Until recently, the decoration of doorways with decorative stone was used in restaurants and cafes. Today this solution is widely used in residential interiors. The use of this beautiful material helps create a romantic atmosphere or bring a note of antiquity to the interior. Today on sale there are stones of any colors, for any design.

Classification of stone

Depending on the materials used in the production, distinguish such varieties of decorative stone:

• Porcelain tiles. The basis of this material is clay, field spar, inorganic additives and colorants. All components after mixing are compressed, and sometimes subjected to calcination. The material is characterized by an abundance of shades and textures. There is the possibility of a realistic imitation of ornamental stones. The material is resistant to temperature changes, but is not resistant to chemicals.
• Agglomerates. This is an artificial stone, which includes marble, granite, various additives. The binder is a polymer compound. The material is strong enough, it tolerates temperature changes well. However, it is not without its minuses. It is not stable enough with respect to chemically aggressive media, UV radiation, it quickly abrades.
• A stone made of colored concrete. This is the most common material for wall cladding of all listed. It consists of portland cement, sand and various additives, which determines the color and other performance properties. The use in the manufacture of a glass mesh approximates the material in strength to a natural analog and even to a metal.

       

Properties of artificial stone

The secret of the success of the decorative stone is its absolutely unique performance qualities. They concern all varieties of finishing material, regardless of the composition:

• Simplicity of processing even by means of the most ordinary joiner's tool;
• Low porosity. The decorative stone is not hygroscopic and does not affect the fluctuations in the humidity level in the room;
• Strength. Individual varieties of this indicator are not inferior not only to natural stone, but also to metal;
• Resistance to dirt, extreme ease of care;
• Fire resistance. Most of the artificial stones are also fireproof;
• Aesthetics. In addition, the decorative stone is pleasant to the touch. It is not cold, like a natural stone, but warm;
• Durability. Theoretically, with proper care, it can serve its owners for many decades.

Read also: Dark doors in the interior +75 photo

       

Advantages of finishing

A natural stone is very beautiful and luxurious. However, recently many prefer the man-made analog. The reason is that the natural stone is too expensive and heavy. The advantages of this material are as follows:

A small mass, in comparison with natural material. This significantly reduces the cost of the work, as there is no need to worry about additional reinforcement of the foundation:

• Durability. In this respect, composite materials are not inferior to natural materials;
• Variety of shades, configurations and textures. Possible imitation of granite, shell rock or marble, and very realistic;
• Ease of installation. The artificial stone tiles on the back are perfectly smooth. This man-made variant favorably differs from the natural;
• Versatility. The decor can be mounted on walls made of wood, brick or concrete;
• Fire resistance. Thanks to this, fireplaces are decorated with an artificial stone;
• Hydrophobicity. This allows the use of material for decorating walls in swimming pools and bathrooms. In addition, the surfaces, lined with decorative stone, are unattractive for fungi and molds;
• Resistance to temperature changes and solar radiation;
• Good compatibility with other materials. This is plaster, wood and forged elements;
• Easy to care for (enough soft cloth and detergent solution without abrasive elements).

The stone is also suitable as an accent of interior elements (arch, column, fireplace, niche, separate "accent" wall.) However, laying out all the walls with a stone is not the best idea, to put it mildly, it will be a kind of ancient knight's castle, rather than a stylish modern room.

       

Rules for choosing a stone

There are several criteria for choosing a decorative stone:

• Room's footage, ceiling height;
• The configuration of the room (shape, number of turns and openings);
• Kind of lighting;
• Style in which the interior is designed;
• Tinted palette;
• Functional purpose of the room (living room, hallway, bathroom).

Accounting for these criteria is mandatory. If you ignore them, the resource you received, to put it mildly, disappoint. With regard to the performance of the material, the selection criteria are as follows:

• Examine the material. Overflows of shades, colored specks, contrasting areas will look nice when you make an opening;
• The outgrowths or holes on the back side are inadmissible, since it will not be possible to glue the material onto the wall;
• It is advisable to buy stones with a water-repellent coating. This significantly reduces the time spent on finishing (additional hydrophobic treatment is not required).

       

Stylistic tricks of decoration

Perform masonry decorative stones can be in a variety of options. For example, in a large apartment will look beautiful imitation of the entrance to the knight's castle, made of massive, with uneven terrain, stones. If you support this decision with objects of antique furniture and paintings on knightly themes, the door under the antiquity - an amazing effect is guaranteed. When decorating doorways, brick masonry is often used. Particularly effective are the "torn" edges. Very original look tiles with a smooth transition from one color to another or, conversely, randomly, chaotically, without a selection. These options are suitable for openings of rectangular and arched shapes.

Read also: The combination of doors wenge with interior

Original and "primitive" version: overlay the entrance, to get an imitation of the lazar into a wild cave. If this option is skillfully beat, it looks irreproachable. It fits well with the design and decorative stone, imitating pebbles or sandstone. This is a good solution for ethno and eco-styles with rattan furniture, exotic plants and natural materials in the interior.

