Concrete decorative stone tiles are a popular option for designers and homeowners who want to improve the visual appeal of both indoor and outdoor areas. These tiles are an appealing alternative for many projects because they provide the appearance of natural stone without the expensive price tag. Decorative concrete tiles offer durability and versatility by imitating the look of slate, granite, and other natural stones. They come in a range of textures, colors, and styles.
The manufacturers’ reputations should be taken into account when choosing decorative concrete tiles. Prominent brands are renowned for their inventiveness, sustainability, and high standards of quality. Renowned companies with a wide variety of designs and dependable performance are Eldorado Stone, Coronado Stone Products, and Cultured Stone. These producers employ cutting-edge methods to produce tiles that are not only gorgeous to look at but also durable.
Careful planning and close attention to detail are necessary when installing decorative stone tiles. For an installation to be secure and durable, the surface must be properly prepared. This include wiping down the surface, using an appropriate glue, and positioning the tiles in the desired configuration. To keep the tiles safe from wear and moisture, it’s also critical to adhere to the sealing and maintenance instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Concrete decorative stone tiles are a great option for remodeling a kitchen backsplash, creating a feature wall in your living room, or creating a warm and inviting patio. DIY enthusiasts and pros alike love them for their beauty, affordability, and simplicity of installation. Any area can be made into a chic and sophisticated setting with the correct tile selection and installation.
Type of Decorative Stone | Best Manufacturers | Installation Details |
Brick Veneer | Eldorado Stone, Coronado Stone | Clean surface, apply mortar, press tiles, ensure alignment |
River Rock | ProVia, Veneerstone | Use adhesive, start from bottom, stagger joints, grout between stones |
Ledge Stone | MSI, StoneCraft | Install metal lath, apply scratch coat, stack stones tightly |
Castle Stone | Native Custom Stone, Cultured Stone | Prepare wall, use cement-based adhesive, apply stones, fill gaps with mortar |
Limestone | Versetta Stone, Boral | Install moisture barrier, apply bonding agent, set stones, use level to check |
- What are stone-like products?
- Types of concrete tiles
- By texture
- By size
- Color
- By production method
- By area of application
- Selection rules
- TOP-7 manufacturers
- Kerama Marazzi
- Cobalt
- Terracotta
- Kasavaga
- Monopole Ceramica
- EcoClinker
- Interbau
- Tools and devices for the device
- Step-by-step instructions for installation stages
- Inside the room
- Outside
- Possible difficulties in the process
- DIY manufacturing
- What is needed?
- Process
- Pros and cons
- Average prices for installation work
- Video on the topic
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What are stone-like products?
Tiles made of decorative concrete The front surface or structure of materials that mimic natural materials, such as stone, are strong, durable, and wear-resistant. They are used for cladding facades and interior work. The presence of quartz sand as a fine aggregate and cement binder set these products apart. Depending on the desired aesthetic effect, a large aggregate can be crushed granite stone or any other kind of non-metallic material.
These products’ surfaces mimic the natural material’s ripped, ground, or polished structure.
Types of concrete tiles
A variety of concrete tiles that mimic natural stone are available on the market; these tiles are categorized based on several factors that are elaborated upon below.
By texture
All concrete tiles that mimic stone can be categorized into the following types based on the front surface texture:
- Classic cast tiles, the surface of which is not subject to special treatment.
- Polished products that are processed with abrasives with varying degrees of graininess until a glossy shine is achieved.
- Products sandblasted after pouring to achieve a perfectly smooth and rough surface, which provides an imitation of natural materials in the natural environment.
- Sawed plane – achieved after cutting large-sized elements with a special tool.
- The chipped surface perfectly replicates the structure of natural stone.
- Etching or washed surface – as a result of exposure to chemical abrasives or a directed powerful jet of water, the appearance of coarse aggregate is achieved, which gives the tile an attractive and original appearance.
It should be mentioned that the strength properties of these products are defined by the type of concrete and are not influenced by the type of stone they mimic. Concrete’s actual estimated compressive strength may vary slightly based only on the kind of molding used, the product’s hardening conditions, the type of large aggregate used, and the cement brand.
By size
A vast array of concrete tiles that mimic stone are available for purchase, and they can be produced with both standard and non-standard dimensions:
- The smallest products imitate brick and have dimensions of 250 x 65 mm with a thickness of 8 to 10 – 15 mm.
