Stone effect tiles: luxury finishes at a bargain price

Choosing a finish that will give the interior uniqueness, many often prefer stone-like tiles. This technique allows you to decorate the accent walls of your home in a stylish and fashionable way. Such surfaces are distinguished by an original texture, due to which the main idea of ​​the design looks special. The secret of a unique tile "like a decorative stone" lies in the texture and appearance.

It is worth understanding the intricacies of this cladding, studying the features of luxurious finishes, differences from classic material, methods of application.

Tile "under the stone" is a luxurious type of building material, which outwardly quite realistically imitates the texture of the stone. This is an imitation of this texture, intended primarily for wall decoration. Depending on the composition and manufacturing method, the raw materials are different. It gives the surface a special relief, while reducing the width of the walls due to the thickness of each fragment, the size of which is noticeably smaller when compared with classic tiles.

Outwardly, such tiles are small rectangular fragments., resembling a stone with uneven edges, while for believability, the front side is made in different shades. Against the general background of the cladding, the transitions of tones create the effect of versatility, which gives the space depth, deprives it of simplicity with the obvious roughness of the material.

A feature of the decorative material is the way of laying, which is not correct in the classical sense. Stone-like tiles do not need to be adjusted, they are not just imperfect. It is specially made in different sizes. It is produced in two forms. In one case, it consists of one rectangular fragment, characterized by a noticeable curvature of the relief.

Another type is a fragment consisting of several stones. This tile does not overlap, as usual, with the formation of crosshairs. She has her own styling features. Usually, the picture is made up of blanks by gluing fragments of different sizes, connecting the facing elements as closely as possible to each other.

Among the facings of each variety, you can find options with smooth edges, as well as those with wavy edges. If the edges are even, then with some types of material this is noticeable. In this case, it is worth choosing fragments for finishing, the relief of which at the edges is higher in height. This will hide the seams.

It is not at all necessary to measure out the middle of one fragment in order to glue another. This is convenient, although it forces you to select every detail to make the look as attractive as possible. In the finished canvas, such a multidimensionality looks impressive.

A separate category of stone-like tiles is the type with a pattern. It does not convey the desired texture in the proper volume. Here the emphasis is rather on shade and color. This is especially true for marble types of coatings.Nothing but the appearance of the marble surface and its coldness can be expected from such a tile. The same can be said for non-embossed floor tiles. The drawing, of course, can resemble masonry, the surface of natural stone, but it does not convey an imitation of the relief.

The task of tiles "imitation stone" with a relief is to replace the stone, and not a demonstration of a drawing, so it is rather difficult to compare two different materials. They are distinguished by their appearance, the way they are laid. Thus, fragments with imitation of stone surfaces are close to classical ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware. If we consider them from this point of view, then, apart from the external texture, there is little similarity. One tile resembles masonry, the other a surface. The assignment of materials to one type is based on the fact that in both cases a stone is taken as the basis.

The patterned variety is distinguished by a smooth surface type and strict geometric shapes. She has different sizes and colors. A distinctive feature is the variation in shades. So, pastel shades are often used. In fact, these are ordinary ceramic tiles, the pattern of which is similar to stone (for example, malachite, marble, wild stone).

Finishing tiles imitating decorative stone have a lot of advantages. The range of textures is quite extensive. So, she is able to reproduce the texture of natural granite, basalt, wild stone and many others. Compared to natural analogue, factory products are significantly cheaper (3-5 times). This allows for a luxurious surface finish within the planned renovation budget.

This material is highly durable. Unlike wallpaper and ceiling tiles, it cannot be mechanically damaged unless you do it on purpose. Such a surface, with high-quality preparation of the base, will decorate the walls of the dwelling for a long time without the need for adjustment.

This finish is durable. The material will stick to the surface of the prepared walls no less than ordinary tiles. The coating will get bored faster than it will move away from the surface. Subject to the rules of installation, it will last at least 20 years, while the shape and color of the fragments will not suffer even from dry cleaning. In addition, this material is not exposed to sunlight.