       

Decorating yourself

Decorative stone is combined with other types of materials. This determines its use in finishing the doorways and slopes. Consider how you can complete the finishing work yourself.

The surface, on which the finishing material will be laid, should be immaculately even. If you neglect this, the finish will not be either solid or beautiful. For leveling the surface there are 2 options: plaster or plasterboard.

       

Necessary materials and tools

When leveling the surface with your own hands using plaster you will need:

• Start and finish lineups;
• Spatulas of different sizes;
• Sandpaper;
• Building level - for quality control of the process.

At preliminary furnish of walls gipsokartonom apply:

• Metal profiles, self-tapping screws;
• Screwdriver (for fastening the frame elements);
• Dowels (for fastening the frame to the surface).

Directly for finishing works you will need:

• Stone for facing;
• Special composition for fastening;
• Wire fittings;
• Building mesh;
• Putty knife;
• Level.

Surface preparation

To properly trim the doorway, assess its condition in advance. If unevenness is detected, apply a starting layer of plaster. Ready-mixes are on sale, which are diluted enough with water in accordance with the instructions. The rules for preparing the surface for finishing are as follows:

• The starting composition is applied to several thin layers. Before using the subsequent portion of the formulation, wait for the already existing layer to freeze;
• Each layer after drying is treated with emery. This manipulation is necessary to remove all the irregularities that formed when the starting mixture was applied;
• The material consumption largely depends on the initial unevenness of the slope;
• After the starting layer is applied, it's time to take up the finish. It, like the starting one, is mounted in several layers. Each layer after hardening is treated with emery.

When decorating the doorway, you need to consider what types of materials you are going to use. Natural and artificial stone perfectly combined with decorative plaster.

The main thing is the correct selection of colors. In this case, the finish will look natural and noble.

Features of wall leveling with plasterboard

Many people prefer this method. Its main advantage is that the surface turns out to be perfectly smooth, with minimal effort. In addition, at the end of the work there is no construction debris left, which is formed in excess during plastering. Layers of gypsum and cardboard are easily cut, do not crumble. The alignment process is as follows:

• Drywall is attached to the frame of a metal profile. You can buy it in the building materials store. It turns out a good crate, capable of withstanding the weight of the wall covering. The installation of the frame is not at all complicated;
• It is necessary to know that the drywall "eats" part of the space, due to the metal structure. The distance from the wall to the frame varies between 5 and 10 cm (it all depends on what irregularities there are on the surface);
• Drywall is advisable to use if other surfaces in the apartment are trimmed in this way.

See also: Light interior doors in the interior +75 photo

Workflow Algorithm

Strengthen the facing stone with cement mortar or glue (sold in construction shops). The procedure is as follows:

• On the prepared surface fix the wire reinforcement, using the cement mortar. Then apply a layer of plaster;
• The next stage is the installation of a building mesh. It is needed to strengthen the finish on the wall;
• Wall spread with a stone.

Sometimes PVA glue is added to the cement slurry. The mixture becomes much stronger.

There are 2 varieties of stone decoration of doorways and window slopes: suture and seamless. The first method involves applying the adhesive directly to the wall. With a seamless method, the adhesive composition is applied to the surface of the stone. The finished finishing material is designed so that a fit is not required. At the end of installation, the surface is treated with an impregnating composition, giving the finish additional water resistance.

       

Design Tips

To finish the door or window opening looked like a real decoration of the interior, you need to listen to advice from professional designers:

• The lining of the opening is carried out evenly along the entire height. It is permissible to make the finish more massive underneath, but not at the top of the door;
• The arched opening of the entrance or interior doors is the most difficult. When facing, it is necessary to track the combination and symmetry of the material pattern. Working with a rectangular shape is easier at times. If necessary, using the Bulgarian, you can give the desired shape to the stone;
• Excellent looks decorative stone with wood. Well, if they are decorated in the same style. For example, smooth stone comes to the walls, polished with polished panels, and rough - to roughly processed wooden surfaces. It is also combined with monochrome textured wallpaper;
• The seam between the tiles can reach 8 mm. To obtain smooth seams use special crosses made of plastic;
• The work will look complete if you fill the space between the elements with a special grouting solution. The solution is prepared in accordance with the instructions printed on the package. Change the color of the solution can be done with the help of colors;
• The use of decorative stones in interior design requires careful lighting. In this case, it is possible to show in all the beauty of the shade overflows. If you place additional light sources on the walls, it turns out to be especially beautiful. If it is not possible to install sources of additional lighting, it is better to choose the finishes of lighter tones;
• The stone surface is well combined with plants, especially with curly species. For example, you can decorate the arch with lianas.

       

Conclusion

The decoration of walls, window and doorways with decorative stone will help to make a beautiful and original interior decoration. A stone is a practical and durable material. It perfectly decorates the rooms of different styles.