• Finishing the arch in the corridor with gypsum tiles. Finishing arches and doorways with decorative stone

    23.07.2019

    Many rooms are equipped with arches dividing different zones. Arches have become a fashionable alternative to doors and partitions; they make an apartment more spacious and can become an ideal decorative object. Various natural and artificial materials are chosen to decorate arches. One of the most popular options is finishing the arch with decorative stone. To decorate an arch correctly, you need to know about all the nuances of the design and material.


    Advantages

    To decorate the arch, choose one of two types of stones - artificial or natural. Each type has its own advantages.

    For natural materials The following signs are characteristic:

    • They have a very interesting texture. Such stones look unusual - both on the pages of magazines and photographs, and upon closer examination. These include shell rock and sandstone.
    • Lovers of delicate colors in the interior should choose arches lined with marble. This stone is aged in various shades pink, pastel color looks very neat and unobtrusive.
    • To emphasize their status, buyers often choose arches trimmed with granite. This material is very expensive, but it gives the interior solidity and is a sign of financial well-being.




    Artificial decorative stones also have their advantages:

    • They are made of such high quality that they can hardly be distinguished from natural materials.
    • The price for such material is affordable. You can decorate the vault with a large number of stones without worrying about financial expenses.
    • Artificial stone is usually finished in such a way that it is not inferior in strength to natural materials.
    • The weight of the decorative coating is significantly less than the natural one. The combination of strength and lightness gives artificial material a significant advantage.
    • On fake diamond have no effect external factors. It is not susceptible to rotting and mold, and harmful bacteria do not appear on it.
    • Using a variety of dyes, they create a wide palette of colors for stones, so you can choose the shade that suits your apartment.
    • Decorative material is easy to clean, no need to buy special means for care and adhere to special technologies.


    Based on these characteristics, you can determine which type of material is more suitable for finishing arches in your apartment. You will be able to choose the most the best option.

    Tools

    To cover an opening with stones, you need to stock up on certain tools and materials:

    • hammer;
    • sandpaper;
    • chisel;
    • hacksaw for stone carving;
    • construction knife;
    • building level;
    • putty knife;
    • roulette;
    • construction mixer;
    • Grout syringe.


    The following components are used as consumables:

    • Select a special glue for decorative stone, depending on the chosen coating. Some materials require glue with a special composition, so be careful when purchasing.
    • To make the seams between the stones invisible, choose a grout that is close in color to the material.
    • Purchase a primer to prepare the walls. Choose a primer carefully, taking into account the composition of the walls, because different types primers may differ from each other. Not all of them will be suitable for your apartment.
    • A water repellent is needed for the final processing of the stone.


    If everyone is present necessary materials and tools, you can easily handle decorating walls with decorative or natural stone on your own.

    Preparation

    In order for the material to be fixed as firmly as possible, it is imperative to prepare the surface of the wall and the part to which the stone itself will be attached.

    • Remains of wallpaper and paint should be removed from the walls. If there is whitewash near the doorways, then traces of it must also be removed.
    • To level the surface, use putty.
    • The arch and walls in the apartment must be treated with a primer. If the arch is made of plasterboard, do not lay heavy stone on it. Drywall will not support much weight.
    • Some people use stones of several colors in the interior. When you are going to start decorating the vault, lay out the composition of stones so that you draw up a drawing in advance - and only then transfer it to the wall.
    • Calculate the size of the material so that each part fits exactly into a specific location in the doorway.



    Finishing

    Direct finishing of the opening is the main stage of the entire process, which must take place in a certain sequence:

    • You need to stir the glue until smooth (using a mixer). This should be done strictly according to the instructions.
    • The glue is applied to the surface where the stone will be placed, and to reverse side the tile itself. The layers should be from 0.5 to 1 cm thick, but no more.
    • Apply a tile made of stone or decorative brick to the surface of the wall and press down. Each piece is fixed in a pre-allocated place and leveled using a building level. Square parts are much easier to apply, but tiles of a different shape will make the cladding more original.



    • Try to attach the stone to the wall as tightly as possible with your hands.
    • Tap the surface of the material and remove any protruding adhesive, if any. When the glue holds the pieces of tile together at the end, it should be left.
    • Afterwards you need to carefully grout the joints. Using a syringe, it is necessary to fill the joints between the pieces of tile so that the recess is at a distance of 0.3-0.5 cm from the outer edge of the covering.



