| Have you ever admired manufactured stone and | | | | other decorative finish. |
| wondered if you could make something similar? | | | | Whether you are a professional builder, remodeler, |
| Well, you definitely can. Concrete stone pavers, | | | | contractor, stonemason, or gardener or just an |
| bricks, and tiles are as simple to make as they | | | | everyday homeowner or crafts person, you can |
| are beautiful to look at. In fact, it's even easier | | | | make unique and sturdy stone pavers and other |
| than baking a cake because you don't need an | | | | manufactured stone products. It is so easy to do; |
| oven! | | | | anyone can do it without special skills or tools. |
| You can make your own cast stone products for | | | | Concrete tile and stone pavers have a life |
| 28 to 65 cents a square foot. Commercial cast | | | | expectancy of over 100 years. They will hold up |
| stone costs over $5.00 per square foot, if you | | | | even in extremely cold climates. You can choose |
| can find it. (Plus delivery costs.) This is all you | | | | from over 200 different sizes and styles of |
| need to do: Buy do-it-yourself molds at an online | | | | concrete molds for your stones, pavers, and tiles. |
| store; then following these directions: | | | | The interest in custom made manufactured |
| 1. Lubricate the molds with a light vegetable oil. | | | | stone, brick, pavers, and tile is exploding in this |
| 2. Mix a bag of pre-mix concrete according to the | | | | country. The uses are going beyond the traditional. |
| directions on the bag. You will need a shovel, | | | | Now, homeowners use manufactured stone |
| water, and a bucket. | | | | products both indoors and outdoors. They use |
| 3. If you want to add color to your concrete, do | | | | them in outdoor kitchens, around pools, and for |
| it now. If you want plain, gray stone no color is | | | | garden paths and fountains. Nowadays, many |
| needed. You can buy concrete coloring where you | | | | homeowners prefer manufactured stone for |
| buy your molds. | | | | fireplaces, floors, patios, walls, and countertops. |
| 4. Pour the concrete into the molds. Vibrate and | | | | Look around and you will see more and more |
| bounce the molds a little to level the concrete and | | | | concrete paver driveways and paver patios laid in |
| release any air bubbles. | | | | compacted sand. |
| 5. Cover the molds with plastic and let them sit | | | | With a broad and diverse choice of colors, styles, |
| for a day or so undisturbed on a level surface. | | | | and finishes, it is no wonder the demand is high |
| Overnight is usually enough. | | | | for these inexpensive, durable, and |
| 6. Flip the molds over and release your stones, | | | | easy-to-manufacture products. Whether you want |
| pavers, or whatever you are making out of the | | | | moss-colored bricks, pink stepping-stones, or |
| molds. | | | | glazed pavers, you will find all the supplies and |
| 7. Cover your tiles with a sheet of plastic and let | | | | instructions you need online. The demand is so |
| them cure for a few days. | | | | great for high quality, locally made concrete stone, |
| 8. After your stone is cured, you can choose | | | | that you may even decide to make a business of |
| from a variety of sealers for a glazed look or | | | | it! |