- Miniature tiles with dimensions from 300 x 300 to 400 x 400 mm, thickness from 15 to 25 mm.
- Full-fledged products, from which pedestrian paths are arranged in park areas – 600 x 600 mm with a thickness of 20 to 30 mm.
- Large tiles with a square and rectangular shape – from 600 x 900 mm to 900 x 900 mm. The thickness of such materials is from 30 mm and more.
- Non-standard radius, curvilinear or other tiles with a complex configuration, which are used for organization of complex patterns or designs.
It is advised that the property owner develop facade solutions, work with local governments to coordinate color schemes and texture, and then choose the best dimensions to get rid of as many trimming elements as possible. This will help ensure that the tile sizes are chosen correctly.
Color
The customer can always select the color scheme for concrete tiles that best suits his needs in addition to size:
- Tiles with a surface paint on the front surface.
- Products painted in mass, which use various water-soluble pigments.
- Using colored fillers, marble chips, labradorite and other valuable stone materials in the structure of a concrete product.
Different tones of gray tiles as well as pastel colors like sand, burgundy, yellow, brown, and other color options are offered for sale. Vibrant green, blue, or yellow hues are employed in the execution of unique architectural projects.
It is advised by experts to focus on natural pigments that allow products to maintain their original shade and do not fade, wear out, or wash out over time.
By production method
In actuality, there are multiple primary production techniques for textured concrete tiles beneath a stone:
- Cast tiles – a classic production method, when a ready-made liquid mixture of the required consistency is poured into the formwork with subsequent hardening in natural conditions, or in an autoclave.
- Semi-dry vibration pressing – a technology, when a raw mixture with a minimum percentage of moisture is formed using immersion punches, and the structure of the material retains its geometric parameters without formwork.
- Vacuum molding – a complex technology that ensures the ultimate strengthening of the material in an airless space. Experts call this technique artificial aging, since the structure completely repeats the physical and mechanical characteristics of the material compacted over time.
Knowing the precise manufacturing process of the tile is crucial for consumers purchasing these kinds of products, as it influences the porosity coefficient, which in turn impacts the products’ strength, durability, and ability to absorb water.
By area of application
All concrete tiles with a stone surface finish are classified into two categories based on their intended use:
- For outdoor use – concrete tiles, which have the lowest porosity coefficient, which eliminates its destruction under aggressive environmental influences. Installed on the facade using clamps using a pre-assembled subsystem, or using adhesive materials.
- For interior work – as a rule, miniature or full-size elements with a machined back side are laid on interior, environmentally friendly adhesives that provide increased adhesion of the material.
When renovating a building’s facade, outdoor tiles are the better option because they will last longer and eventually pay for themselves. This is true even though interior tiles may be less expensive.
Concrete decorative stone tiles are an elegant and adaptable way to improve indoor and outdoor areas. This article examines the different varieties of these tiles, emphasizing their special qualities and visual appeal. Additionally, some of the top manufacturers renowned for their creativity and quality will be on display. Furthermore, we’ll offer helpful installation advice to guarantee a faultless finish and make it easy for you to get a polished appearance. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about concrete decorative stone tiles, regardless of whether you’re a professional contractor or a do-it-yourself enthusiast.
Selection rules
Before making a purchase of concrete tiles beneath a stone, buyers should be especially aware of the following crucial details:
- Availability of a quality passport for the products sold.
- Compliance of the material structure with the requirements of current GOSTs.
- Strength indicators of concrete products.
- Water absorption coefficient, frost resistance grade.
- Grade strength of cement included in the tile.
- Type of material pigmentation.
- Deviation of geometric dimensions from the indicators declared by the supplier, using the example of analyzing selected tiles from a common batch.
- Porosity of the front and back surfaces of concrete.
- Homogeneity of large aggregate.
- Type of finishing of the front surface of the material.
The manufacturer’s renown, the year of its establishment, and the customer trust rating—which is determined by the quantity of favourable reviews on the network’s independent forums—are some of the primary selection factors.
TOP-7 manufacturers
Based on feedback from customers, the top 7 manufacturers of pedestrian path paving products in the nation are listed below to make the process of choosing high-quality products easier.
Kerama Marazzi
In the Russian Federation’s European region, there is a great demand for concrete tiles with a natural stone appearance.
