How to lay out the walls in a room with decorative stone tiles. Stone look tiles: features and applications Stone look tiles for interior decoration

When choosing a finish that will give the interior a unique look, many often prefer stone-look tiles. This technique allows you to decorate the accent walls of the home in a stylish and fashionable way. Such surfaces are distinguished by their original texture, thanks to which the main idea of the design looks special. The secret of the unique “decorative stone look” tile lies in the texture and appearance.

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

Peculiarities

Stone-look tiles are a luxurious type of building material that outwardly quite realistically imitates the texture of stone. This is an imitation of this texture, intended mainly for decorating walls. Depending on the composition and method of manufacture, 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 dimensions of which are noticeably smaller when compared with classic tiles.

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

Each fragment can have a lot of irregularities. It is better if, during joining, it turns out that the thickness of two neighboring fragments is different. This will give the surface originality.

A feature of the decorative material is the laying method, which is not correct in the classical sense. Stone tile does not need to be adjusted, it is not just imperfect. It is specially made in different sizes. It is released in two forms. In one case, it consists of a single fragment of a rectangular shape, characterized by a noticeable curvature of the relief.

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

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

The laying of such material is not subject to geometry. The set often contains tiles of different sizes, so that the work resembles a mosaic layout.

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

With relief or without?

A separate category of tiles "under the stone" is a variety with a pattern. It does not convey the required invoice 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 about floor tiles without relief. The drawing, of course, can resemble masonry, the surface of natural stone, but it does not convey relief imitation.

The task of the “stone-like” tile with relief is to replace the stone, not a picture demo, so comparing two different materials is quite difficult. They are distinguished by their appearance, the way they are laid. Thus, fragments with an imitation of the pattern of stone surfaces are close to classic 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 - the surface. The assignment of materials to one type is based on the fact that in both cases stone is taken as the basis.

The variety with a pattern is distinguished by a smooth type of surface and a strict geometric shape. It has different sizes and colors. A distinctive feature is the variation of shades. So, shades of pastel colors are often used. In fact, this is an ordinary ceramic tile, the pattern of which is similar to a stone (for example, malachite, marble, wild stone).

It is easy to look after such tile: it is easier to clean it. It is also possible to quickly carry out laying, and, if necessary, to dismantle it.

Advantages

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

This material is highly durable. Unlike wallpaper and ceiling tiles, it cannot be mechanically damaged unless done 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 is especially true if there are pets in the house. They will not be able to damage the surface of the cladding.

This finish is durable. The material will adhere 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 laying rules, 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 "under the 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.

Due to the rich choice, it is possible to fit this finish into modern and ethnic stylistic trends.

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

When simulating destroyed walls, the effect of antiquity is created, which is actively used by designers.

Flaws

Due to the unusual texture, this finishing material has several disadvantages, so the purchase cannot be based solely on the attractiveness of the appearance. In order for the finish to be really what you need, it is worth considering its features. The problem may be the uneven relief of the fragments. During the laying process, trimming of the material cannot be avoided, which in this case is quite difficult.

A diamond glass cutter will not cope with the task, you will have to use powerful equipment (for example, a grinder). After trimming, it will take a long time to grind the cut so that it does not cause damage to the finished surface.

Despite the fact that this material strengthens the treated 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. According to tactile sensations, it loses to the same wallpaper and ceiling tiles. This cladding does not provide for the placement of any objects on the walls or the fixing of furniture. It's not about the relief and complexity of installation, but about unaesthetic cracks that will be visible to the eye.

A picture or a mirror on such a surface will look difficult. 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, facing two or more walls is not possible. Even if you really want to, the volume of the cultivated 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 apply to invoices. 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 this tile. Not every type of cladding can withstand an abundance of moisture when cleaning. The terrain is also a problem. Unlike smooth wall tiles, which can be wiped with a damp cloth, the situation is different here. The dust settling on the surface will fill the areas of recesses and joints. Care is possible with a vacuum cleaner, however, it will also be problematic. This will take a lot of time. Cleaning the surface with your hands can be hazardous.

