The look of the whole house largely depends on the appearance of the building’s basement. The most popular and desired decoration option is natural stone. It is, of course, beautiful, but rather expensive. How you can make a high-quality imitation of a stone, thereby significantly saving money, is described in this article..
Nothing adds more solidity and solidity to the appearance of a building like natural stone on a plinth. It would seem, what is easier, buy the necessary material – natural or artificial, stick it on the concrete or brick base of the base and you’re done. However, there are often cases when such an option is simply unacceptable, both from a constructive and financial point of view. It is quite clear that ready-made stone slabs are initially quite expensive pleasure, and if it is also necessary to prepare a special base for them, for example, if the basement is insulated from the outside, then all this will eventually cost a pretty decent amount. You can save a lot and at the same time get a result that is almost the same both externally and to the touch from a natural stone, if you make an imitation of it. We will tell you how this is done further..
As a role model, let’s take this option for finishing the basement with chipped granite slabs:
As a result, if you do everything in accordance with the instructions given, you will get the following result:
As you can see, the result is almost identical to the reference.
Materials and tools
To carry out the work, we need the following materials:
- Plaster mix – one 25 kg bag for about 5 m2. Price – 4 USD e.
- Front primer – 0.5 kg per 1 m2 one layer. A 25 kg bucket costs about $ 20. e.
- Front paint – 1 kg. 1 m2 one layer. A 25 kg bucket costs about $ 50. e.
- Decorating paints – base paint plus colors. In total it will take about 2 cu. e. for 1 m2.
- Plaster mesh. The thing is pretty cheap – about 0.4 cu. e. for 1 m2.
- The thinnest covering film.
The use of even initially not cheap high-quality materials gives savings in comparison with natural stone at times!
Instruments:
- Maklovitsa for priming (not plastering).
- The roller is not fluffy, for example, a felt roller for rolling film and smoothing seams.
- Fluffy paint rollers.
- Flat thin brushes.
- The spoon.
- Stiff brush for washing bathtubs to add texture to stones.
- Mixer for dry mixes.
- Sandpaper.
We make an imitation of a stone on a plinth
All work can be roughly divided into three stages:
- foundation preparation;
- making imitation stones;
- decorating.
So let’s get started. We have a base, insulated with foam plates. Preparing the base.
1. Knead the mixture.
The same mixture, by the way, is used for false stones..
2. Apply with a layer of about 3 mm, having previously putty the seams.
3. Cut off a strip of the reinforcing facade mesh of the required length.
4. Apply the mesh and smooth it with spatulas, with your hands, whatever, but so that not a single bubble remains. Cut the junctions from above and below to a width of about 1 cm, the mesh should not tuck.
5. Apply the second layer of the mixture 2–3 mm thick and leave to dry completely.
6. We prime the surface with primer for outdoor work, with deep penetration on loose surfaces. We prime the entire base. Leave to dry for at least three hours in dry weather.
7. Knead the same mixture as for the mesh. Apply to a primed base.
We make the mixture quite dense, it should not flow. Apply in a layer up to 3 cm. After drying – another one. As a result, we get 6 cm of the final thickness. You shouldn’t do a lot at once, a couple of square meters.
8. While the mixture is sufficiently wet, apply a thin film to cover the furniture, previously soaked in water. If the film is not moistened, then you risk tearing off the entire mixture.
On the surface of the base, wrinkle the film, as it turns out, and roll it with a lush, but not very soft roller – a rope or felt will do. We roll hard enough.
As a result, we get the following surface:
9. Remove the film with a sideways motion. We get the texture of natural stone.
The film must be wetted before each gluing.
10. We proceed to the next stage – making false stones. With the flat end of the brush we apply a pattern of joining. We try not to cut through to the very ground. Where it is convenient, we help ourselves with a spoon.
11. We moisten the roller used to roll the film in water and roll a little at the edges of the seams to smooth them. Then we go through the seams with a wet brush. This will make them neater..
12. For additional texture, you can punch the surface with a brush. Leave to dry.
13. After drying, knock down the debris and burrs with coarse sandpaper,
14. We prime the resulting surface. This should be done crosswise..
15. Apply base paint.
16. Coloring “stone” slabs. A complex process, but quite fun, it does not require certain conditions and artistic skills. To imitate live chipped granite, use red, brick, dark brown, black and white for lightening..
The colors are mixed right on the base. Repeat the stained seams with the same base paint..
17. When everything is dry, we give the effect of aging and hide the flaws. We take a thin flat brush, stain it with a light tone and touch the surface of the stones with an edge or with the very tip. When the paint on the brush ends, we dip it in the paint again, beat it with the end on the cardboard, so that the excess is removed so that bloopers do not turn out, and we apply it to the stones. It is better to repeat several times in one place than to overdo it with white..
In close-up, the surface should look like this:
18. If you want to give a gloss to the surface, then you can varnish the stone. No varnish is required to fix the paint, modern facade paints are resistant and serve for many years.
19. You can highlight the seams with dark paint. Get a more expressive surface. In the photo, the seams on the left are light, on the right are dark.
20. Upon completion of all work, you will receive an almost natural stone on the foam surface of the basement insulation.
Evgeny Dubinin, rmnt.ru (based on the materials of the competition work of the user LiLi4ita)
Can you provide some step-by-step instructions or helpful tips on how to decorate a basement with an imitation of natural stone?
To decorate a basement with an imitation of natural stone, follow these steps:
1. Clean the basement walls to ensure they are free from dirt and debris. Use a mild detergent and water solution and remove any loose paint or wallpaper.
2. Apply a coat of primer specifically designed for use on concrete or masonry surfaces. This will help the faux stone finish adhere properly.
3. Prepare the faux stone materials by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Usually, it involves mixing a bonding agent with cement and water to create a paste.
4. Apply the paste mixture onto the walls using a trowel or a putty knife. Start from the bottom and work your way up, ensuring an even and consistent layer. Follow the natural stone patterns you want to emulate.
5. While the paste is still wet, use a trowel or other tools to create texture and depth. You can press in patterns or use a sponge to create a more realistic appearance.
6. Allow the paste to dry completely, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. It may take a few days, so be patient.
7. Once dry, sand the surface lightly to smoothen any rough spots and remove excess texturing.
8. Apply a coat of primer to seal the faux stone and provide a smooth base for paint or glaze.
9. Apply paint or glaze in the desired color and pattern. Use a combination of techniques like sponging, ragging, or stippling to achieve a more natural stone look.
10. Seal the finished surface with a high-quality clear coat or sealer to protect the faux stone and increase its durability.
Helpful tips:
– Practice on a small, inconspicuous area before applying the faux stone finish to the entire basement.
– Choose the type of stone you want to replicate and study its patterns and colors for a more authentic look.
– Add accents with real stone or faux stone accessories like moldings, trims, or faux stone panels to enhance the overall aesthetic.
– Consider adding proper basement lighting to highlight the faux stone and create a welcoming atmosphere.
How difficult is it to decorate the basement with an imitation of natural stone on your own? Are there any specific techniques or materials that need to be considered? Any tips or recommendations for someone attempting this project for the first time?