The business was established in Smolensk in 1998, and it is currently growing quickly.
The average price per 1 m 2 is between 550 and 800 rubles.
Cobalt
A comparatively new business in Moscow that has been manufacturing various textured elements for building facade cladding since 2012 using cutting-edge German machinery.
The company consistently complies with government orders, which is much higher than its customer rating.
The average price per 1 m 2 is between 600 and 1000 rubles.
Terracotta
The old KPD plant served as the foundation for the establishment of the Tula enterprise in the 1990s.
The company’s production facilities underwent a complete modernization in 2004, which greatly increased the scope and geography of sales.
The average price per 1 m 2 ranges from 490 to 740 RUB.
Kasavaga
For many years, a special manufacturing and trading business based in Orel has concentrated on producing non-standard explosive tiles for use both indoors and outdoors. These tiles are made using natural fillers made of priceless non-metallic materials.
The average price per 1 m 2 is between 800 and 1100 rubles.
Monopole Ceramica
Even though the company still uses the outdated DSK in Tver for operations, the management started actively delivering high-quality finished goods to the Moscow region and other regions of our nation in 2008.
The brand’s products stand out for their excellent quality, dependability, and longevity.
The average price per 1 m 2 is between 650 and 900 rubles.
EcoClinker
A sizable Moscow-based company offering a vast array of manufactured goods and large workshops.
Customers have only left positive reviews for the business, which is frequently involved in the supply of products for facade work of various categories in the capital region.
The average price per 1 m 2 is between 550 and 850 rubles.
Interbau
Another sizable business in Moscow that possesses the most advanced machinery with a high degree of automation, virtually eliminating flaws and departures from the predetermined geometric parameters.
Customers can order products in a variety of configurations, with dozens of color options, and with various front surface finishing options.
The average price per 1 m 2 ranges from 950 to 1250 rubles.
Because it is advisory in nature, the rating below is entirely subjective and should not be used as a direct guide for purchases.
Tools and devices for the device
The following equipment and tools will be required by the master for autonomously installing concrete tiles on the exterior of wall cladding or for interior finishing work:
- For measuring the plane and applying markings:
- Level.
- Laser rangefinder.
- Roulette with a length of at least 5 m.
- Laser or bubble building level.
- Nylon cord for setting the horizontal installation plane.
- Plumb line with a weight for checking the verticality of the installation plane.
- For installing tiles on the facade:
- Steel corner for temporary support of the first row of tiles.
- Drill or hammer drill with a set of drills for fastening installation parts and subsystem elements.
- Clamps, hooks and other elements for ensuring mechanical fixation.
- Rule for smoothing the applied adhesive composition.
- Mixer for mixing the adhesive before installing the tiles.
- Galvanized steel profiles for organizing conductors when installing several rows in tiles.
- Sealants with a gun for sealing the installation joints between the base and the blind area, or between the hanging ebbs upon completion of the installation of the tiles.
- Spacers to create a uniform seam between piece elements,
- For laying tiles in the interior:
- Container and mixer for mixing liquid adhesive composition.
- Rule for smoothing the glue.
- Spatula with a serrated end for forming a plane of adhesion after applying glue to the back of the tiles.
- Rubber spatula for grouting.
- Tool for cleaning the room after completing the work.
It’s advised to use only well-made, dependable, and sharpened instruments to get the desired outcome.
Step-by-step instructions for installation stages
Professional assistance is necessary for the responsible installation of concrete tiles indoors or beneath a stone on a facade. If this isn’t feasible, you can complete the task entirely by hand as long as you carefully follow the step-by-step directions below.
Inside the room
The following algorithm’s steps must all be followed in order to install concrete tiles inside:
- The surface of the load -bearing or enclosing vertical structures in the interior is cleaned of dust, dirt and other garbage.
- A leveling plaster layer is arranged from cement-sand or gypsum mortar with a required thickness.
- If necessary, utility lines are installed in the thickness of the plaster.
- Mixing tile adhesive in a separate container, according to the recipe on the bag.
- Device templates for selecting the desired trajectory of laying the first row.
- Installation of a supporting corner for spacing the elements of the wall finish from horizontal structures, which helps to compensate for temperature expansion and contraction.
- Laying the first row, in accordance with the development of wall structures.
- Control of compliance with the geometry when laying the first row.