Kinds

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

Gypsum

Gypsum stone tile is a high-quality imitation of natural material. It is made from a gypsum-polymer mass, which is characterized by low frost resistance, so this material can be used exclusively for interior work. It is light, hygroscopic - it will absorb excess moisture and release it if the air is dry.

Such a tile is refractory and environmentally friendly, has no smell, and will not fade during operation under the influence of sunlight. It is not difficult to work with it, but it requires accuracy. The disadvantage of such a cladding is fragility, so chips should not be allowed to appear before laying. At the end of the finishing work, the surface must be treated with a water-repellent coating, otherwise the tile may be deformed.

ceramic

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

porcelain stoneware;
clinker;
cotto;
majolica.

Clinker is produced with and without glaze. It is suitable for facing rooms of any type, so 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 is characterized by a beautiful natural shade. It is not covered with glaze, it is used in the corridor and the hall. Majolica has high quality characteristics.

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

Location

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

With regards to the toilet and balcony ledges, the inadmissibility of use is explained by the fact that these spaces are already small in size. The “stone-like” cladding will not look beautiful on their walls.

The same can be said about the children's room. This decoration requires 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 can be seen in the case of a spacious type of space reserved for the nursery.
She's dangerous. In case of an accidental fall, you can be injured on the 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 area at the head, in the second - there are a lot of techniques, among which they look especially harmonious:

finishing of a chimney protrusion;
decorating a niche for a video system;
allocation of a dining area during zoning;
decoration of the accent wall of the guest space;
decoration of walls selectively with giving the texture of destruction.

Using tiles in the form of stone allows you to add luxury to the design, while you can vary the layout of the tiles. 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 torn edge on a small part of the ledge or two adjacent walls located perpendicular to each other.

In order for this finish to look harmonious, it is not repeated everywhere, otherwise the technique loses its expressiveness.

Color solutions

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

gray + marsh + beige;
beige + marsh + brown;
sand + light gray + marble + black and gray;
light gray + brick + beige + brown-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.

In addition to warm colors, the combination can be cold, but using exclusively gray contrast with a black tone does not give the desired effect if a color companion is not 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 tile the effect of versatility. Often the shade of the tile is complicated by the heterogeneity of contrasts. This gives a great resemblance to the stone.

Sizes and shapes

The parameters and appearance of the relief tiles glued to the walls are different. In addition to the main rectangular shape, they can be conventionally square. At the same time, the edges of these fragments are replete with curly lines resembling refracted waves. For the convenience of cladding, there are ordinary and corner tiles. The dimensions of the first are more often 24x7 cm, 24x14 cm, the angular variety can be 24 cm long, 12 or 14 cm wide. At the same time, a 15 cm fragment comes around the corner.

Sizes are relative. Each brand adheres to its own standards, directly related to the features of the overall 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, then everything is simpler: their shape is rectangular or square, the dimensions depend on the type of material and the country of origin.

Wall cladding can have parameters 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.

Manufacturers overview

To date, there are many companies involved in the production of decorative tiles under the stone. It is worth noting the products of Italian and Spanish companies. This tile will make any home special.

The most interesting samples include tiles of the following brands:

"Canyon". Eco-friendly facade tiles imitating masonry, resistant to temperature extremes and dampness.
"Keramin". Material for interior finishing with a matt texture in a wide range, presented in white, beige, brick, sand, olive and gray tones.
"Intcam". Producer of gypsum “wild stone effect” tiles, produced in noble and soft tones of the color palette.
Kerama Marazzi. Reliable imitation of natural stone in each fragment.

Modern and lightweight "stone-like" tiles for interior decoration are usually used when repairing walls. Of course, if you wish, you can veneer the ceiling and even the floor with it, but the convex and rough nature of such a surface will be excessively original with the most futuristic design. The walls of the kitchen, corridor, hall and balcony are the most natural and promising place for "deployment" for artificial stone.

