beauty natural stone incomparable to anything. Since ancient times this construction material used in the decoration of premises and furniture. You can sing his praises for a long time. But natural stone has one big drawback - it is too expensive. Quarrying, transportation, sawing, molding and grinding are too expensive processes, which only increase the cost of products. Previously, it was possible to replace it only with wood, but it did not have the qualities that would increase its service life.
But scientific and technological progress has given people the opportunity to have cheap stone finishing. This is an artificial stone that has all the same qualities and properties as natural stone, only its price is many times lower. In this article we will be interested in one question - making a tabletop from artificial stone with your own hands.
Let's start with the fact that artificial stone is, first of all, a solution of various ingredients, which necessarily include a binder material. It is after it hardens that the composite (and the solution cannot be called otherwise) becomes as strong as stone. Therefore, the classification of stone mortar is divided according to the binding element used. Currently, either cement or different types resin.
The cement base for artificial stone has been used for a long time. If you correctly observe the proportions of all components, the product will be very durable. Stone particles (granules) are used as fillers for this purpose. After pouring the solution into the mold and hardening it, the stone surface is polished to a mirror state.
It should be noted that a cement countertop is a lot of weight, however, last century. Today such table covers are no longer made. They are too heavy, the product takes a long time to dry, and such countertops did not pass the shock load test.
Everyone enjoys artificial stone, but it also has its drawbacks.
As for filling artificial stone, granules of any stone species can be used here.
There are several technologies for making artificial stone countertops. But in any case, it all starts with preparing and determining the shape of the product, which should fit into the interior of the kitchen. That is, you need to take paper and sketch on it a sketch for a stone countertop. The shape is determined by the taste preferences of the owner of the house, and the dimensions are determined from the dimensions kitchen space. All this needs to be transferred to paper.
Of course, the easiest way to make a stone tabletop is rectangular without any bends or roundings. Even a beginner can handle this House master. It is more difficult if the shape of the product is diverse with different sizes. It is also not easy to make a U-shaped countertop, in which it is additionally necessary to make holes for the sink and hob.
Therefore, you need to start making a countertop from artificial stone with your own hands by marking it. Optimal width– 60 cm, length depends on assembled furniture, on which the tabletop will be installed.
Let's start with the fact that there are two options for this type of artificial stone on sale. These are ready-made sheets measuring 3.66x0.76 m, 3-12 mm thick, and the so-called liquid stone, which you can form yourself.
Let's consider the first option. So, in front of you is a sheet that needs to be adjusted to the size of the sketch, which you have previously applied to the paper. It is very important to accurately transfer the shape and dimensions of the tabletop onto the stone. Now cut off diamond blade it is necessary to make cuts along the lines, giving the workpiece a semi-finished product, but with almost exact dimensions. If you need to drill holes in the countertop, then this must be done right now.
Now using a cutter ( good quality) it is necessary to grind the ends of the resulting workpiece. This also applies to the ends of cut holes. Of course, the thickness of the sheet in this case plays an important role. But even 12 mm is not a guarantee of high strength, because installation on furniture racks will result in sagging, which can cause a break. Therefore, it is imperative to install a base under the tabletop. For this, moisture-resistant plywood is usually used, because the kitchen is a damp room. In this case, you should not use materials such as chipboard or fiberboard.
Now you need to cut exactly the same product with holes and dimensions from a plywood sheet. After which both materials are glued to each other with a two-component adhesive composition and tightened with clamps. They should remain in this state for about 7 hours.
Attention! If a thick sheet of workpiece is used to produce the tabletop, then the base can be made not continuous. To do this, strips 7-8 cm wide can be cut from plywood, which are evenly distributed and glued to back side acrylic stone sheet.
Please note that from the end front side and the plywood will be visible from the sides, so it must be covered with strips of artificial stone. Why are they cut from the same sheet? The width is again determined by taste preferences, but there is standard sizes– 3-4 cm. The rear end will need to be covered with a finished profile or plinth. All these elements are glued in place with the same adhesive. Handle the glue carefully. It dries quickly, so you have to hurry here, but with due care.