- Installation of the entire plane of the wall in the room with the assignment of the required gap between the tiles, at the selected height, according to the drawings.
- Cutting the extreme products, if such an operation is required based on the measurement.
- Device outputs of utility networks, if necessary.
- Refining the plane with the laying of non-multiple elements of the vertical plane.
- Filling seams, grouting, checking the installation plane.
For reliable cement-sand polymerization or other adhesion, it is advised that the room be left unoccupied and that the temperature and humidity levels be maintained for a full day following grouting.
Outside
When working on a residential building’s facade or facing its basement, installing concrete tiles with a texture akin to natural stone requires completing a specific technological map:
- Measurements of the facade plane, determination of defects and deviation from orthogonal axes.
- Marking, installing horizontal laces and vertical plumb lines.
- The device of lighthouses for applying exterior atmospheric plaster.
- Installation of subsystems for mechanical fixation of tiles (if necessary).
- Device supporting profiles for the installation period.
- Kneading adhesive composition.
- Laying the first rows, fastening small-piece concrete products to clamps with control of filling the gaps with mortar.
- Checking the geometric position of the first row.
- Installation of all subsequent rows with the necessary dressing and with the spacing of parts from each other using steel rods or polymer spacers.
- Sealing of abutments to dissimilar structural elements of the facade.
- Arrangement of frames for window and door openings
- Grouting of joints.
- Checking the quality of the work performed, if necessary, eliminating errors.
A semi-rigid cement-sand mixture should be used to fill the spaces between the tiles. This mixture not only serves as a grout but also keeps precipitation from penetrating beneath the hard coating, thereby extending its service life.
Possible difficulties in the process
Novices installing concrete tiles on their own may run into several major issues:
- Peeling after the first season of operation. All the space under the tiles on the facade should be filled with a hard solution, which creates a uniform structure when polymerized.
- Uneven seams between individual elements after laying. When installing concrete products for the facade and interior, it is recommended to use templates made of reinforcing bars or plastic crosses to form equal gaps between them.
- Violation of the uniform plane of the facade – the installation of this textured tile is highly complex and requires control of the installed products in each row both horizontally and vertically.
- Cracking of materials before the deadline set by the manufacturer – it is recommended to purchase products only from trusted suppliers who have a certificate of conformity with TU, issued on the basis of current GOSTs.
It is advised to strictly abide by the advice of experts in this regard, which they disseminate to other users on numerous online forums dedicated to construction.
DIY manufacturing
Concrete tiles can occasionally be created by hand, which is crucial if the owner needs to install a small section of interior walls or cladding for a small private home (for example, in the vestibule or on the porch).
What is needed?
The following supplies, along with a few tools and other equipment, are needed by the site owners to create concrete tiles that resemble natural stone:
- Materials:
- Dry cement of the selected brand.
- Fine aggregate – washed quartz sand with a uniform granulometric composition.
- Large aggregate – granite crushed stone, marble chips, slag rocks, basalt materials or other types of natural stone.
- Aramid fibers (if structural internal reinforcement of the tile is required).
- Pigment compositions to achieve the desired color solution.
- If it is necessary to ensure increased plasticity and weather resistance – plasticizers in liquid or dry form.
- Tools:
- Scales for dosing ingredients with a lifting capacity of 100 kg and above.
- Boards or steel sheets for assembling the formwork.
- Textured form imitating natural stone for the front surface of the tile.
- Concrete mixer or drill with a mixer nozzle to mix the solution after adding all the ingredients.
- Deep vibrator, or a table with vibroopers for the effective seal of a freshly laid mixture in the formwork
- Trowel and rule for smoothing the plane after laying the resulting mixture in the formwork.
- Oil with a brush to lubricate the inner plane of formwork.
- Buckets, stretchers and other containers for transporting liquid mixture.
- Steel screwdriver, a hammer, a chisel with a wide fabric, construction knives and other flat cutting products for successfully delasping formwork after hardening of a concrete mixture.
- A set of disk abrasives to finalize the resulting plane after extracting stone material from formwork.
Selecting only pure ingredients that vary in the ideal amount of humidity and do not contain clay impurities is advised, as this will greatly enhance the quality of the final product.
Process
In order to manufacture concrete tiles by hand, you must adhere to the following detailed instructions:
- Dry materials (cement, sand, large aggregate, pigments and plasticizers) are mixed in the right proportion until a homogeneous consistency is reached.
