Balcony decoration with stone: features and design options

For most people, balconies are increasingly turning from a place for storing unnecessary things into an original lounge area, a place of relaxation. It is not surprising that one of the main issues in this case is the choice of a suitable interior, in particular, wall and floor finishes. Along with the popular plastic and wood, stone is also used. What are the features of stone balcony cladding?

Stone decoration is always associated with luxury, respectability and comfort. It is ideal for open verandas and terraces, balconies. Decorating the latter with stone allows you to add notes of a free country atmosphere, ranch style in the conditions of living in a city apartment.

This design option is always associated with some kind of continuity, comfort, reliability. And, indeed, the finishing stone is distinguished by increased strength characteristics, is not afraid of temperature extremes, and is fire resistant.

However, the material matches well with ceramic tiles, wood, plaster and others for interior decoration.

The disadvantage of cladding with stone (natural or artificial) is the need to strengthen work surfaces. If we talk about the installation of natural stone, then you should first achieve the evenness of the surfaces, select stones of a suitable size. For their processing and preparation, special tools are required, which also complicates the work and contributes to their rise in price.

If we compare a wooden balcony with a stone finish, then the second option cannot be called environmentally friendly. Natural stone always has a small, but radiation background. Artificial - contains various additives of chemical origin (thickeners, dyes).

Stone trim is the general name for a design option. This idea can be embodied using various materials. Consider the main ones, the use of which allows you to achieve the feeling that the balcony is trimmed with stone.

A material that is rarely used when decorating a balcony. This is due to its high weight and high cost. Besides, the stone itself requires pre-treatment before use... But even this is not able to cancel the radiation radiation characteristic of natural stone.

A material that is as close as possible in its appearance and texture to a natural stone. However, the decorative analogue is lighter, cheaper and has no harmful radiation. It can be made in the form of wall panels or individual elements.

Due to its performance decorative material can be used in conditions of high humidity and low temperatures. It possesses high fire-fighting characteristics, is not afraid of high temperatures, exposure to moisture. Moreover, the material has high thermal insulation properties. Even without the use of insulation, the creation of a continuous covering of decorative stone makes the balcony noticeably warmer.

It is worth noting the biological and environmental safety of artificial stone. It is not subject to decay, mold does not form on its surface, insects do not start.

Among the advantages is ease of installation. Installation does not require special construction skills or special tools. The stone is glued to the surface with a special compound. There are straight and angled elements on sale, which also simplifies the installation of the system.

Use of decorative stone permissible on a balcony of any size and style. The variety of color options, imitations allows you to choose the right one.

The artificial analogue, in turn, also has several varieties. It can be an imitation of a polished or natural (with irregularities) stone. The latter is usually an imitation of rough granite, quartz with uneven edges, bulges. Polished stone is porcelain stoneware or industrial granite with natural stone chips in the composition.

The appearance of the decorative material can also resemble rubble (coarse river pebbles, wild untreated stone) or cut, sawn (smooth surface, imitating limestone, sandstone) stone, as well as various bricks. As for the shades, these are either natural colors or a bright unusual palette that is not found among natural stones.

We should also mention the artificial variety - the agglomerate. It is a frost-resistant material based on granite or marble chips, which provides its increased strength. It is usually used for laying as a floor covering, although it is also suitable for wall decoration.

According to the release form, as already noted, artificial stone can be in the form of wall panels or individual elements. The former are more convenient to install, their use allows you to quickly perform the cladding. The material is easy to cut, can be attached to self-tapping screws or glued with special glue (provided that the working surfaces are perfectly flat).

Panels differ in size.

• Leafy. The largest, their length is usually about 2 meters, width - 1 meter. Ideal for large rooms with a minimum of corners and curves.

• Tiled. They are square "tiles" suitable for finishing the lower part of the balcony (for example, the space under the windows), for a limited area. Suitable for beginners who do the cladding alone, it is physically easier to fix them than larger wall panels).

• Rack and pinion. They are panels of the type of rails, differing in size. Convenient for facing window and door openings.