This installation is noticeably easier than working with natural stone. The consumption of decorative tiles "like a stone" is 25-30 kg per 1 sq. m. When laying natural material, each square meter of the wall will become visually "heavier" several times. With external attractiveness, such an imitation will not allow the walls to settle or warp. This material is distinguished by a variety of shades of the color palette and textures used. This significantly increases the design possibilities, allows you to choose an accent place for such a cladding, so as not to overload the room with an abundance of small fragments.

A distinctive feature of stone-like wall tiles is the possibility of partial laying, which is not available in other analogues. It can be laid out in the form of separate islands, peculiar patterns on the smoothly plastered surface of the base, not being limited to the method of laying in the form of a single sheet. Through it, you can finish the adjacent planes, which gives the space a touch of antiquity.

Due to the unusual texture, this finishing material has several drawbacks, so the purchase cannot be based solely on the attractiveness of its appearance. In order for the finish to be really what you need, it is worth considering its features. The different-sized relief of the fragments can become a problem. In the process of laying, it is impossible to avoid cutting the material, which in this case is rather difficult.

Despite the fact that this material strengthens the processed plane, it will not help maintain heat, since, regardless of the type of components, it is a cold material. It is unpleasant to lean on such a surface or just touch it. In terms of tactile sensations, it loses to the same wallpaper and ceiling tiles. This cladding does not provide for placing any objects on the walls or fixing furniture. The point is not in the relief and complexity of installation, but in unaesthetic gaps that will be visible to the eye.

A picture or a mirror on such a surface will be difficult to look at. The same goes for furniture: its placement creates the feeling of being in a cave, which, in turn, will lead to a "heavier" space.

For the same reason, cladding of two or more walls is impossible. Even if you really want to, the volume of the treated area cannot be more than one wall. This outwardly looks ugly, overloads the interior composition, casts doubt on the appropriateness of using many pieces of furniture. Restrictions also apply to textures. It is undesirable to use more than one - this will turn the relief into ordinary ripples.

It is also difficult to care for such material. It all depends on the composition of the tile. Not every type of cladding can withstand moisture when cleaning. The relief is also a problem. Unlike smooth tiles, which can be wiped off with a damp cloth, the situation is different here. Dust settling on the surface will fill the grooves and joints. Care is possible with a vacuum cleaner, but it will be problematic too. It will take a lot of time. Hand cleaning the surface can be injurious.

Today, decorative tiles "like a stone" in the construction market are presented in two varieties: gypsum and ceramic. It can be decorative and facade (for finishing the walls of the facades). Each material has its own characteristics. The main aspects should be considered.

Plaster stone tiles are a high quality imitation of natural materials. It is made from gypsum polymer mass, which is characterized by low frost resistance, therefore, this material can be used exclusively for internal work. It is lightweight, hygroscopic - it will absorb excess moisture and release it if the air is dry.

Such tiles are refractory and environmentally friendly, odorless, and will not fade under the influence of sunlight during operation. It is not difficult to work with it, but it requires accuracy. The disadvantage of such cladding is fragility, therefore, chips should not be allowed to appear before laying. At the end of finishing work, the surface must be treated with a moisture-repellent coating, otherwise the tile may deform.

This finish is notable for the presence of several varieties. These include:

• porcelain stoneware;
• clinker;
• cotto;
• majolica.

The clinker is produced with and without glaze. It is suitable for cladding any type of room, therefore, if desired, it can even be used in the bathroom. Porcelain stoneware is characterized by zero moisture absorption and the absence of microcracks. Cotto is made from red clay. This variety has a beautiful natural shade.It is not covered with glaze, it is used in the corridor and in the hall. Majolica has high quality characteristics.

Recently, tiles "like a stone" with a 3D effect are gaining popularity. Outwardly, it looks three-dimensional due to the use of a special film that guarantees the three-dimensionality of the material. This material can be embossed or completely smooth. It looks especially realistic from afar if it has a matte texture.

You can use this material in different rooms of the home, if the design requires it. However, there are spaces where it is misplaced. This technique is unacceptable in the toilet, when decorating a balcony, loggia and children's room.

The same can be said about the children's room. This finish obliges you to a certain style, and this style has nothing to do with children. She is good in the directions of loft, grunge, modern, brutalism.

