Artificial stone in the interior of the bathroom. Artificial stone in the bathroom: a sign of good taste or excess? Bathtub made of artificial stone - technology for the manufacture of molded products

Most of us, when planning a bathroom renovation, consider ceramic tiles to be the only material most suitable for finishing. At the same time, there is a material that has no less good characteristics, but is used much less frequently in interior decoration. We are talking about artificial stone. In fact, in terms of properties, it is no different from a tile. The difference is only in appearance. Artificial stone in the bathroom will allow you to create a unique, inimitable design. In addition, such material looks more rich and noble than ceramic tiles.

Artificial stone in the bathroom

Choosing stone in the bathroom interior as the main material for finishing, you will not be mistaken. It perfectly protects the walls from the occurrence of fungus and mold. The minimum number of seams and joints give the room a more harmonious, neat look. In addition, artificial stone in the bathroom can be used not only as a wall covering material. Today, this material is becoming more and more popular and is used in various fields.

Stone accessories and items

The scope of artificial stone is very wide. So, you can purchase a sink made of this material with a countertop or even a bathroom for the bathroom.

Modern manufacturers, using the latest technology, create objects of the original form, made in a variety of styles.

It is noteworthy that the decorative stone in the bathroom as a material for the sink and bathtub has a huge number of positive characteristics:

bathroom decoration with artificial stone is an external attraction;
moisture resistance;
increased wear resistance;
resistance to mechanical damage, loads;
low thermal conductivity;
the absence of a radioactive background (which happens quite often if a bathroom is made of natural stone);
antibacterial coating;
Finishing the bathroom with stone is easy to install, operate and clean.

Quite often, modern manufacturers make custom-made countertops, sinks and bathtubs from artificial stone.

That is, you can independently determine how exactly you see this or that item necessary for the bathroom. This opportunity helps to create a truly unique, most comfortable and stylish bathroom design with stone.

Wall decoration with artificial stone

The use of artificial stone as a material for finishing the bathroom involves full coverage of the floor and walls of the room. In this case, such a bathroom stone finish implies that you should first familiarize yourself with the proposals that exist on the modern market. Most commonly used:

chipped, with an uneven edge;
sawn, with even, smooth edges;
natural;
imitating decorative stone in the bathroom or cobblestone.

The advantage of using this material is obvious. The absence of seams will make the room look more solid. In addition, the artificial stone in the interior of the bathroom has excellent soundproofing properties.

Decorative stone in the bathroom

Rules for choosing and leaving

First of all, you should pay attention to the type of artificial stone - on its front surface there should be no chips, cracks, marks from the brush. Bulges and depressions are allowed, but their height/depth must not exceed 5 mm.

You should always pay attention to the cost of the material. By itself, artificial stone veneer for the bathroom is quite expensive, therefore, seeing a material that is quite affordable, do not be too lazy to ask the seller for quality certificates.

Almost every manufacturer issues them in order to emphasize the quality characteristics of the stone. The absence of a certificate, on the contrary, should cause distrust. It is likely that they are trying to sell you not the highest quality material.

There are some features of caring for artificial stone. They are equal both for the material covering the walls and floor, and for countertops, sinks and items such as a stone bathtub:

do not use abrasive materials when cleaning the stone - it is better to purchase special mild detergents;
do not use hard sponges and metal brushes;
it is not recommended to drop heavy objects on the surface - this may lead to the formation of chips;
on the surface of artificial stone is not recommended to cut;
a stone bathroom is very sensitive to sudden changes in temperature.

A stone-look bathroom is luxurious and stylish. Be sure to study a photo, where the decoration of the bathroom with artificial stone is presented, to make sure of this.

Finishing the bathroom with artificial stone is a new original alternative to the usual ceramic tiles. The surface, finished with stone, always looks luxurious, rich and elegant. In addition, the material reliably protects the room from the appearance of dampness and mold. The best place to place such material would be a bathroom or a combined bathroom.

