mixture to set more slowly. To do this, in the manufacture of the solution, you need to add a little citric acid to the ingredients. It is worth remembering that gypsum artificial stone is afraid of moisture, which distinguishes it from a cement material. That is why gypsum is most common when performing interior tasks.
If you want to use gypsum stone for the facade, it is best to use it under a canopy. An alternative is to protect the surface of the walls from water with a durable varnish that is not able to pass water.
For reference
If necessary, an artificial facade stone can be coated with a composition of any color. The surface is primed beforehand, which will help reduce paint consumption. If you want to know what expenses await you, then you should familiarize yourself with the cost of artificial stone. The price per square meter of this material, which you will make yourself, can vary from 50 to 100 rubles, which will depend on the thickness and choice of pigment.
Laying stone on the facade
Natural or artificial stone must be laid on brick and concrete according to the same technology that is used when working with facing facade porcelain tiles. There are not so many nuances in carrying out these works, to a greater extent they are associated with an irregular shape of the material for facing.
It is necessary to start work from door and window openings or from corners. When choosing the elements that will be involved in the installation, you need to choose a position so that the width of the seams does not turn out to be more than 2.5 centimeters.
After finishing the facing work, the seams should be wiped. In advance, the stone is laid out on a flat surface, which allows you to choose the most advantageous arrangement of elements. If you will be decorating with facade stone, then you should remember that when working with wooden walls or laying stone over thermal insulation, the reinforcing mesh should be laid first . Its fixation is made using dowel umbrellas. After the grid is plastered. On its surface it will be possible to lay facing stone.
Preparatory work
Before you start laying the facing stone facade, you should prepare. It is important to remember: no matter what material underlies the wall, it should have low humidity, no drops, high strength and not be subject to shrinkage or deformation. If you intend to ennoble a gypsum-containing or wooden base, it is important to check the surface moisture before starting work. In these cases, it should not be more than 0.5%. The humidity level can be higher and reach 4.5%, this is relevant only for cement substrates.
Walls before the start of manipulations must be carefully inspected for whether they have differences, protrusions and chips, as well as other irregularities. The permissible level of difference is 2 centimeters per square meter. It is important to rid the surface of traces of the old finish, oil stains, the remnants of the old paint, as well as insulation or external cladding must be removed.
What to look for
Facade decorative stone is easiest to lay on a concrete base. This material almost does not imply the need for preparation, as an exception are excessively porous surfaces that must first be primed. There is no problem in the fact that layers of stucco or putty could remain on the wall. However, it is important to check how firmly the composition adheres to the wall. Preparation will be minimal, for this it will only be necessary to clean out irregularities and apply a primer to the surface.
Adhesion Improvement
The facade stone, the manufacture of which you can carry out on your own, must be laid on a surface with excellent adhesive qualities. If the wall is smooth, notches must be applied to it before facing. After this operation is completed, the brick wall should be treated with concrete contact, which can cope with an increase in adhesion. If you have to work on old brickwork, then it must first be well cleaned of salt stains, and then treated with a primer. If the masonry condition leaves much to be desired, then the surface can be covered with plaster.
Subtleties of work
Laying a facade stone may imply the need for trimming elements, for this it is most convenient to use an angle grinder. The disk should be selected special, designed to work with stone, diamond is also perfect. After that, you can prepare the adhesive. Depending on what material will be used, a special glue or mortar based on cement can be used.
The mixture must be applied to the back surface of the part intended for facing. It is important to distribute the solution on the surface, and then press it against the wall, pressing the element so that the solution protrudes from all sides. It is worth getting rid of its excess before the mixture thickens, since after it hardens it will be extremely difficult to make, and the masonry will turn out to be unattractive.