Stone wall tiles - advantages and disadvantages of stone imitation

The advantages of tiles imitating natural granite, basalt and further on the stone list are quite extensive:

Profitability. Compared to natural stone, its factory imitation is 3-5 times cheaper;
Resistance to moisture, sunlight and artificial light, chemical reagents and strong mechanical stress at a quite decent, really "stone" level;
Light weight - when wall mounted, the mass of a square meter of cladding is approximately 25-30 kg. A natural stone of such an area will be several times heavier, which will significantly complicate its installation.;
Durability comparable to the service life of the entire house or apartment (only subject to high-quality installation!);
A significant variety of color, depth and relief textures. Imitation of not only stone, but also marble, ordinary and petrified wood, interiors of ancient caves, pirate catacombs, etc.

A unique advantage of artificial stone tiles is the possibility of partial wall decoration. This material looks great in the form of separate "islands", "chains" and patterns on a smoothly plastered base - other finishing materials must be erected in a continuous canvas. "Stone" tiles can be tiled on one or more walls, trimmed with a decorative stand, or used at the final stage. do-it-yourself fireplace masonry. Design options for using artificial stone cannot be described in the largest article, it is better to familiarize yourself with them in professional repair catalogs or on specialized sites.

However, this material also has disadvantages (as without them):

Due to the embossed outer surface, cutting such a tile is much more difficult than a real one. To fit the elements to size, you will have to use special and rather bulky machines or a grinder - a diamond glass cutter will be powerless here. The cut will have to be carefully polished;
A whimsically bumpy wall looks unusual and stylish, but you can’t hang furniture or other bulky household items on it. First, there will be wide and unaesthetic gaps. Secondly, why hide the unique decorative beauty with a standard kitchen set?
Any stone - both natural and artificial - belongs to the so-called. "cold" coatings. Constantly or often leaning your head against it or leaning your back on it is unreasonable. For contact with the human body, “warm” materials are better suited - wood, natural wallpaper, cork, etc.

Tiles of own production

Indeed, it is not necessary to purchase an artificial stone in a store or on the construction market; if desired, you can “sculpt” it yourself. However, home-made stone-like tiles will be much less strong and durable than factory-made ones, even if the manufacturer is located in an artisanal corner of the Chinese province. In addition, it will not be easy to select high-quality pigments for coloring pseudo-stone blocks, as well as special hardeners-thickeners. Additionally, you will need to purchase resistant polyurethane molds for casting work.

Therefore, self-production of artificial tiles is relevant in the presence of excess cement in the household. For example, when large-scale construction works strip foundation for the fence ended, but solid stocks of cement (brands not lower than 300!) remained. The best cement in a year or two will turn into a ossified mass on the shelves of a garage, in a cellar or a barn. It is better to experiment with its non-standard uses than to throw away cement fossils for nothing.

Other ingredients for "stone kneading" are simple and cheap. For 1 kg of cement, you need to add 1.5 kg of pure sifted sand and 1.5 kg of marble or granite chips (if possible, the size of the pebbles is similar). Mixing of the dry mix is carried out in a large container; a manual concrete mixer is very convenient for this operation. In another bucket (trough, tub), an aqueous solution is diluted with coloring pigments and thickening reagents. The dry and water components of the artificial stone are mixed as thoroughly as possible, using vibrators or drills with special nozzles. The mixture will turn out thick, it will have to be mixed for a long time and carefully.

The finished mass is poured into several molds, their inner surface is pre-treated with silicone or soapy water for ease of subsequent extraction of the finished blocks. The still liquid stone is leveled with a notched trowel, with simultaneous vibration of the form. This is how air is removed from the internal space of our bricks, and their back surface is rough for good contact with mounting mortar or glue.

From the casting molds, stone-like finishing tiles for interior decoration are removed after 24-36 hours. At least another day should pass until the blocks dry already without contact with polyurethane, freely placed on a clean floor. Only after that you can proceed to the wall installation of our casting works. It is carried out according to the same procedure by which a purchased artificial stone is mounted.