Even with an open-plan apartment, this technique is inappropriate if a child lives in it:

• The finish is rough. It deprives the room of airiness, significantly reduces the volume of the room. This is also seen in the case of the spacious type of space reserved for the nursery.
• She is traumatic. In case of an accidental fall, you can be injured by imitation of stone material.

There are two options for a suitable place for such a space: an adult's bedroom and a living room. In the first case, this technique is ideal for facing the headboard area, in the second, there are a lot of techniques, among which they look especially harmonious:

• finishing of the fireplace ledge;
• decorating a niche for a video system;
• allocation of a dining area when zoning;
• accent decoration of the wall of the guest space;
• wall decoration selectively giving the texture of destruction.

The use of stone tiles allows for luxury in the design, while the layout of the tiles can be varied. It can occupy part of the wall in the form of a monolithic canvas, be laid out in the form of a small ladder, imitate a ragged edge on a small part of a ledge or two adjacent walls located perpendicular to each other.

The color palette of embossed tiles imitating natural and artificial stone is diverse. In general, they mainly stick to natural colors. One tone is undesirable. The priority is multifaceted color compositions. Sometimes you can see white and black colors in them, but more often you can find such combinations:

• gray + marsh + beige;
• beige + marsh + brown;
• sand + light gray + marble + black-gray;
• light gray + brick + beige + brownish red;
• light gray + beige + cold sand;
• marble gray + beige;

• dark wenge + terracotta + beige;
• light gray + dark gray + sand;
• brick + cold brown + light gray;
• yellow-beige + gray + sand;
• warm beige + orange-brown + terracotta.

Apart from warm colors, the combination can be cold, however, using an exclusively gray contrast with a black tone does not give the desired effect unless a color companion is added to them. The same beige makes the texture boring. White color, diluting gloomy tones, makes them more pleasing to the eye. It allows you to give the tiles the effect of versatility. Often, the shade of a tile is complicated by the heterogeneity of contrasts. This gives it a great resemblance to stone.

The parameters and appearance of the relief tiles glued to the walls are different. In addition to the basic rectangular shape, they can be conventionally square. At the same time, the edges of these fragments are replete with curly lines resembling refractive waves. For the convenience of cladding, a distinction is made between ordinary and corner tiles.The dimensions of the first are more often 24x7 cm, 24x14 cm, the angular variety can be 24 cm in length, 12 or 14 cm in width.At the same time, a fragment of 15 cm goes around the corner.

Dimensions are relative. Each brand adheres to its own standards, which are directly related to the characteristics of the general canvas. Fragments can be traditional or very narrow. Often on sale you can find products 20x20 cm, 30x30 cm, 33x33 cm, 20x12 cm.

As for the varieties with a pattern, everything is simpler here: their shape is rectangular or square, the dimensions depend on the type of material and the country of the manufacturer.

• Wall cladding can have parameters of 10x10 cm, 15x15 cm, 20x25 cm, 25x45 cm, 20x30 cm, 25x30 cm, 25x35 cm, 25x40 cm, 20x50 cm, 30x30 cm.
• The parameters of the floor tiles can be 15x15 cm, 20x20 cm, 20x30 cm, 30x30 cm, 40x40 cm, 45x45 cm, 50x50 cm.
• Porcelain stoneware has its own standards: 20x20 cm, 30x30 cm, 15x60 cm, 30x120 cm, 30x60 cm, 40x40 cm, 45x45 cm, 60x60 cm.

Today there are many companies engaged in the production of decorative stone tiles. It is worth noting the products of Italian and Spanish companies. This tile will make any home special.

The most interesting samples include the following brands of tiles:

• "Canyon". Eco-friendly facade tiles imitating masonry, resistant to temperature extremes and dampness.
• Keramin. A wide range of materials for interior decoration with a matte texture, presented in white, beige, brick, sand, olive and gray tones.
• Intkam. Manufacturer of plaster stone-like tiles in noble and soft colors of the color palette.
• Kerama Marazzi. A faithful imitation of natural stone in every piece.

Reviews of these materials are mostly positive. The buyer notes the interesting design that this cladding allows to create. Other pluses include durability. This finish looks nice and is durable.

