Cutting artificial stone at home

How to Cut a Gypsum Tile Under a Stone

Once you have made yourself a decorative stone, painted and dried it, you can proceed to installation. Laying of decorative stone from gypsum is quite a fascinating activity under the power of everyone, because it does not require any special tools and experience. All the work can be done with their own hands and save a lot of money, t.к. For one square meter installers ask from 1000 to 1500.

From this article you will learn:

  • How to prepare the tiles for installation;
  • How to glue tiles to walls;
  • How to cut stone without dust;
  • Can glue on wallpaper;
  • How to grout the joints on a brick;
  • What to cover the stone.

Preparing for installation

The wall on which the stone will be glued must be dry and even. The ideal solution: a plastered, primed wall or plasterboard. You need to spread the tiles on the floor and compare them, because.к. The size of the individual tiles can vary. It is often found that the length of the stones are different, if for slates it does not play any role, since it is laid closely, then for bricks it is a trouble. Even if the length of some tiles is 1-2 mm longer, then “on volume” your joints will shift and it will not be pretty. There are 2 ways around this problem:

  • Undercut each tile;
  • Doing the installation “by eye.”. Typically, when laying bricks to form a joint use a staple of equal thickness and lay it on the horizontal and vertical joints. If the brick is different in lengths, the vertical joints do not put this staple, and do “by eye”, slightly narrowing or expanding the joint. If you do so and move away from the wall a few meters, you will not even notice anything, it will seem that everything is straight.

Peculiarities of tiling

The basis for the manufacture of tiles. gypsum powder. Before mixing it is mixed with polymers. These are plasticizers, which give the plates flexibility, gas pedals curing and tinting mineral pigments. With their help, the decor acquires the desired color. The dry mixture is poured with water, mixed and directed into forms. The manufacturing technology involves vibro-casting or vibro-pressing of blanks.

In either case, a coating material with good performance characteristics is obtained. It is lightweight, which greatly simplifies installation and transportation. The plates can even be fixed to plasterboard.

cutting, artificial, stone, home

The finished fabric is fireproof, “warm” to the touch, the porous surface retains heat and noise well. The price for gypsum cladding is not high, for its manufacture cheap raw materials are used. Herewith it is ecological, it is recommended to decorate any appointed rooms. The exception. rooms with high humidity, as the decor is hygroscopic and breaks down under the influence of water. For the same reason it is used only for internal works.

Dust accumulates on the embossed surface over time. It is difficult enough to clean it, especially if other contaminants have appeared. For easy cleaning it is recommended to cover the finish with a protective layer of lacquer. Despite the small disadvantages, the facing is considered a successful imitation of brick or stone. It is chosen to decorate a variety of interiors.

about the company

Specializes in the manufacture of cement products. paving slabs, facade facing stone, elements of landscape design.Also the production of interior elements made of gypsum. interior facing stone, 3D-panels and decorative elements.

Paving tiles

Paving slabs are widely used in construction materials market. Paving tiles compared to asphalt has several advantages including environmental friendliness. It should be noted that the use of paving tiles in modern construction has many prospects.

Paving tiles in the construction is versatile in engineering terms, it is easy to lay, durable and saves the budget. Strength. the allowable load per one tile can exceed the weight of a small truck. Paving tiles will not leave you indifferent, it is easy to buy, as the final cost will be much lower than similar materials due to longevity of use and the initial cost per square meter. The price is one of the reasons why paving sidewalks in cities is so popular.

Depending on the places of use, paving tiles are produced with different technical characteristics. Its thickness is decisive for its resistance to abrasion and weathering. The basic principle on which choose the type of paving slabs is the place of its operation, the thicker the tile, the more heavy traffic it can withstand.

Facade facing stone

Decorative stone quickly entered the market and won the leading positions of its excellent qualities, as an external unique appearance, and the relatively inexpensive cost, variety, durability and ease of use. The whole range of decorative stone is widely used today. Decorative stone gives iridescence, creates a summer mood.

In our gallery you can find diverse variants of external application of a decorative stone. This decorative stone looks great in the forest green and fall. Often used in the decoration of fences, home and street catwalks, building foundations. The variety of shades allows you to choose the most suitable decorative stone and give the desired atmosphere.