Stone effect tiles - every step is important for interior decoration

Embossed tiles for walls under the stone goes through the following stages of installation installation:

How to tile relief tiles under a stone - step by step diagram

Step 1: Preparation

All stone blocks must be inspected before mixing the first batch of adhesive. It is best to lay them on the floor and carefully examine them for chipped corners, damage to the front surface, color uniformity, etc. It is very disappointing to first cut or plant a stone on the mounting site, and then find out its poor quality. Such repair collisions are prevented by careful preliminary inspection.

Step 2: Getting Ready Again

The base of the walls must be solid. No peeling of plaster, no cracks, rust stains or dampness. When laying a continuous sheet on the wall, grooves can be applied crosswise, for deep penetration of the adhesive. With partial (designer) installation, the viscosity of the adhesive composition should be higher, because. it is applied to a smooth base.

Tiles are always laid out from top to bottom and from the corner - this is an unshakable rule of stone repair. For the first row, auxiliary lines are drawn on the wall surface, according to the position of the plumb line and level. The success of the entire installation procedure depends on the accuracy of the first row.

Step 3: Now the lining

Glue for artificial stone is better to buy a special one, it is desirable exactly the composition that is recommended by the manufacturer. The underside of the block and the section of the wall are lubricated with adhesive, after which the tile is pressed exactly in place. High-quality glue will "grab" a weighty element in 10-20 seconds, this time is enough to level it. Excess glue is removed with a spatula back into a bucket or other container.

The entire wall (selected surface) is fully tiled with solid tiles. As with ceramics, labor-intensive tie-ins are left over for the next day. However, if the amount of work is small (several square meters), they can be glued in one day.

Step 4: Cuts and Seams

Precisely cut and polished from the visible ends of the tiles are glued to the remaining places. When this rather tedious procedure is completed, it remains to wipe the gaps between the stones with a special fugue. Dyes are added to it to color match the relief stone - only now the work is finished, you can start admiring its contemplation.

Tile is a popular cladding material that is used for both interior and exterior decoration. Since stone-like wall and floor tiles are presented in a variety of composition and design solutions, the choice is much more difficult. Therefore, to create a harmonious interior, you should study all the features of different stone-like tile coatings.

Peculiarities

Decorative stone tile is now one of the most popular finishing materials. In addition, recently, according to designers, this material is relevant in the interior for interior decoration. The stone is considered the trend of the previous and new seasons. It looks elegant and beautiful, but at the same time it has high functionality and reliability.

This material is of natural origin., so it always looks natural and natural. In addition, natural stone is durable.

Natural materials are always expensive, so not everyone can afford such a finish. Stone is a heavy raw material, which is why it is not always suitable for interior decoration. As a rule, with the help of natural stone, the facades of houses and structures are trimmed, where it looks beautiful, perfectly fulfilling its role and functions, including protective and decorative ones.

But in the interior of a house or apartment, decorative artificial stone is used for decoration. This is due to the fact that it is much cheaper than its natural counterpart, it is lighter. This is what distinguishes it from natural stone.

A stone-look tile can look exactly the same as a natural material, not only externally, but also to the touch. Manufacturers present models with realistic relief and texture. Some models look so natural that even a professional cannot distinguish them from their natural counterpart.
In addition, the production uses new technologies that make this material no less reliable than natural stone.
Not everyone will be able to cope with the installation of natural stone, but tiles for this material are quite easy to install, because its installation does not require special skills and special knowledge.

Stone tile is based on high-quality and natural compositions, so it looks quite natural. Imitation of stone can transform any interior. She can become his highlight. Such a tile outwardly can look like granite sawn into layers, can have a marble or malachite design, as well as any, even the most ordinary stone. Moreover, stone patterns and textures are believable and unique. The stone looks luxurious and elegant.

