How to independently make marble from concrete

Recently, the manufacturing of concrete products with color stains that imitate marble has become very popular. This is quite logical explanation, because marble is able to give prestige and elegance to the facades of buildings or decorate the rooms from the inside. In addition, the advantages of this technology include the fact that you can make marble from concrete at home.

Next, we will review in detail all the nuances of this operation.

General information

The technology of producing artificial marble from concrete is still quite simple, so that every home craftsman can make such a material. However, some knowledge is still needed.

If you do the job correctly, the material will turn out so much like marble that an ordinary passer-by can hardly guess that, for example, an artificial stone was used for the fence.

In addition, this material has several advantages:

• Environmental friendliness;
• Excellent physical and mechanical properties;
• The technology of marble made of concrete with your own hands is wasteless, which is an important factor;
• Ease of restoration;
• The price is much cheaper than natural marble;
• Good moisture resistance;
• The possibility of obtaining any color and any form of material.

Technology of making artificial marble

Materials

Before you start making a stone, you should prepare a specific set of materials:

• Sand;
• Cement grade M500;
• Pigment - suitable for this purpose high-quality oil paint;
• The plasticizer is a special compound that, when added to concrete, significantly improves its characteristics.

In addition, more forms will be needed in which the solution will be poured. For these purposes it is best to use special polymer forms. If you do not find them, you can use any other forms made of plastic.

For example, if you want to make concrete window sills marbled, you should find suitable plastic trays. In extreme cases, you can complete the forms yourself by fastening the plastic panels together.

It is also desirable to have a vibrating table, which can be done with your own hands. If you are engaged in the production of marble once, then you can do without it by shaking the mixture manually. Vibration will condense the solution and eventually make a more dense material.

It must be said that polymer concrete can be made using the same technology.

The only thing, instead of cement, in this case, thermosetting resins are used as a binder:

• Phenolic;
• Furan;
• Epoxy etc.

Note! In the manufacture of polymer concrete, a greater amount of filler is added to the composition than in the usual concrete solution.

Making marble

After all the materials are prepared, you can proceed to work. The manufacture of artificial marble and polymer concrete begins with the preparation of a mortar.

Concrete solution is mixed in a standard proportion - 1: 3. In this case, as a filler, it is best to use calcium carbonate or other neutral fillers similar to it.

If polymer concrete is kneaded, then the solution should be in a ratio of 1: 4. Coarse fillers are used as fillers.

In particular, crushed in the form of gravel or coarse sand will be suitable for these purposes:

• Limestone;
• Quartz;
• Sandstone;
• Dolomite.

Further instruction is as follows:

• After the solution is ready, add a dye.. I must say that diligently stir the composition to obtain a homogeneous mixture is not necessary. To get the similarity with marble, it is better to do it carelessly, in order to get characteristic stains. You can experiment, for example, by adding a few drops of paint of different colors. In general, this stage can be called a creative process that allows you to feel like an artist and show imagination.
• After the solution is colored, shake the container or place it on the vibrating table.. If you spend time making this device, then in the future it may be useful in the manufacture of paving slabs, cinder block and other building materials.
• Then, the prepared solution should be poured into prepared and well-dried polyurethane forms and covered with plastic wrap.. To increase the strength of the material, it should be reinforced with wire. For this, after the mixture is poured into molds, it is necessary to drown the wire.

• After the final hardening of the concrete mix, remove the resulting products from the molds and sand the surface. For these purposes, you need to use an angle grinder and diamond disc cups. After performing this operation, the surface will become smooth, most closely resembling marble.

Here, perhaps, the whole composition of the production of artificial marble from concrete. I must say that there are other manufacturing techniques of artificial stone. Moreover, some of them are even simpler and do not require finishing polishing.

However, at home, the considered method is the most affordable.

Note! Since the material obtained will be sufficiently durable, it can only be processed with diamond tools, in particular, in addition to the aforementioned grinding, cutting of reinforced concrete with diamond circles and diamond drilling of holes in concrete is an effective method.

Options for using artificial marble

Most often, artificial marble is used to finish fences outside the premises. However, such material can be an excellent alternative to ceramic tile, for example, in the bathroom. In addition, "concrete marble" can be used as kitchen countertops.

It can also be an excellent decoration for fireplaces, which are not only a home of comfort, but also a sign of luxury. If the interior of the room is made in a classic style, then the material can be used as a floor covering.

In any case, wherever you use marble, its use will be a sign of good taste and luxury!

Conclusion

Having understood how to make marble from concrete, you can perform this operation without any experience or skills. It is only necessary to adhere to the above sequence. The result of such work will be a luxurious and at the same time durable finishing material obtained without much financial cost, which can be used for both outdoor and indoor work. (See also the article Mosaic concrete: how to do.)

From the video in this article, you can get more information on making artificial marble in the home.