Bathroom supply store “New Bathroom Style” believes hygiene is the key to the health of the family, so the cleanliness of the bathroom is in the first place. Maintaining it on uneven surfaces is problematic. A good solution is a natural stone, but the cost of such a finish for the bathroom is sky-high. Instead, an artificial one is used, which is not inferior in performance but is cheaper. If you need unique bathroom vanities or 24 Inch or 36 inch bathroom vanities, welcome our web bathroom supply store and make your choice.
ARTIFICIAL STONE FOR THE BATHROOM
You can evaluate the benefits of using artificial stone for the bathroom on the pluses: wear resistance; no pores; appearance; treatment; lifetime; compatibility; individual project. Wear resistance is the second parameter after aesthetics, which is taken into account when choosing materials for finishing. Artificial stone does not lose its attractiveness after mechanical influences.
Static and dynamic loads are retained to be laid on the floor and walls. Bathroom countertops made of artificial stone can withstand high temperatures, so you don’t have to worry about leaving a curling iron or putting a hot kettle on. Hygiene is an indicator that depends on the surface. Artificial stone is made from polymers that are poured into molds. After polymerization, the surface becomes smooth without pores. Therefore, dirt or a nutrient substance in which bacteria would develop is not clogged in them. Gel-like detergents cope with any contamination because the pigments are not absorbed into the stone. It is difficult to distinguish an artificial finish from a natural one because the color and modulations are copied from the original. Give out patterns and shades that are not found in nature. But this is an opportunity to create an original interior.
Processing artificial stone takes less time than natural. At the same time, the same tools are used for styling, so you do not have to change the arsenal. The service life of the material is 50 years or more, so the only reason to change the interior in the bathroom is the monotony during this time. Polymer stone is combined with porcelain tiles, natural stone, and other finishing materials, which allows you to add zest to the design. Note! The surface of the polymer stone is restored to its original state after being damaged by sharp objects. The elements are not dismantled and not replaced with new ones.
BATHROOM WITH ARTIFICIAL STONE
Polymeric stone in the bathroom is used for decoration and furniture. Plumbing fixtures and furniture are made from it.
FLOOR
For laying on the floor in the bathroom is, used: artificial marble, agglomerate; porcelain tile. Artificial marble is divided into two types: bulk; with concrete filler. The bulk stone is enhanced by adding ground granite chips to the resin base. Under the artificial granite of the first group, an electric or water-heated floor is not installed. This is due to the deformation of polymers during heating. The thermal conductivity of artificial granite is higher than wood and plastic, so that you will need slippers or bathroom rugs. Faux granite is a must when creating a classic style in the bathroom. The surface retains its shine and does not let water through, so you do not have to worry about falling drops on the surface. When laying, attention is paid to the seams: the stone is placed back to back to create a feeling of solidity. Also, water will not go into the seam. Porcelain stoneware is a step in the development of ceramic tiles. The appearance of the finish is similar to natural stone. It is made from refined clay. Pigments are added to it, giving a pattern and shade. Spar and quartz sand are used as fillers. The components are crushed and pressed. The molded mass is baked under pressure and at 1300 degrees, turning into a monolithic tile. Like cast marble, there are no pores on the surface. When heated, the geometry of the stone does not change, so a warm floor is mounted under it. With the latter, the bathroom becomes cozy and warm. The pattern of porcelain stoneware goes to full depth, so the surface is not overwritten during constant use. The photo shows the finish with imitation wood. The comfort of wood is combined with the practicality of stone. The laying sequence is the same as the tiles. Porcelain stoneware is an environmentally friendly material since no synthetic additives or resins are used. Practical for the bathroom will be a stone with a rough surface. It does not slip as smoothly, but it is hygienic. Agglomerate is practical for the bathroom floor.
According to the production method, the material is similar to artificial granite. Depending on the filler cat, it can be quartz, marble, or granite. The gray bathroom floor will turn yellow, red, or turquoise if you mix the crushed mineral filler with pigment.
The shade does not fade in the sun and does not fade during operation. The polymer resin coating is resistant to acids and alkalis, so you can use household chemicals to clean the surface. The agglomerate expands under the influence of temperature, which violates the integrity of the coating. Therefore, heating is not used with it.
WALLS
The walls in the bathroom are decorated with the same type of artificial stone used for flooring. But this method requires high costs. The solution is not suitable for bathrooms with a small area because the room visually decreases. You can use liquid marble, donkey marble, and gypsum stone for walls. Wenge marble is made from gypsum.
The material is fragile, so it is necessary to strengthen it and give it an attractive appearance before laying it. This is done during the production process. Glue diluted with water is applied to the canvas. Gypsum is placed on top. When placed, the white color and powder with dye alternate. This creates veins similar to natural stone. An example is seen in the photo above. Shades for the pigment of wenge marble are selected for the interior. Adhesive water makes the material waterproof. Glitter appears after grinding the base with fine-grained stones. The wenge material, laid in fragments, makes accents in the bathroom. It is combined with light colors that visually expand the space in the room. Wenge stone is combined with natural or artificial marble. An example of alternation is shown in the photo above. Liquid marble is a new material for wall decoration. It is made similar to casting but with acrylic resins. Filler – marble chips or a mineral that gives a pattern. The canvas is obtained with a thickness of 2 mm or more and cut with scissors.