- The required amount of water is added to the dry mixture.
- The solution is thoroughly mixed in a concrete mixer, or using a mixer.
- The formwork form is assembled from individual elements. It is important that the sides of such a design are easily leaned back.
- The inner plane of the form is lubricated with oil, in order to avoid unwanted adhesion and subsequent stratification of the material.
- The desired amount of liquid solution is poured into the form.
- The formwork should be collected in such a way that when pouring the front plane is facing down.
- The concrete structure is vibrated by a special tool.
- The surface of freshly laid material is smoothed until a smooth plane reaches.
- After hardening, the finished product is removed from the formwork.
- The tile is washed with a stream of clean water.
- If necessary, mechanical finishing of the front surface is carried out.
It should be remembered that concrete only becomes 100% strong on the 28th day following the beginning of the hardening process, and only 70% strong six to seven days after pouring.
Pros and cons
Customers are very interested in concrete tiles that mimic ornamental stone because they offer several indisputable benefits:
- High strength of products.
- Minimum porosity coefficient.
- Attractive appearance
- Wide range of shades, textures and types of processing of the front surface.
- Increased degree of frost resistance and water resistance.
- As a rule, only natural materials are used in the composition of the tiles, which ensures a high level of environmental friendliness.
However, even with their benefits, these materials have certain drawbacks, which is why many homeowners and plot owners choose different products for their floors or to build pedestrian walkways:
- Cost is higher than standard products.
- When making concrete surfaces, it is necessary to maintain a minimum thickness of 10 – 15 mm.
- Difficulty of installation.
- The need to install a plaster base to prevent disruption of the plane of the hard covering of the facade or internal walls.
- Increased dead weight, which significantly increases the cost of logistics.
The majority of property owners prefer these products over other materials, which helps sustain demand for them given that the majority of the drawbacks are subjective.
Average prices for installation work
Numerous formally registered businesses that offer to install concrete tiles on the exterior or interior can be found on the Internet. Given how fiercely these businesses compete with one another, service costs are essentially the same everywhere in the Russian Federation:
- Dismantling of old covering (if necessary) – from 400 – 550 rubles. per 1 m 2 .
- Device of plaster base from – from 450 – 550 rubles. per 1 m 2 .
- Installation of concrete tiles in a checkerboard pattern, according to the row system, or with chain dressing of seams – from 400 – 450 rubles. per 1 m 2 .
- Installation of concrete products with a pattern and several shades – from 600 – 650 rubles. per 1 m 2 .
- Installation of concrete tiles with a large amount of trimming, with different thicknesses and textures – from 750 – 900 rubles. per 1 m 2 .
- A set of works on the device of facade elements with preparation of the mounting plane, application of markings, laying tiles and grouting of seams – from 1200 – 1400 rubles. per 1 m 2 .
Generally speaking, an estimate is used to calculate the final cost of the work. This estimate considers base prices, as well as factors for adjustment based on installation complexity, volume of work, and internal pricing policies of the company.
Concrete decorative stone tiles are a robust and adaptable way to add beauty to a variety of areas. They have the strength and affordability of concrete combined with the appearance of natural stone, and they are available in a broad variety of styles, colors, and textures. There is a concrete decorative stone tile to fit your vision, whether you want to create a rustic, modern, or classic look.
A number of producers are notable for the excellence and inventiveness of the tiles they produce. Renowned companies with realistic, high-quality designs include Cultured Stone, Coronado Stone Products, and Eldorado Stone. These producers employ cutting-edge methods to produce tiles that have the appearance of real stone but are also weatherproof, long-lasting, and low maintenance.
Concrete decorative stone tile installation is an easy task that can be completed by skilled do-it-yourselfers or contractors. The preparation of the surface, the use of the right adhesive, and making sure the tiles are positioned and spaced correctly are important procedures. The last two essential steps to keep the tiles dry and improve their appearance are grouting and sealing. You can accomplish a gorgeous, polished finish with the appropriate equipment and methods.
Adding concrete decorative stone tiles to your design can raise the value and aesthetic appeal of your home dramatically. These tiles provide a useful and attractive option for landscaping projects, interior feature walls, and external facades. You can take advantage of the classic beauty and long-lasting durability of decorative stone tiles for many years to come by selecting reliable manufacturers and adhering to installation instructions.