And one moment. If you make an L-shaped tabletop with your own hands, then it is necessary to install a strip of plywood directly along the connection line at the junction of the two parts from below. It will act as an additional stiffening rib, which will increase the strength of the product.
And the last final stage is sanding the plywood of the stone countertop with your own hands. This can be done with a sander.
What materials are needed to prepare liquid stone at home. Let's list them.
In principle, the basis of liquid stone is gelcoat, fillers, and hardener. The proportions are as follows: gelcoat about 60%, hardener up to 40%, the rest is filler. When mixed, you should get a liquid paste-like substance. Now to the question, how to make a countertop from artificial stone? There are two technologies.
The first is that you first need to prepare a template with shape and dimensions. For this you can use plywood, OSB, chipboard or fiberboard. A layer of 2-4 mm of liquid material is applied to it. After drying, it is sanded from the front side.
The second technology for producing countertops is called reverse. It uses different materials, which are not in the previous list, but they are necessary specifically when filling.
Some craftsmen recommend pouring the soil in two layers. This will increase the strength characteristics of a tabletop made from liquid stone with your own hands. In this case, the first layer is poured at the rate of 5 kg per 1 m² of surface, the second - 3 kg. Keep in mind that the liquid stone itself will take 3-4 kg/m².
Countertops made in this way are much stronger than using the first technology. And accordingly, they have a longer service life. Of course, according to time this operation takes a long time, but it's worth it.
In principle, repairing acrylic countertops is done using a very simple technology. For example, if a crack or scratch appears on the surface. To do this, you will need the same glue that is used to glue the baseboard and sides to the product.
It is necessary first of all to widen the crack, that is, to increase its width. Then an adhesive composition is poured into it, which is sanded after drying. That's it, the renovation is complete.
If a bulge or stain appears on the surface, then this area must be cut to a depth of 1-2 mm. This is done with a milling cutter mounted on a grinder. Then, from a piece of the same ready-made liquid stone, a smaller piece is cut out, matching the cut-off area in shape and size. Now this piece needs to be glued to the cut out area. After the glue has hardened, the borders of the patch must be expanded, filled with adhesive, and sanded after drying.
It should be noted that the technology for manufacturing countertops from of this material is not the most complex due to the simplicity of the shape of the product itself. For example, making a sink from artificial stone with your own hands is much more difficult. After all, this is already a three-dimensional structure that requires the use of a more complex template. In addition, the rounding of the sink creates certain difficulties in their formation. Therefore, for obvious reasons, it is made only from liquid stone.
The main element of the kitchen is the countertop, since ingredients for future dishes are prepared on the work surface. It must meet operating requirements and be resistant to wear. Can be purchased ready-made option or learn how it is made DIY tabletop.
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Artificial stone is called composite material. It consists of fillers bound with a polymer resin with the addition of mineral pigments. Depending on the type of resin, it is divided into two types:
Advantages of raw materials:
If we talk about the disadvantages of the material, it is worth noting that they will be different for acrylic and agglomerated ones.
The disadvantages of acrylic resin stone are:
The second option has the following disadvantages:
To choose the right raw material, you need to know what are they made from? his. Production of artificial stone countertops comes from agglomerated and acrylic material. Each of them has features, advantages and disadvantages.
The first option has high aesthetic qualities, but scratches remain on it due to mechanical impact.
Important! Please note that dark color has pronounced damage. They are easier to see, so when developing a design it is worth choosing light colors.
Dark colors of countertops should be diluted with light splashes– this will help disguise possible damage.
The second, no less important disadvantage of the material acrylic is its low resistance to high temperature conditions, so do not place hot pots on the surface.
The agglomerated surface is durable and can last for many years. Attractive appearance adds status to any interior. However, it has a number of disadvantages, one of which is considered to be heavy weight and difficult to process.
Liquid stone countertops They have good resistance to damage and high temperatures, are easy to clean, and have a long service life.
