Concrete grave monuments

For many years, concrete grave monuments have been a common option for memorializing loved ones. These monuments, which are well-known for their adaptability and durability, can endure the passage of time and inclement weather, preserving the memories of the departed. Concrete is a material of choice for many families because it provides the ideal balance of strength and aesthetic appeal.

Customizability is one of the main benefits of concrete grave monuments. Concrete offers a multitude of design options, regardless of your preference for a sleek, minimalistic look or a more elaborate, detailed one. Due to its adaptability, each monument may be specially designed to honor the life and legacy of the departed, offering a heartfelt farewell that is well-received by friends and family.

Furthermore, when considering other materials like marble or granite, concrete monuments are reasonably priced. This affordability does not mean that quality is sacrificed because concrete is very durable and can be made to look like more expensive materials. Concrete grave monuments can last for many years if they are properly maintained in terms of both appearance and structural integrity.

Selecting a concrete grave monument has sentimental significance in addition to being practical. For bereaved families, creating and choosing the ideal monument can be a therapeutic process that brings them closure and allows them to honor the life of the deceased. Selecting a concrete monument allows you to memorialize and preserve the memory of your loved one in a permanent way.

Advantages of concrete monuments

Concrete monuments offer a number of benefits. The most important one is, of course, the reasonable price. Concrete products also don’t need any extra maintenance. They are simple to make and install, with no challenges. For many years to come, a concrete monument will be erected on the grave.

Preparation for work

Thus, before you begin building a monument or gravestone by hand, make sure you have all the necessary supplies and tools on hand. Understanding the fundamental ratios for mixing concrete is also crucial. Special consideration needs to be given to the containers that the monument will be placed in.

Tools

The vibrating table for molding is the focal point of the technical line. It is required to compact the solution uniformly. Throughout the manufacturing process, containers will be placed on this table to hold the liquid source. The tabletop will then start to move, which will aid in packing the containers. The outcome is that the products are robust, excellent, and long-lasting.

! A table is a machine tool that is essential for manual labor. As a result, you will always need to buy it for production. It will cost you starting at 50,000 rubles.

You cannot do without a vibrating sieve in production. It is needed in case the purchased cement turns out to be of low quality (sometimes it may contain foreign objects, pieces, pieces of paper, etc.). In no case should such impurities get into the solution. Therefore, before mixing, the cement should be sifted. Otherwise, the finished product may be unsuitable for use and will be written off as defective. By the way, you can replace Vibrosito with a manual device, but be prepared for the fact that sifting in this case will take much more time, which means that it is economically unprofitable. Price of vibrating screen – from 10,000 rubles.

Mixer for concrete or mixer. An additional requirement. Of course, you can use your hands to mix the solution yourself. However, the homogeneity of the solution cannot be guaranteed. You can prepare cement quickly and, more importantly, in a high-quality manner with the help of a concrete mixer. Consider the unit’s power and select between 130 and 165 l. The cost varies from 11,000 to 16,000 rubles.

Molds for concrete

It is impossible to create concrete monuments without the use of molds. Simple monuments without complex lines can be made with a standard rectangular mold, which you can easily make yourself. The container’s surface must be perfectly flat, with no chips, cracks, or other flaws; otherwise, all of these requirements will be reflected in the monument. The container’s corners must also be clear and even.

You can create patterned monuments if you’d like. Tanks used in their manufacture are offered for sale in specialty shops or workshops that also sell the parts used to make monuments.

At the very beginning of mass production, there should be at least ten template forms for monuments; the customer should always have an option. The price range for the form is 10–20,000 rubles. Materials used to make containers include fiberglass, ABS, PVC, and polystyrene.

The container walls’ thickness shouldn’t be greater than 3 mm. Because of their light weight, the forms are convenient to stack, transport, and store. Particularly well-liked are fiberglass forms since they can be readily repaired in the event of damage—scratches and cuts can be removed with sandpaper. Furthermore, these containers require extra formwork because they perfectly hold their forms.

Reinforcing elements

Reinforcing elements are essential to the construction of monuments. They are required to provide the final structure with strength and durability. Reinforcement is typically utilized, with a minimum thickness of 10–12 mm. An iron circle will work as well. The weight and configuration of the monument directly affect these elements’ sizes, which are determined for each unique instance.

