Decorative stone is one of the most suitable materials for finishing surfaces both indoors and outdoors. Due to its functional and aesthetic advantages, it is increasingly used to design a variety of arches.
Features
An arch is that architectural element with which a small area can be visually made larger, and a spacious one can be effectively zoned. A qualitatively decorated passage saves and visually expands the room, functionally separates adjacent rooms and at the same time forms a single interior, creating the desired atmosphere in the apartment or house. Most often, arches are made of drywall, and then veneered with the selected material.
There are many options for processing openings in the apartment: using plaster, wood, forged elements and, of course, stones: sandstone, shell rock, granite or marble. However, durable natural stone has a high cost, so today its artificial substitutes are increasingly being chosen.
This happens for many reasons:
- Decorating the arch with decorative stone will cost you much less.
- Using this material, you can imitate the pattern of any rock.
- The weight of such a decor will be much less, which can also be a plus. not every wall can withstand the weight of a real stone.
The decorated entrance in the hallway carries both aesthetic and practical functions. It is here that the owners, guests, and their pets most often move, which means that the passage is heavily polluted. The decorative finish is less dirty and easy to clean, and dirt is not visible on its surface. Of course, she also immediately attracts the eye.
Since the decoration with decorative stone is able to repeat the pattern of any natural breed, you are able to decorate interior doors in a similar way. it’s easy to choose a variation suitable for a particular interior. In most cases, the choice is made in favor of imitation of brick, small pebbles, marble or granite.
Design options
The process of laying decorative stone is quite simple, so you can design any arch with your own hands.
Traditionally, lined stones form a side strip around the arch, but in some cases a decision is made to decorate the entire wall. Such decoration with decorative rocks is used not only for doorways, but also for facing windows, niches and built-in furniture. If you have a free niche in a city apartment, turn it into an arched false fireplace and put some burning candles there.
A composition of several arches located in one space will look very stylish.
Arched openings decorated with artificial stone can, on the one hand, in harmony with the color of the walls, not focus on themselves and act as a backdrop for bright furniture, and, on the other hand, become a center of attraction and a striking design decision. In the event that the arch connects two rooms in dissimilar styles, decorate it only on one side.
Artificial stone arches come in different geometric configurations:
- classic. straight sidewalls and an arched top. Usually, they are used for completely dissimilar styles, as the design organically fits into any interior;
- ellipsoidal. with an arc in the form of a regular or irregular oval;
- rectangular or portal. the lateral and upper parts form a right angle;
- round. look interesting in combination with bright, colorful walls. Usually they are preferred by owners of futuristic interiors;
- curly. the sides form smooth lines and thereby violate perpendicularity to the floor.
The shape of the arch depends on the size of the opening and the height of the ceiling, the function of the room and its design.
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The lining pattern is symmetrical and not symmetrical. Decorated according to the technology of “torn stone”, the arched openings do not have symmetry, but they look non-standard and complement the rooms with the original layout. Symmetrically lined arch with stones in the tone of the wall looks better in classic, calm interiors. Combine a variety of shades of the same color and alternate vertical and horizontal tiles.
The openings are divided into passive and active. The former fulfill the role of a simple border, while the latter, distinguished by an unusual shape, are themselves an adornment of the interior. Simple passive types include classic, modern (with a pronounced rise), romance (the arc is rounded on the sides, but cut off at the top) and others. Complex actives are oriental, horseshoe-shaped, trapezoidal, lancet, and others. They have jagged edges and are sometimes located on several levels.
There are also two ways of laying artificial stone: seamless and with preservation of seams. In residential premises, seams are usually preserved, as this gives the arch a special twist. They are made wide enough, and then filled with grout of the desired shade.
Often, the design of the arched opening is complemented by the creation of proper lighting and decoration with plant elements. The choice of fixtures depends on the style of the arch: there are built-in and inconspicuous models, elaborate sconces, or bright LED lights.
With the help of light, the expected mood is given: mystical, solemn and elated, calm and relaxed, or neutral.
Material selection
Decorative stone is created from natural components: expanded clay, cement and pumice with the addition of special mineral pigment to give color. Such material is considered environmental and safe. it is not afraid of corrosion, rot and fungal diseases. Upon completion of the drying and firing processes, it obtains resistance that is in no way inferior to the original.
Decorative stone is resistant to very high and low temperatures, therefore it is often used for facing fireplaces and exterior walls of a house. It is also used in rooms with high humidity: pools, bathrooms and others. It is worth adding that an arch made of such material is easily washed and dried by conventional means.
Currently, it is possible to choose a decorative stone that imitates any natural stone, not only in color, but also in texture. Therefore, the choice of materials should depend solely on the design of the room.
Tiles are sold in even plates of different thicknesses and sizes. There is also a corner option that helps to easily decorate the top of the arch. But it should be selected very carefully, completing all calculations.
Imitations of shell rock, granite, slate, marble and travertine are called the most popular. The surface is smooth or resembles a rough and unprocessed stone. The base of the decor is made of acrylic, quartzite, or with a base of gypsum, alabaster or a mixture of cement and sand.
If the arch itself is made of drywall, then choose a flexible, lightweight acrylic material, or gypsum tiles. A brick arch can be decorated with stones in a sand-cement mortar. In addition, try to choose a narrow tile. it is easier to mount it on the semicircular part of the opening. The cost of such material depends on the country of manufacture, company, quality, weight and even patterns on the stone.
The installation process is carried out quickly and without unnecessary difficulties. You do not have to purchase additional fixtures and attract craftsmen. But, in any case, before starting the finishing work it is necessary to check all the stones.
First you need to prepare the material:
- Open the packaging and mix the parts.
- See how they will look the most advantageous. Combine them according to shades, and long with short ones. the arch should look natural.
- Flip the pieces to the back to check for a foamy layer that will make the tile stick less. If it is, clean it with a wire brush.
What else do you need?
To finish the arch, you will need, at a minimum, the following tools: what you will cut the stone with (a hand saw or an angle grinder), a construction knife, a level, a hammer, sandpaper, a chisel, glue.
The step-by-step facing process looks like this:
- Cut the decorative stone into several pieces or thin tiles. Prepare the surface of the arch in advance by cleaning it of dust and dirt, old wallpaper, paint and whitewash. Make a few notches that will allow the glue to hold on better. It is also possible to apply a primer, after which it is important to dry the structure.
- Having prepared the "liquid nails", cement mortar or some other adhesive composition, start gluing tiles from the bottom of the arch, from its junction with the floor. Pay attention to the weight of the stone. some brands are not able to withstand heavy samples. Apply glue to the wall with a spatula and press the stones more tightly, but do not overdo it, otherwise there will be cracks. Leave a gap of 5 millimeters between them. Keep in mind that adhesion will be higher if the tile contains the same ingredient as the surface on which it is glued.