Advice! When choosing a countertop, ask the manufacturer about its properties and conditions of use, study technical documentation and operating recommendations.
To carry out the work, you need to stock up on materials:
To carry out the work you will need the following tools:
To make products from stone, it is necessary to perform a number of manipulations. The installation location is being measured. A drawing is made, the material is marked and cut. cut a hole for the sink and hob.
The frame for installation is made from plywood artificial material. The frame is glued and the ends are edged. In places of cutouts, it is necessary to strengthen the product by gluing a second layer of stone, the surface is sanded to a semi-matte finish.
Installing an artificial stone countertop is done as follows. For fastening, you will need self-tapping screws that are screwed into special strips on the cabinet.
If there are no such strips, then fastening is done using furniture corners. One side of the corner is fixed to the cabinet, the other - to the backing. Another fixation option is gluing onto adhesive for artificial stone countertops.
There are options when it is necessary to attach a shelf made of artificial material to the wall. For mounting you will need brackets or pipe supports. There are options when a mortgage is made in the wall.
The fixation option is selected based on the situation and the weight of the raw materials used.
To carry out the work, you need to prepare all the components:
They choose the technology option that will be used; there may be several of them.
The first method is direct. Not labor intensive and fast. To begin with, take the necessary measurements and cut out a blank from a sheet of chipboard. To prepare the mixture, mix 60% gelcoat, 40% filler and 1% hardener.
Using a gun, the mixture is sprayed onto the surface of the workpiece about 0.2 cm. After drying, grinding is carried out.
The second option is the opposite. will require large quantity time, but has less material consumption. Two blanks are made from chipboard, which are 5 mm larger around the perimeter of the finished product. The blanks are glued to each other, marked, and holes are cut out for the sink and hob.
Strips are cut out of chipboard and glued along the contour of the workpiece. After drying, 5 mm allowances are cut off on the workpiece. The edges and the joint with the sink are covered with plasticine. The surface of the template is sprayed liquid stone. After half an hour, fiberglass is placed, which will increase the strength of the finished product. products from stone A primer of resin with an accelerator, 1.5% pigment, 80% calcite and 1% hardener is poured on top. The workpiece is placed in the matrix and pressed down. After 1.5 hours the soil will harden. Repeat the priming process. After complete drying, the edges are milled and the surface of the table top is treated.
liquid granite
You can choose a third method, in which the mold is first made. To do this, measure the space and mark the holes for the stove and sink. The base is made of chipboard coated with a polymer, since the composition will stick to a regular sheet of chipboard and cannot be separated. The strips are screwed onto the base according to the size of the future product. The corners of the mold are coated slightly rounded.
To prepare the mixture you will need 1 part cement, 3 parts sand, 1 part water, dye. Materials are mixed and production begins liquid stone.
A reinforcing mesh is laid on the base, and the mixture is applied on top. It is important to ensure that it is distributed evenly.
After the first layer, reinforcing wire is laid again. Then the second layer of solution is distributed. We leave liquid stone until completely dry. After removing it from the mold, the tabletop is sanded and rubbed to a glossy shine.
The material has been used for about 50 years and is very popular among designers. This is due to its good performance, which is ensured by physical and chemical properties.
Important! Unlike natural material, artificial material has no porosity. Thanks to this, bacteria and moisture do not penetrate the surface. It is used in medical institutions, catering establishments, and for the production of furniture.
Externally similar to natural, it is easy to make, the main thing is to know the technology. The components are acrylic resins, mineral fillers, and dyes to give the required color. To get started, you need the following materials:
You will need a form in which to harden the mixture. These can be glass or metal vessels. In the store you can buy ready-made molds to make. The heated acrylic resin is mixed with fillers and hardener, poured into molds and left to harden for several hours.
Whatever option you choose, you need to carefully study the technology used and carry out the entire production process correctly. The result is a high-quality product that will serve for a long period of time and retain its original appearance, physical and chemical characteristics.
