The use of natural stone for interior decoration

Finishing with natural stone allows you to create sophisticated and respectable interiors. Undoubtedly, the material has a number of advantages, among which are durability, strength, moisture resistance, fire safety. Among the disadvantages are high cost, high weight and complexity of processing.

The eminent inhabitants of Ancient Rome also resorted to decorating the interior parts of the dwelling with stone. Due to the high cost of the material and the laboriousness of its processing and installation, such cladding was available only to wealthy people, representatives of the nobility. Over time, the popularity of the stone has grown. And even with the advent of many other (less expensive and difficult to install) materials, natural stone for interior decoration remains in demand.

This is due to the high performance characteristics of the products and their attractive, respectable appearance. Like thousands of years ago, natural stone in decoration demonstrates wealth, status of the owner of a house or other premises.

Due to the natural composition of the material, it is resistant to fire (it is non-combustible), it is weather-resistant. Naturally, before use, the stones are processed, the background radiation is removed, and the stones are cut. The finished product must meet the requirements of GOST 9480-2012.

For interior decoration, different types of natural stone are used:

Natural marble is based on calcite, supplemented with other minerals. The shade and strength characteristics of marble depend on the characteristics and volume of the latter.

The material has a characteristic appearance, and its surface is grayish, beige, black, burgundy and many other shades. A feature of the material is the presence of light veins that form a pattern. Thanks to processing (polishing or grinding), it is possible to obtain various textures of the material.

Perhaps the strongest and most durable of all natural stones. Due to its moisture and abrasion resistance, granite has a long service life. This noble material has several color shades that "play" when the sun's rays hit the surface.

This material is the result of deposition from carbon dioxide water sources. It is based on calcium carbonate. One of the main advantages of travertine is the absence of background radiation. In addition, it is strong and durable (it was used during the construction of the Colosseum), abrasion resistant, moisture resistant. According to its strength characteristics, it occupies a place between granite and limestone.

The main palette of stone colors is white, gray, light shades of brown.

Travertine has an interesting property - over the years, its strength indicators increase, which also contributes to the durability of the material.

Refers to minerals of the carbonate class. The brown, white or yellowish tint of dolomite is due to the presence of clay and iron hydroxides in the particles. A feature of dolomite is its shiny surface, which can have varying degrees of severity - from matte to mother-of-pearl.

Dolomite also has no radiation background, moreover, it has medicinal properties. It has a positive effect on the central nervous system, relieves nervous tension, relieves anxiety and insomnia.

The beneficial effect of the material, as well as its resistance to high temperatures, makes it possible to use dolomite in the decoration of relaxation rooms in baths and saunas.

According to professionals, slate is one of the best materials for interior decoration. In addition to the absence of radiation and an attractive design, the mineral has good thermal conductivity and can also act as a sound insulating material.

Shale shades are gray, graphite, black, greenish and burgundy. Its surface is dotted with veins that form an intricate pattern. Depending on the treatment, the surface can be smooth or have a pleasant roughness, even velvety. Slate has a certain feature - it periodically peels off. After the particles come off, the material regains its previous appearance and at the same time becomes more durable.

A kind of semi-precious stone with high light transmittance. This results in a radiant sheen on the surface of the material and its elegant appearance.

The material is characterized by environmental friendliness, has the ability to purify the air in the room. Among other advantages are lightness and various processing options, durability, original appearance.

As already mentioned, facing stone is one of the heaviest materials for interior decoration. This provides, on the one hand, its increased strength and durability, on the other hand, complicates the installation process. The surfaces to be trimmed must be reliable and withstand significant loads.

Natural stone is fire resistant, most of its types are moisture resistant. They do not absorb water and are resistant to aggressive liquids (exception is travertine).

Natural stone allows you to increase the heat and sound insulation of the room. Unlike modern heaters, finishing with natural material allows you to maintain optimal air humidity in the room while reducing heat loss in the room.

The stone is resistant to high and low temperatures (not all materials can withstand their abrupt change), ultraviolet rays.

Facing with natural stone always looks aristocratic, sophisticated, respectable, it allows you to emphasize the status of the interior. Given the high performance characteristics, it is logical that the cost of natural stone cannot be low.

When choosing a certain type of stone for interior decoration, first of all, its purpose should be taken into account. So, polished granite looks organically when decorating the walls of the living room, kitchen or dining room aprons.However, it is impossible to lay such tiles on the floor in the bathroom or shower room - it is too slippery, there is a high probability of injury. For these purposes, it is better to use porous marble tiles.... It is not only safe, but also has the ability to absorb and quickly evaporate moisture.

However, when it comes to flooring in the living room or corridor, then marble is no longer a suitable option due to its low abrasion resistance. In addition, it is chemically unstable, so when used in the kitchen work area (finishing aprons, the headset) will quickly lose its attractiveness.

When choosing a material, you should make sure that the elements have a flat surface without cracks, build-ups, streaks. Such manifestations are not only unattractive from an aesthetic point of view, but also impair the adhesion of the stone.

As an adhesive for natural stone, cement mortars or tile glue are used. The latter is preferable due to the simplicity of preparation, elasticity, and the absence of efflorescence on the surface of the stone.

Among the leading manufacturers of tile adhesives - Plitonit (Plitonit B + glue has proven itself well), Ceresit (Ceresit CM17, Ceresit CM11, Ceresit CM117 are suitable for stone), Unix (Unix 2000 and Unix Granite). For heavy stones, professionals advise using the Quick-mix FX-900.