    • After half an hour (after the solution has dried), the surface should be leveled with a spatula.
    • To create an imitation of natural material, you should decorate the tiles with chips. To do this, you need to outline the chip line in advance. Slowly and carefully remove excess edges with pliers, working from the edge to the marked line. Use a file to smooth out the edges of the chips. For final polishing, use sandpaper.
    • You can spray coat the tiles using special aerosol. If the room has high humidity, treat the material with a water repellent.



    You should remember not only the main stages of the process, but also the special advice given by professionals on decorating arches in rooms:

    • It is recommended to leave artificial stone arches in the hallway with seams between the tiles. This nuance gives additional comfort. However, it is important to remember that too sharp a contrast between the shade of the coating and the color of the seams is unacceptable.
    • If you have to cut artificial material using a saw, it is important not to press on it during this process, otherwise there is a risk that the stone will split.
    • A stone arch is inseparable from good lighting. Make sure in advance that the room or corridor is equipped with powerful electrical appliances. This will allow you to enjoy all the beauty and texture of the material. Lamps can be placed directly in the vault structure itself, which will add additional originality to the design.
    • Arches lined with decorative stone or brick look especially beautiful in combination with plants. Vegetation near the structure will make it sparkle in a new light and make your interior truly sophisticated.
    • Even openings made of stone can be decorated with decorative curtains made of suitable material. Curtains should not attract attention; they are intended only to create additional comfort in the room.





    Design options

    The room in which the arch is located can be decorated in various styles. For each of them it is necessary to select a material of a special texture and a certain color.

    Interior arches in the loft style are made to look like old brick. They can be decorated in red, gray or brown color. It is in such designs that it is provided a large number of chips emphasizing the influence of time on the material.


    The gentle concept of a Provencal interior involves the use light stone or brick, without obvious signs of age. Such masonry must be very neat.


    Pompous style Baroque involves the use of natural stone to decorate interior arches. Such material is a sign of wealth and solidity. The stones near the doorway are very large and massive. In most cases they are designed in light shades.


    In the Mediterranean style, arched design can be embodied in the most complete variety. Material of any texture can be chosen. Preference is given to light or neutral brown shades, depending on the basic color scheme of the interior. Mediterranean arches can even be combined with curtains in a similar style.


    The Empire style is very specific for creating interior arches. Its characteristic feature is that the structure is equipped with columns on the sides. This design makes the vault a striking interior detail. Primary colors – white, beige. The columns at the top are often decorated with stone carving technology, which may also be present on the arch itself.


    The minimalist style practically eliminates the allocation of space around the arch using masonry. Usually small stone slabs cover the entire wall where the arched opening is located, and the inner surface of the opening is finished using special materials - without the use of stone.


    Country style is dominated by beige brick. Arches are created with a targeted emphasis on the joints. The material finds echoes in other interior items - for example, in the fireplace, which goes perfectly with the arch.


    Many people think about in which parts of the house an arched structure is acceptable.

    There are several options for its location in the premises:

    • Popular are those arches that separate the kitchen area and the dining area. A similar layout can often be seen in country and Provence styles.
    • The dining and living areas are also often divided in a similar way. Sometimes a stone arch fits into rooms decorated in different color schemes. It looks equally presentable with any shades of furniture and walls.
    • Arches are popular not only as doorways, but also for styling windows. Often the wall is designed in such a way that there is a protrusion in the form of an arch above the window. This design is relevant for the loft style.
    • In the bedroom, arches separate the work area from the relaxation area. This concept is especially often embodied in modern directions interior
    • If the loggia is insulated, then the upper part of the wall is often removed. What remains is an elegant lower partition that turns into an arch.
    • In large rooms, openings are sometimes used as boundaries between all areas. This replacement of doors helps to visually expand the space in the room.


    Decorating a doorway in a living room or hallway in the form of a large arch has been popular in our country for decades. This gives the interior individuality and special charm. However, you should not leave the arch without additional cladding - modern finishing materials can emphasize the beauty of this design element. Today we will tell you how to decorate an arch with decorative stone.