Features of use

Walls sheathed with granite, marble or onyx look noble. A more affordable option is the use of artificial stone, which has a very rich palette of shades. Agglomerate material can imitate the texture of any natural stones, allowing you to find the right shade. Thanks to artificial stone, you can create a feeling of an integral surface without the presence of seams and joints.

Artificial stone trim is endowed with not only decorative possibilities. This material is used to make furniture items for:

Types of finishing stone materials

To create an interior bathroom, you can use any kind of artificial stone. The following types of stone have gained popularity:

Chipped with bumps - sometimes such a model can have sharp edges. It has a huge decorative function, it looks very interesting on the walls, but the installation of such a coating must be trusted to specialists.
Sawn - has smooth, even cuts. Therefore, working with it is much easier and more convenient than with a chipped look. With such a stone, the interior will always look noble and elegant.
Natural is a natural material from various rocks. It makes the interior really chic and expensive.
Imitation is the most popular type, which in appearance may not differ from natural breeds, depending on the variety chosen.

Always when choosing in favor of artificial stone, you need to remember that this material obscures the room and makes it gloomy. Therefore, it is necessary to think over the future lighting of the room in advance.

To make the masonry and bathroom interior more comfortable, pots or tubs with green plants should be placed in this room. Palm trees and tropical types of plants look good in the bathroom, which suits a humid atmosphere. You can try to place a high-quality imitation of plants in a stone bathroom.

In small bathrooms of multi-storey buildings, you should not use material to finish the entire room. It is necessary to allocate small areas of the room for this. They can be the floor, part of the wall, bathroom lining, finished sink, niche decoration and others.

Completely stone walls in a small room often do not look very aesthetically pleasing. If there is such a need for finishing, you need to choose light materials. It is advisable to choose glossy surfaces so that they can visually expand the space.

It is very important to follow the rule of material compatibility. If you unsuccessfully combine finishing materials, then the room will visually look smaller than it actually is.

Luxurious royal apartments in the bathroom can be made using marble or granite masonry. Choose for this you need a tile of neutral shades or pastel colors.

Corner countertops, bathtubs, shelves are used to expand the premises, combined with a calm, light design.

Quartz agglomerate is chosen for the bathroom because of the ability of this material to provide a flat, smooth surface without joints, seams and joints. Therefore, such material can be placed on the floor to implement interesting design solutions or create the effect of a self-leveling floor.

Working rules

To make the interior of the bathroom successful and perfect, you can use the following rules for combining artificial stone:

Increasing the number of light sources. Even light stone shades absorb light and reduce the amount of light in the bathroom. Therefore, light must be added.
The dark type must be alternated with light materials.
In too narrow rooms, it is not recommended to use such decoration, as it adds gloom, but this does not apply to bathroom fixtures.
It is always necessary to remember the sense of proportion when using decorative stone, so as not to accidentally turn the bathroom into a kind of cave.
Properly beaten rough stone on the walls can be the highlight of the room. It must be softened with delicate details, smooth shapes of interior items.
Living plants are in perfect harmony with the stone, which create an atmosphere of wildlife in the bathroom. The noise of the flow of water, stone surfaces and green foliage will in combination energize a person and provide real relaxation and rest.
Imitation of natural stone harmonizes perfectly with wooden surfaces. But when choosing such a finish for the bathroom, you need to make sure that the wood has a special impregnation with water protection.

Advice

Decorative stone can go well with both natural and artificial materials, depending on its type. It can be successfully combined with mirrors and metal.

Positive finishing qualities

Despite the fact that decorative material is much cheaper than natural, it has a rather high price compared to other types of finishes. However, its cost is justified by numerous positive features:

originality of the material;
moisture resistance, protection against dampness and mold;
durability, wear resistance;
the ability to withstand significant loads and mechanical stress resistance to damage;
low heat transfer capacity;
the absence of a radioactive background, which can often occur when choosing natural stone;
the presence of a protective layer;
simplicity and accessibility of maintenance and operation.

Finishing the bathroom with artificial stone can be different:

wall decoration is a classic way;
decorating the floor or ceiling is a bold idea;
a solution that is gaining popularity is the manufacture of furniture and sanitary ware.