On construction market Today you can find any finishing materials that are used in interior and exterior work. These also include artificial stone. It can be found in all shapes, sizes and compositions. Such stones imitate natural breeds. Their production occurs by casting various building mixtures with all kinds of additives in arbitrary shapes, which were adjusted to the required dimensions. This kind of stone is called “liquid”.
Countertops made of artificial solid stone add special elegance and luxury to a bath or kitchen. Many families dream of such a countertop, but not everyone can afford it. In such cases, home craftsmen look for a solution to this problem and most often find it.
In this article, we will look at what types of countertops there are, what stone is best to make them from with your own hands, whether these structures can be made from ceramics and concrete, and much more.
Of the main advantages of countertops made of artificial liquid stone the following can be distinguished:
Of course, there were some drawbacks. Although they are insignificant, they are still there:
To make a tabletop with your own hands, you need to have for this a specific set of tools, which is presented below:
The tabletop can be made from several types of materials. Therefore, it is first necessary to determine what it will be made from:
Once the materials have been determined, construction of the countertop can begin. This process will be described step by step in order to better understand all the aspects of manufacturing the structure.
Any serious business always begins with a written plan. This rule does not bypass the tabletop. Before you make it yourself, you need to decide on the configuration and all the dimensions. After all, it’s one thing to design an ordinary rectangular tabletop, which is not difficult to make even for a novice craftsman. And it’s completely different when you need to make a single surface in the shape of the letter P, in which you also need to install a sink and hob.
Therefore, making a countertop with your own hands begins with measurements. . The depth of the working surface should be approximately 60 centimeters. The length is measured according to the existing base.
To understand how the countertop will look, you need to make a rough sketch on paper. It is not yet necessary to depict holes for a sink, pipe or sink. After this, the actual layout is drawn according to the actual dimensions. For such purposes, you can use sheets of whatman paper. Or cut out strips from plain paper and glue them together. This will be a kind of mock-up of the countertop, which should be tried on at the intended construction site.
After all the necessary drawings have been made, you can start building it yourself. . To start artificial The stone is cut into the required components:
The edges and contours of the stone cutouts of the workpiece are trimmed with a milling cutter. After which you need to process the profile. To do this, the tabletop blank is turned upside down. Using a router, a shallow groove is made directly under the edge.
To form the frame, you need to cut several strips of plywood. Their length will be 7 centimeters. Using acetone, you need to carry out the degreasing process. This is necessary since the edge can only be placed on a clean surface.
Making countertops from artificial stone:
A stone countertop is made using “liquid” stone, which is molded and then allowed to dry.
Sometimes situations happen that artificial liquid stone does not appear on sale. In this case, you can do it yourself. The following components will be required:
To get a liquid stone, you just need to mix the ingredients written above.
Concrete is used to make jewelry, furniture, and much more. If desired, you can also get a concrete countertop made by yourself.
Initially, concrete preparation is required . For this you need the following components:
To get started you will need a moisture resistant glossy surface, for example, from plywood. The outline will be drawn based on it. You need to screw the bars along it with screws. You can use plasticine to chamfer the entire perimeter, thereby making it easier for you to finish the job at the very end.
It should be taken into account that the thickness of a concrete countertop is on average 4 centimeters. Of course, more can be done.
The concrete solution is poured into the frame, after which coarse filler is used. It is compacted to the very bottom of the base. It will take approximately two to three days for the concrete to dry.
After the concrete has hardened, the frame is removed. The tabletop is placed on bars. Upper layer literally one millimeter of concrete is removed with a grinding machine. The resulting surface is vacuumed. All small pores are filled with cement. The solution must dry again. The same few days are given for this.
The last stage occurs after the solution has dried. Sanding machine You need to walk across the tabletop three times. Now it can be attached to a base prepared in advance.
You can make a tabletop with your own hands from ceramic tiles. But, unlike the previous options, it is more suitable for a bath. Her presence in the kitchen is very doubtful, although there is no dispute about tastes.
