Crafting distinctive shapes for ornamental stone can greatly improve the facade’s visual appeal. These personalized forms provide an opportunity to showcase your unique style and set your property apart from other properties in the neighborhood, whether you’re building from scratch or renovating.
In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, decorative stone forms give the facade depth and texture, which can add visual interest and make your house stand out. Custom designs allow you to customize the appearance to fit your home’s architectural style, whether it’s traditional, modern, or somewhere in between.
You can experiment with different decorative stone shapes, sizes, and even colors when you choose to create custom forms. Because of its adaptability, you can create a facade that both expresses your style and blends in with the surroundings.
- Making the matrix
- Preparation of master models
- Gluing master models
- Types of forms
- Making a form of polyurethane
- Production of silicone form
- Wood matrix
- The use of plastic
- Gypsum molds
- Pour the solution
- Video on the topic
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Making the matrix
The most challenging and important step in the casting of ready-made elements is the matrix’s creation. In a limited sense, the matrix used in the production of silicone or polyurethane forms is a platform used for the arrangement of the templates and the filling of them with the material needed to create the forms.
The size of the matrix is entirely dependent on the kind of tile that will cast; there are no specific requirements. With the exception of the stove, the primary material of the base is typically a 20 mm thick wood-bearing plate, though multi-layer plywood can be used. Well, you can use metal sheets that are 6 to 8 mm thick for the industrial production of forms.
For the less expensive version, a chipboard measuring 60 by 60 cm is sufficient. The most important factors are that the sheet itself is robust and long-lasting, and that the surface on which the casting is done is as level and smooth as feasible.
The internal field on the front side of the matrix indicates locations for the installation of the sides and master models. Typically, sides are made of the same-thickness wooden strips, which are secured to the base using self-tapping screws.
It is advised to raise the height of the sides by 10–12 mm above the highest point of the master models in order to create a strong and long-lasting form.
To ensure that there are no cracks in the corners, they cut and move toward one another after marking the sides. Each side has four to five screws holding it together. Before securing the sides, it is advised to further seal the joint with chipboard using construction silicone. The excess glue is dried, and then the glue is removed.
This piece delves into the artistic process of creating one-of-a-kind decorative stone forms. We explore the methods and equipment used by craftspeople to mold and sculpt stone into custom designs that improve the visual appeal of residential and commercial facades, from conception to completion. Learn how the artistry and skill of their creators are reflected in these customized forms that not only add visual interest but also enhance the overall durability and architectural character of buildings. This piece provides insights into the complex world of creating unique decorative stone forms for a variety of architectural projects, whether you’re interested in the artistic aspect or the practical application.
Preparation of master models
Master models can be created from prefabricated ornamental materials with intriguing textures, natural materials, or your own handcrafted models. Gypsum, wood, plastic, or even models made of papier meshe can be utilized as the foundation for independent model manufacturing. However, gypsum yields the best models out of all these materials.
Cleaning the front surface of the models is the first step in their preparation. The front portion of the model should be as follows when pouring silicone or polyurethane:
- as smooth as possible;
- without visible flaws – craters from previous fillings, influxes and roughnesses;
- There should be no cracks and chips;
- the surface should be cleaned of dust and dirt.
Apart from the front surface, the back side is also ready; the influx is removed, and if feasible, it is aligned.
Gluing master models
Models are arranged on the matrix’s working surface to start the gluing process. The models are first arranged and aligned inside the sides, and only then are they glue-positioned correctly.
Models must be firmly fixed to the work surface in order to prevent them from moving during the pouring of gypsum, silicone, or polyurethane into a form. The second requirement is to seal up any gaps that exist between the models and the matrix in order to produce a high-quality form that doesn’t need to be improved further.
The same silicone sealant is used for glueing; it is applied to the back of the master model and, once it has dried, the excess is cut away with a scalpel or painting knife.
Types of forms
Decorative stone is usually cast using reusable plastic materials. It is true that this does not prevent the use of wood or plastic hard matrices. or gypsum-based, transient hard forms.