A wide range of varieties of decorative material makes it possible to realize any design idea. Many furniture and sanitary ware manufacturers dealing with artificial stone can implement custom-made projects. You can independently think over the design of the bathtub and sink, come up with the shape of the countertop and make your bathroom interior stylish and individual.

How to choose an artificial stone?

When choosing a material, you must first look at its appearance. Its front surface should be free of chips, scratches or cracks, as well as brush marks. The presence of dents or bulges on the surface is allowed, but they should be no more than 5 mm.

Advice

It is always necessary to be guided by the price in the choice. This material has a high cost, therefore, at the sight of a low price, the seller must be sure to ask for a quality certificate. In the absence of such a document, you risk acquiring low-quality and short-lived material.

Another nuance - products made of decorative stone at first glance may seem the same. It is sometimes very difficult even for a specialist to visually distinguish a cheap fake from a quality product visually.

Therefore, only accompanying documents can serve as a guarantee of quality. Products of large companies with a well-known name usually have a marking on the back, which is also considered a guarantee of quality.

With regard to species, you need to choose a stone that will be in harmony with the rest of the decoration or interior items. When choosing a stone of light shades for the bathroom, the interior will look noble and refined.

Dark colors make the interior simple and concise. But busting with a dark color will make the space gloomy. A type of stone with a speckled pattern will help mask water stains. And on white surfaces, scratches will be less noticeable.

Bath

The largest item in the bathroom is the tub itself. Even this attribute can be made of artificial stone.

A monolithic block of stone will make the interior special, clearly different from the rest. Moreover, it can be created according to individual developments. The process of using such a bath brings excellent tactile sensations, and also gives psychological relief, makes the atmosphere special.

Artificial material lends itself well to processing. That is why you can create the most incredible bath designs according to your own projects. Although on sale there is a huge range of various original and unusual models.

There are many benefits to these baths. In addition to those listed, there is another strong argument in favor of stone plumbing. This idea is relatively new, is not yet common and has not had time to become boring.

Initially, this material is a very plastic mass, which consists of quartz sand or granite chips, a catalyst and polyester resin. This combination allows the material to take absolutely any shape before solidification. Manufacturers have already acquired special equipment for this purpose. When the material hardens, it goes through the stage of grinding and additional processing.

An artificial stone bath has the following properties:

unusual look and interesting shape;
low heat dissipation capacity - helps to maintain the temperature longer;
coating with protection against bacteria;
the product does not need additional support;
has good sound insulation.

Advice

You can use artificial stone for lining the bath. To do this, a special box is built around an ordinary bathtub, which is pasted over with stone fragments.

sinks

Stone washbasins are characterized by a combination of beauty and high durability. A wide variety of colors allows you to choose different items suitable for any situation. Sinks can be made in absolutely any shape.

Washbasins made of stone have a special coating with a gelcoat substance that protects the surface from abrasion. In addition, the surface under the protective layer becomes perfectly smooth without pores.

There are such types of shells depending on the shape:

square;
rectangular;
round;
oval.

Plumbing products may also differ in color:

The sinks are divided according to the type of countertop fastening:

Floor - have a support in the form of legs or a stand and allow adjustment of the height of the location. The floor variety can be mounted on a cabinet, a cabinet with shelves.
Wall models are light in weight and dimensions, attached to the wall with anchors. Fasteners can be made before the finishing of the walls during the repair or after it, depending on the type of work.
Cast stone corner sinks can be of any type, they can be wall mounted or placed on a stand.
Washbasins integrated into the countertop are a continuous sheet without seams and transitions between the countertop and the sink.

Bathroom countertop

Various shelves, cabinets and countertops can make the bathroom space functional enough. The choice of the latter is simply huge, not only for the kitchen, but also for the bathroom.

Choosing any type of countertops for the bathroom is worth it because of their advantages, as well as the ease of maintenance of the coating. The artificial stone countertop is highly resistant to chemicals.