This tile is quite easy to install, in the process of cutting it practically does not split, while maintaining its presentable appearance. Both walls and floors are trimmed with stone-like tiles, and they are also used as decorative elements for various interior items. As a rule, the floor is tiled with porcelain stoneware stone tiles, since it is of the highest quality and most reliable.

In addition, such a tile is able to withstand any, even strong shock loads. That is why the space in the hallway is often trimmed in this way.
It is easy to care for because it has a very low level of moisture absorption. You can carry out wet cleaning if necessary.
Stone tile is considered to be of high quality and quite practical. It can be installed in any space. Thus, it can be called universal. Models under the stone look very interesting and can fascinate with their design. You can choose almost any shade, texture and texture.
Manufacturers present models for every taste and budget. In addition, stone-look tiles are no less environmentally friendly and safe than their natural counterpart. It does not contain harmful components, in addition, it does not emit toxic substances and aldehydes. Stone tile, like many types of this finishing material, meets safety requirements and has low electrical conductivity.

Many models under the stone are resistant to sunlight, so they do not fade at all. The tile retains its original appearance for many decades, especially for high-quality high-end models.
This tile is immune to high humidity. Since the material tolerates the effects of water well, bathrooms, saunas, and pools are also finished with stone tiles.
The texture of the stone is quite practical: dust, dirt, and small scratches are invisible on it. That is why such options are often used to decorate rooms with high traffic.
Stone effect tiles are quite easy to care for: due to the origin of this material, it is resistant to chemicals and can be washed using special products.
Ceramic tiles weigh very little, so they are often mounted on walls. In addition, this particular type of tile is perfect for fragmentary accent wall decoration. With its help, parts of walls, window, doorways and some other elements are often lined. This makes it possible to pick up models of even the smallest sizes, and all of them will look very natural.

But stone tile has some disadvantages:

Although in general, many types of this finishing material are easy to cut, however, smooth models are much easier to process than embossed stone-like products. This will take much longer than cutting a regular tile without relief. In order to beautifully and evenly cut tiles under a stone, you will need to purchase tools specially designed for this.
Another disadvantage is that it is difficult to dock with other decorative surfaces, since it is quite thick and embossed. Therefore, you need to select other rough and thick materials. In addition, a wall finished with such tiles will have wide tile joints and a rough texture, so it will not look good with all other coatings.
Stone tile is a cold material, so it is rarely used to decorate residential premises. That is why it is purchased mainly for finishing the kitchen, hallway, bathroom. In the bedroom and nursery, such a design is not accepted. In such intimate rooms, natural stone will look out of place. In the interior of residential premises, natural stone can only be used in combination with underfloor heating.
Some also note the difficulty of caring for coatings with small relief: dirt and dust are clogged into it, which darken the tile. That is why you have to wash and clean it often so that the coating always remains presentable.

Kinds

Stone tile flooring is distinguished by a variety of types.

Natural stone tiles

This is the only natural stone flooring option. It is durable and of good quality. This is the most durable and resistant to external influences material. The stone is dense and hard, endures all mechanical influences. Manufacturers present both glossy and matte relief models that have gone through several levels of processing.

Stone tiles can have not only a pronounced relief, but also a smooth surface. It is also covered with glaze or varnish. These models are quite expensive, mainly used for finishing luxurious interiors. Among all models, stone tiles made of marble, onyx, granite, balsat and other rocks are the most popular.

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All other models of stone tiles are decorative and are not natural. They only imitate this material, therefore they differ in a number of properties and qualities. But the manufacturer includes shavings of natural stone in the composition of these finishing materials, which makes them as close as possible in terms of external and quality characteristics to the natural counterpart.

Stone effect ceramic tiles

This is the most common type of this decorative coating. With its help, almost all types of premises are trimmed. Ceramic tiles with this design are distinguished by a good value for money. Its performance characteristics are quite high, the coating can serve more than 50 years.

