Technological progress in the field of construction and decoration does not stand still. There are more and more ways and design tricks aimed at creating imitations of natural materials. This is very convenient, as the finishing process is greatly facilitated and the project cost is reduced.
Decorative tile in design
Stone and brick have been used in construction for many centuries. It is not currently relevant to use natural bricks or massive stones. The work of erecting such a wall is difficult and multi-stage, the future mass will bear a huge load on the frame elements of the room and the foundation, and the cost of such a design will be simply enormous.
The way out of the situation will be the use of decorative tiles with imitation of embossed surfaces in the form of stone, brick, and even wood. Due to its lightness, the material for the production of such tiles adheres well to vertical surfaces. The price of decorative tiles depends on the material used in the manufacture.
The most popular trend in interior design is considered to be imitation of brickwork. Its relief on the wall looks natural and creates notes of gross framelessness, but at the same time, it is a bright accent in the design of the design of the living room. It is not necessary to cover all the walls in this way, as this can affect the perception of space, and the room will seem smaller. For interior decoration, decorative brick tiles are good when used in the dotted version. It is enough to draw one wall or create accents in the form of separate elements of masonry at the door, or draw a corner in this way.
Molds for making tiles
The assortment of construction stores presents a large number of varieties of embossed tiles. They differ not only in texture, size and detail of the simulation, but also in the variety of color variations. Choosing the right option that will be combined with your interior will not cause problems.
If you are a jack of all trades and prefer to save finances, then you can make such tiles yourself. The casting process is not very complicated. You will need a mixture and form. When choosing a mixture, rely on the specifics of the room. If it is supposed to finish the bathroom or kitchen, then the tile material should be moisture resistant. If such a decor will be used in the hallway, then preference should be given to material with a high level of wear resistance.
Molds can be of several options. The most common is polyurethane. Due to its flexibility, polyurethane is convenient to use. It is more convenient to use a form that includes 6-8 containers for pouring.
Plastic molds can be used, but due to the fragile structure, their service life is reduced.
DIY gypsum tile
For rooms with low humidity, decorative gypsum tile is suitable. The lightness of the material allows you to mount it even on drywall, and white is a good background for painting. Gypsum tile is an environmentally friendly and non-burning material. Choose high-quality gypsum for the mixture, otherwise you risk getting a brittle tile, which will eventually become defective.
The technology for preparing gypsum mass is described in detail on the packaging. The result should be a homogeneous paste of a creamy consistency. This mixture is laid out in the mold and aligned on the edge. Gypsum hardens very quickly, so the solution is prepared in portions. Do-it-yourself decorative gypsum tile will save you a considerable amount of money.
Gypsum has the ability to accumulate moisture, so exclude the use of this material in rooms with a high level of humidity or cover the tile with a special substance, water repellent. Penetrating into the gypsum structure, this component reduces porosity, but retains the vapor permeability property. Work with gypsum decorative tiles for interior decoration should be careful, as it is very fragile.
DIY cement tile
For facade work, the gypsum mixture is not suitable, since when exposed to external environmental conditions, such material will quickly collapse. In this case, cement-based tiles are used. The composition of this durable mixture includes:
- Cement - 5 kg.
- Softener - 30 gr.
- Quarry sand - 10 kg.
First we mix the dry fractions, then gradually add water to the eye to get a lot of the desired consistency. We select forms, fill them and wait for the concrete to dry.
If the concrete tile is designed for a vertical surface, then you should not make it thick. And for the sidewalk option, more massive forms are selected.
Brick imitation
To create an imitation of a brick on a wall, it is necessary to choose the right mold for molding decorative tiles for interior decoration. The dimensions of one masonry element should be no more than 20x10 cm. Otherwise, the type of finished work will be very rough and congested.
As fixing material, you can use dry adhesive mixtures, liquid nails or dispersed adhesive compositions. Do not forget to prime the surface before laying the tiles.
If you took gypsum material as the basis for the manufacture of decorative tiles for brick, then you can leave it in its original form or paint it in a suitable color.
Imitation stone on the wall
Decorative stone tiles can have several varieties:
- Round fragments of stone.
- Imitation of sandstone.
- Cobblestones.
The masonry fits perfectly into the room, made in the Scandinavian style. Finishing with decorative stone tiles looks rich and extravagant. The texture of such a wall goes well with furniture that is made using chrome elements.
Features of facade tiles
Increasingly, in landscape design, you can find concrete coverings on the street. And this applies not only to the organization of the system of sidewalks, but also to the construction of protective fences, massive stairs and bridges. To refine the surface of these elements, decorative tiles are used under a brick or stone. Imitation of natural materials in a summer cottage looks natural and creative.