Interior facing stone

Decorative artificial stone, made of gypsum is malleable, easily workable, easy to saw, cut or grind. At the same time it has sufficient strength. Gypsum stone is a good heat and sound insulator, due to the microporous structure can regulate the microclimate of the room, absorbing excess moisture from the air and slowly returning it in case of shortage.

Gypsum stone is increasingly gaining popularity and is becoming more common. Artificial stone today is present in nearly every second interior, favorably distinguishing it from others by its originality and unique respectability. Decorating with artificial stone looks luxurious and inspires us wealth, respectability and well-being. From this we can conclude that artificial stone is firmly in fashion and is gaining popularity, actively gaining momentum in the design of interiors, making them original and unique, and most importantly bright and not similar to each other.

3D panels

Three-dimensional walls in interior design. one of the most fashionable trends to date. Modern finishing materials. decorative 3D panels for walls, made of gypsum. help to create them. Depending on the design and color of 3D panels in the apartment, house or office you can create absolutely any mood and atmosphere. the atmosphere of soft comfort, reserved respectability or luxury. Three-dimensional decoration of gypsum 3D panels can change the space, giving the interior a modern look.

3D panels have important functional advantages:

Warms up the room and regulates the level of humidity

Made from environmentally friendly natural material

They do not keep fire (flammability class “НГ”). They are perfect for finishing rooms with high demands on fire safety

Gypsum 3D panels. a stylish and environmentally friendly solution for your home and office.

г. Novosibirsk str.Boris Bogatkova, 248a, 2nd floor, of.12 Working schedule: Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00 Sat 10:00-14:00 Fri By arrangement

Peculiarities of work with acrylic and gypsum

All above mentioned methods are applicable for work with any artificial stone. But the acrylic stone has more plastic structure and allows application of the tool not so high hardness. Drilling acrylic stone is more like working with hardwood or aluminum.

Therefore, it can be drilled, using regular drills on metal, even a feather drill on wood or miller Forstner. Large holes can be drilled with a drill bit or twist drill. It is possible to drill dry.

Artificial stone, cast using gypsum as a binding agent, too, does not require the use of tools of elevated hardness. From time to time to work with it use an ordinary hacksaw for metal or even wood, assembly knife, an abrasive mesh or sandpaper. It can be drilled with an ordinary metal drill, if there are few holes. But for clean work it is better to use drill bits or bits with tungsten carbide tips.

Drilling can be fully carried out using a cordless electric screwdriver, picking up drill bits of the required cross section.

Processing the hole is simple, you can use a hand router on wood, changing the shape of the hole or its size.

What to cut a gypsum decorative tile

In the process of installation you have to cut the plates to size and cut holes of different shapes in them. Use different tools for this. Let’s look at all the options in detail.

Wood saw

A saw with fine teeth is one of the options for cutting a gypsum tile. This is a cutting tool with a solid metal frame and serrated blade. The sharpening angle and shape of the tooth allow you to work for a long time without dulling the cutting blade. This is an advantage of the method, but you must be prepared for the fact that the edge will turn out uneven. The teeth “tear” the base, leaving an ugly end. It must always be trimmed afterwards.

Metal tools

A hacksaw differs from the one described above in the shape and size of its teeth. The fine wedge-shaped teeth cut almost straight, but the saw blunts quickly. When masters choose what to saw gypsum tile with, they take into account that they have to work longer and apply more effort with a metal hacksaw. But the result is almost a straight cut. often than not, they do not need extra work.

Drywall saw

The shape of teeth of such a saw is also different from that of wood saws. This makes the cut more even. Another difference is the shape of the saw. Cutting blades are arranged on both sides. This saw is called a cupped saw. Not only can it be used for straight cuts, but also for shaped cuts. It is convenient to use when cutting in hard-to-reach places.

There are universal models for gypsum board and wood. They cut the gypsum less precisely.

