Facade tiles are often used to decorate the outside of a house. In its production they use various materials. Each type of product has unique properties.
Fake diamond
This decor is used in exterior cladding of buildings. That is why a number of specific requirements are imposed on it:
And, of course, when making facade tiles with your own hands, keep in mind that it must guarantee the durability of the coating.
One of the cladding options is manufacturing artificial stone made of concrete
The following types of tiles are used in the decoration of building facades:
A huge advantage of making cladding yourself is the ability to develop unique designs. Experiment with the composition of raw materials, but do not violate the basic proportions and requirements for the product.
The easiest way to make tiles is from concrete. To make it using the vibration casting method, you only need a set of molds and a vibrating table. Matrices are made of wood, plastic, plywood, but the best option– polyurethane. Such templates allow you to convey the texture of the tile in the smallest detail and imitate natural stone. You can make a vibration table yourself from metal frame, sheet for the countertop, springs and motor from the washing machine.
Most easy way creating concrete tiles - vibration casting, you only need raw materials, a vibrating table and molds for pouring
The second method is vibrocompression. This installation is necessary for all tile options, as it allows you to maximize the density of raw materials without using large quantity water.
In order for porcelain stoneware, terracotta and clinker to reach a finished state, you need a kiln. Each material requires compliance with a certain temperature regime from 1000 to 1300 degrees.
Let's consider two options for tile production. The first is made of concrete, which is much more accessible to most people. Will need white portland cement, sand and fine crushed stone, as well as lime or other plasticizer. Be sure to use modifiers to increase frost resistance and water repellency.
The principle of making concrete tiles by vibration casting is as follows: the mass is poured into a mold, then the blanks are placed on the vibrating table platform and the equipment is turned on. After removing air and compacting, the molds are dried.
To color concrete tiles, pigment is poured into the liquid mass at the mixing stage. A more economical option is to apply paint to the inside of the mold.
Use of polyurethane matrices
Clinker tiles are made slightly differently. The clay mass is mixed with modifiers, then it is poured into a vibropressing machine, which forms blanks by compressing the mass under pressure and vibrating it. After this, the clay is allowed to dry and sent to the kiln to fire. For clinker and porcelain stoneware, the temperature is raised to 1300 degrees, for terracotta – to 1000.
Level the surface of the building walls in advance. In addition, it is best to carry out insulation and treatment against fungus.
The tiles are laid using a special adhesive that is resistant to weather conditions and temperature fluctuations. Use compounds that are not afraid of moisture, but this is not necessary, unlike the frost resistance criterion. Since the weight of the finish is significant, the adhesion of the solution to the surface must be appropriate.
Stages of installation of homemade facade tiles
Laying is carried out under favorable conditions weather conditions. The temperature should be between 5-25 degrees Celsius. When it's cold, the properties of the glue deteriorate, it freezes, and when it's hot, the moisture evaporates too quickly.
Apply the solution both to the wall and to the tile itself. At complex scheme For calculations, it is better to use the second option. Remove any glue protruding from the seams after final fixation of the material. The gaps are filled with waterproof fugues, for example, cement-latex. It is best to use a syringe so as not to stain the tile itself. After drying, the facades are treated with a water-repellent liquid, for example, a water repellent. This is especially true for concrete and clinker samples. After such work, the cladding will last you much longer.
Tiles are a universal material, using which you can carry out facing works, giving the home beauty and ensuring a long service life.
Often, when it comes to tiles, people are used to ordering the product from manufacturing companies or buying it in construction stores.
However, there is a way to make tiles yourself, and it is possible to create your own type of tile.
To do this, you just need to make a mold and a high-quality solution.
It is better to consider this issue in detail in order to make high quality tiles.
Facade tiles are mainly used if it is not possible to carry out facing work using bricks. Not typical for tiles load-bearing function and when a wall is erected, such material is not involved in the installation. The cladding is carried out after the wall has been erected..
The thickness of façade tiles is generally 14mm. Considering this thickness parameter, the method of covering a wall with this material can be called gluing. For reliable fastening to the wall surface, a special adhesive composition. Using tiles, you can cladding not only the exterior of the building, but also the interior.
