The modern assortment of building materials, presented on the goods market, pleases buyers with a large selection of interesting positions that can be used to create new objects. Among them are a large number of artificial stone materials. Next, we consider some of their main characteristics, as well as features of use in construction.
The advantage of man-made materials
Why are artificial stone materials so popular in modern building practice? This is due to the fact that they have a number of advantages, of which the low price set for the products is recognized as the most significant.
Specialists in the field of construction often note that artificial stones do not differ in quality from natural stones and, moreover, have a beautiful appearance. As for synthetic stones, in this indicator they even surpass that which is characteristic of natural material. Some experts note that chips and cracks are found in some natural rocks, and they subsequently cause the rapid destruction of objects built from them. It should be noted that in the case of artificial stones, this is simply excluded.
As for materials intended for decorative decoration, their major advantage is lighter weight - as a rule, they are 1.5-2 times lighter than natural analogues.
Among the advantages of artificial materials include high indicators of hydrophobicity, impact resistance, aesthetics, as well as resistance to sudden temperature changes. Moreover, correctly created materials are able to show resistance to the effects of active chemicals.
Where are artificial materials used?
In construction, there are many areas of application of artificial stone materials. It should be noted that they are often used for laying sidewalks and borders. Decorative materials are used to decorate park and garden benches, as well as fountains, and to create decorative fences.
As mentioned above, many types of artificial stone are great for creating interior decoration. In particular, such materials are very often used for laying fireplaces, window sills, creating wall panels, as well as wall panels. Often, whole kitchen panels, sinks, and bar counters are created from artificial stone. Quite often sculptures made from artificial stone are designed for decorating rooms and garden plots.
About production methods
Before you begin to consider the list of available artificial stone materials, you should pay attention to the main methods of their production. It should be noted that two such types are currently envisaged: firing and non-firing.
Fired materials include wall ceramic blocks and bricks. As a rule, such materials, due to their high strength, are used for laying pavements, as well as for creating walls and frames. In some cases, this type of material is used to decorate rooms (internal and external parts), as well as to create solid foundations and ceilings.
The creation of materials through firing production involves their formation from a homogeneous mass that includes several components, after which the acquired form is fixed by firing under very high temperatures.
As for the procedure for the production of stone materials without burning, then it provides for their creation from a special raw material mass by laying it in a mold and then solidifying it in special chambers, provided that specific heat and steam indicators are available. In some cases, the pre-prepared raw material is poured into a specially prepared hot mold, but without further firing. The most common types of artificial stone materials obtained by annealing are silicates and concrete.
It should be noted that using the non-firing method, many artificial stones are produced, including agglomerates, porcelain tiles, as well as materials based on concrete.
Silicate materials
Of the total number of artificial stone materials, silicate is often isolated. To create them, simple basic raw materials are used, represented by a combination of lime, quartz sand and water. Depending on the proportions of the ingredients chosen to create the material, in the finished form it can have different strength indicators - from 75 to 200, which, in fact, determines whether the material is suitable for use in a particular area of construction or not.
Silicate materials are not recommended for creating decoration in rooms with a high degree of humidity, as well as for heating surfaces, for example, for laying fireplaces, stoves, etc.
The most common type of silicate building material is a special type of brick, which can be either hollow or contain a porous aggregate. In addition, special materials for creating wall blocks are also made from silicate.
Concrete materials
It is known that concrete is an artificial stone material, which is often used in the process of creating new objects and decorating them. It is based on a binder type substance, various additives and water. The main feature of this composition is that its substance is perfectly brought to a state of homogeneity, and also hardens quickly. In order for the product strength indicators to be higher, builders often carry out the procedure of reinforcing them using synthetic or steel fibers.
Today, this artificial stone material on mineral binders is divided into several types, depending on the composition:
- asphalt concrete;
- cement;
- silicate;
- gypsum;
- polymer concrete.
Various recommendations regarding the technology for the production of concrete products say that all aggregates that are used in the process of creating the material should be perfectly clean, without the presence of humus, clay and other possible extraneous components. This is especially true for the production of gypsum concrete products.
The use of concrete products and gypsum structures is widely practiced in the modern construction of houses and not only. Concrete is an artificial stone material, which is used mainly for the construction of large objects, as well as for their external decoration.
