How to Cut Artificial Gypsum Stone

The construction market offers a variety of products manufactured using the latest technology. It contains interesting combinations of materials that give amazing visual results.

In the framework of this article, we will talk about such a finishing material as decorative stone made of gypsum and its use for internal and external decoration.

How to Cut Artificial Gypsum Stone

Facing stone made of gypsum and its properties

Facing stone made of gypsum in antiquity Even in ancient times, for the external and internal decoration of gypsum, masters of India, China, and Egypt used it. Plaster was used for facing walls, floors and ceilings in various rooms.

Such widespread use is explained by its uniqueness: mineral stone tended to regulate the microclimate of rooms due to good air conduction.

Properties of decorative gypsum stone:

  • Low specific gravity;
  • Material strength;
  • Environmental friendliness;
  • Ease of handling;
  • High level of sound and heat insulation;
  • Maintains the necessary level of humidity;
  • Fire resistance.

Plaster decorative stone. Example of texture Thanks to its interesting texture and aesthetic appearance, decorative stone is suitable for the interior of any room.

By means of stone, the lining of the inner and outer surfaces of the walls of both hallways and children’s rooms is carried out. It looks great in the decoration of design elements and is absolutely safe.

The low specific gravity promotes the use of decorative stone even in the lining of thin partitions between rooms.

Walls lined with artificial stone made of gypsum wash well and are practically not contaminated. The only drawback of this material is its hygroscopicity.

DIY artificial gypsum stone

As a rule, professional production of artificial gypsum stone occurs in the factory. Nevertheless, it is quite possible to make it yourself.

Some masters turned an interesting and fascinating lesson in the manufacture of decorative stone into a rather profitable business. Over, without a large investment of funds and with minimal effort, its production pays off in a short time.

Subject to certain rules and the use of high-quality raw materials, such activity is promising and quite profitable.

The use of natural gypsum in its pure form is not advisable, since the products have low strength and short-lived. Modern technologies propose to make compositions of modified gypsum with high strength and preserving the quality of natural material.

The technology of manufacturing decorative artificial stone from plaster

Not everyone can afford the facing of natural stone, as it has a high cost. Therefore, it is more rational to use an artificial stone made of gypsum or cement, which has in its composition various color pigments, as well as polymeric materials.

The necessary material and tool

  • Gypsum white;
  • A container, preferably made of plastic, for mixing components;
  • Pallet;
  • Table and roll polyethylene;
  • Forms (matrices);
  • Electric drill;
  • Corrugated glass;
  • Any water-based dyes.

DIY gypsum stone

Workplace preparation

For the manufacture of stone, large working areas are not required. Two square meters is enough.

We will provide a workplace in advance with a table. Shelves with shelves should be located at hand, where all the necessary elements and equipment will be placed.

Form Preparation

Attention should be paid to the forms themselves (matrix). The most optimal. Silicone forms. They are quite flexible and plastic. But forms made of metal, wood, plastic are also allowed, although they do not convey so thoroughly the texture of gypsum, which reflects the smallest details of the relief and its bends.

Preparation of materials for making gypsum stone

Preparation of materials

After preparing the workplace and inventory, we prepare the material. For gypsum dough, we need mineral gypsum, anhydride, clean water. This will form the basis of the gypsum dough. Sand or a similar filler is also prepared.

The process of making stone from gypsum

Mixing gypsum mortar

Cooking Plaster Dough

In order to save, the volume of the solution should correspond to the number of forms.

Since the gypsum dough freezes very quickly, you can not leave the mixed solution for the next run.

The consistency of the solution should be thick, since the segments from the liquid solution are less durable and dry for a long time. For material strength add about 10% sand.

Form Processing

Form (matrix) processing

We lubricate the working surface of the molds with a surfactant (a mixture of wax with turpentine 3: 7), this is done so that later you can easily remove the finished (frozen) stone.

You can make this mixture through a water bath, which contributes to the uniform and complete dissolution of the wax. The mixture is applied in a thin layer on the inner surface of the mold.

Application of liquid gypsum Next, to protect the stone from the formation of shells, apply liquid gypsum to the working surface of the molds.

We lay the prepared forms in a pallet.

Color creation

Mix the desired coloring matter with gypsum. We use separate containers for this.

We fill the resulting shades into forms. As a result, we get a rather heterogeneous color.

Cast cast

After that, we fill the bulk of the gypsum.

Heat treatment is not recommended as it contributes to a change in performance

How to lay decorative gypsum stone

Laying decorative gypsum stone. When fixing such gypsum tiles to the base (for example, a wall), contact surfaces are primed.

After that, stick the gypsum stone. Mastic, mounting, water-acrylic glue, a mixture of gypsum and PVA, sealant, cement-adhesive mortar are suitable as glue.

One of the articles already examined the process of how walls are finished with decorative stone, which, in fact, can be found.

In fact, to make a decorative stone from gypsum is not difficult. Of course not excluded “first damn lump”but nonetheless, the result is worth it.

A rich imagination and a flight of fancy will help to find original color schemes and textures (even artificial gypsum marble can be made). Thanks to this decoration, your home will be filled with a peculiar flavor, and the elements designed with it will add extraordinary comfort and beauty to the interior.

Making artificial stone from plaster.

Plaster decorative stone. Photo in the interior

Plaster decorative stone in the interior of the kitchen Decorative stone in the interior Decorative stone in the cladding of the house Artificial stone made of plaster. Interior wall cladding