Every kind of material has benefits and drawbacks. With silicone molds, you can produce between 100 and 300 castings. This will cover the cost of production. A greater resource, polyurethane matrices can be created from 800 to 1000 castings. Polyurethane can also be utilized in tandem to address vibration.
The simplest forms are made of wood, but the quality and quantity of completed goods produced from them will be poor. GIPS is used for certain castings; these castings need to have the right geometric shapes so that the concrete can readily separate from the form once it has solidified.
Making a form of polyurethane
Two layers of fat grease are applied to the prepared master models. You can use petroleum jelly or a specific dividing lubricant for this. The hardener is added and the polyurethane mass is agitated. When the carpet reaches the threshold of the dark color, it naturally enters the first layer of the carpet and gradually becomes darker in all directions.
Crucial! It is best to pour onto a horizontal surface. The matrix is aligned in the level prior to filling in order to achieve this.
The fill is aligned after using a wide spatula to pour. It is advised to use a construction hairdryer to gently warm the surface in order to speed up the drying process. The sides are taken off of the base first, and the resulting casting is only removed after the polyurethane has dried.
Production of silicone form
Silicone forms, although inferior in terms of strength with polyurethane, allow you to get the same clear prints. Production technology is comparable to that of a polyurethane casting; a dividing solution is applied to the matrix. It is advised to repeat this twice, allowing 5-7 minutes between each session. Following that, a filling solution is made. The mass, which resembles jelly, is spread equally across the surface and allowed to dry.
Once the silicone has completely hardened, the completed template is removed. For this, the form’s sides are carefully cut off after the edges are cut, and it can be easily removed from the matrix.
Wood matrix
The material that makes up the wood matrix has a noticeable fiber structure. Generally speaking, using old boards is the best way to achieve a casting with a distinctive "wild" natural arrangement of wood structure. The inward-facing side of the matrix is sanded before it is chipped. This is required to get rid of the fibers’ rough texture. Self-tapping screws are used to secure the sides. The gap is filled with silicone from the inside and then coated with fat grease once it has dried.
The use of plastic
Generally, industrial equipment is needed when working with plastic. The truth is that pressure-cast plastic is used to create plastic forms. In this instance, the plastic’s temperature may rise to 300 degrees. It is dangerous to attempt to reach this temperature at home for 1-2 kg of molten plastic. It’s true that you can just glue plastic strips into place or dissolve plastic in acetone to fill this mass matrix while it’s still soft.
Gypsum molds
Although gypsum is a delicate material, its structure makes it incredibly durable. It makes sense to produce gypsum molds for a single product. As a result, casting will be simpler, and the completed model can be removed from the mold more easily. In this instance, only one element’s form will split in the event of failure—not multiple elements’ forms.
The order of work is the same for other materials. One model receives only one casting, and a filling solution is produced expeditiously. Gypsum hardens and grabs easily.
Pour the solution
The inner surface of the template, similar to the matrix, is treated with fat grease or separator prior to the first pouring of the concrete solution. First, the form is placed on a firm, level base.
After being well combined, the filling solution should be fluid but not liquid. Silicone is filled in, and additional forms are made, leafing out at the edges after reaching the center. Once the volume of the template is fully filled, it is advised to use a spatula to remove any excess solution.
The form cannot be moved until it has completely dried.
Your home’s facade can be completely changed by incorporating distinctive forms for decorative stone, which will give it more personality. Homeowners can achieve designs that are unique to them by personalizing the molds used in the casting process.
The ability to customize the size, shape, and texture of the decorative stones to match particular architectural motifs or thematic elements of the home is one of the main benefits of creating custom forms. Because of its adaptability, it can be seamlessly integrated with current design elements, improving the overall visual appeal.
Additionally, homeowners gain creative control through the process of creating custom molds. Every detail, from choosing the kind of stone texture to creating elaborate patterns, goes into creating a facade that is distinctive and harmonizes with the property’s overall aesthetic.
In conclusion, homeowners have the chance to design unique facades that express their style and vision by personalizing forms for decorative stone. By adopting this strategy, people can improve the aesthetic impact of their houses and turn them into distinctive manifestations of creative architecture.