Among the variety of tiles, the following can be distinguished::
There are also less popular types, such as:
Before starting the process of creating tiles for facade cladding, it is best to have an idea of what the technological process is.
The temperature regime at which all manufacturing work must be carried out must be in the range from plus 15 to plus 30 degrees Celsius. This temperature regime must be observed in order to ensure the highest quality solidification process for the solution. In addition, the work requires the use of protective clothing and devices; you must wear protective glasses and gloves.
The room in which work is carried out must be constantly ventilated. The first thing the process of creating tiles requires is making molds. They are installed on a vibrating table or any flat, hard surface.
They are lubricated with a small amount vegetable oil or liquid soap. This allows you to easily separate the finished product from the mold in the future.. The solution, prepared according to a special recipe, is poured into the molds and left for the required period of time until it completely hardens.
One of the main points in the process of creating tiles or artificial stone for facade cladding is the shape. This device is made from ABS plastic.
This material is the most widely used among others, but silicone, polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane can be used for such purposes. These materials are capable of providing a high-quality result that will have the desired degree of matte or will be glossy on the surface.
As for molds made from PVC or plastic, they are convenient to use because they do not require lubrication and steaming, since the concrete mixture that is poured into them is not capable of sticking.
A good option regarding the material from which molds can be made is polyurethane. It is characterized by good strength and durability. If the mold is made of polyurethane, then it can be used for quite a long time, using it to make 1000 or more tiles. In addition, this shape gives the tile an ideal glossy surface:
There is a wide variety of types of shapes that are used to create facade tiles.
Among the main ones we can highlight:
By creating tiles yourself, you can make a shape that is not similar to any of the ones listed. Thus, the tiled facade of the building will be one and only of its kind.
The entire process that needs to be completed in order to create facade tiles with your own hands can be divided into several stages.
Such as:
Initially, you need to decide on the appearance of the tiles that need to be made. In addition, you need to determine all the parameters of its dimensions. . It is very important to do it correctly front surface . For simplicity, you can use ready-made products from natural stone, which needs to be imitated.
In order to make a mold, you need to use a two-component polyurethane casting compound. Such solutions have the required level performance characteristics, which remain with the finished product.
The whole process can be represented as follows:
The solutions that are used to make tiles with your own hands come in a wide variety.
IN in this case an example of the most popular mortar based on cement is given:
NOTE!
The consistency of the solution after mixing should be similar to the solution intended for modeling. The mass must not be liquid.
The process of laying out the prepared solutions into forms must be carried out on a vibrating table, which must be turned on during the process. It is necessary to fill the molds with the composition in portions; for this you can use a trowel or a wide spatula.
The composition must be subjected to vibration during the laying process. This allows air to be removed from the mass.
After the mass has been spread out over all forms, it is necessary to further level the surface using a wide spatula. It is also necessary to remove the composition that got on the sides of the molds.
The last thing to do is at this stage- This is to put the filled containers with the composition in a drying cabinet or place them on a rack.
The duration of the period required for the tile to harden is two days. During this time, the molds with the solution should not be touched..
After the specified period, you can begin to remove the finished tiles from the molds. To do this, they are first immersed in water whose temperature is 40-60 degrees Celsius and left for 2-3 minutes. After the tile is removed from the water, the mold should separate well.
To make the process easier, you can use a rubber mallet and lightly tap it on the surface of the mold..
Creating facade tiles with your own hands is enough exciting process. In addition to the fact that it is possible to make the tiles you like best, which will imitate artificial stone or brick, you can significantly save money on repairs.
You can begin the process of finishing the walls using tiles made by yourself after 7-10 days. The quality of tile material made by yourself is not much different from that offered on the construction market.
Tiles are universal material, with which you can beautifully and reliably decorate your house, both inside and outside. Some people order tiles from special catalogs, paying for the services of installation specialists, while others prefer to try themselves not only as a layer, but also as a tile maker and decorative stone required sizes, colors and structures.
To obtain high-quality facade tiles or stone, you will need to use special forms. Again, there are two options here: buy ready-made molds or make them yourself. Let's take the difficult path and consider the process of making molds for tiles and artificial stone at home.