    Finishing two arches in one room with decorative stone in an identical way


    Decorative stone for finishing work is a material with virtually no disadvantages. Artificial in itself, it consists of components such as cement, pumice, expanded clay and others, which are environmentally friendly. Corrosion, putrefactive processes or fungus cannot occur on decorative stone. In addition, compared to natural stone, this material is cheaper and lighter in weight.

    A variety of colors, textures and imitations of decorative stone in construction stores

    When decorating arches, artificial stone exhibits the following advantages:

    • Easy to care for;

    To clean the surface, you only need water and any non-abrasive detergent.

    • Many options for textures and colors;

    The production of artificial stone is quite common, and today consumers can choose suitable option for any interior. Excellent imitation of natural analogues in color and texture allows you to create cladding that is indistinguishable from natural stone finishing.

    • Fairly simple installation of the material;

    The process of covering a surface with artificial stone is completely simple, so you can handle it yourself.

    • Protection for arch corners.

    Artificial stone covering the corner of the junction of the wall and the internal opening will perfectly resist various mechanical damage.

    Corners lined with artificial stone are perfectly protected from mechanical damage

    Stages of finishing an arch with artificial stone

    If the pressing question for you is how to decorate an arch with stone, and moreover, if you decide to do the installation yourself, the following recommendations will prove useful.

    Preparation for work

    The preparatory stage of work consists of choosing material, purchasing necessary tools and preparation of the arch surface.

    1. Selection of decorative stone;

    To decorate the arch you should choose thin and narrow plates of artificial stone

    Usually the shape of the slabs is chosen in the form of thin narrow rectangles; such proportions will look best on the opening. Often the surface of walls (and arches) is leveled using plasterboard, which necessitates the installation of lightweight material, and thin plates are the ideal option here.

    Another advantage of this form of stone is that if you arrange the tiles vertically, this will visually increase the height of the arched opening. In addition, in rounded arches such material is easier to attach.

    Small plates of artificial stone are easier to use in finishing a semicircular arch

    1. Required tools for installation;

    To decorate an arch with decorative stone, in addition to the material itself, you will need:

    • putty;
    • primer composition;
    • masonry mortar or liquid nails;
    • putty knife;
    • angle grinder;
    • plumb line or level;
    • pencil;
    • sandpaper (or file).
    1. Preparing the arch surface.

    It is necessary that the surface of the arched opening be smooth. If this is not the case, then the defects in the walls should be smoothed out - cracks and depressions should be filled with putty, bulges should be sanded.

    Careful preparation of the arch surface before finishing with artificial stone is necessary

    In the case of a flat surface, notches are made on it using a small hatchet or similar tool. This will increase the adhesion of the applied materials.

    It is also imperative that the entire area on which the stone will be applied must be cleaned of dirt and stains. Then the surface is primed, and you can proceed directly to installation.

    To follow the correct technology for cladding an arch with stone, surface priming is required.

    Technology of facing an arch with stone

    Depending on the chosen design, the sequence of installation of materials on the surface of the opening may be different. Typically, installation begins from the bottom up from the junction of the opening and the wall.

    The first plate is attached to the surface, leveled or plumb and fixed. Then adjacent plates in a row are fastened in the same way. When the first row is laid out, the installation of the second row begins. Usually, seams are left between the elements - about 4-5 millimeters. To keep them even, you can use special plastic dividers.

    Beginning of installation of artificial stone on the surface of the arch from bottom to top

    It is worth considering that when installing a stone on the inner surface of an arch, the element must protrude outward by the size of its thickness. This will allow you to decorate the external walls with overlapping material and avoid the need to mask the corners.

    To accurately cut the required length of the plate, first it is applied to the wall, and on the inside, markings are made with a pencil directly along the arc of the arch - this will be the cutting line. The exact size of the tile is especially important when installing decorative stone on an arched arched opening.

    Most main question, which worries inexperienced craftsmen - how to properly cut a plate of artificial stone. There are two common methods - using pliers and a handsaw.

    In the first case, on the cut line made with a pencil, you need to draw it several times with pressure with a construction knife. Then everything that is unnecessary is simply bitten off with pliers, and the uneven edge of the plate is sanded with a file or sandpaper.

    After marking, the excess part of the artificial stone is bitten off with pliers along the line

    As a rule, already mounted material is cut with a hand saw directly on the surface. This method has its own nuances. Firstly, it is only suitable for plates installed vertically or horizontally and glued to a solution containing gypsum (in cases where the stone was mounted on cement, a circular saw is used for cutting). Secondly, some experience is required when working with a hand saw - if the material is damaged, then replacing one damaged element will be almost impossible.

