How to make façade concrete tiles yourself

Concrete façade tiles are a chic and adaptable way to improve any building’s appearance. Make your own concrete tiles can be a creative and satisfying project, regardless of whether you’re going for an industrial, modern look or a classic, textured finish. In addition to giving you the freedom to precisely alter the pattern and color to your liking, it is also a more affordable option than purchasing pre-made tiles.

The opportunity to play with various molds and textures is one of the biggest benefits of creating your own concrete tiles. You can design original shapes and patterns that aren’t found in tiles that you buy at the store. By matching the tiles precisely to the current aesthetics of your house or place of business, you can ensure a unified and harmonious look with this do-it-yourself method.

Making concrete façade tiles is easier than you might imagine to get started with. You can start making lovely tiles that last for years with a few simple supplies and tools. Making a mold, combining the concrete, adding it to the mold, and letting it cure are the steps in the process. Once the tiles are set, you can quickly and simply install them on your façade to change the look of your building’s exterior.

We will walk you through each step of the procedure in this post, offering practical advice and methods as we go. All the necessary information to make your own concrete façade tiles is here, regardless of your level of experience with do-it-yourself projects. Thus, gather your materials and get set to start a rewarding and enjoyable project that will give your home a dash of style and individuality.

What are concrete facade tiles?

Because lightweight aggregates are added to the mixture to drastically lower the final product’s weight, the concrete tiles used for the facade fall under the category of lightweight concrete. Portland cement grades M400/M500 are typically used as a binder; sifted quartz sand can be used as a filler, and chips made of granite or marble can also be used.

In order to produce tiles, the manufacturing process also includes adding different fillers and additives to the concrete mixture. They give the final goods a number of crucial characteristics, such as enhanced strength, resistance to mechanical shocks, moisture, and frost. Various stabilizers, plasticizers, and water-retaining additives are also introduced to enhance the properties of the molding concrete mixture and streamline tile production.

The material’s more straightforward and cost-effective manufacturing process accounts for its lower cost when compared to artificial stone or clinker tiles.

Therefore, concrete facade tiles are made without the need for kiln firing, which results in high costs for energy resources and the manufacturing facilities themselves when clinker or brick is fired.

The ease of use of concrete facade tiles is also crucial because it will make the process go much more quickly and smoothly than, say, laying brick or clinker. Natural stone is more costly, heavier, and more difficult to install.

Concrete tiles are lighter and simpler to install, but they still have all the strength and durability of traditional tiles. The facing material has a lovely appearance because it is composed of marble chips, quartz sand, and metal oxide pigments. Additionally, cement guarantees quality. Concrete tiles therefore offer additional advantages and are in no way inferior to other materials.

Making your own façade concrete tiles can be a fun and affordable project that gives your house a distinctive look. Tiles that fit your style and architectural requirements can be designed and molded using only a few simple materials and tools. With the help of this article, you can ensure that any façade will turn out strong and attractive by following the easy steps of mixing concrete, selecting molds, pouring, curing, and finishing your tiles. Regardless of your level of experience, this simple method will enable you to install tiles that look professional and improve the curb appeal of your home.

Advantages and disadvantages of concrete cladding

Concrete facing tiles show many benefits in terms of functionality and producing a unique facade, as well as in the manufacturing and installation processes. They are worthy of further consideration.

• Aesthetic and quite beautiful appearance – the ability to completely imitate natural materials (natural or artificial stone, facing surfaces made of brick and even marble)
• Light weight – reduced load on supporting structures
• Mechanical strength, excellent protection of the facade and base from damage, precipitation, ultraviolet radiation
• Chemical resistance, which is achieved by introducing mineral components and additives into the mixture
• High-quality waterproofing
• Long service life provided high quality material and proper care
• Relatively low cost of material and reduced cost of installation
• A large assortment of sizes, colors, textures, shapes – there is an imitation of brick, any stone, you can actually find a size of 600x105x25 mm, 300x105x25 mm or smaller/larger; a variety of color options are presented – both the common Y50R NCS S 1002, G80Y NCS S 0603, and others
• Easy to handle and install
• High level of strength – no need to strengthen the façade
• Possibility of installing a ventilated facade with cladding
• Hidden method of fastening
• Non-flammability

The drawbacks typically include reduced resistance to minus when compared to porcelain or clinker tiles (although this can be increased by adding specific additives to the composition), the inability to use large enough formats of the material when using a wet method of fastening on an adhesive substance, substructure metal consumption, and the possibility of efflorescence.

It is also crucial to remember that custom manufacturing is typically necessary to obtain concrete tiles with the appropriate color, texture, and size, which can raise the overall cost.

Types of concrete tiles

For the facade, concrete tiles come in a wide variety of textures; they typically mimic natural stone or brick. There are also differences in color; generally speaking, each texture is offered in a number of shades. The way that sheets are fastened also varies: they can be mounted dry on specific clamps or wet with glue.

Self-production

It is quite possible to make tiles yourself. This option is appropriate for people who wish to start their own small-scale production to raise capital or cut costs on supplies for a single, large facility.

To produce, you will require:

• Concrete mixer or construction mixer for mixing concrete mortar
• Factory molds made of plastic
• Containers for preparing concrete mortar
• Vibrating table (optional)
• Auxiliary tools (trowels, spatulas, etc.).d.)

