Decorating arch decorative stone

Decorative stone is one of the most suitable materials for finishing surfaces both indoors and outdoors. Due to its functional and aesthetic advantages, it is increasingly used to design a variety of arches.

The arch is the architectural element with which a small area can be visually made larger, and a spacious one can be effectively zoned. A qualitatively decorated passage saves and visually expands the room, functionally separates adjacent rooms and at the same time forms a single interior, creating the desired atmosphere in an apartment or house. Most often, the arches are made of plasterboard, and then revetted with the selected material.

There are many options for processing openings in the apartment: using plaster, wood, forged elements and, of course, stones: sandstone, shell rock, granite or marble. However, durable natural stone has a high cost, so today it is increasingly chosen its artificial substitutes.

This happens for many reasons:

• Decorating an arch with a decorative stone will cost you much less.
• Using this material, you can imitate the drawing of any stone.
• The weight of this decor will be much less, which may also be a plus - not every wall is able to withstand the weight of this stone.

Since the decoration with a decorative stone is able to repeat the pattern of any natural breed, you are able to arrange interior doors in a similar way - it is easy to choose a variation suitable for a specific interior.In most cases, the choice is made in favor of imitation bricks, small pebbles, marble or granite.

The process of laying decorative stone is quite simple, so you can decorate any arch with your own hands.

Traditionally, the stones laid out form a side strip around the arch, but in some cases it is decided to decorate the entire wall. A similar decoration with decorative rocks is used not only for doorways, but also for lining windows, niches and built-in furniture. If you have a free niche in a city apartment, then turn it into an arched fake fireplace and place several burning candles there.

Arched openings decorated with artificial stone can, on the one hand, in harmony with the color of the walls, not focus on themselves and act as a backdrop for bright furniture, and, on the other hand, become a center of attraction and a bright design decision. In the event that the arch connects two rooms in dissimilar styles, decorate it only on one side.

Arches from an artificial stone happen different geometrical configurations:

• classic - straight sidewalls and arched top. Usually, they are used for completely different styles, since the design fits perfectly into any interior;
• ellipsoidal - with arc in the form of a regular or irregular oval;

• rectangular or portal - lateral and upper parts form a right angle;
• round - look curious in combination with bright, colorful walls. Usually they are preferred by owners of futuristic interiors;
• figured - the sides create smooth lines and thus violate perpendicularity with respect to the floor.

The lining pattern is symmetrical and not symmetrical. Finished with the technology of "torn stone", arched openings do not have symmetry, but they look non-standard and complement the premises with the original layout. Symmetrically overlaid arch with stones in the tone of the wall looks better in classic, soothing interiors. Combine a variety of shades of the same color and alternate between vertical and horizontal tiles.

The openings are divided into passive and active. The first perform the role of a simple border, and the second, differing in an unusual form, and themselves are the decoration of the interior. The simple passive include such types as classic, modern (with a pronounced rise), romance (the arc is rounded on the sides, but cut off at the top) and others. The complex active ones are oriental, horseshoe-shaped, trapezoidal, lancet and others. They have jagged edges and are sometimes located on several levels.

There are also two ways of laying artificial stone: seamless and with preservation of seams. In living quarters, seams are usually preserved, since this gives the arch a special zest. They are made fairly wide, and then filled with grout required shade.

With the help of light, the expected mood is imparted: mystical, solemn and upbeat, calm and relaxed, or neutral.

Decorative stone is created from natural components: expanded clay, cement and pumice with the addition of a special mineral pigment to give color. Such material is considered to be environmentally friendly and safe - it is not afraid of corrosion, rotting and fungal diseases. Upon completion of the processes of drying and firing, he gets resistance, not inferior to the original.

Decorative stone is resistant to very high and low temperatures, so it is often used for cladding fireplaces and exterior walls of the house. It is also used in rooms with high humidity: pools, bathrooms and others. It is worth adding that the arch of a similar material is easy to clean and dry by conventional means.

Currently, it is possible to choose a decorative stone that imitates any natural, not only in color, but also in texture. Therefore, the choice of materials should depend solely on the design of the room.