Most often, bathroom countertops are made from these types of artificial materials:

Quartz agglomerate- its basis is quartz chips with the addition of polyester resin and pigments. The pattern may resemble natural granite or marble. The material is able to withstand even high temperatures and is not afraid of contact with hot objects. However, such a countertop weighs quite a lot.
acrylic stone- the most suitable material for creating bathroom countertops. This is a material based on acrylic resins with the addition of pigments and mineral fillers. It can be used to create seamless structures of absolutely any shape with a smooth surface without pores.
Marble- material with the addition of natural marble chips and polymer compounds. Artificial marble has a uniform surface and a very high density. It can be given any shade to match the design.

Varieties of stone countertops

All existing countertops can be divided into several types:

A solid single-level plane that is suitable for convenient storage of various items in the bathroom. It may contain an addition in the form of holders, hooks. The washbasin in this variety is, as it were, recessed into it.
A countertop with a washbasin located on top is appropriate when the owner of such a bathroom interior design is used to washing from the sink. Or he likes to use the washbasin as a container for various water manipulations.
Countertop with most of the surface reserved for the sink. Huge full-length countertop sinks will be appropriate in large families or public places. Also, sometimes they are design solutions and are made to order.

Tiered countertop with one or more recessed washbasins. To implement such an idea, there must be enough space in the bathroom. Therefore, such a multi-level idea is most often used in public restrooms, as well as in families with small children.
Angular arrangement of the tabletop - in this case, the surface is made to order. The tabletop can take a non-standard or rectangular shape, any other declared by the customer. Perfect for limited space in the bathroom and allows you to functionally use the available space.

Bathroom wall decoration

Choosing an artificial stone for the bathroom will be a wise decision not only in terms of design, but also in terms of practicality. In a room with high humidity, there is always a threat of mold and bacterial fungi.

Artificial stone will reliably protect the walls from any kind of damage. He will not be afraid of either water or splashes. Having made a high-quality repair once using artificial stone, you can forget about this word for a bathroom for decades.

The material is ready to serve for a very long time without losing the beauty of appearance and its original properties. Walls lined with artificial stone are distinguished by their endurance. They are able to withstand built-in cabinets, hanging shelves, suspended ceilings and any other structures. The artificial type of finish has a very large range of colors, so absolutely any idea can be used when creating a design.

Stone on the floor and ceiling

The material is excellent for flooring, as it is distinguished by its durability and strength. You can choose different types and colors of materials depending on the style of the room. On the floor, there may be a semblance of marble slabs, pebbles or stone mosaics.

It is possible to lay out the ceiling with a stone partially, not over the entire surface, but in separate zones. For example, in a niche for a shower or bath.

You should not choose too heavy-looking, as well as dark material, so as not to visually lower the ceilings and not make the room gloomy.

Ideas for a stone bathroom

For inspiration, you can use several existing ideas:

The choice in favor of the cement scale in the decoration of the bathroom makes the mood of this room masculine and brutal. This design, with the arrangement of a large mirror and details that match the tone of the main color, is more reminiscent of a minimalist style.
Imitation of marble in combination with sophisticated pieces of furniture and sanitary ware will make the atmosphere in the bathroom sophisticated. A combination of marble with black glossy surfaces and white details will look harmonious. This technique emphasizes the beauty of marble.
The combination of wood and stone in the decoration of the walls.

Marble in beige and brown shades makes the room warm and cozy. When combined with glass surfaces, shower doors, the material makes the room spacious and weightless.
The artificial look of the finish is a great way to decorate the bathroom in an eco-style. You can use imitation pebbles in combination with many green plants arranged in pots or bamboo decorations.
Dark gray material will perfectly fit into youth styles. The semblance of a brick wall will serve as an excellent backdrop for placing bright pop art posters and art nouveau accessories.
For complete harmony with nature in the bathroom, you can order sanitary ware made of stone, shaped like river pebbles. Products usually have rounded edges, which makes their appearance very unusual and interesting.