Typically used for making products ABS plastic, as well as a number of other materials, among which the most popular are silicone, polyvinyl chloride and polyurethane. It is these materials that make it possible to obtain products with the required degree of matte and glossy surface. Molds made of PVC and plastic are especially convenient because they do not require lubrication and steaming, since during the preparation of products with their help concrete mixture doesn't stick.
An interesting material option for molds is polyurethane, which is especially strong and durable.. Products made from polyurethane can be used to cast more than a thousand slabs, the peculiarity of which will be an ideal glossy surface.
A wide selection of products for casting facade tiles and stones opens up many opportunities for the implementation of unique design ideas in the direction of finishing the facade. The most striking examples of products:
Please note the fact, that the work of laying finished facade tiles or artificial stone requires certain calculations to ensure that the masonry is smooth and durable.
During the installation process it will be necessary to use not only a level, but also such important materials, like a rod and a plumb line. 
Before you proceed to laying tiles or stone, you will need to prepare:
Finished products can be immediately used for finishing the facade, or can be packaged for further storage.
If you are not yet ready to make molds, you can purchase finished goods, the cost of which will vary depending on the material from which they are made.
The process of manufacturing facade tiles consists of several stages:
It all starts with quarrying - extracting material to create products. Most often, clay is used, which is soaked and frozen at low temperatures for 10-12 months.
For high-quality processing of prepared material, they are best suited special machines, which will allow you to detect and process unwanted inclusions. At the molding stage, processing occurs in several ways: plastic molding, casting and semi-dry pressing. The finished products are dried to prevent shrinkage and cracks in the future, after which they are fired to form the finished façade tiles.
In addition to clay, concrete mixture is suitable for making tiles, from which it is easier to create products at home from do-it-yourself molds. The process most often uses the vibration casting method to ultimately obtain slabs with low porosity on the surface. By preparing a mixture of cement, sand and crushed stone, it can be painted coloring pigments. As for the equipment necessary for the work, it will be enough to have a regular concrete mixer and a vibrating platform.
Please note the fact that plastic molds suitable for making products from gypsum and concrete, but not from clay. Moreover, plastic is not suitable option material for the manufacture of molds intended for decorative stone, ideally replicating the structure of natural stone.
Let us note that making facade tiles today is an activity that anyone can master. The material is easy to use and allows you to create a finish that protects the facade and gives it a special texture. Molds for casting products are distinguished by their plasticity and practicality, allowing you to make with your own hands materials of the desired color and texture that are as visually close to natural as possible.
Molds for artificial stone, just like for tiles, can be made with your own hands or purchased ready-made, complete with materials for making products.
The most convenient to use are considered to be rubber, silicone and polyurethane molds, from which the stone is easiest and fastest to remove after the mass has hardened.
Considering that the cost of ready-made forms is high, it makes sense to consider the possibility of making them at home.
Dependence of the price of silicone and polyurethane on the brand The best option is to make a mold from polyurethane. Packing material weighing 7 kg will cost no more than three thousand rubles, while it will be possible to make several forms of the sizes you need from it. If you decide to use silicone, then it is best to select a vinegar-based material made in Europe.
To make it easier to remove finished products from the mold, it is useful to use matrix separator, which is simply made from gum turpentine, beeswax and paraffin. To prepare the mass, wax and paraffin are melted in a water bath, adding turpentine at the end. The mixture is used to lubricate the sides of the mold and the surface of the stone.
Instructions for making a mold from polyurethane or silicone are as follows:
A few years ago, in one of the films I really liked the interior decorated with tiles imitating natural stone. After that, I began to study this issue. Of course, you can purchase artificial stone at a hardware store. But the price for it is quite decent. And if you decorate a room with artificial stone, the wall area of which, as a rule, starts from 18-25 square meters and above that the amount turns out to be quite decent. Is it possible to find a way to make artificial stone at home? It turned out that everything was not so difficult. The main costs are for the purchase of molds for pouring tiles. I found a company that specializes in making flexible polyurethane molds. Moreover, the thickness of the tiles is the minimum possible. This is also a plus - less Supplies, less tile weight. And the cost of the forms is quite realistic.
And so I acquired the forms.
How to make facing tiles?
Well, firstly, artificial stone facing tiles are essentially decorative facing stones
Secondly, decorative facing stone can be of two types:
For use in interiors - on a gypsum basis;
For exterior finishing buildings - on a cement base.