Cement

You will need cement, and very high-quality cement, to produce monuments. The best concrete to use is M500 grade, additive-free (be sure the bag is labeled D0). Remember that the cement will determine the product’s strength and quality.

Fillers are one option; marble chips work well for this. Still, it’s not inexpensive. As a result, many manufacturers prefer to use dyes in their concrete; these can be added entirely to the mixture or just to the portion that will be used for exterior finishing.

Plasticizers are important because they make concrete more plastic and make it easier to remove air masses from the mixture. This is especially important if compaction is done manually without the use of a vibrating table.

Crucial! For the mixture, use only clean sand; this will make the material much stronger. Make sure the sand is clean before adding it by adding it to a container, adding water, and stirring. Sand will eventually sink to the bottom. And all the contaminants and trash will rise to the top. The only thing left to do is empty the contaminated water. Do the steps two or three more times.

Work process

Numerous adverse factors impact monuments. In order to increase the slab’s lifespan, ensure its durability, and maintain its high caliber, the manufacturing process must follow the technological guidelines.

Preparing the solution

It’s crucial to follow the right ratios when making the solution. Generally speaking, the measurements are based on 70–72 kg. Thus, you’ll need:

• Cement. Brand 500, 22-24 kg.
• Granite screenings of fraction 0-5 mm, 50-52 kg.
• River sand, 10 kg.
• Plasticizer, about 250 g.
• Water. Remember: the more of it, the longer the monument will dry, and pulling it out will be difficult. Drying will take up to 3 days or more. If you add too little water, holes may appear on the surface of the monument.

First, combine cement and sand. Next, dilute the dye and plasticizer with water until the mixture has the consistency of thick sour cream.

Give the slab a look

The procedure is broken down into multiple crucial stages, which will be covered in more detail below:

1. Container processing. Needed to prevent the solution from sticking to it. This will allow you to achieve a perfectly smooth surface of the monument. Treat the container with a special compound or silicone grease (you can buy it at a car store). Use according to the instructions.
2. Applying the first layer. Its thickness should not exceed two centimeters. Compact the solution especially carefully, make sure that it fills all the fragments of the container. The work is painstaking, because it depends on how exactly the finished slab will look.
3. Reinforcement. On the first layer, we lay several reinforcement rods. Do not forget that the lower ends must protrude for further fastening.
4. Formation of the outer layer. Once you have compacted the concrete, add a few more reinforcing bars. After this, start laying the outer layer. It must be carefully leveled with a trowel. After drying, the last layer most often needs to be sanded, so the more thoroughly you level the solution, the less work will be left for later.
5. Solidification of the solution. The container with cement is left in a dry room, the temperature in which should be approximately 20 degrees (not higher). After a couple of days, the stove is removed and left for another 4 weeks. Do not forget to moisten its surface – this will help the monument gain strength.

For a reasonable price, concrete grave monuments provide a robust way to honor loved ones. They are a great option for outdoor settings because of their durability and weather resistance, which will guarantee that the tribute lasts for many years. Furthermore, concrete’s adaptability to different designs accommodates both traditional and modern tastes.

Additionally, families can personalize their tribute by adding different finishes and colors to concrete monuments. In comparison to alternatives like marble or granite, this material also requires less maintenance, making it relatively easy to maintain. The monument can be kept in immaculate condition with routine cleaning and sealing.

Despite not having the same opulent appearance as some other materials, concrete is still a popular option due to its affordability and practicality. It offers a dignified and enduring means of paying tribute to departed family members without putting a heavy financial strain on one’s finances. All things considered, concrete grave monuments are a great choice for many families because they balance affordability, durability, and personalization.

Concrete grave monuments combine strength and longevity with the flexibility to be customized to reflect individual and cultural expressions of remembrance, making them a robust and adaptable choice for honoring loved ones. These monuments are a durable and practical option for memorial sites because they withstand weathering and require little upkeep. Concrete grave monuments offer a dignified and enduring memorial that can be customized to honor specific legacies because concrete can be finished and molded in a variety of styles, from traditional to contemporary.

Video on the topic

Monuments 48 | Manufacturing technology

Do-it-yourself concrete monuments for the grave: production technology

Cast concrete monuments: why you shouldn"t buy them, advice from Granit Pamyati