When choosing a facing material "like a stone", it is necessary to take into account several factors, ranging from appearance to technical characteristics. Initially, it is worth deciding on the type of planned work, because the tiles for interior and exterior decoration are completely different. You cannot use the variety for the facade that is supposed to trim the internal walls. Such tiles will not last long.

• Consider the seller's recommendations when choosing the desired type of glue with the tile.
• The chipped material is unsuitable for work, everything should be viewed during the purchase process, if possible.
• When buying, it is necessary to add 10% of the material in reserve to the total quantity (chips may appear during operation, it is possible that they form during transportation).

• Pay attention to the batch number. This will minimize the color variation in the material.
• When choosing a material for decoration, pay attention to the illumination of the room. Gray and dark tones visually reduce the room, make it dark.
• Make a purchase in a trusted store with a good reputation. This will avoid buying a low-quality fake.
• Consider the specifics of the interior. If the furniture is dark, then it is preferable to buy lining in light shades.
• It is unacceptable to combine this material, even if there are varieties of the same tones on the counter.
• Pay attention to the price. A good product doesn't come cheap. In this case, it is an indicator of quality and durability.

For laying tiles "like a stone" to be successful, and the finished result to look professional, it is not at all necessary to involve specialists in finishing. This process is not cheap, but every head of the family can do it.

It is necessary to take into account several recommendations of specialists that will help you understand how to work with this material:

• After the material is purchased and delivered home, it needs a thorough inspection.The stone blocks are inspected before the first mixing of the glue solution. It is important to evaluate the color uniformity, to exclude chips. Nothing should get in the way of quality work.
• The base must be prepared and solid. All cracks, irregularities, dirt from the surface are removed, then leveled with a scraper, primed. The primer will strengthen the walls, which will allow the cladding to hold firmly for a long time.

• When processing smooth surfaces, it is worth choosing a viscous adhesive. Work is done in the direction from the corner. When working with conventional ceramic tiles, the adhesive is applied to most of the wall. Working with small fragments, small amounts of glue are applied to the wall.
• After the cladding is finished, the gaps are rubbed with a special fugue, into which pigments are usually added to match the stone. This will eliminate the visibility of the joints. In the classic laying of tiles with a pattern, the seams are accentuated by choosing for this a grout that contrasts with the main finish.

To see with your own eyes the possibility of decorating a space with tiles "like a stone", you should pay attention to the examples presented in the photo gallery.

• The accent ledge with a niche due to the decorative stone-like tiles looks stylish. This design technique changes the perception of space.
• In an open-plan space, you can decorate the entire wall plane with stone-like tiles. It looks stylish, while at the same time it does not upset the balance of the interior composition.
• The stylization of the dining area "like natural stone" creates a special atmosphere. This technique, combined with beams on the ceiling, is quite appropriate in loft or grunge styles.
• The design of the fireplace wall looks beautiful and harmonious in the living room. In this case, the fireplace ledge itself has no cladding.
• Partial decoration of the walls of the corridor or hallway is a stylish solution. At the same time, you will not need a lot of decor, and the type of cladding will be special and fashionable.
• An unusual technique for decorating a ledge-railing. The work is difficult, but the view is excellent. In part, this is facilitated by the different texture of the surfaces and the absence of unnecessary decor in the room.

• A complex but successful example of the location of the shelf and the adjacent pedestal on the surface of the cladding. The prerequisites are a minimum of relief and distraction of attention through bright touches of the interior (in this case, through unusual furniture and wine-colored accessories).
• An example of a cozy dining room with a fireplace and accent wall trim. Despite the complexity of the placement of frames associated with the embossed texture, the design is successful and looks stylish. The fireplace creates a homely atmosphere.
• Decorating the living room wall with ceramics looks impressive. At the same time, the wall does not draw all attention, leaving the dominant role for the fireplace.
• An example of an expressive accent by highlighting a fireplace ledge. The cladding does not violate the harmony of the interior, does not distract attention from the TV and fireplace. However, it will take a lot of effort to attach the plasma and the shelf in this way.
• Highlighting the wall of a two-level house in the living room area looks voluminous. The structure of the stone creates an unusual deep effect.

See the features of choosing a tile for a stone below.