Therefore it is adjusted to the curvilinear forms of decoration and glued to the walls like wallpaper. Without breaks, it is glued to arches and openings. The luminous flux is not blocked due to the small thickness of the artificial material, so a backlight is mounted behind it to create a pleasant atmosphere in the bathroom. After gluing, no seams are visible, so the surface is monolithic. The dry area in the bathroom is trimmed with gypsum stone. It is cast in silicone molds. Their height, width, and print are custom-made. The disadvantage of the material is porosity, due to which moisture lingers on the walls. The problem is solved with a waterproof, non-toxic varnish that adds shine and closes the pores. During manufacture or after drying, the blocks are painted with water-based paint.
CEILING
Decorating the ceiling with artificial stone in the bathroom is important with care. A monolithic surface with a pattern visually reduces the height of the room. With a ceiling height of 2.5 meters, a fragmentary finish is suitable. The photo shows a stone finish with a wood pattern. The natural array will deteriorate from the condensed steam that remains after a bath. The stone is rubbed with a sponge, and the problem is solved. Liquid marble is suitable for pasting the ceiling, which will create a single contour with the walls. There will be no difficulties installing lighting fixtures since the soft stone does not crumble, and the holes are cut with a clerical knife.
Gypsum stone looks on high ceilings. Gray or beige shade fills the room with comfort. Bright colors are accents where the decoration requires it. The small weight of a stone facilitates its gluing to a surface. In the manufacture and fixation, environmentally friendly materials are used, so there are no harmful emissions with a difference in humidity or temperature. The photo shows a smooth transition in the decoration from walls to ceiling. It is fragmentary, but it is combined with the picture of the room’s interior.
WINDOWS AND DOORS
You can emphasize the shape of window and door openings with artificial stone. It is laid around the perimeter or on slopes. The material is selected with the same color, size, and texture. A monochromatic stone can look rough, so an overflow of two tones is made. For good adhesion to the wall, the turn of the stone is made rough. The ends of the stone laid end-to-end must be even so that the seam emphasizes the integrity of the finish. Large inclusions in the stone affect the appearance, so it is important to weed out the marriage when buying.
One of the finishing options is the preservation of the seam. When laying the stone, plastic wedges are installed on the model of tiled ones. They maintain the same distance between the stone. An example of work is visible in the photo. To preserve the integrity of the interior, a fragmentary section is also made in the corners. Work on window slopes starts from the bottom corner to bring the planes to the level. Laying material on door or window slopes is carried out with jointing. In this case, the distance between the elements is closed with glue or acrylic mastic.
The advantage is the sealing of the seam and protecting the reverse side of the material from moisture. The space is filled with a syringe or a narrow spatula. Excess fresh mastic is removed with a damp cloth, so no traces remain. With monolithic masonry, the seams are leveled. To do this, the ends of the material must be even or grated before gluing.
When embroidering, masonry irregularities are hidden. It is impossible to hide defects in a monolithic drawing, so the vertical and horizontal levels are controlled in work. The solution is applied in an amount so that the material does not protrude at the joints.
ARTIFICIAL STONE WORKTOP TO THE BATHROOM
The bathroom countertop is an addition to the interior and a practical module. The workspace near the sink expands, and household appliances are placed under it. To manufacture countertops made of artificial material is used: acrylic granite; quartz agglomerate. If one of these types is already present in the finish, then the shade is selected to match or contrast to highlight the work area. There are no standard solutions in shape and length, so the dimensions are selected according to the project with a preliminary measurement. The countertop is not drilled for mounting on the corners. Therefore, support suitable for strength is selected since an artificial stone countertop weighs more than a similar one made of chipboard. It can be fixed on a wooden or plastic pedestal.
To do this, glue is used, which fixes the shelf in place. According to the pattern shown above, the amount is used not to take up space with a pedestal. The tabletop is placed on brackets or corners and cut along its length and width. The gap between the wall and the shelf is closed with sealant or a border so that mold does not develop and moisture does not flow under the countertop. For long modules, legs have been installed that support the plane in the middle.
The support is made of the same stone, metal, or wood. A glass or plastic shelf for towels and accessories is mounted between them. A bathroom countertop is not an attribute of a spacious room. In a small room, corner shelves are installed on which the sink is placed. The example in the photo shows how the work area expands. The end is covered with plastic to hide communications.
ARTIFICIAL STONE SINK IN THE BATHROOM
An artificial stone sink in the bathroom is an expensive but timeless solution. It will not work to break it with a falling object, as happens with ceramics. The color range for sinks made of artificial stone is wider than ceramics or faience, so the interior becomes homely and not sterile, like in a hospital. When buying an acrylic stone sink, opt for light colors. On such a surface, scratches that appear when using the device are invisible. With the purchase of plumbing, you will also need a recovery kit that allows you to eliminate defects in ten minutes. Agglomerate is stronger than acrylic marble, but it has less plasticity. With sharp temperature effects, microcracks can form, turning into cracks. Installation of sinks made of artificial stone is carried out with thermal seams at the joints with the wall. Porcelain stoneware is practical in the bathroom from which sinks are made. Plumbing stands out for its durability and appearance. The stone tolerates sudden changes in temperature and shock. The service life is one hundred years or more. Since the artificial stone is molded during the production process, the sinks can be made to order according to a personal project.