Ceramic materials
One of the most common types of raw materials for construction are ceramic artificial stone materials. Products and finishes made from them are distinguished by their high strength.
Ceramic materials are the only type of raw material produced by the roasting method. By their nature, they are divided into three types, depending on the method of forming elements: hollow, porous-hole and solid. It should be noted that whole products are most durable. They are great for building walls, they build whole houses from them. As for the porous-hole elements, they are ideal for insulating heating surfaces. It is best to use them for the lining of rooms in which conditions of moderate humidity are present.
Separately, it is necessary to consider the features of hollow building ceramic materials. It is worth noting that its production is carried out from high-quality clay, and the firing procedure is performed at the highest possible temperatures. This type of product is used, as a rule, to create frames for the construction of multi-storey buildings. Builders note that such material is advisable to use when laying communication cables and telephone wiring.
When considering the list of artificial stone inorganic building materials, it should be noted that wall blocks are very popular. Their advantage is in sizes that far exceed those that are standard for bricks. The voids formed in such blocks can be either through or internal. In some cases, puzzles are made on their side surfaces, further facilitating the installation of products.
Porcelain Tiles
The main feature of this material is its appearance: externally, porcelain stoneware resembles rather than stone, but glass ceramics. At present, porcelain stoneware decorated with wood is a very popular coating material.
The material under consideration is characterized by high strength indicators, as well as resistance to low temperatures. It is created by pressing, and processed under the influence of vibration and only at high pressure. Subsequently, the formed object is subjected to a firing procedure to consolidate the result.
In the manufacture of such material, a composition is used that includes several types of clay, dyes, feldspar and various mineral additives. Depending on the characteristics of the composition, several types of porcelain stoneware are distinguished: homogeneous, colored and glazed.
As for homogeneous porcelain stoneware, in the finished form this material has a uniformly colored texture and a saturated color that does not fade over time. If we talk about painted porcelain, then its main difference is that the color is applied to such a material in two layers, of which the first is the base, and the second is pigmented. This technique allows the manufacturer to significantly reduce the consumption of expensive coloring materials.
Currently quite popular material is porcelain stoneware in wood. As a rule, its processing is carried out by glazing. The peculiarity of such a material is that it is a decorative tile, which is held on a ceramic granite substrate.
In the construction sector, porcelain stoneware is actively used for decorating the interior of rooms, for processing walls and floors, as well as for the construction of ventilated facades, etc.
Agglomerates
Materials, the color of which perfectly repeats the texture of granite, jasper, lapis lazuli, marble, as well as onyx, slate and other natural minerals, are called agglomerates.
This material is characterized by high frost resistance, as well as resistance to deformation. The list of its components can be varied - it often includes limestones, quartz sand, marble chips, granite, as well as dyes of a certain type.
It is noted that agglomerates have certain disadvantages. First of all, they include fast abrasion, as well as exposure to acids and ultraviolet radiation. It is also not recommended to use such material for decorating "warm" floors, since the resin included in its composition can float.
This artificial stone is very often used to create countertops, as well as elements of home decor. In addition, it is used for facing the bathroom, kitchen, pool, stairs, etc.
Concrete Stones
A fairly popular material for decorating the interior of rooms is stone made on the basis of concrete.
The main raw material for the production of artificial stone materials of this type is cement. To create a texture, give color and a beautiful appearance to the finished product, in combination with it are used such components as sand, plasticizers, reinforcing additives, dyes, water repellents, as well as various fillers, which are usually ceramic chips, pumice and expanded clay.
The artificial stone made on the basis of concrete attracts interior designers and builders in that it has not only high strength and heat resistance, but also a beautiful shape and original appearance.
The best brands of artificial stone
Currently, a huge number of manufacturers of building materials offer their products, which differ in form, composition, price and many other factors. To date, DuPONT, Polystone and CORIAN are recognized as the highest quality finishing materials. It is known that to create them, only those ingredients are used that turn out to be harmless to the human body, as well as high-quality even after prolonged use in the most adverse conditions. Specialists in the field of construction very often note that these materials have excellent hygienic characteristics.