The very essence of production can be formulated as follows: a liquid solution (gypsum or cement) painted in a certain color is poured into the prepared mold. After the solution has set, the painted tile is removed from the mold. characteristic surface, in accordance with the form.
The whole point of technology is correct selection components.
And the ratio of all components is selected experimentally. It all depends on the quality, freshness of the material, brand, manufacturer and other properties.
There is one thing general rule: Reduce the amount of water for mixing the solution to a minimum. This will increase the strength of the manufactured tiles. Reducing the amount of water can be achieved by adding plasticizers, as well as using high-grade cement or gypsum.
The manufacturing process can be divided into three stages:
STAGE ONE
Preparation of tools and utensils.
For making decorative facing stone required
Plastic buckets 2-3 pcs;
Drill with attachment;
Spatula 50 cm wide;
Scales or steelyard;
Chipboard sheets (can be from old furniture) is slightly larger in size than the shape.
Preparation of raw materials.
White or gray cement, grade 500 (if facade facing tiles are being made);
Gypsum grade not lower than G-7 - G-8, the best option is gypsum grade GVVS-16 (if interior decorative stone is being made);
Filler (sand fraction no larger than 0-5mm) You don’t have to add it to the gypsum.
Organic dyes (can only be used for gypsum) or inorganic iron fox pigments.
Plasticizer
Gypsum retarder (citric acid).
STAGE TWO
Preparing the form
Place the clean mold on a sheet of chipboard, paint the mold with soapy water to prevent sticking. Divorced in small quantity use water to paint certain areas of the form with a pigment of a certain color.
STAGE THREE
Making stone.
Measure the required amount of gypsum (cement) and filler into a bucket, mix with a drill and attachment, adding the required amount of pigments. Measure water into the second bucket, add a plasticizer (if you need to add a retarder) and pour the prepared gypsum (cement) into it. Mix using a drill with an attachment. The solution should be in the form of thick sour cream. After this, pour evenly into the prepared pan. Carefully take the edge of the chipboard sheet and shake it a little (to create the effect of a “boiling liquid”) so that all air bubbles come out of the solution. Wide spatula level and clean off excess mortar so that the edges of the mold are visible.
After the solution has set (for gypsum this is 20 minutes, for cement - 24 hours), move the form to the edge of the sheet and carefully, starting from the corners, bend the flexible form down. After this, you can remove the finished tile.
After all the tiles are removed from the mold, place them on a second table for final drying.
In addition, I also impregnate the raw tiles with acrylic impregnation deep penetration(to increase durability and water-repellent effect) Some tile options (slate, facing brick) I paint the top with pigment dissolved in water. I dry the tiles on a wide board with large nails driven into it at an angle. That is, I place the tile on the corner of the edge and rest it on nails. This way it dries faster.
It is best to make decorative facing stone in summer time right on the street. But drying should be done in the shade, in a place closed from the wind (so that dust does not stick) and sheltered from rain.
I buy gypsum and cement in construction stores, and I buy pigments and plasticizer from the same company along with molds.
This is how, using simple technology, you can make decorative artificial stone at home.
Concrete is universal and practical material, which is used when interior decoration and finishing of street surfaces. It is made from sand, cement, if necessary, pigment and water, using vibration casting or vibration pressing of various shapes. The area for using this product is very wide, but it is not always possible to afford it in terms of price; in this case, you can make the tiles yourself. To obtain high-quality material, you need special forms; you can buy them, or you can make them yourself. We read and learn to do it ourselves.
As a rule, polyurethane is used for casting; silicone molds are also popular, but they are not very durable, and plastic is not quite similar to natural stone. And yet, these materials help to make the most suitable in quality and appearance product. Exist different ways production of facade tiles, for home use Only one will do - vibration casting.
The most popular forms were:
A huge range of products makes it possible to customize design solutions. The first stage of the work is the production of the actual molds for the further product, after which we dilute the solution, proceed directly to pouring into the molds and the last final step is removing the product.
It is worth knowing that laying finished facade tiles or stone requires certain measurements and calculations, and you also need to process the forms themselves.