Tiles are sold in even plates of different thickness and size. There is still a corner option that helps to issue the upper part of the arch without any problems. But it should be selected very carefully, completing all the calculations.

If the arch itself is made of plasterboard, then choose a flexible, lightweight acrylic material, or tiles of plaster. The brick arch can be decorated with stones on sand-cement mortar. In addition, try to choose a narrow tile - it is easier to mount it on the semicircular part of the opening. The cost of such material depends on the country of manufacture, company, quality, weight, and even patterns on the stone.

The installation process is carried out quickly and without any difficulties. You do not have to purchase additional mounts and attract craftsmen. But, in any case, before starting the finishing work, you need to check all the stones.

First you need to prepare the material:

• Open the packaging and mix the parts.
• See how they will look the most advantageous. Combine them, according to shades, and long with short - the arch should look natural.
• Turn the pieces on the back side to check for the presence of a foam layer, due to which the tile will be worse to hold. If it is, clean it by using a metal brush.

To finish the arch you will need at least the following tools: what you will be cutting the stone with (hand saw or grinder), construction knife, level, hammer, sandpaper, chisel, glue.

Step by step process of facing looks like this:

• Cut the decorative stone into several pieces or thin tiles. Prepare the surface of the arch in advance, cleaning it from dust and dirt, old wallpaper, paint and whitewash. Make a few notches that allow the glue to hold better. You can also apply a primer, after which it is important to dry the structure.
• Having prepared the "liquid nails", cement mortar or some other adhesive composition, begin to glue the tiles from the bottom of the arch, from its joint with the floor. Pay attention to the weight of the stone - some brands are not able to endure heavy samples. Apply glue to the wall with a spatula and press the stones more tightly, but do not overdo it, otherwise there will be cracks. Leave between them a gap of 5 millimeters.Keep in mind that adhesion will be higher if tile consists of the same ingredient as the surface to which it is glued.

• Work out a row on either side of the arch, and then go on to the next one. Each line up using a level, and use plastic crosses. If there are corner stones, then with their help make out the corners. If there are none, overlap flat ones - this way you will give the structure stability.
• After this, proceed to rounding. At this stage, you need to independently cut the stone to give it the desired shape, using a grinding machine, construction knife or nippers. For roughness, use sandpaper and a file. Partially stack the stone on a nearby wall surface.
• After a couple of days, when everything is dry and grabbed, begin to fill the tile joints with cement mortar or grout. You can choose a grout of any color, depending on the design of the room. Avoid getting liquid on the surface of the stone, immediately remove the excess with a soft cloth. After the arch is completely dry, coat it with acrylic varnish or even paint it.Small errors are hidden by airbrush.

You will learn more information about how to make a stone arch in the interior from the following video.

Using imitation stone on the arch of the door, you can arrange the space in absolutely different styles, in accordance with your own desires. But it is worth remembering that for a harmonious design you will need additional decoration of the space: the use of properly selected lamps, plants, furniture, paintings and other elements.

• For example, with the help of decorative granite it will be possible to make the entrance to an ancient castle or a stone cave.
• If you glue the arch with tiles of light green color and add plants, you will see something like an entrance to an underwater cave.
• Combining the wallpaper with nature and masonry, you will create a panorama of ancient ruins and the landscape behind them.

• A square arch and a fireplace decorated in the same style will make a harmonious couple that sets the mood of the room and gives it a special comfort.
• Making a children's room, you can stylize the arch under the dragon's head, using stones with the appropriate color and texture, as well as lighting.
• A tile that resembles sand in color will help in making the room have a sea theme.

• For rooms where solemn events, parties and feasts are often organized, a light tile imitating marble is suitable.
• The arches in the corridors are decorated with dark materials.
• Red, gray or brown stone under the old brick in the doorway will be an excellent addition to the room in the style of a loft, or in the style of country.

• Making the room in the style of Provence, give preference to light bricks.
• Empire style arches are usually complemented by columns with decorative elements.
• For classic interiors, select polished marble and make sure that the shape of the opening is smooth and smooth.