Laying tiles on a countertop is done quite quickly and does not require any special skills. You can find out how to do this yourself in our “Repair” section.
This tabletop looks like a horizontal surface with ceramic tiles or regular tiles laid on it. The basis is an OSB sheet 2 millimeters thick. An alternative would be ordinary plywood, which is not affected by moisture.
You can cut the base of the tabletop yourself . The end is formed from strips that are the same material as the base. After this work is done, the base is completely primed. Next, tiles are laid on it using any adhesive compound.
You can learn how to install it yourself from the video below:
So, we looked in detail various options manufacturing countertops, both from artificial stone and from concrete and ceramic tiles. Note that its production will require an average of no more than 3,000 rubles. While in a store you can buy a countertop for no less than 10,000 rubles. You just have to work hard and the end result will be high quality and beautiful tabletop, the service life of which will be very long.
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Artificial stone is practical and inexpensive material, which is widely used in finishing. Such materials allow you to give your kitchen a solid and attractive appearance, while they are strong, durable and resistant to moisture. In this article we will tell you how to make such a countertop with your own hands.
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Artificial stone is a composite material that is made from various fillers, binding polymer resin and pigments of natural origin. Its type will directly depend on the type of polymer resin used. Artificial acrylic stone, which is durable and resistant to various chemicals, is very popular.
If previously the cost of such artificial material was high, and working with it presented certain difficulties, today you can find liquid acrylic on sale, which is easy to use and allows you to independently perform high-quality kitchen countertops.
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Among its advantages, we note the following:
At the same time, it is necessary to note the presence of certain shortcomings. First of all, it is a tendency for abrasions, scratches and chips to appear on the surface. Therefore, you should handle such a surface with care and precision. However, you can repair the surface yourself, restoring its original appearance.
The technology for making such a countertop is not particularly difficult, so it is quite possible to do this work yourself. For this you will need acrylic and simple materials. Each of us can carry out such work, even if he does not have the relevant experience in repair work.
To make it yourself you will need the following:
Tools needed:
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Before proceeding directly to repair work should decide on appearance table top and its dimensions. It is necessary to measure the available free space at the kitchen sink, and then make a detailed drawing with detailed accurate calculations.
If sheet material is used, we can recommend the following sizes. Length - 76 centimeters and width - 60 centimeters. The height of the ends is 36 millimeters. The wall plinth and sides are made up to 7 centimeters high. Cutouts for hob and shells are made with a milling cutter, after which the edges of the holes are processed manually with sandpaper.
Strips about 8 centimeters wide are cut from plywood. Such stripes will subsequently form a frame. A corresponding frame is made from plywood, into which a cut and treated “surface” of stone is glued onto the sealant. Ends slab material should be covered with decorative edges or adhesive tape.
Making stone countertops from slab material is difficult, so this technology is not widely used today. Most homeowners prefer liquid acrylic, which is easy to use and allows you to do the job yourself.
Liquid acrylic stone is extremely simple, inexpensive and environmentally friendly pure material, which allows you to make kitchen countertops that are original in appearance. The homeowner can easily purchase ready-made liquid material or make it with his own hands.
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The production of countertops from such stone can be done in a direct or reverse manner. Using direct method You will need to make blanks from chipboard or fiberboard sheets, after which “liquid stone” is applied to the blank from a gun. The thickness of the material layer is about 2 centimeters. All that remains is to wait for it to harden and sand it using an appropriate sander and manually with fine sandpaper.
Using the reverse manufacturing method is more labor-intensive, but material consumption is significantly reduced. IN in this case you will need to make blanks from fiberboard, which are 5-6 millimeters more sizes future countertops. Such blanks should be glued epoxy glue, then cut out the corresponding holes for the hob and sink, glue the plywood blanks along the contour and sand them with a sander.
The completed workpiece is installed in the kitchen, the plumbing is installed, after which the existing cracks are covered with plasticine. All that remains is to spray the liquid stone, which is done in full accordance with the instructions. The prepared composition hardens quickly, so you need to act carefully and quickly. It is recommended to lay fiberglass fabric over the completed workpiece and then spray it. This will ensure the necessary structural strength.