    The last stage of installing decorative stone on an arch is sealing the tile joints. About a day after the completion of laying the material, the gaps between the plates are filled with a special solution. To lay the grout into the seams, use either a rubber spatula or a construction syringe (gun). To make the seams look neat, they should be smoothed with a brush.

    Filling the seams between artificial stone plates using a construction syringe


    Important! Despite its high strength, artificial stone can be damaged during finishing work. Therefore, do not press the material too hard or bend it.

    If you cannot imagine the result of such a design of an arched opening, we offer you a photo of arches, the finishing of which was done using decorative stone. We are sure that among them you will definitely find a suitable option for your home or apartment.

    Decorating a doorway in a living room or hallway in the form of a large arch has been popular in our country for decades. This gives the interior individuality and special charm. However, you should not leave the arch without additional cladding - modern finishing materials can emphasize the beauty of this design element. Today we will tell you how to decorate an arch with decorative stone.

    Finishing two arches in one room with decorative stone in an identical way


    Decorative stone for finishing work is a material with virtually no disadvantages. Artificial in itself, it consists of components such as cement, pumice, expanded clay and others, which are environmentally friendly. Corrosion, putrefactive processes or fungus cannot occur on decorative stone. In addition, compared to natural stone, this material is cheaper and lighter in weight.

    A variety of colors, textures and imitations of decorative stone in construction stores

    When decorating arches, artificial stone exhibits the following advantages:

    • Easy to care for;

    To clean the surface, you only need water and any non-abrasive detergent.

    • Many options for textures and colors;

    The production of artificial stone is quite common, and today consumers can choose the appropriate option for any interior. Excellent imitation of natural analogues in color and texture allows you to create cladding that is indistinguishable from natural stone finishing.

    • Fairly simple installation of the material;

    The process of covering a surface with artificial stone is completely simple, so you can handle it yourself.

    • Protection for arch corners.

    Artificial stone covering the corner of the junction of the wall and the internal opening will perfectly resist various mechanical damage.

    Corners lined with artificial stone are perfectly protected from mechanical damage

    Stages of finishing an arch with artificial stone

    If the pressing question for you is how to decorate an arch with stone, and moreover, if you decide to do the installation yourself, the following recommendations will be useful.

    Preparation for work

    The preparatory stage of work consists of selecting the material, acquiring the necessary tools and preparing the surface of the arch.

    1. Selection of decorative stone;

    To decorate the arch you should choose thin and narrow plates of artificial stone

    Usually the shape of the slabs is chosen in the form of thin narrow rectangles; such proportions will look best on the opening. Often the surface of walls (and arches) is leveled using plasterboard, which necessitates the installation of lightweight material, and thin plates are the ideal option here.

    Another advantage of this form of stone is that if you arrange the tiles vertically, this will visually increase the height of the arched opening. In addition, in rounded arches such material is easier to attach.

    Small plates of artificial stone are easier to use in finishing a semicircular arch

    1. Required tools for installation;

    To decorate an arch with decorative stone, in addition to the material itself, you will need:

    • putty;
    • primer composition;
    • masonry mortar or liquid nails;
    • putty knife;
    • angle grinder;
    • plumb line or level;
    • pencil;
    • sandpaper (or file).
    1. Preparing the arch surface.

    It is necessary that the surface of the arched opening be smooth. If this is not the case, then the defects in the walls should be smoothed out - cracks and depressions should be filled with putty, bulges should be sanded.

    Careful preparation of the arch surface before finishing with artificial stone is necessary

    In the case of a flat surface, notches are made on it using a small hatchet or similar tool. This will increase the adhesion of the applied materials.

    It is also imperative that the entire area on which the stone will be applied must be cleaned of dirt and stains. Then the surface is primed, and you can proceed directly to installation.

    To follow the correct technology for cladding an arch with stone, surface priming is required.

    Technology of facing an arch with stone

    Depending on the chosen design, the sequence of installation of materials on the surface of the opening may be different. Typically, installation begins from the bottom up from the junction of the opening and the wall.