Stone tile models are distinguished by a huge variety of colors, drawings that are able to display even the smallest relief elements, transitions, as well as stone veins. They can imitate cracks and irregularities, pores of stone rocks. Ceramic tiles are capable of transmitting transitions of different shades, which is typical for this natural material.

She brings comfort to the interior and fills it with freedom. But with its help, you can make a rather strict and restrained finish, or, on the contrary, create a more romantic interior by performing accent wall decoration. Ceramics can also be presented in brighter and more colorful shades, it is often used to hide some surface irregularities and other visual imperfections of the room. Many decorative models under the stone are able to focus on the merits of the interior, as well as hide all its defects.

It is not susceptible to temperature changes. Even if it will be affected by frost, it will not deform. That is why it is used even in rooms that are not heated. Even street gazebos and paths are trimmed with such tiles under the stone.

This type of tile is easily combined with other materials. This is a particularly important quality if you will combine coatings.

It is used for both full and accent finishes. It is quite light but durable. In its manufacture, a mixture of quartz sand and clay is used, as well as some other elements necessary for its coloring and increasing the level of wear resistance. This material is made by molding under the influence of high temperatures.

A decorative stone-like tile can even be smooth: in this case, it is covered with glaze, and the natural pattern remains the same, but the coatings do not have a relief texture. Also, during production, it is also left rough, then the texture of the coating will be similar in tactile qualities to natural stone.

Gypsum decorative tiles

Such stone models have a completely different origin. They are made from a mixture of gypsum and polymers, being not so dense and reliable. The coating is unstable to high and low temperatures, so it is used only for finishing heated rooms. But plaster models under the stone are quite light and therefore easy to install.

Gypsum, which is the basis of this coating, is completely natural and environmentally friendly. so it is completely harmless to human health. Despite the simplicity of its composition, gypsum interior tiles provide good heat and sound insulation, they are flexible and plastic.

Of all the types of decorative stone effect tiles, gypsum models are the thinnest; this wall tile is suitable for even the smallest premises: it will not hide extra centimeters. The small thickness is a huge plus, because it simplifies the docking of this material with other coatings.

Gypsum is able to affect the humidity in the room. So, it can release moisture if the air is excessively dry or, on the contrary, absorb it if the air is very humid. This is a great regulator that is suitable for residential applications. Plaster models are easy to process, but they are still very fragile. That is why during the installation process you need to be very careful.

The material is plastic and soft, it differs in friability from other types of stone coatings. It is mainly used only for wall cladding, as it is not stable enough for floor cladding. Such a tile is easily damaged by mechanical stress, which is its disadvantage.

Experts advise using gypsum decorative stone models mainly for accent decoration in rooms with light loads and a good microclimate. That is why it is often lined with walls in corridors, halls and some elements of living room walls. It is customary to varnish decorative models made of gypsum under a stone, since the coating is excessively embossed.

Gypsum models are often used for facing doorways, arches, offices. In some cases, decorative fireplaces are trimmed with tiles, since such a lining looks no less advantageous. Many designers note that it is gypsum that is best able to convey the texture of natural stone, so this tile looks the most realistic.

Clinker

This type of tile is a small brick under the fireplace. This material is usually used not only for interior, but also for exterior decoration. It is excellent for cladding facades of buildings. In addition, because of its high stability and reliability, they are often used to finish surfaces in bathrooms, swimming pools, saunas and even baths. In addition, clinker is often used to decorate real home fireplaces.

Clinker stone models are ideal for both wall cladding and flooring. Clinker is placed even in rooms where there are heavy loads on the floor.

Porcelain stoneware

Such models under the stone have an almost zero level of water absorption. That is why such tiles can be used both inside the house and outside. They lay floors on verandas, terraces, in gazebos, as well as walls and floors in houses. Porcelain stoneware is the highest quality analogue of decorative stone and is practically not inferior to it in terms of strength and reliability. It has a high wear resistance class and is able to serve up to 100 years.

cotto

This variety of models for decorative stone has an unusual color and texture. As a rule, cotto is made from red clay, so it looks very natural and natural. Usually such a coating is not glazed, leaving its texture a little rough, which makes it even more natural. As a rule, cotto coating is often used for flooring in halls, hallways, and kitchens. The walls are rarely tiled with such tiles, but the corner cotto is perfect for cladding the lower part of the hallway walls.