If you use a hand-held tool for sawing, a wire cutter can help you make a straight cut. It is a tool for cutting at an angle and in a straight line. Is a small tray, the walls of which have holes at different angles. The saw is placed in two holes and cuts precisely at the chosen angle. The chisel facilitates the work of cutting parts at right angles and is indispensable in the design of joints.

angle grinder

The angle grinder cuts the gypsum quickly and precisely. A diamond-coated disc is chosen for cutting. It will cut the siding fairly evenly, without “jagged” edges. The use of electric tools has a significant disadvantage. A lot of fine dust is generated in the process. It then has to be carefully cleaned from everywhere. There’s one more thing. It is desirable to have experience with an angle grinder. Veneer is quite fragile, the wrong movement can break it.

Trimming machine

If the workshop has a crosscutting machine, it will be the solution than to saw the gypsum tile under the brick. The equipment is designed for facing, that is, the cross cutting of workpieces. It can be used to quickly and accurately cut slabs in a straight line. That creates a lot of dust. As when working with an angle grinder, skill in using the machine is desirable. Otherwise, it is very easy to ruin the part.

Sometimes for the cutting of decorative cladding, a manual tile cutter is used. It is designed for ceramics, which must be taken into account when working. There is a risk of damaging the trim. In some cases, the gypsum plate is broken off. To do this, the trimmer line is deeply scratched on the back side with a sharp object, along which the cut is made. After that, the piece is broken with a sharp movement.

Advantages and disadvantages of each method

Each of the tools has its own characteristics. So, tckb saw plaster tile with a hand saw on wood its ends will have a small class of surface finish (roughness), and from time to time and convexity. The prerequisite for this are huge teeth of the blade.

In terms of cutting properties it is better to use a hacksaw for metal edges will be smoother, so the need for the following processing is small. But this process is much more time-consuming.

What to saw the gypsum tiles if the speed is important? It is more reasonable to use an angle grinder with a diamond disc for cutting. Yes, and it has its own drawback overgrowth of dust due to the processing of plaster tiles with power tools with high speed.

When using manual methods of sawing is recommended to use in addition the cutter rectangular, usually wood tray with special slots (straight and at an angle of 45) on the edges for a more even cut.

Special features for acrylic and gypsum

All of the above methods are suitable for working with any artificial stone. But acrylic stone has a more malleable structure and allows the use of less hard tools. Drilling with acrylic stone is more like working with hardwood or aluminum.

That’s why it can be drilled with ordinary metal drills, even a wood drill or Forstner cutter will do. Large holes can be drilled with a crown or pipe drill. Can be drilled dry.

Artificial stone, cast with the introduction of plaster as a binder, also does not require the use of tools of high hardness. From time to time to work with it use an ordinary hacksaw for metal or even for wood, assembly than, an abrasive mesh or sandpaper. You can drill it with an ordinary drill bit for metal, if the holes are not enough. But for a clean job, it is better to use drill bits or chisels with a carbide tip.

Drilling can be created with a cordless screwdriver, selecting a drill bit of the desired cross-section.

You can simply process the hole with a hand-held wood router, changing the shape of the hole or its dimensions.

Installing

Let’s consider the installation on the example of decorative bricks, t.к. It is more difficult to put than slate. Gluing stone is better to start from the outer corner and from the second row. How the corner will look like is up to you, some installers file each tile under 45 degrees and dock, others make an overlap. The second option is easier, t.к. no need to cut tiles, but it is only suitable for stones with a simple relief. Laying from the corner means gluing solid tiles without cutting their length, if you do the opposite, it can happen that to the corner you will have a scrap of 2-3 cm and will honestly say “not ace.

Before starting the work, make marks on opposite sides of the wall, equal to the height of the tile with the seam. If the height of the brick is 5 cm, and the joint will be 1 cm, we do marks at 6 cm from the floor. Then we run the line for the trimmer with a painting thread and screw on the entire length of the wall something even: a bar, rail, plasterboard profile, etc.п. Then we make a similar pencil mark up the wall in 5 and 1 cm. Draw only horizontal lines, they will serve as a guide. If you have a laser level, you do not need such a marking and can use it.

Next dilute the adhesive according to the instructions, to read about the choice of adhesive can be here. Take a toothed spatula with 6 mm teeth and apply to the wall.

Start laying. To glue, you need to push the tile slightly wiggling on the sides.