    The first plate is attached to the surface, leveled or plumb and fixed. Then adjacent plates in a row are fastened in the same way. When the first row is laid out, the installation of the second row begins. Usually, seams are left between the elements - about 4-5 millimeters. To keep them even, you can use special plastic dividers.

    Beginning of installation of artificial stone on the surface of the arch from bottom to top

    It is worth considering that when installing a stone on the inner surface of an arch, the element must protrude outward by the size of its thickness. This will allow you to decorate the external walls with overlapping material and avoid the need to mask the corners.

    To accurately cut the required length of the plate, first it is applied to the wall, and on the inside, markings are made with a pencil directly along the arc of the arch - this will be the cutting line. The exact size of the tile is especially important when installing decorative stone on an arched arched opening.

    The most important question that worries inexperienced craftsmen is how to properly cut a plate of artificial stone. There are two common methods - using pliers and a handsaw.

    In the first case, on the cut line made with a pencil, you need to draw it several times with pressure with a construction knife. Then everything that is unnecessary is simply bitten off with pliers, and the uneven edge of the plate is sanded with a file or sandpaper.

    After marking, the excess part of the artificial stone is bitten off with pliers along the line

    As a rule, already mounted material is cut with a hand saw directly on the surface. This method has its own nuances. Firstly, it is only suitable for plates installed vertically or horizontally and glued to a solution containing gypsum (in cases where the stone was mounted on cement, a circular saw is used for cutting). Secondly, some experience is required when working with a hand saw - if the material is damaged, then replacing one damaged element will be almost impossible.

    The last stage of installing decorative stone on an arch is sealing the tile joints. About a day after the completion of laying the material, the gaps between the plates are filled with a special solution. To lay the grout into the seams, use either a rubber spatula or a construction syringe (gun). To make the seams look neat, they should be smoothed with a brush.

    Filling the seams between artificial stone plates using a construction syringe


    Important! Despite its high strength, artificial stone can be damaged during finishing work. Therefore, do not press the material too hard or bend it.

    If you cannot imagine the result of such a design of an arched opening, we offer you a photo of arches, the finishing of which was done using decorative stone. We are sure that among them you will definitely find a suitable option for your home or apartment.

    IN modern world, where everyone strives to be individual not only in their appearance, but also in the design of their home, people are increasingly trying to remake the standard apartment layout to suit their vision of space. Unnecessary bulky partitions are demolished and plasterboard structures are erected that do not take up much space.

    This also applies to doorways. Traditional rectangular shapes are changed into beautiful rounded arches. Immediately there is a sense of spaciousness in the room, and traffic flow increases (especially in the living room or kitchen). Most often, the doors to these rooms are open, and there is no particular need to keep them constantly closed. After all, every family member comes there quite often. Instead of the usual wooden platbands and extensions, the arch is finished with decorative stone.

    By building an interior arch, you will undoubtedly add home interior its zest. Moreover, an arch covered with decorative stone will always be in the center of everyone's attention. Whether to give it the appearance of an Arc de Triomphe or whether it will resemble an ancient entrance to a cave is up to you, the main thing is to choose the right type of stone for this purpose. It is not recommended to use cement stone for finishing. It is heavy, most often quite thick, and is used for cladding building facades. But finishing the arch with gypsum stone is exactly what is needed.

    Gypsum stone is light, thin and will not steal extra centimeters from the space of the arched opening. There are a huge number of types of gypsum stone. Just as in nature there are many varieties of stones, so with artificial finishing you can choose what will fit perfectly into your interior.

    What to lay on

    Glue. Laying artificial decorative stone on a wall or arched opening can be done using special glue for artificial stone. There are quite a lot of them on the modern market, here are a few examples:

    • Stone adhesive KR Professional Professional. This cement-based adhesive is used specifically for installing artificial stone indoors and outdoors. Sufficiently high quality, hermetically fixes the stone and gives a neat seam (when laying artificial bricks with jointing).
    • Glue for stone Plitonit Wb. This adhesive is used for gluing artificial and natural stone, all types of porcelain stoneware, facing and clinker tiles. It has proven itself well when laying stone on gypsum plaster, plasterboard, reinforced concrete, brick surface, cellular concrete, lime and cement plaster. When installed with this glue, artificial stone does not slip, which allows the master to lay it in any direction - from bottom to top and top to bottom.
    • Weber Vetonit stone adhesive - Stone Fix. It is used for laying artificial and natural stone, as well as any tiles, mosaics, both inside and outside the building. Adheres firmly to surfaces: gypsum fiber and gypsum board sheets, cellular concrete, gypsum and cement plasters.