Majolica

Such material has one important feature - a painted bright surface. Usually these are rather small tile models that look rather unusual. Now designers advise laying majolica with marbled design, and it is not at all necessary to follow the pattern. It is this styling that can be the highlight of any interior.

Large models of such tiles are also popular. With their help, you can make almost seamless installation both on the walls and on the floor. This coating is suitable for both classic and modern interiors. With its help, you can make a bright contrasting stone floor and lighter walls. Such a design decision will look bold and interesting.

Conglomerate

This type of tile has the highest percentage of natural stone in its composition. So, it partly consists of crumbs of natural rock. Moreover, such models may include quartz or acrylic in their composition, therefore they are durable and of high quality.

Due to the inclusion of natural stone chips in the composition, conglomerates are able to imitate almost any kind of natural minerals, including malachite, granite, onyx, jasper, marble, travertine and others. The conglomerate is solid and of high quality, besides, this tile is easy to process. With its help, both walls and floors are finished.

Dimensions

Decorative models for natural stone vary greatly in their external characteristics. So, manufacturers present both large tile elements that display small details-pebbles and simplify installation, and smaller products in the form of each individual stone. The latter option looks more natural and voluminous.

Stone tile can have almost any shape from square or rectangular to hexagonal and even rounded. Small tile models are suitable for stone mosaic finishes. This design is great for small spaces.

Large slabs are usually used for facing spacious rooms. In this case, models 30 by 30 cm or 45 by 45 cm are chosen. The thickness of such materials is especially important. Since such stone models mainly have an interesting and large relief, they are always more than 5 mm thick. The average thickness of such a tile is 12 mm.

Design

Stone tile design can vary greatly.

Many models have an interesting relief with a non-uniform texture. Thus, a coating with this design can be used for contrasting wall decoration in combination with smooth, even surfaces. Colors can also be contrasting: black granite looks great with white marbled tiles.

Separately, it should be noted antique decorative tiles. These covers look vintage and very stylish. It seems that such a stone has lain for many years, which affected its texture. Such coatings can simulate chips, cracks, and scuffs. This design is great for an interior in the style of a classic, Provence or country.

The tile with a design under a torn stone looks interesting. It is distinguished by obvious irregularities in texture, color and resembles a chipped stone. It seems that the old stone has simply lost its integrity. It is difficult to trace any particular pattern on such a coating. Ragged stone looks original and interesting, so it is used in some new interiors to focus on the walls.

The decorative tile under rubble stone also looks original. It differs in that on one tile there are stones that are completely different in size and appearance. Moreover, these can be both large slabs with images and stone-like reliefs, as well as individual elements of different sizes, which are assembled and combined by the hands of the master on the walls or on the floor. In any case, such a coating will look heterogeneous and original, a specific finish option will depend only on your wishes and imagination.

The interior decoration of the room with stone tiles is popular, because with the help of this facing material the room is given a unique appearance. Currently on the market finishing materials there is a huge selection of tiles of various textures, sizes, shapes, colors and imitations of natural stone.

Advantages and disadvantages of stone tiles

Such a facing material as natural stone tiles has both strengths and weaknesses. The main advantages that this tile has include:

Tile price. Imitation stone stands much cheaper than similar natural stone products.
High strength of the product, resistance to moisture, ultraviolet rays, mechanical and chemical damage. The strength of artificial stone is as close as possible to natural.
Lightweight material. When using gypsum and ceramic stone tiles for interior decoration, its weight will be about 30 kilograms per 1 sq. m. surface area, which is 3 times lighter than natural stone.
An impressive selection of products for cladding. When using this type of finishing material, various design ideas due to the variety of colors and shapes.
Possibility of partial finishing of the room with tiles. Stone, even artificial, will look appropriate and harmonious when highlighting part of the room. Thanks to the combination of colors and textures, a unique composition is created that adorns a specific section of the wall.