Some formulations are universal, that is, they are suitable for outdoor and indoor use. They are frost and weather resistant. However, these characteristics are not important for the adhesive composition for the inner lining, respectively, there is no point in overpaying for them.

For laying stone of light shades, first of all marble, it is necessary to use only white glue ("Plitonit S Marble", Litokol Litoplus K55, Ceresit CM 115). The use of dark glue or cement can cause stains and streaks on the face of the material.

The adhesive composition or cement slurry differs in moisture content. Each type of stone requires a specific glue composition. So, weakly porous rocks (granite) absorb moisture least of all, so any types of glue and cement mortars are suitable for fixing them.

Medium-porous materials - granite, sandstone - are characterized by greater absorbency, so the glue for them should have less water in the composition. The most whimsical are porous stones (marble, white granite)that actively absorb water. It is clear that in the adhesive, it must be replaced with a special solution.

Do-it-yourself natural stone installation should begin with wall preparation. It is necessary to achieve its smoothness and evenness. However, minor irregularities due to the peculiarity of the finish will be invisible.

The next step is to coat the surface with 2-3 layers of deep penetration primer. It will act as an antiseptic and increase the adhesion of materials.

After that, 2-3 layers of plaster are applied, after which a reinforcing mesh is attached, and on top of it another 1-2 layers of plaster. This technology allows you to strengthen the wall.Laying stone in rooms with high humidity requires the organization of a waterproofing system.

The stone is fixed using one of the methods: end-to-end or with the preservation of the seam between the elements. The adhesive solution is applied to the back surface of the stone with a spatula or comb. After that, the stone is pressed against the surface to be trimmed and scrolled a little. It is necessary to wait a few seconds for the initial setting of the material. You can put a stone on a cement mortar, but it is better to use a special glue.

It is important that the adhesive is suitable for the selected type of mineral. It is important to read the description and instructions for the composition and strictly follow them when diluting the adhesive mixture.

If heavy stones of a large size are used, then they are attached to a metal mesh attached to the wall. The attachment point is carried out using anchors. For fasteners, holes of a suitable diameter are made in the stones. The gap formed between the lining and the mesh is poured with a solution, due to which strength and reliability of fixation is achieved. The advantage of this method is that it allows you to hide small defects in the surface of the walls.

Installation is carried out from bottom to top, the rows are laid with a slight offset (as with brickwork) to achieve the most natural effect. If the technique of laying with a seam is chosen, then tiled crosses are installed between the elements. or strips of drywall. With their help, it is possible to create seams of the same width.

After the adhesive has dried, you can start grouting. The special composition should not completely fill the seam, the elements should seem to rise above the seams.

For information on how to lay natural stone, see the next video.

Designers warn that when decorating with stone, the room may visually become smaller. Correct lighting of the stone will allow you to avoid this. In small rooms, it is better to abandon the cladding of the entire surface of the wall with stone, and use it to highlight individual areas, alternating with light textures.

The decorative effect is achieved with the correct selection of the size and shade of the stones. For larger rooms, it is better to choose a larger stone. In spacious living rooms, granite or marble finishes look elegant and respectable.

Natural stones can look cold, so it is better to combine them with warmer textures - wood, plaster, dense textiles, fur. In this example, a fireplace faced with white stone works well with wood paneling on the walls.

Bright warm shades of orange, red, yellow, green allow you to "dilute" the excessive severity created by natural light-colored stone.

The technology of laying with a seam between the elements allows to emphasize the texture of the stone, while the seams are given a contrasting shade. Another option is to use stones of different sizes.

A bold cladding option will be a stone ceiling. So it will be possible to recreate the atmosphere of intimacy and comfort. Having completed this design of the ceiling in the attic or in the kitchen, for example, and supplementing it with appropriate furniture and even photo wallpaper, you can turn it into an Alpine chalet.

The opinion is erroneous that the stone looks harmonious only in classic and "rustic" interiors. Having chosen the right material, it can be "fit" even into modern loft and high-tech styles.In this example, deliberately rough brown and gray stonework is combined with granite sink countertops, modern furniture and glass surfaces.

Designers offer interesting options for using natural stone in the interior.

• Facing with a stone one of the walls of the room in combination with wallpaper of the same shade or contrasting color. If we are talking about a living room, then a stone surface can become a "background" for a fireplace or TV.

• Decorating arches, corners and individual sections of walls with stone looks not only original and elegant, but also allows you to protect the most vulnerable areas of the room from damage, as well as significantly reduce the cost of purchasing stone, since they are less required. You can combine the stone texture with wallpaper or plaster.

• Filling niches or, on the contrary, finishing with a stone of the protruding parts of the surface. In this way, you can select bookshelves or an area with a TV. The use of spotlights will help to achieve a chamber atmosphere and emphasize the originality of the texture.

• Partial wall cladding with a stone avoids solidity and bulkiness. With this design, the walls look easy and stylish.

• The use of stone to decorate the partition serves as an effective way of zoning, brings warmth and coziness into spacious (and therefore cold) rooms. An important point is that the partition must have sufficient bearing capacity to withstand the weight of the stone.

• The heat resistance of stone makes it a suitable material for finishing fireplaces and adjacent surfaces of walls and floors. This option looks especially attractive in country houses.