    Liquid Nails. Finishing arches in an apartment with stone can also be done using liquid nails - strong adhesive. It is convenient because it is applied pointwise to stone tiles with a gun, it sets quickly and is suitable for many types of surfaces:

    • polyurethane;
    • tree;
    • glass;
    • metal;
    • drywall;
    • cement and gypsum plaster.

    Putty. In addition to the listed means, you can use gypsum finishing putty to glue stone to drywall. It can also be used to edit joints at corners, provided that the stone is installed unpainted. Painting will take place after installation. Not polymers, but simple gypsum mixtures such as “Prospectors” have proven to work well when installing stone on putty.

    Preparation and styling

    An ideal surface before installation is required when you want to make torn stone, that is, leave sections of the wall for another decorative finishing. But plasterboard arches are most often initially smooth, so it is not necessary to putty on the corners and cover the screws. The stone will hide it all anyway. If you decide to lay decorative stone with your own hands, then initially the plasterboard arch should be primed before work. For this you can use a deep penetration primer, but ideally it is better to use contact concrete for priming. This special primer contains tiny particles of quartz sand and dries to leave a rough base. After this treatment, the arched opening’s adhesion to any finishing material increases.

    It is better to start decorating the arch with decorative stone from the bottom of one of the sides. Gypsum tiles can be easily sawed into the required pieces with a regular hacksaw. If you have corner elements, they will perfectly complement the corners of the arch. If they are not there, then the stone is laid first on the inside of the arched opening, and then on both sides of the facade. To obtain the required fragment of torn stone for the front side, you need to saw off a piece slightly bigger size, than required for the front part. And then simply break it off with your hands or pliers on one side in the form of a broken stone. And stick it. This work is creative and requires attentiveness and a sense of proportion. Especially if the stone is installed already painted. Proper comparison of all stone fragments is the key to ensuring that an arch lined with decorative stone will look harmonious.

    Painting options

    After installation, the adhesive composition is given a day to dry. And then you can start painting (if the stone is white). For coloring, you can use various colors and dry pigments. They are diluted in water and applied to the stone with a brush or spray gun, and an airbrush is used to remove individual darker segments. It is recommended to first create a base color, that is, the main color of the stone. In order for the design of an arch in a hallway or kitchen made of decorative stone to fit into the overall picture of the room, it is necessary to select colors that are close or several tones darker or lighter than the color of the walls in the room.

    Painting stone with tinted paint is not recommended, especially if the stone is porous. Because the paint clogs the pores and the relief gets lost. It spoils quite a lot appearance arches. The best option is pigments or colors diluted with water. The water will immediately be absorbed into the plaster, and the color will remain outside without damaging the stone relief. And the arch in stone looks as natural as possible.

    Applying varnish for protection

    In conclusion, I would like to talk about the finishing of artificial stone. An arch trimmed with decorative stone requires a protective coating. To avoid future absorption of moisture by gypsum stone, it is necessary to impregnate it with water-repellent compounds. They not only protect the stone from moisture, but also reduce the likelihood of mold damage to the stone. The artificial stone is cleaned of dust and the water repellent is applied with a brush in two layers.

    Acrylic varnish can be used to protect decorative stone. This is a ready-made aqueous dispersion of milky color with a slight odor. After this varnish has dried, a transparent, durable film forms on the gypsum stone, and the stone can be wiped with a damp sponge. The varnish is absolutely harmless and does not emit harmful substances. If necessary, acrylic varnish can be diluted with water and applied with a spray gun, spray gun or airbrush.

    This varnish is produced in three versions: matte, semi-matte and glossy. When choosing, it is worth considering that glossy varnish will give the effect of the stone’s shine; it will give the impression that the stone is wet. Semi-matte acrylic varnish will only reflect slightly. And here Matt lacquer unlike previous options, it will protect the stone from moisture and will not change its color. Such option will do for those who want to achieve natural color when finishing.

    Some people think that if they bought a painted stone, then it is already ready and there is no need to further process it after installation. But that's not true. After all, it is impossible to say with certainty how the stone was processed during production. So when finishing interior arch finished with decorative stone, it is recommended to brush over the protective coating again. This will not only clog your pores. gypsum stone and will not allow moisture to be absorbed into it, but will also add strength to the tile.