Facade tiles, unlike those intended for interior decoration, should have the following characteristics:
- Strong and durable structure.
- Immunity to temperature changes.
- Water resistant.
As a rule, for the manufacture of facade cladding, mixtures are used, which include cement. It gives the material such strength characteristics.
Facade decoration
If you are a happy owner of the site on the slope, then you can create a tier on the site in the form of climbs. It is incredibly beautiful, and for the organization of steps, you can use concrete or brickwork. To design such design solutions, you need decorative tiles.
In order for the composition to be complete and self-sufficient, the fencing of terraces and paths must be designed in the same style. If you decide to use a decorative tile in the form of a stone, then determine the color and select a picture. For open areas it is better to use a large texture. When making facade tiles yourself, remember the specifics of the material. It must be durable and moisture resistant. Use the wet method to fix the tiles. It consists in the use of special facade adhesive mixtures.
garden path
Paving slabs in their properties are very durable and wear-resistant. If necessary, it must withstand even a heavy car, without forming cracks and any deformations. Therefore, with the independent manufacture of such materials, it is necessary to choose the right form for pouring. Tiles can be laid in two ways:
- Using pre-cast tile modules.
- With the help of a special template, which is filled with mass right at the place of masonry.
At the first stage of work, it is necessary to determine the design of the future track and the color scheme. Mark the surface and remove the fertile layer from it. At the bottom of the trench, pour gravel and sand on top of it. Tamp the layers thoroughly and level the surface. Use a level so that there are no deviations. The site is ready for installation.
If you decide to cast tiles in advance, and then carry out their installation, then it is more convenient to use several forms at once, otherwise the manufacturing process will drag on for weeks.
During the installation of tiles on a sand cushion, additional mixtures are not used, since the installation is carried out directly on the sand. For reliable fixation and alignment, a rubber hammer is used.
For molding tiles at the installation site, a plastic template is used. The mixture for casting will consist of cement and sand in a ratio of 1: 3. We add water to the dry composition until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Set the template on the sand, fill it with gravel and fill it with a pre-prepared mixture. We are waiting for a few minutes and proceed to the next block.
Different color schemes
There are two ways you can make a color tile:
- Staining the mixture from which the tile will be cast.
- surface painting of the finished material.
In the first case, you can use dry or liquid dyes. The saturation and brightness of the color depends on the tone of the material. Gray cement, for example, will betray a dark shade of the mixture. For preliminary clarification and preparation of the solution for painting, titanium dioxide is used.
Adding dye directly to the mixture makes the painting more durable, and surface application can wear off over time, especially when it comes to pavement paths or any floor covering.
Gypsum-based tiles are painted using acrylics, varnishes, stains and impregnations. As a rule, the background color is applied first. When the first layer dries, we create accents, small dark areas that will make the texture of stone or brick more realistic. For such purposes, you can use a sponge, and the dye should be applied by point motions, so that the staining looks like specks. This technique gives the texture of stone or brick a natural look.
Fixing Solution
Lightweight tile options that are made of gypsum can be fixed with liquid nails, a special gypsum-based adhesive, or a DIY compound.
Gypsum-based glue is the most common option. It is sold as a dry mixture, diluted with water according to the instructions. As a rule, 0.5 l of water is needed per 1 kg of the mixture. The powder must be gradually added to the water, stirring constantly. If you fill the powder with water, then the mixture will not turn out homogeneous.
Gypsum adhesive must be prepared in portions. Mix the right amount, which will be needed within 30 minutes of work. Otherwise, the mixture will begin to dry out, solid particles dried up at the edges will fall into the solution.
The use of liquid nails is justified if it is planned to decorate with gypsum tiles. To decorate a large area, you will need a lot of adhesive material, and the cost of liquid nails is several times higher than the price of gypsum glue, so their use is not entirely justified.
Glue for facade tiles must be durable and moisture resistant. In this case, cement-based dry mixes are suitable. It is this material in the composition of the adhesive that gives it such properties.
Tiling decorative fountains
The fountain is a terrific solution for both facade design and room interior. Facing its surface in the form of a stone will give it a natural look.
Regardless of the location of the fountain, the refinement of its appearance allows the use of only moisture-resistant and structurally strong materials. The composition of the material for the tile should be the same as that used for facade work.
You can use decorated tiles to fill the concrete surface of the fountain (if any), and place natural stones with a similar texture nearby.
Conclusion
Fashionable design trends, involving the introduction of a rough natural texture into the interior, are a modern direction. Massive forms of stones and rows of stacked bricks add zest to the interior of the home. Easy-to-use decorative tiles will help you create an imitation of such a surface, without causing special difficulties during installation.