What types of artificial stones are there?

Artificial stone is a composite material that is obtained by combining metal oxide and acrylic compound. It is very similar to natural stone, not only visually, but also in characteristics. Now the use of artificial stone for interior decoration is becoming increasingly popular. The main advantage of this material is that when used, toxins are not released into the atmosphere. There are different types of artificial stone, which we will discuss below.

Features of artificial stone

Despite the fact that artificial stone is much cheaper than natural stone, it has the same decorative qualities and physical properties as its natural counterpart. It is about 1,5 times lighter. Plus, there are no cracks or chips on it, which are so characteristic of natural stones.

Artificial decorative stone for interior decoration

• Easy to install. Artificial stone is attached to the wall using glue, almost the same as ceramic tiles. However, here you don’t need to adjust individual elements; on the contrary, randomness can add charm to the room.
• A wide range of colors and textures that imitate natural materials.
• It can be repaired and restored.
• A very strong and durable material that natural elements cannot even compare with.
• It is easy to care for.

Artificial stone – application for wall decoration

You can use artificial stone everywhere, but you shouldn’t get too carried away so as not to burden the interior of the house. It is quite enough to decorate corners, arches and doorways with it, since in this case you will not only create an artistic effect in these places, but also protect them from mechanical damage.

Types of artificial stone:

• Plaster finish. This material is very light in weight and has a fairly reasonable cost. Gypsum products have a porous structure, which allows them to absorb moisture well. Non-flammable, resistant to temperature fluctuations, easy to install – all this applies to gypsum types.
• Concrete. The composition includes: a strengthening component, sand, a plasticizer and a coloring pigment. Additional substances are: pumice, expanded clay granules and ceramic dust. This is a very versatile material that is attached to walls using glue.
• Porcelain tiles. This type is very resistant to increased loads. The material contains: several types of clay, mineral fillers, feldspar and pigment dye. This material is resistant to high temperatures and moisture, and also resists mechanical stress. Visually similar to multi-colored glass.
• Agglomerates. A very durable material, as it contains granite and marble chips. Attached with glue to prepared surfaces.
• Acrylic. This material has a number of advantages: it is resistant to mechanical stress, moisture-resistant, repels dust and dirt, easy to install, lightweight and environmentally friendly.

Types of artificial stone for countertops

Mainly used in the bathroom or kitchen. This is due to the fact that it is moisture resistant, easy to care for, environmentally friendly and resistant to various chemicals. However, it is not recommended to place objects that have just been removed from the fire on a tabletop made of acrylic material.

Now there are many that offer a wide selection of different ones. For example, among many sites you can easily find suitable material. Some of them even have different ones.

The company “Akrilian Studio” invites all interested parties to mutually beneficial cooperation. High-quality products, the best artificial acrylic and quartz stone in Moscow, reasonable prices, a constant system of discounts, as well as incentive bonuses and much more await every client. Our team is a group of experienced craftsmen who are ready to complete orders of any complexity in the shortest possible time.

Artificial stone is a common concept in various fields of activity of modern people. It is used in construction, interior decoration, for the manufacture of designer products, window sills and furniture. But these are different materials, which are united by the fact that they were created by man using special technologies. They have different appearance, characteristics and parameters.

Let’s look at what types of artificial stones there are. Among them are:

1. acrylic
2. quartz
3. polyester
4. concrete based

Acrylic stone

A composite material made from mineral fillers, aluminum hydroxide, color pigments and acrylic resins (methyl methacrylate and polymethyl methacrylate). These components provide its performance characteristics and decorative properties. Available in the form of slabs/sheets.

Positive properties:

1. Strength. Resistant to shocks and other mechanical influences.
2. Non-porous homogeneous structure. Thanks to it, the products are not afraid of moisture, mold, dirt, including coloring liquids.
3. Easy to care for. Easy to clean with ordinary non-abrasive products.
4. High wear resistance.
5. Plastic under high temperatures. Using the possibility of thermoforming, you can create products of any shape, even the most unusual.
6. Creation of seamless designs. Possibility of producing products of any size without visible seams.
7. Maintainability. Scratches and chips are restored by grinding and polishing.
8. Large selection of colors.
9. Safe environmentally friendly material.

Disadvantages:

1. Low resistance to high temperatures. Do not place hot objects, such as dishes removed from the stove, on the surface.
2. Significant cost.
3. Under the influence of a knife or other sharp objects, scratches remain on the surface.

Quartz stone

A material that is a combination of natural quartz, high quality polyester resins and pigments on which the color of the surface depends. It is made using vibrocompression of the constituent components in a vacuum and at high temperature. The result is slabs (slabs).

Positive properties:

1. Maximum strength.
2. Non-porous surface. Resistant to moisture, food coloring, fungi, mold, and bacteria do not multiply on the surface.
3. Not afraid of exposure to high humidity.
4. Easy to clean with water or the simplest detergents.
5. The surface is hard, resistant to scratches and mechanical stress.
6. Long service life. The warranty on quartz products is more than 10 years.
7. Environmentally friendly material.
8. The surface is resistant to high temperatures.
9. Large selection of colors and textures.

Disadvantages:

1. There is no possibility of seamless connection of slabs. There is a joint, but it is hardly noticeable.
2. This is a very hard material that is difficult to process and restore.
3. High price.
4. Significant weight of the product.
5. Color may fade under prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays.

Polyester stone

The composition resembles acrylic stone. But, instead of acrylic, polyester resins are used. They are cheaper, but have a specific smell that fades over time. If you are wondering which artificial stone is best to purchase for exterior finishing of smooth surfaces, this is an excellent choice. It is reliable, beautiful and less expensive in comparison with the previous ones.

Positive properties:

1. Not afraid of water. Used in rooms with high humidity.
2. Resistance to aggressive substances.
3. Affordable price. Due to the use of inexpensive polyester resins, products are cheaper.
4. Environmentally friendly.
5. Tolerates exposure to high temperatures well.
6. Hard, wear-resistant.
7. Resistant to scratches.
8. A large color palette is offered.
9. Cleans well with liquid and gel detergents.

Disadvantages:

1. A specific smell of products that fades over time.
2. Not very durable. To increase strength, they are used in combination with reinforcing fiberglass.
3. Significant weight of the product.
4. Weak ability to bend. Not used for making bent products.

Concrete based stone

A sought-after finishing material that is used for finishing premises (internal and external). Its composition includes cement, sand, fillers in the form of expanded clay or ceramic chips, reinforcing additives, plasticizers, pigments. It is made by vibrocompression (vibration under a certain pressure).

Positive properties:

1. Light weight. To cover surfaces, the construction of a load-bearing surface is not required.
2. Simple processing process. Easily attached with special glue or solution.
3. A hard material that can withstand mechanical loads well. Long service life.
4. The surface does not require special care.
5. Fireproof.
6. Not afraid of moisture.
7. Excellent design qualities. There are many varieties, shapes and colors.
8. Convenient for transportation.

Disadvantages:

1. Porous material. Can absorb moisture and dirt. To prevent this, the surface is coated with a special compound.
2. Sensitive to high temperatures.
3. Small cracks may form.
4. Not plastic. It is difficult to produce curved surfaces.

When choosing which artificial stone to buy, you should evaluate all the pros and cons, as well as the design ideas that you decided to implement.

Main characteristics of artificial stones

TYPE OF ARTIFICIAL STONE