    An arch, as one of the design methods, is usually installed in the transition between the hallway and the living room.

    This is essentially the first element of decor that can surprise visiting guests.

    Nowadays arched structures are very popular, they have a variety of shapes, sizes and designs.

    Decorating an arch with decorative stone is the most popular way to make it more functional, sophisticated and trendy.

    Decorating an arch, what to choose?

    You can decorate the arch in several ways: with plastic panels, with a wooden opening.

    But all of them are no longer relevant: they are not environmentally friendly, since they do not allow air to pass through, plaster is very susceptible to mechanical stress, and wood does not always meet the high demands of trendy design.

    Today, the most popular way to decorate arches is to decorate them with artificial stone, which has many advantages over natural stone.

    In addition to everything, it has a highly wear-resistant surface and is able to maintain its original appearance for a long time.

    Artificial is better than natural!

    Perhaps such a statement may be confusing, since there is a general opinion that natural is always better than artificial, but not in this case.

    Firstly, the artificial (decorative) material is one hundred percent natural and consists of expanded clay, pumice, cement and other natural fillers, and is only obtained industrially, artificially.

    It is strong, durable and no less beautiful.

    Secondly, there are several advantages of decorative stone over natural stone:

    • It is almost three times lighter than its natural counterpart, which allows the use of artificial material on arched structures of different strengths;
    • Available for purchase on the construction market and costs several times cheaper than natural ones;
    • Shape, texture, color can exactly repeat popular types natural stones used in finishing;
    • Easy to care for decorated surfaces;
    • Even an amateur can decorate an arched space with such material; the product is malleable when cutting and grinding sharp corners.

    Thirdly, the material is resistant to high humidity, temperature changes, fungus, corrosion and rotting.

    This certainly makes it a leader among similar ones when choosing a product for room decor.

    Main stages of work: where to start?

    When decorating an arched space with artificial decor, there are three main stages:

    • Preparation of the working surface of the wall and working equipment;
    • Basic work on finishing the internal and external surfaces of the arch;
    • Surface decoration.

    The first stage includes preparing the base for laying artificial stone and the necessary working equipment.

    In the first case, no special care is required, the main thing is that the surface is cleaned of dust and primed.

    For better bonding of the glue, wall and decor, before laying the layer, notches are applied to the base of the wall.

    To work you will need the following tools and materials:

    • Primer composition;
    • Mortar or construction adhesive;
    • Grout for joints;
    • Auxiliary tools (pencil, ruler, sandpaper, plastic spatula, construction syringe).

    It should be taken into account that the cement mortar (glue), its composition and proportions, must correspond to the selected type of material.

    The second stage is finishing the arch with decorative stone, in a word, laying it on the prepared surface.

    The first row of material is formed at the junction of the arch and the wall according to the “bottom-up” principle, the second according to the same principle, but in a checkerboard pattern.

    The complexity of the second stage lies in applying decorative elements to the arched shape of the arch with the designation of additional markings of the required radius.

    As well as trimming the product according to the intended pattern, followed by polishing the cut edges.

    The time for the adhesive layer to dry depends on the type of solution chosen, most often it is about two days.

    Artificial stone can be laid in two ways: without seams and with jointing.

    In the case of using the second method, after the glue has completely dried, the gaps between the tiles are rubbed using a construction syringe or a plastic spatula with a special compound.

    The third stage of finishing work is decorating the surface, that is, giving it a finished look.

    It is important to remember that the applied adhesive must be completely dry before otherwise When processing seams, a carefully laid out checkerboard pattern may be disrupted.

    Decoration includes: primary treatment of seams with a composition for filling gaps between products, giving the finished surface the required shade using an airbrush.

    Also, cleaning the masonry from excess glue and grout, treating the surface with polishing and water-repellent agents.

    Artificial stone can be laid using special construction adhesive, a mortar of cement and sand, or liquid nails; the adhesive base is selected depending on the type of wall surface and the type of decorative product.

    When preparing the adhesive solution yourself, you must use it in small portions, otherwise it may dry out and partially lose its properties.

    You shouldn’t lay artificial stone right away; first you need to mix it together from several different packages.

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