Subsequently, the surface is sanded, the edges are milled, and the tabletop is leveled, if necessary. All such work is not difficult, so making such a piece of furniture with your own hands will not be difficult.
No matter how carefully you use such a countertop, over time microscopic chips, cracks and other damage will appear on it. Repairing artificial stone surfaces is not difficult, which will allow you to restore original appearance kitchen surface.
To eliminate large chips and cracks, it is necessary to degrease the damaged area, slightly widen the crack and fill it two-component glue. After the glue has hardened, the surface is sanded and manually polished.
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Small stains and shallow scratches can be sanded out sandpaper. To do this, initially use sandpaper with a coarse grain, gradually moving to a fine grain. You can also additionally polish the surface using a drill and a special felt attachment.
If it is necessary to eliminate blisters and stains, then using a milling cutter the defective area is cut out, after which from the remains liquid material the patch is poured. All that remains is to wait for the material to harden, polish and grind the repaired countertop.
Making a stone countertop with your own hands is not difficult, so you can do this kind of work yourself. The use of liquid stone allows us to produce original, strong and durable kitchen countertops. At the same time, the affordable cost of such material significantly reduces the homeowner’s costs. If necessary, you can repair the coating yourself, restoring the original appearance.
Artificial acrylic stone is a solid and homogeneous compound that provides unlimited application possibilities. Its popularity is growing every day, despite the price.
The word "acrylic" briefly refers to polymers of methacrylic and acrylic acid. This is synthetic fiber, plastic, plexiglass, i.e. everything that is made on the basis of these compounds.
If acrylic resins are mixed with stone chips and dyes, poured into a mold and allowed to harden, you get a product called artificial stone.
Artificial mineral is divided into types according to the number and type of resins included in the composition and determining its properties. Acrylic is one of the most popular varieties. It can be roughly divided into:
Watch a video about what acrylic stone is:
Marble has always been a sign of wealth and luxury; it was used as tabletops and wall decoration by the nobility. The natural mineral was not available to everyone. A need arose and grew to replace marble with a product that was similar in appearance, but cheaper in price.
In 1966, scientists from the Du Pont concern, under the leadership of D. Slocum, developed a compound for the production of false nails. Various experiments were carried out, and as a result, the first tabletop was created from acrylic resins and stone chips, then another. The process gained momentum, the popularity of the products grew.
The first artificial stone was produced under the brand name “Corian”. Then Staron, Hi-Max and others appeared. Over the 55 years of production of acrylic products, the demand for them is only growing.
The acrylic stone production technique includes 3 stages:
Products are produced by:
The highest quality products are made in the USA.
See what the production line looks like:
Acrylic stone is processed using a power tool with cutting discs or milling teeth made of hard-melting tungsten. Sawing is carried out circular saw, grinding – milling or grinding machine. You can drill a hole with a regular electric drill.
Acrylic is easy to handle and easy to process. If necessary, the parts are glued together with a special adhesive composition similar to acrylic. There are no visible seams left.
Advantages acrylic product compared to marble:
Compared to marble, artificial stone has disadvantages:
The properties of artificial stone are determined by its composition:
Composition of acrylic stone:
Acrylic stone is actively used in the interior as decorative and practical material. Manufacturing companies produce:
Products made from acrylic mineral are great for interior decoration. It is made from wall panels, window sills with bright phosphorescent figured elements - leaves, lines, cartoon characters. There are ready-made backlit acrylic panels.
IN southern countries acrylic is used to create street fencing, garden paths, jewelry for garden decor, swimming pools, monuments, tombstones - in a word, everywhere.
We invite you to watch a video about the possibilities of artificial material:
Products from acrylic stone can be made with your own hands at home. To do this, just buy a special kit in the store, including a ready-made mixture and a mold for pouring it.
With your own hands you can make not only a mold for flowers or an interesting figurine for interior decoration, but also more serious things.
