Today, different materials and technologies are used in interior design. The variety of available offers is amazing, but it is artificial stone that is increasingly used instead of traditional finishing options.
And there is nothing surprising about this. After all, this material has an attractive appearance, can withstand any loads without problems and can be used for many years. But only if it is laid correctly. How is decorative stone glued and what is needed for this? Let’s consider the technology in a little more detail and thoroughly.
Necessary tools
You will need the following set:
- Level and marking devices;
- Spatula;
- Hacksaw or grinder;
- Wooden stylus;
- Container for preparing glue;
- Dry rags.
In each specific situation, the list presented above can be continued and expanded. It is important to choose the right adhesive composition. Almost any adhesive can be used for gypsum panels. Silicone sealant is very popular. For cement-based tiles, tile adhesive of the appropriate type is optimal. When choosing seamless installation of decorative stone, this will be quite enough. If gluing with the formation of seams is used, then you will additionally need to purchase a grouting composition.
Preparation of the base and material
The renovation of the apartment begins with preparatory work. First, the walls are put in order. To do this, you need:
- Completely remove the old facing coating from the base;
- Clean the surface with a steel bristle brush;
- Apply a deep penetration primer to the base.
But it doesn’t stop there. You also need to prepare the stone itself. It should be cut into tiles of the required size. It is better to use sandpaper to process the cuts. And the back surface of the tiles should be covered with a primer. If necessary, you need to paint and leave the panels until they are completely dry.
Technology of laying decorative stone
You can do the actual finishing with decorative stone without seams or with joint expansion. Moreover, you should decide on the installation aspects before purchasing the material. After all, when choosing a seamless method, you need about 15% more tiles.
The seamless technology is considered the simplest and most trouble-free. The placement of individual modules is carried out as tightly as possible. And the resulting base looks completely monolithic. It is only important to promptly remove excess adhesive mixture from the surface of the tiles. Otherwise, problems with the coating cannot be avoided.
When laying, you will need to do the following:
- Lay out the prepared planks to form a complete picture;
- Conduct comprehensive marking to simplify further installation;
- Prepare the adhesive composition in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions;
- Apply glue to the first module in wavy stripes or dots;
- Press it firmly against the wall until glue appears on all sides;
- Repeat the procedure with the next and all available tiles.
You need to start laying the decorative stone from the lower far corner of the room and do it in rows until the entire wall is completely covered. Moreover, this is relevant for any gluing technology. Only the details differ. After all, to arrange the seams, you will need to put in a lot of effort and perform the following additional actions:
- Place the first fragment in the same manner as described above;
- Glue the next element at a distance of about 1 cm. To achieve uniformity, install a plastic backing or any other analogue of your choice;
- Place and fix the remaining planks. Leave for a day and then proceed to processing the seams. To do this, they should be filled with a special grout. You can paint it before or after application.
At the final stage, you will need to cover the wall with acrylic or polyurethane varnish. This will provide the base with additional protection from moisture and extend the service life of the formed coating. You can also use any compositions with water-repellent properties for this. It takes 3-4 days for the surface to dry completely.
With the help of artificial stone, you can transform the design of your apartment beyond recognition. You just need to take your time and follow the recommendations above. After all, the process of laying decorative stone is not particularly difficult, and even an inexperienced user can handle the job. Don’t be afraid of something new. Good luck to you.