Compatibility with interior styles

Artificial stone has a noble design, and the variety of its varieties allows you to make this material versatile and fit into any style of interior. You can try to embody one of these styles in the design of the bathroom:

1 Loft- implies the use of brickwork on the walls or finishing with a rough raw agglomerate. Sandstone floor, stone furniture will suit him. Although you can use the material as much as you like in the loft, certain details should give the eyes a little break from such decoration.

2 Rococo, Empire, Baroque- styles that are the epitome of ostentatious luxury. Therefore, it would be appropriate for them to choose a marble or granite finish, preferably of strict forms. It should have a glossy sheen. Solid stone objects add expressiveness to the interior - it can be a bath, sink, cabinet, bidet.

3 Techno, high-tech– combine urban inclinations and the use of modern materials. Therefore, quartz agglomerate, processed using modern technologies, with angular or strict forms, will fit into such interiors.

4 Modern unites smooth lines and natural materials. Therefore, it would be appropriate to use most types of light-colored stone here. And modular stone panels will be out of place here, as they have the correct shape. Strict outlines and straight lines are not combined with this style.

5 Minimalism- for this style, it is appropriate to choose natural shades of stone, as well as textures that resemble natural rocks. Glossy surfaces, plumbing made of solid stone will be appropriate.

6 Ethno style- it is necessary to use stone of natural forms as a decoration with little or no processing. A wild stone laid out with primitive masonry looks good. The situation must be supplemented with green indoor plants.

Advice

In order not to overload the interior with stone, it will be enough to use it as the right accents. The atmosphere will immediately acquire its own character and mood.

Caring for artificial stone

In order for stone finishes, plumbing fixtures or pieces of furniture to last for a long time, it is necessary to provide them with careful care.

To do this, you can use the following tips:

Limescale - a faithful companion of bathrooms is removed from the surface of artificial marble with the help of cleaning products for composite materials. The agent is applied to the surface of walls, floors, sinks, bathtubs, left for several minutes, then washed off with water.
Vinegar 2.5% is suitable for emergency cleaning of products. It is also applied to especially dirty areas for 1-2 minutes, after which it is washed off with water.
To clean the finishes and objects, you need to use universal detergents that do not contain abrasive particles.
After cleaning the artificial material, its surface should be wiped dry.
For cleaning, do not choose brushes with metal or hard bristles or sponges with a high degree of abrasiveness.
Dropping heavy objects on the stone finish should be avoided, and cutting anything on the surface of the material is also contraindicated.
Do not allow sudden temperature changes due to the sensitivity of the material.
If noticeable scratches appear, you can get rid of such a defect by grinding with sandpaper. Also, a special composite composition is applied to the surface, which is then rubbed.
When a chip appears, a more complex repair will be necessary. It is necessary to glue a piece of stone to its original place with acrylic glue. The joint must be carefully sanded.

Wall decoration with natural stone has become increasingly popular in recent years, as stone walls are distinguished not only by their exclusive, stylish and extraordinary appearance, but also by their environmental friendliness, non-toxicity and safety for adults and children. Moreover, natural or artificial stone (which is a more economical option) can be used to decorate the walls of any room in a house or apartment, from the bathroom and kitchen to the dining room and home office.

In the materials of the new publication of the design site team Stylingroom contains an exhaustive answer to a topical question of interest to many homeowners: “Walls in the bathroom: what is better to make and how to decorate?”. We have also prepared for our readers a photo selection of 30 stylish, unusual and versatile bathrooms decorated with natural stone.

Cozy rustic style bathroom with stone walls and wooden beams.

Than to decorate the walls in the bathroom, except for tiles: cozy bathrooms in a rustic style

Natural stone and natural wood are the main finishing materials of rustic style.

Rustic style, due to its cozy, elegant simplicity, is considered one of the coziest and most comfortable styles, this direction is suitable for decorating not only the rooms of a country cottage (as many homeowners mistakenly believe), but also for decorating the premises of modern private houses and city apartments.

Stylish rustic bathroom with stone wall and built-in fireplace.