Despite their merits decorative tiles also has a number of disadvantages. These include:

Difficult material to process. Cutting plaster is more difficult than cutting smooth products. A special tool is required, for example, a grinder.
It will not be possible to mount hanging furniture (shelves, mezzanines, and so on) on a wall with decorative tiles.

While creating room cladding ceramic or gypsum tiles are used. Each of these materials has its own characteristics and properties. In order to decide which wall tiles under the stone to use in the repair of the premises, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the products.

Gypsum wall cladding

In the production of gypsum cladding, it is given the appearance of brickwork or the natural texture of stone. Most often this coating is used for interior decoration of the following premises:

Canteen.
Cabinet.
Kitchen.
Hallway.

Through the use of decorative gypsum coating, a specific relief is created on the wall from stone blocks, decorating, with their correct location, the appearance of the room. Gypsum is a whimsical material to use, as it absorbs moisture, and as a result, it cannot be used in rooms with high humidity and on building facades. When using gypsum products, you should pay attention to their properties:

Fire resistance. Products made of gypsum are non-combustible.
Heat and sound insulation.
Gypsum is an environmentally friendly material.
Maintaining a favorable indoor climate.

Ceramic wall cladding

The peculiarity of ceramic products is their strength, proximity to natural beauty and calm colors. With the help of ceramic cladding, the surface of the rock is displayed with the smallest cracks and breaks. This type of material can be used both for exterior cladding of the house due to moisture-resistant properties, and indoors when finishing bathrooms, kitchens, hallways. Ceramic finish has proven to be a hygienic coating because it remains sterile after cleaning and does not absorb harsh chemicals. Currently, the following technologies for the manufacture of decorative ceramics are used:

Porcelain tile. Porcelain stoneware in its characteristics is not inferior to natural material. The appearance of porcelain stoneware and its colors allow the implementation of various design solutions. Products are produced in the form of rectangles or squares with a side length of 30 cm, 60 cm, 90 cm. Due to the strength of the product and its resistance to moisture, it can be used both outside and indoors.
Catto. To create katto, clay is used, which is subjected to high temperatures. Products are issued in the form of a rhombus, a square, a hexagon. Catto is used in the decoration of the walls of the hallway. The range of colors of the material is limited to shades of red and brown.
Clinker tile. It is created from certain types of clay by extrusion, as a result of which it has good strength. When laying clinker tiles, they imitate the surface of brickwork. The material is suitable for use both indoors and outdoors.

Laying decorative wall coverings

Choosing the best one to use in a particular case decorative coating, proceed to its installation. When carrying out work, it is recommended to adhere to the following algorithm:

Preparing the work surface for laying tiles. To obtain a high-quality work result, the walls will need to be pre-aligned and completely cleaned of dirt by any of the available methods. This will require a special tool (spatulas, brushes, and so on).
An impregnating primer is applied to the surface of the finished wall with a brush or roller. In the future, this will ensure a strong connection of the adhesive to the wall.
After drying, the primers proceed to the surface cladding. To do this, use a special glue for artificial stone. Glue is applied to the tile and pressed to the desired location on the wall. There are 20 seconds to correct the position of the tile, after this time the glue will harden, and the work will have to be redone. It is recommended to lay the tiles, starting from the lower left corner of the work surface, and then row by row, moving up. It is recommended to remove excess glue immediately to facilitate further installation.
Seam grouting. For grouting, a special material is used - a fugue, to which dyes are added, providing the most approximate appearance of natural stone.
After laying the tiles, the finishing of the coating is carried out. Remains of glue and grout are removed from the surface of the coating.

If you follow this algorithm, you will get a high-quality result of work, regardless of the type of tile used. On this laying process considered completed.