Do not forget to install the glazing beads before the glue dries.

I only had 1 staple of 1.5 meters length when I did the installation at the customer’s apartment. I put the first row, then began the second, and as soon as the tile was beyond the length of the glazing bead, I carefully removed it and moved on. And so on with each successive row until you reach the ceiling. The ceiling is likely to need a trim on the length.

There is also another way to install: the adhesive is applied to the tile itself with an ordinary trowel, then glued to the wall. This way there is no glue between the tiles. Many do not even fill this space, and leave it as is.

About design details

The artificial window sill does not have to mimic a natural stone sill. Acrylic can be translucent with sparks of aluminum powder. Shells and fossils can be seen in the thickness of the board. Only in our country in quarries in the Urals and Karelia minerals of several dozens of colors. When choosing a color, it is interesting to see the different combinations of fillers.

Natural stone window sills require an appropriate environment. They will suit the classic style of a large house. In a simple apartment with modest furniture at once it is clear that this is artificial stone. Designers give preference to original combinations of mineral and artificial fillers. A window sill made of stone should speak of the practicality of the owners in the first place. It is not necessary to copy Carrara marble or Ladoga granite.

Stone window sills in bright colors require the appropriate design of the window. It is necessary to choose window sills in tone with them. Curtain tracks, curtains and drapes should match the color harmoniously.

Window sills from artificial stone have their own style. It is set by a small detail. the end face. It can be straight with rounded corners, a sloping beveled, sloping protruding The shape of the end face set figured milling in the manufacture of matrix. If it is decided to decorate the interior with window sills “marble-like”, it is realistic to order the top with a carved vegetative ornament. Injection molding window sills allow any piece to be taken as a pattern.

Artificial stone window sills in dark colors contrasts too sharply with light-colored walls. A small frame in the form of a skirting board or a brass slat at the junction with the soffit and window frame will ennoble the polished surface. For a white stone tile, a neatly caulked joint is enough. Any constructional irregularities will make the artificial stone window sills especially noticeable.

Assembling gypsum tiles

Before starting the installation, remove the tiles from the packaging and lay them on the floor to select the elements that match the color and size. It is also advisable to pre-mark the surface for installation. For convenience, the wall should be divided into working zones of five rows of tiles in each. For best results, it is helpful to use a spirit level during installation.

Gypsum tiles. It is a material that can be easily exposed to mechanical stress. If necessary, the elements can be given the desired shape and size. You can handle this with an ordinary drill or hacksaw. If you pay proper attention to how the stacked row will sit on the wall, you can avoid a lot of cuts.

You can lay gypsum tiles with or without joints. If seams are provided, then calculate the distance under them in advance. At the same time, if the installation involves the presence of seams, you should start from the top edge of the wall. If not, vice versa. From below. If tile joints are not provided, do not place vertical seams between elements on top of each other. This will violate the decorative task of imitating natural stone. It will be optimal to see the joints offset 5 cm from each other. How to glue gypsum tiles. With or without joints, depending on the overall appearance of the interior and the overall finishing solutions.

Laying of decorative gypsum tiles. It’s a creative process. Reminds the process of stone cladding. The overall appearance has to be harmonious and aesthetic. Avoid high concentrations of the same areas.

Finishing with gypsum stone tiles.

Gypsum stone has gained popularity because of the variety of forms, the ease of its manufacture and processing.

But does it make sense to make your own gypsum stone, for cladding in the house?

The profitability of gypsum products in the presence of molds.

Maybe such calculations influence the market price of gypsum products. The price remains high. Although the very idea of making gypsum products on the spot do not consider it utopia. So, some teams are engaged in making gypsum boards directly during the repair of apartments.

Making gypsum stucco on site.

Quartz or acrylic. what to choose?

Let’s compare the materials, in terms of strength, price and other parameters artificial quartz agglomerate and acrylic artificial stone.

The following table will give you the average data you need when selecting material for your countertop order.

Testing Ceasarstone

Please do not experiment on the finished countertop as in the video). We are not responsible for the results of your rampage)

How to defeat porcelain stoneware

For drilling porcelain stoneware, t.к. It is very hard, use a drill with a special nozzle.