The wall decoration in the bathroom in the photo below is also made of natural, unpolished stone. In a deep stone alcove, the Diamond Spas designers placed a large dark brown bathroom with a matte finish that blends in harmoniously with the rustic interior of the room.

You can read about how to use artificial stone in interior design and what are the advantages of such a finishing material here.

Natural wood and natural stone in a rustic bathroom interior.

Designers from JLF & Associates also designed the small bathroom of the two-story rustic country cottage. The decorative stone in the bathroom in the photo is harmoniously combined with floor stone slabs and wood paneling of the sloping ceiling of the room, and spacious windows to the floor provide the room with enough natural light during the daytime.

Natural stone in the ceiling and floor of a rustic bathroom.

In the next photo we see another stylish and practical bathroom in a rustic style direction, all the walls of which are lined with rough natural stone, against which polished wooden furniture and mirrors in black wooden frames stand out in contrast and harmoniously.

Polished wooden furniture and black framed mirrors in rustic bathroom interior.

The stone wall decoration in the bathroom in the photo below combines practicality and versatility with elegance and extraordinary. In the massive stone niches of the walls, the designers of High Camp Home placed a built-in fireplace and a matte tall bathroom, as well as a washbasin and a cabinet made of natural wood.

Stone walls, a built-in fireplace and natural wood furniture in a stylish bathroom.

The interior of a small cozy bathroom in the photo below is dominated by environmentally friendly and non-toxic natural materials such as natural wood and stone. So, the walls of the bathroom from the design studio Traditional Log Homes Ltd are decorated with rough masonry, wooden beams and beige matte wallpaper, and the floor is lined with natural wood panels. By the way, the furniture and decor items of a small rustic bathroom are also made of wood and natural rough stone.

How to choose an environmentally friendly floor covering for the rooms of the house and apartment - read in this article.

Stylish rustic bathroom with furniture and walls made of natural wood and natural stone.

The natural stone trim and dark wood of the spacious double bathroom contrast and blend harmoniously with the matte white walls and ceiling.

The bathroom, designed by Traditional Log Homes Ltd, has ample sources of both artificial and natural light, which fill the room with enough light in the evening and daytime.

Spacious rustic style bathroom with wooden furniture and stone walls.

The decorative stone in the bathroom in the photo below was used by JLF & Associates to decorate only one of the walls of the bathroom, while the rest were decorated with massive natural wood beams and painted in matte white, visually increasing the space of a small room.

Small rustic bathroom with stone walls and wooden beams.

Walls in the bathroom: what is better to do? We combine different styles and directions!

Natural stone looks great on walls, ceilings and floors, not only in rustic bathrooms, but also in rooms decorated in Mediterranean, modern, minimalist, industrial and any other style. Also, a great solution would be a combination of several styles at once within the same zone or room, which will create a truly unique and inimitable appearance of the room.

So, in the interior of the bathroom in the next photo there are elements of classical, Mediterranean and modern styles.

An excellent solution was the use of transparent glass doors and walls, with the help of which the designers of Lisa Stevens & Company delimited the spa area with a luxurious bathroom built into the floor and the part of the room that contains washbasins and bathing accessories cabinets.

Stone walls and classic wood furniture in a modern bathroom.

Contemporary bathroom with stone walls and mediterranean touches.

If you do not know how to finish the walls in the bathroom, except for tiles (which is the most commonplace and most commonly used finishing material in this area), then use natural or artificial stone, as the designers at Tyner Construction did.

The walls of the unusual minimalist shower stall in the next photo were lined with matte dark gray tiles, as well as rough rough stone.

There are a number of niches in the stone wall for placing bathing accessories, and the water itself enters the cabin through a special elongated hole under high pressure, which makes the shower cabin look like a home mini-waterfall.

What tile is most suitable for the bathroom and how to choose a quality one, you can read at the link.

Unusual shower stall in a minimalist style with stone walls and slabs.

Luxurious spa area with stone walls and homemade mini waterfall.

To decorate the walls of the bathroom, you can use not only rough rough stones and stone slabs, but also smooth, polished pebbles, dark granite, glossy marble, which will look great on the walls of classic and modern bathrooms.