When concrete tiles will be ready, it can be immediately used in the decoration of facades, or packed for storage. In addition, it is worth paying attention to some important points. Firstly, we must not forget that the correctly chosen form alone is not enough; it is necessary to strictly follow the technology of its manufacture. Such work should be carried out under a certain temperature conditions, fluctuating around 15-30 ᵒC, this is necessary to eliminate excess oxygen in the solution and ensure high-quality solidification. Secondly, this is compliance with safety precautions; such work must be carried out in strict compliance with safety standards; eyes must be protected and gloves must be worn. It is important to have good ventilation in the room.
Facing tiles or artificial stone are essentially an element of decorative facing stone (terracotta tiles). If we talk in simple words about production at home, then a liquid solution, already painted in a color palette, is poured into the molds.
The tile is taken out of the mold, the material is ready, but only after it has completely hardened.
In the process of improvement it is possible to highlight the following types finishing: interior - on a gypsum base, exterior - on a cement base. The main thing is not to forget that a large part of success is the selection of quality components, as well as reducing the use of water, this will result in a more solid product.
All production can be divided into 3 stages:
The production of facing tiles should be carried out in warm time year, for example, in the summer, but the product should be dried away from sun rays, protected from rain and wind. Having a certain set of equipment will only be beneficial; to the basic ones you can add a concrete mixer, a vibrating table, a mixer for mixing and a drying cabinet. There is nothing complicated in manufacturing using a simplified algorithm; by following certain rules and paying attention to the quality of the products used, you can make decent facing tiles with your own hands.
At one time in Western Europe There was a search for a material that was not inferior in its properties to stone, so by firing and pressing clay with brick, this product was obtained. The meaning of the word tile has its roots in German, and literally translates as “brick”. Factory-made clinker tiles have a durable composition due to heat treatment and are only a type of ceramics, having their own advantages over it.
It is very easy to make independently, its technology is simple, and, as a budget option, fits well.
Initially, you need to prepare a model of the product itself from plasticine, coated with sealant and wait for it to dry. Afterwards, a solution of gypsum, sand and cement is prepared, color is added, the ingredients are mixed and poured into molds. 15 minutes are enough for the product to be ready, and in order to prevent it from crumbling and smearing, it should be treated with a primer. It is worth keeping in mind that a handmade product will have different characteristics from its factory counterpart. The versatility of the material is surprising; its choice is limited only by the preferences and capabilities of homeowners.
There are several types:
Houses made of natural stone look very catchy and beautiful; they have all the advantages of this material, this is durability, strength, and presentable appearance. But, there is one big disadvantage - the cost.
Nowadays, they have learned to produce material similar to real stone, and very successfully. Now the technology for producing concrete facade tiles is not inferior in its characteristics, on the contrary, it is even attractive in price.
When introducing certain components into the concrete composition, finished material the necessary properties are provided:
To improve these indicators, in modern industry All kinds of additives and additives are used. Essentially, concrete tiles look like brick or stone, laid in several rows with an offset, similar to some kind of mosaic, the edges are torn.
It is also worth paying attention to the fact that not all walls are suitable for using decor; everything here is decided by the choice of material and other factors.
For such walls, facade tiles with metal fastenings. It is worth remembering that there are few ways to attach exterior finishing; facade tiles are mounted either on a frame base with clamps, or glued, or screwed directly to the wall.
Laying under brick does not differ significantly from laying conventional ceramics. Regardless of the application surface, it must be cleaned of dirt and properly primed. It is also necessary to take a responsible approach to the choice of glue, because it must absorb moisture well and be resistant to frost. It is worth paying attention to the treatment of the seams between the tiles; they must be properly sealed.
If we break down all the work step by step, it looks something like this:
The properties of clinker are very attractive; the tiles are resistant to cold, durable, easy to maintain, have a low level of water absorption, and are resistant to mechanical impact. This is a large number of advantages. Homemade tiles are in no way inferior in quality to the factory-made alternative. In addition, such a house will look very solid and attractive, and its facade will not lose its appearance for a long time.
To summarize, it can be noted that, in principle, almost any material can be made with your own hands and no worse than it is done in factory production. The main thing is to follow safety rules, not to violate technology and to approach the choice of materials responsibly, and then you can get a result that will delight you for many years with its reliability, decorate with its individuality and will not burden your wallet.