For example, a window sill made of artificial stone can be made by laying a sheet of artificial stone 12 mm thick on wooden base, which will not only create stylish decor, but will also help you save money.
You don’t have to buy an artificial stone countertop; you can make it yourself at home. For this you will need:
First, a frame is made from plywood. Holes for the sink and hob in a sheet of acrylic stone are cut with a router. Cuts and irregularities are sanded. Next, glue is applied to the plywood frame and the prepared artificial stone is glued. Decorative tape can be glued to the edge of the saw cut.
Examples of furniture and interior items:
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Making artificial stone from gypsum
Make the right thing for decoration you can from . To do this, dry gypsum is mixed with water in the right proportions, quickly put into the selected form, leave to harden for 15–20 minutes. To prevent the mixture from sticking, the mold is lubricated with a special compound (wax with turpentine in a ratio of 3:7).
Natural gypsum is short-lived, so modified gypsum is used to make products, which is not afraid of moisture, has high strength, and lasts a long time.
The variety of dyes on the market allows you to achieve the desired color solutions. You can paint it already ready product, having previously dissolved iron oxide pigments in water, or add dye to water based into the plaster mass before pouring into the mold.
See how to make a stone from gypsum:
Making artificial stone from acrylic
You can make acrylic mineral yourself. To do this you need:
- prepare the matrix by lubricating it with a special lubricant so that the product can be easily removed;
- prepare a mixture consisting of 25% acrylic resin, 70% filler and 5% hardener;
- fill the mold with the resulting mixture, leave to harden at a temperature of +25 ° C for 2 hours;
- remove the product and, if necessary, smooth out any unevenness by grinding.
You can add color to a product in 2 ways:
- Paint the finished one. Pros: can be used different colors, apply patterns. Cons: not durable, exterior paint peels off quite quickly, loses shine and brightness of color.
- Add coloring while preparing the mixture. Pros: Color lasts indefinitely. Disadvantages: the product will be monotonous, it will not be possible to apply ornaments, etc.; A special inorganic iron oxide dye must be used.
In order not to make a mistake with the amount of dye and shade, it is recommended to make a test copy before making the main product. The choice of method for coloring the stone depends on its purpose. Marbled stones look best.
Manufacturing process on video:
Making artificial stone from cement
For the manufacture of cement stone Three components are used - Portland cement (base material), sand, water. Expanded clay, expanded perlite, or ceramic chips can be added. Depending on the purpose of the product, materials that strengthen the structure (wire, reinforcement) can be introduced into it.
The resulting mixture is poured into a pre-prepared form or formwork, greased with grease. The surface is carefully leveled with a spatula. The cement dries for 2–3 weeks, then is removed from the mold.
If desired, dyes can be added to achieve the desired color. To do this, the coloring matter is first dissolved in water and then added to the mixture. The amount of the introduced component should be no more than 3% of the gypsum mixture.
See how to make decorative cobblestones from cement:
What you need to know about caring for acrylic stone
Products made from artificial stone do not require special care and will last a long time if you follow the basic rules:
- do not put your feet on tabletops;
- do not use caustic chemicals;
- do not place hot objects;
- use soft fabric coasters for hot objects;
- clean when soiled with soap or detergents;
- avoid strong mechanical influences;
- Do not expose to low temperatures.
Stone cost
The price of acrylic stone products is quite high. It differs by manufacturer, approximate figures:
- 1 sq. m of sheet 12 mm thick starts from 230 and ends at 500 dollars;
- 1 sq. m of sheet 30 mm thick - $330 on average;
- with a sheet thickness of 60 mm 1 sq. m. – from 300 dollars;
- stylish tabletop with a paprika color, 60 m thick, measuring 1 x 3 m, with a bar counter and a sloping edge - $1,425;
- bath – from 26,000 rubles;
- sink – from 8,000 rubles.
Do you think acrylic stone is a worthy replacement for natural stone? Tell your friends and acquaintances about artificial stone by sharing this article. All the best.