Elegant bathroom with stone wall and white wood panelling.

To decorate the walls of a modern bathroom in the photo below, the designers of the studio POC + P architects used masonry and ceramic square slabs in pastel peach and beige tones.

Modern bathroom with dark wood furniture and peach walls.

Natural materials such as wood and stone predominate in the interior of an unusual bathroom from the creative studio Henarise Pty Ltd. In particular, natural stone was used not only for walls, but also for the floor, which was lined with smooth sea pebbles.

Tropical style bathroom with stone walls and floors.

Matte stone wall with niches for lamps in the interior of a modern bathroom.

Rough stonework and natural wood in a classic bathroom.

Stylish bathroom with light brown wooden furniture and stone walls.

Stone walls in contemporary bathrooms

Textured walls made of natural or artificial masonry will perfectly fit into the overall interior of bathrooms and any other areas of the house or apartment in a modern style direction.

Since stone is a versatile finishing material that goes well with chromed metal, plastic, glass, polished wood and other materials that are often used to decorate modern rooms.

So, the photo below shows a modern bathroom from the VELUX design studio. The dark gray stone wall near the bathroom and dark brown wooden flooring are bright and contrasting with the room's matte white walls and ceiling, as well as light brown wooden furniture.

Stone masonry walls and wooden flooring in a modern bathroom interior.

Modern bathroom with glossy tile and rough stone walls.

Eco-style bathroom with sea pebbles and stone wall slabs.

Luxurious modern bathroom with Irish green marble walls.

An elegant bathroom with stone walls and an excellent view from the window.

Modern bathroom with polished marble walls and floors.

Stylish bathroom with stone walls and large windows overlooking the forest.

Modern bathroom with rustic touches.

Stone wall in the form of a rock in the interior of a modern bathroom.

Stone light walls and dark brown wood in a spacious modern bathroom.

White stonework and light gray tiles in a small bathroom.

Photo gallery (31 photos):

Mankind has been using baths for decades. The oldest of them - presumably made five thousand years ago - archaeologists discovered during excavations on the island of Crete. During its existence, the shape of the reservoirs has not changed. But the material from which they were made was very different.

Bathtubs were made of wood, granite and ceramics, bronze and cast iron, steel and plastic. But, more recently, the time has come for products made of artificial stone. These are stone baths or cast baths.

Bathtub made of artificial stone - technology for the manufacture of molded products

As a filler or base component in this material, stone chips are used. Often these are products of processing marble or serpentine, granite or jasper, onyx or malachite, as well as quartz sand. Manufacturers use acrylic or polyester resins as a binder, and catalysts specially designed for this purpose are added to accelerate the solidification of the liquid mass. The proportions of the ingredients, as well as the manufacturing technology of molding bathtubs, are selected depending on the specifics of each manufacturer.

Such products made of stone mass are not installed on the usual supports. Included with them are special mortise legs.

The process of casting a bathtub from an artificial liquid stone, as a rule, includes the following steps:

Surface polishing inside the matrix and gelcoat coating for mechanical protection. A thin, even layer of this gel-like dyed resin component highlights the originality of the piece.
Obtaining a liquid mass from stone chips, an adhesive, dyes and a catalyst.
Pouring the composite into the mold after the gelcoat hardens and connecting the vibropress. To create an imitation of a particular breed of natural stone, the mass is stirred in a special way, sequentially adding coloring matter - pigments to the composition.
Removal of the finished product from the mold after a specified period of time.

Pros and cons of an artificial stone bath

Let's look at the recognized advantages and obvious disadvantages of an artificial stone bath. Products made by casting are diverse, since the production method allows the production of models of various shapes, sizes and colors. These are corner and wall baths, round and rectangular, with an original pattern or snow-white.

The equipment is provided with hydromassage systems, orthopedic headrests, devices for the legs and back. Baths made of stone mass are distinguished by their advantages, which have already been appreciated by discerning consumers.

