Decorative gypsum stone: Applications and Differences in appearance of gypsum for surface finishing - Instructions + Photo and Video

Do-it-yourself decorative gypsum stone for do-it-yourself interior decoration. Mineral sedimentary rock with high fragility and the ability to soften in water. It is mined in open-pit mines.

The process does not require large financial investments. Several excavators and trucks are involved in the work.

Then the raw material goes to the processing plant to give it the necessary qualities. There it undergoes cleaning, part of it in its raw state is crushed to form a fine powder. This is a more familiar form of plaster.

General information

What happens when heated?

The rocks more saturated with moisture have a brittle structure and go for firing. Under the influence of a temperature of 150 ⁰ C, the gypsum stone loses more than half of its internal moisture.

Interesting! During the heating of the rock, water boils on the surface of the ore. Therefore, gypsum is called boiling stone

Heating of raw materials in a chamber without air access to 104 ⁰ C allows to obtain gypsum with high strength.

Further, it is subjected to grinding. The resulting product is called alabaster or stucco. As an example, many decorative elements are made from it, including decorative stone for interior decoration and decoration of the facade of a building from the outside.

Gypsum differences in appearance

Gypsum is mined in various shapes and colors

Gypsum or selenite

More common option. Dry to the touch, brittle to break, dries it out in contact with the skin.

Has colors; gray, pink and white. This feature depends on the presence of additional mineral impurities.

The structure is fibrous.

Gypsum crystals

Transparent in the light, the structure is built of prisms with bifurcated ends or lies in layers.

Scopes of gypsum

1. Construction , in this area all the characteristics of gypsum stone are revealed. The main product for these purposes is alabaster. It is used in all stages of construction:

• is part of a mixture for the production of ceramic and silicate bricks,
• alabaster is used for the manufacture of finishing mixtures and acts as an independent material in decoration. The addition of acrylic admixtures allows to increase the hardening time of the gypsum and gives the mixture increased elasticity and adhesion to all types of surfaces.

• is used in the manufacture of concrete and masonry mortars in the production of structural parts for the construction of buildings and structures,
• decorative and finishing materials are made from mineral. Wall and ceiling tiles, stucco moldings, gypsum fiber boards, gypsum plasterboards. The glue for the installation of these parts is the gypsum itself.

This material occupies a leading position in its application in construction.Materials containing gypsum become not harmful to health and acquire strength, lightweight by weight.

Resistant to open fire, withstand high temperatures. It is easy to work with such materials even for a beginner in the construction business. Flaws and shortcomings are easily corrected.

1. Art recognized gypsum as the easiest material to process and serving for centuries:

• is used for the preparation of primers and paints in painting,
• a gypsum solution is used for casting small figures and compositions,
• are cut out of large pieces of rock statues,
• from a mixture of high-strength gypsum, artists sculpt sculptures,
• gypsum is used to make exclusive light frames for large paintings.

1. Medicine has adopted gypsum because of its property of quickly hardening.

   This is necessary for the manufacture of splints and frames for the deformed bone apparatus of the body. Plaster casts not only fix the broken bone, but also release important components for the body involved in the healing process and restoration of its functions.

In its pure form, gypsum is used as masks on problem areas of the skin according to indications.

Decorative plaster stone for surface finishing

Decorative stone is one of the products for finishing the surfaces of buildings. It is made from basic components; water and gypsum.

The additives are finely sifted sand, surfactants, modifiers, color pigments.

Manufacturing method; pouring the mixture into silicone molds. The main hardening time is 30 minutes, the full set of strength is 24 hours. It is made in the form of tiles with an uneven shape of the edges.

Appearance and color are close to natural samples.

The form is called "Wild Stone". The masonry style is uneven.

The material is used for interiors and for building facades. It is mainly used for decoration:

• entrance openings,
• arches,
• partial arrangement of columns,
• bar counters,
• a basement around the perimeter of the building,
• external openings of windows and doors,
• small sections of walls both outside and inside the house.

Finishing the entire surface of the walls

Not welcome due to the emerging feeling of oppressive heaviness on the people present in the room.

For the production of tiles with imitation of wild stone used on the outer surfaces of the building, the surface of the material is treated with a special composition of a water repellent. It not only prevents the penetration of moisture into the material, but also increases its quality characteristics. Artificial stone for outdoor use has a long service life, does not deform under the influence of the external environment.

Positive sides of plaster stone

• The material is not combustible.
• The tiles are lightweight.

• Installation is carried out on adhesive mixtures with a plaster base.
• Easy to process when adjusting at the joints
• Decorative characteristics are close to natural material.
• Large selection of shapes and colors.
• Parts will not rot or mold.
• The appearance of the stone is well suited to create a unique interior space.

• Plaster products improve the room's microclimate.
• To be repaired.
• For the price, the material is not expensive and is always available.
• It is possible to independently manufacture gypsum tiles and assemble parts without special skills.
• Surfaces made of wood, chipboard, concrete, plastic, brick and drywall are suitable for the basis for the installation of gypsum tiles.

• Imitation of artificial stone harmoniously suits other types of finishing materials. Wallpaper, lining, Venetian decorative plaster, all types of wall panels are combined with gypsum material.

Negative aspects of decorative plaster material

• The uneven surface makes it difficult to maintain and clean the surface of the tiles.
• The use of tiles in the decoration of rooms with high humidity is undesirable.
• The material has an average strength to mechanical stress.

• It is necessary to constantly monitor the integrity of the outer layer of the material, if cracks or chips appear, urgent measures are taken to repair the site.
• It is necessary to cover the surfaces of decorative tiles used on the facade of the building with water repellents once every two years.

Instead of a conclusion

When installing a decorative plaster stone yourself, it is better to first lay out the conceived composition on the floor. This must be done for the convenience of selecting tiles that are better suited to the joint. It will be difficult to do this on a wall or column.

After the successful completion of the laying of the material, it is imperative to cover the surface with a colorless varnish. This will allow the imitation stone to last a long time and improve its appearance.