Most often, not solid surfaces are finished with a stone, but individual parts of the balcony. The stone goes well with both plaster and wood, which gives a feeling of coziness, natural design. As a rule, corners, window and door openings are decorated with stone. Such an interior goes well with green plants, wicker furniture, bleached linen or, on the contrary, bright colored textiles.

In a similar way, cladding with a stone that imitates brickwork can be performed.

You can combine different materials according to the principle of color similarity or contrast. Darker stone elements look harmonious on light walls. On the other hand, it is better to dilute dark brickwork with lighter jointing.

Stones of unusual shades are best combined with analogs of calmer natural shades. This solution will be successful in oriental, eclectic interiors, in the spirit of Art Deco.

You can use different texture combinations of stones... As a rule, a rougher stone becomes an interior detail. They revet one of the walls or decorate door, window openings.

When decorating a balcony with a stone, it is important to remember that the calmer the color and texture of the stone, the brighter and more intricate interior you can select for it... The same rule works in the opposite direction.

When choosing a decorative stone, you should pay attention to its composition. If you need a bright balcony, for example, in a Scandinavian style, you should choose a material based on white cement. It will help to recreate the desired style, but it will be more expensive.

The most durable artificial option - with sand as a filler... It is characterized by a longer service life, but it will also turn out to be heavier. Such a material will require special glue and, possibly, strengthening of the work surfaces.

This is due to the ability of gypsum to lose its operational properties upon contact with water, and an increase in the level of humidity in the room. When choosing a material based on gypsum, it will need to be varnished after installation.

When buying a decorative stone, you need to evaluate the quality of the coating - it should not be too porous, have inclusions of foreign elements, uneven color. Materials dyed in mass, and not only superficially, retain their color longer and do not fade.

One of the main rules for organizing the interior says - light colors make the room more spacious. This is also true for balconies. The larger the area is faced with a stone, the lighter its shade should be.

For small balconies, it is better to choose a smaller material (brick, medium-sized stones). For spacious loggias, stones of any size are suitable.

As already mentioned, stone cladding fits well into any interior.Including - in modern hi-tech, loft. For these directions, it is recommended to choose a stone-imitation brickwork or large stones with a smooth surface. Surprisingly, they can even be combined with plastic.

Another version of the laconic modern style. The accent of the interior is a red brick wall with a contrasting finish. As an addition, bean bags are used.

Most of the walls are finished with light brickwork, the texture of which is emphasized by a gray-granite painted wall. It is the difference in textures, the contrast of colors that attracts attention. Spotlights act as light sources - another design feature.

Perhaps one of the most pleasant options for a city dweller is facing with light bricks, light furniture, green plants. Pay attention to how well the flooring was chosen - small ceramic tiles laid diagonally. The interior is calm enough, but not boring. The greenery of plants acts as bright accents.

If minimalism is closer to you in spirit, here one of the possible options for the interior of the balcony. One of the walls is decorated with large stone imitating natural. White-gray shades make the balcony visually more spacious, add "air" to the space. Brighter accessories help to avoid boredom, and wooden boxes help to emphasize the idea of ​​environmental friendliness.

Such an interior can easily be found in houses on the seashore, a great idea for a summer terrace. However, in the conditions of a city apartment, such decoration and interior are also very organic.

Here we see use of unpolished stone and plaster. The atmosphere of comfort and environmental friendliness is emphasized by wooden floors and furniture. And the panoramic windows complement the feeling of light country life.

On open loggias, a wild stone or an imitation of it, as well as aged brickwork, looks original. In the spirit of charming French loggias, you can organize on such a balcony "cramped" from an armchair, a small table and an abundance of climbing greenery. An elegant coffee set and a warm blanket will be a great addition to such an interior.

The noble combination of dark bricks with joining and panoramic windows with dark profiles makes the balcony respectable and stylish. A structure resembling a bar counter is made along the windows. Chairs with high legs complement the interior.

How to finish a balcony with stone, see below.