Pros:

Attractive design. In appearance, the products are similar to models made of natural stone - expensive and elegant, but the surface is exceptionally smooth and warm, which is not characteristic of natural material.
Exceptional thermal insulation properties. Due to the relatively thick walls (12-20 mm) and the fact that the stone mass is an excellent heat insulator, a comfortable water temperature in such a bath is maintained for hours.
Ease of care. Artificial stone is a heavy-duty material that is resistant to all kinds of detergents and cleaners. Small chips and scratches on such a surface are easily polished. A layer of stone mass or gelcoat is applied to the places of thorough damage, and polishing is carried out.
Antibacterial properties. The surface of artificial stone bathtubs is so polished and dense that even microscopic cracks and pores are absent. This structure does not allow the growth of bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.
Reliable soundproofing. When filled with water due to the composition of the material of the product, there is no vibration and noise.
Strength and resistance to mechanical stress. The technical characteristics of artificial stone are not inferior to natural ones, therefore products made from it are heavy-duty and do not receive damage after impacts when heavy objects are accidentally dropped.
Health safety. Baths made of liquid stone mass do not emit substances harmful to humans and, unlike models made from natural material, are not radioactive.

Artificial stone products are also not perfect. But the important thing is that they have much fewer weak points than those made from other materials.

Minuses:

Significant weight. Only natural stone bathtubs are heavier than stone mass bathtubs. Installation will require a lot of physical effort and professional skills.
The high cost of the product and accessories to it. Unfortunately, not everyone can buy such plumbing.
Risk of staining on the surface when in contact with dyes, such as hair dye. Therefore, you should avoid such situations or immediately rinse the bath.
Do not use abrasive cleaners. If a product made of stone mass is covered with a light protective layer of 1-1.5 mm, the use of these substances will lead to its thinning. However, casting bathtubs from recognized manufacturers do not have such a coating, since an expensive technology for grinding the surface of artificial stone is used in the manufacturing process.

Of course, the advantages of a stone mass bath are greater than the disadvantages. If, however, this sanitary ware is handled with care, provided with proper care and operation, and even subtle surface damage is eliminated in time, then the service life will be long and practically unchanged from its original appearance.

Buying an artificial stone bath is easy. In specialized stores, collections of sanitary ware, which include these products, are constantly on display.

But a potential buyer should definitely pay attention to the fact that retail chains contain both respected brands and inexpensive products of dubious quality, produced without observing the necessary technology.

It is clear that such baths will not please the owners with the desired service life. This is what visitors of forums and social networks tell about them. nets, as about cracked, non-removable stains or products that have lost their original color.

when tapping the walls of a high-quality bath, the sound seems muffled and the same in every place of touch;
the product does not contain seams along the edges of the pattern;
the thickness of the walls at the bath corresponds to 12-20 mm, and the protective coating on them is not less than 1 mm;
the surface of the product is warm to the touch, smooth and shiny, without defects - scratches, roughness, chips;
the color of the color models is uniform and uniform;
a list of related accessories and instructions describing the required technical characteristics are attached to the bathroom;
the manufacturer provides a guarantee for the product;
a good quality casting bath is expensive.

The most worthy among the manufacturers of molding bathtubs:
- Marmorin and Kerasan in Italy;
- Vispool in Latvia;
- Marmite - joint production of Sweden and Poland;
- Riho in the Czech Republic;
- Marmorin in Poland, etc.

Bathtubs made of artificial stone of Russian enterprises are prestigious and popular with buyers:
- Astra-Form LLC;
- ESSE LLC;
- LLC "Estet".

Bathtubs from the stone mass of these manufacturers are not cheap, but the high cost is justified by the exceptional quality. Prices are formed depending on the size, model, availability of additional accessories. As a rule, manufacturers provide a service for making a bathtub, taking into account the wishes of the consumer. Of course, the ordered model will be more expensive than the one presented on the trading floor.

It is clear that the buyers themselves make the decision in the difficult choice of the main and obligatory plumbing item in the house. But spectacular modern bathtubs made of artificial stone do not go unnoticed.

Photo gallery of bathtubs made of artificial stone