To drill porcelain stoneware is not easy, it is one of the hardest materials in processing. To get even edges of the hole, you should always start from the front side. The output of the drill bit can make a splinter, but in this case it will remain invisible. If the panel you want to drill into is not yet anchored to the floor or wall, you should put a straight board or a piece of wood-fiber board underneath it.

If the diameter of the intended hole is larger than 6-8 mm, you must first drill it with a tool with a smaller diameter. To work with porcelain stoneware is better to use a peorator or a fairly powerful drill.

How to saw stone / Stein /

Low or medium drilling speed, it depends on the diameter of the drill bit. The larger the diameter, the lower the speed. It is better not to use a hammer, there is a risk of cracking the slab. In some cases, especially with thick material, the striker at low speed is used, if there are no voids under the plate, but everyone does it at his own risk. Water should be used for cooling when drilling.

The best results are achieved with diamond tools. In practice, different drills are used: carbide tile tips, diamond-tipped pen, diamond-powdered tubes, diamond drill bits.

Good results are obtained with thin-walled monolithic diamond-metal pipes made in China, besides they are cheap, about a dollar a piece.

Drill bit wears less if drilled perpendicular to the material plane. For this purpose, a drill or a rotary tool can be mounted on a vertical stand. The drill bit lifespan is almost doubled.

It can be very difficult to start drilling with a crown on a smooth surface, it keeps trying to move sideways, scratching the surface. For this reason, you can make a template for holes of different diameters in advance in order to obtain a quality result. The template is firmly clamped using clamps and prevents the core bit from shifting from the drill point. Water can also be added for cooling.

You can start drilling at an angle to the plane, if the template is not used: then the drill bit is plunged into the stone with one side, and then aligned. But this method is better used on softer materials.

Concrete and agglomerate stone can be drilled in the same way.

How to glue a decorative stone made of gypsum

Decorative gypsum stone is a modern finishing material, a kind of wall tile. Manufacturers offer a wide choice of textures and shades of products, which allow you to create coverage, imitating chopped and jagged stone of different species, flagstones, as well as brickwork of facing or antique material.

The main advantage of the offered varieties of the goods is their relatively low cost. Unlike natural brick and stone, imitation tiles do not require special equipment for the manufacture, it can even be cast with your own hands at home. Environmentally friendly and inexpensive raw materials (gypsum and colors) make the production cost-effective, which affects the final price of the products.

cutting, artificial, stone, home

Despite its cheapness, gypsum stone is little different in strength from other varieties of wall coverings and has the following advantages

  • lightness;
  • easy installation;
  • The ability to absorb and recoil moisture, maintaining an optimal microclimate in the room;
  • incombustibility;
  • Absence in its composition of volatile and harmful substances;
  • Color stability and long service life.

Gypsum materials in the process of operation can be damaged by a strong mechanical impact (when hitting with a solid object). The advantages of using tiles can be attributed to the ease of repair of the coating: just remove the damaged element and glue in its place a new one.

There are practically no disadvantages of gypsum stone imitations. Tiles are not recommended for finishing facades, but in carrying out interior work is a competition to facing brick and clinker, tile or ceramic tile.

Instructions for gluing

Glue artificial stone on the wall must comply with the requirements for installation of this type of coating. Under a tile should not remain voids and irregularities, t. к. A thin layer of plaster over them will be particularly vulnerable to impact. The gluing technology is not complicated and does not require any special skills.

Surface and material preparation

For the work you need to prepare all the necessary materials and tools to speed up the process of installation of stone elements. Needed:

  • Artificial stone of gypsum (you should buy all the amount of material needed for finishing);
  • glue for tiles or a special gypsum composition;
  • priming materials;
  • measuring tools, building level;
  • trowel;
  • hacksaw;
  • metal brush;
  • brush or roller;
  • Use a narrow trowel to fill the joint (6-8 mm).

The work begins with the preparation of the base: it must be leveled and grouted, eliminating strong differences in the height of the surface. Small irregularities will be able to fill with glue in the process of installing each element, so the alignment is made by your own efforts, without calling professionals:

  • With concrete, plastered surfaces to remove the old coating and remove potholes, after drying, treat the wall with a metal brush;
  • Glue a reinforcing mesh of fiberglass fabric to the wooden wall;
  • Apply a priming mortar according to the manufacturer’s instructions, maintaining the drying time of the composition.