Purchased forms

You can purchase or make your own molds to produce concrete facade tiles. Gypsum and concrete products can be poured using factory plastic forms; these forms can typically hold 200–500 pours. They can mimic the smooth surface of real or artificial stone, shattered brick, or wild or ripped stone.

Chips from various materials are added to the concrete mixture and modern painting techniques are employed to attain the highest level of aesthetics for the slabs. Molds are typically composed of silicone, polyurethane, and polyvinyl chloride; these materials are known for their ease of use and durability. You can create multiple tiles at once or one tile at a time with the aid of molds. You get a little when you lay waste. Two molds for creating corner pieces and four pouring plates are among the factory’s equipment.

Construction mixer

The proper mixing of the solution is one of the primary requirements for a house finished with concrete facade tiles to have a beautiful and aesthetically pleasing appearance. The pouring mixture needs to be thoroughly combined and have a consistent consistency. A construction mixer can be used to get this outcome. For light concrete solutions, a household power class tool of 0.5–1 kW will work well; for more complex mixtures, a higher power is preferable.

A vibrating table is an additional tool used in production. This design includes a vibrating engine and a countertop mounted on a metal frame, where the forms are placed after pouring. After the forms are set on the table, the table is turned on and vibrates, distributing the concrete mass densely and uniformly inside the form.

Molding technology

Vibration casting is used to create concrete facing tiles and paving slabs for facades. The procedure is fairly straightforward, but only premium materials must be used, and the technology must be adhered to closely.

• Purchase or creation of forms from casts of the material that is supposed to be imitated
• Preparation of concrete mortar, careful pouring into forms with removal of excess
• Installation of forms on a special vibrating table – then you get a particularly strong facade facing tile (vibration cast)
• Waiting for sufficient time for the solution to set, removal from the mold, storage until the strength gain process is complete

Painting technology

To achieve the desired color and shade in the tile, special pigments are applied. There are two ways to go about the process: either at the material production stage or when the tiles are finished and painted.

Dye is added to the concrete mixture during the mixing process. guarantees that the entire volume is painted uniformly, giving the elements a lovely, artistic appearance.

2) Before laying the concrete mass, coloring pigment is added to the pouring mold. Paint typically has a high penetration rate and thoroughly penetrates the concrete’s surface layer. The paint can completely impregnate a product with a small thickness.

3) After the concrete mixture has fully set, tiles that are handmade are frequently painted. However, because there is little depth to this type of painting, abrasions and material chips reveal a different color layer, giving the building an unkempt and run-down appearance.

Questions about the work process

When fabricating concrete tiles for facades, there are a few details to consider. Only premium materials that can endure for as long as possible and withstand loads and factors of all kinds are typically used for finishing walls in basements.

Preparing the solution

For the preparation of facade tiles, Portland cement grades M400 and M500 are utilized. 50 grams of plasticizer and 4.5 liters of water are needed for every 10 kg of cement (you can use less water if wet sand is used). Crushed stone should be added in 2.5 parts, and sand and cement should be mixed in a 2:1 ratio.

Do I need to lubricate the molds

Typically, lubrication is used in molds to improve surface quality and facilitate the removal of the completed product. In addition to motor oil blended with diesel fuel, waste oil and factory lubricants can also be used. Apply a thin layer of the substance with a brush for lubrication.

Lubrication is an essential step in the production process for relief concrete products because without it, the tile cannot be completely removed and chips will remain.

How much dries

For the concrete solution to uniformly grasp, dry, and set their strength, two days is usually sufficient. Dry the concrete facade tiles in a room with good ventilation, avoiding direct sunlight as this will affect the products. Folding forms on top of each other is not advised since it can deflect the form and result in product deformation.

How to remove a tile from a mold

It is important to avoid damaging the concrete surface of the products when there are tiles underneath stone or brick. As a result, you must proceed with caution. Experts recommend removing the tile after the uniform has been submerged in water that has been heated to between +40 and +60 degrees Celsius for two to three minutes.

After that, wash the shape to get rid of all leftover pigment and solution. You can coat the oil’s (and its) rim before filling, and once the solution is applied, any excess can be quickly and simply wiped away with a rag or sponge.

Every detail matters in the production of concrete tiles for walkways and facades as well.

Creating your own concrete façade tiles is a fulfilling project that gives the outside of your house a unique flair. The methods described in this guide will help you make unique tiles that will improve the appearance of your home while also offering a surface that is strong and long-lasting.

Having the appropriate supplies and equipment on hand is crucial for success. Make sure you have the right molds, high-quality concrete, and mixing tools. It will go more smoothly and help to prevent problems if you take the time to set up your workspace and arrange your supplies.

The steps involving mixing and pouring demand close attention to detail. The strength and longevity of your tiles depend on the concrete mix’s proper consistency. Your tiles will set correctly and hold their shape if you pour the concrete into the molds evenly and give them enough time to cure.

The finishing touches can make a big difference after your tiles have cured. A polished finish can be achieved by sealing the tiles, sanding their uneven edges, and making sure they are spotless. Not only will properly finished tiles have a better appearance, but they will also be more resilient to the weather.

The appearance of your house can be changed by installing your own handmade façade tiles. The work you put into creating and installing these tiles will show in the finished product, regardless of whether you go with a traditional or contemporary design. Not only will this project improve the look of your house, but it will also give you the satisfaction of making something by hand.

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