What kind of glue is used when working with decorative stone?

Depending on the material being finished, different types of adhesive can be used:

  • putty, tile or cement-sand mixture. for brick, concrete, plastered walls;
  • PVA, acrylic, Bustilat.For installation on drywall under putty;
  • liquid nails, thick paint, sealants and mastics. for fixing on metal, plastic and similar partitions and architectural elements.

When choosing a glue, you need to pay attention to its suitability for use on existing surfaces. This information is specified by the manufacturer on the package. Glue for gypsum tiles under the brick can be used to fill the joints.

How to glue a decorative stone with your own hands?

When choosing the method of internal finishing, take into account the need to leave a gap between the elements. A distinction is made between:

cutting, artificial, stone, home
  • Mounting without joints. It is used for finishing with ripped or chopped stone, trying to make a homogeneous surface without joints. The masonry elements are installed flush to each other.
  • Masonry work with grouting. Used to simulate a brick wall, flagstone or cobblestone paving, pebble mosaic, etc. Between the individual stones remains a gap of 0.5-1 cm, which after gluing the coating must be filled with grouting mixes.

In addition to these differences, the laying of decorative stone made of gypsum is made according to general principles:

  • Open several packages of the stone from the batch you purchased. The material may vary slightly in shade, and mixing the different elements will allow you to get a coating with a subtle transition of color, like a natural stone. It is desirable at this stage to lay the outline that will be on the wall. This will help fit the tiles together so that they best resemble the scattered brickwork or uneven texture of the geologic rock. Cut off some of the stone with a fine toothed metal saw.
  • Brush the backside of each tile with a wire brush and primer the same primer used for the wall. Prepare the adhesive in advance, if the manufacturer of the mixture recommends to infuse it before use.
  • Apply the adhesive compositions, depending on their type. Putty or tile adhesive on the plaster base is spread on the outer surface of the detail with a notched trowel. Apply sealants and liquid nails in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions: apply them point by point or in strips, in waves, and so on. Cement-based compounds are applied to the wall in a layer up to 6 mm (in separate sections of 1 sq. m.). м).
  • The tiles are glued by pressing and rotating. If you use any composition other than cement, it is better to glue from the top corner, gradually descending to the floor. On the cement-sand mortar on the wall, it is convenient to mount the tiles, starting from the bottom. If a seamless technique is used, the elements are lapped closely together. To imitate masonry can be used thin flat sticks, placing them in the joints. They will make the seam even.
  • After finishing the wall should be dried according to the instructions to the adhesive (most often about 24 hours). Then grouting compositions are applied to the masonry with a grouting, filling gaps between tiles. Rub the compound into the narrow joint will help wooden spatula 6-8 mm wide. Grout is not used in masonry work without joints, since the joints can be sealed only with a coat of varnish. к. The space between the tiles is often filled with excess glue during installation. If they squeezed out, remove the composition immediately, before it sets.

After drying the walls in a room with high humidity (kitchen, bathroom) must be treated with moisture-proof varnish. Glossy or matte coating is sometimes used to decorate the wall in a room with normal humidity.

How to glue on wallpaper?

Fashionable way of finishing walls, combining the use of wallpaper and fragments, paved with gypsum tiles under the stone, requires compliance with special rules. Gluing tiles directly on the wallpaper is not recommended: the mass of details can tear the cloth from the wall.

To properly perform the finish, glue decorative stone on the wall in combination with wallpaper should be as follows:

  • level the wall and mark out its parts where different materials will be mounted;
  • glue wallpaper in the traditional way, leaving exposed areas intended for the stone;
  • if the wallpaper is already glued and does not need to be replaced, remove some of this coating in the right places;
  • when gluing or removing part of the wallpaper, the line for the texture matching trimmer should go to 2-3 cm to the pasted surface, then the junction of different parts will not be noticeable
  • Prim the wall and glue the decorative stone made of gypsum according to the principles described for the installation of such tiles, slightly winding the edges of parts on the wallpaper.