| As a native Californian, I've come to accept that | | | | mold release product so you can easily take out |
| home exteriors are almost always constructing | | | | the stones, tiles, or bricks when they're finished. |
| using either siding or stucco. Bricks are used | | | | While some companies recommend using motor |
| sparingly, if at all, and stonework is generally | | | | oil, the run off is bad for the environment. Some |
| confined to indoor tiles and outdoor patio stones, | | | | of the newer mold release products can be |
| river rock set in gardens, and exposed aggregate | | | | sprayed into the concrete molds with a spray |
| patios. More often than not, though, walkways, | | | | bottle - a much preferable method. |
| patios, and driveways are simply poured concrete. | | | | Mixing Colors |
| | | | | The artistry in making your own concrete rocks, |
| Personally, I've always been attracted to | | | | tiles, and bricks is in finding and mixing the colors |
| stonework of all kinds. Whether it's a cobblestone | | | | you like. Initially, you mix a base color into a |
| driveway, a fireplace made from river rock, or a | | | | concrete and sand mixture. Once you have this |
| ledge stone wall, I think that stonework adds | | | | base color, you can add additional amounts and |
| beauty and interest to a home. Given that | | | | combinations of color to give you the variety you |
| stonework can cost upwards of twelve dollars a | | | | seek. Indeed, you can create an infinite variety of |
| square foot, however, I've never been able to | | | | colors simply by adjusting the color densities. The |
| afford to remodel my home using the stones, | | | | best colors are made from synthetic iron oxides, |
| rocks, and tiles that so attract me. | | | | although some people have had success with |
| Then I ran across an article about concrete paver | | | | natural oxides, ceramic stains, and even latex |
| molds, and discovered that there's a new trend in | | | | paint. |
| home improvement: making your own, custom | | | | Concrete Pouring and Curing |
| colored, concrete stones, rocks, tiles, and bricks. | | | | Your concrete mixture should be relatively stiff |
| I've tried it, and with the right preparation and | | | | and not soupy. Using a scoop, you pour the |
| instructions, have found that I can make my own | | | | concrete mixture into the concrete paver molds |
| building materials for just pennies. In a nutshell, | | | | and fill the mold to the top. If you simply want a |
| here's how it works.... | | | | veneer stone or tile, you can partially fill the mold. |
| Concrete Molds | | | | If you've ever worked with concrete, you know |
| First, you need to start with high quality concrete | | | | that it's important to get all of the air bubbles out |
| molds (although some people call them cement | | | | after a pour. This can be accomplished by |
| molds or plaster molds). There are companies | | | | bouncing the concrete stone molds up and down, |
| that make concrete stone molds, patio molds, | | | | or by purchasing and using a vibrating table. Next, |
| concrete paver molds, stone veneer molds, and | | | | cover the mold in plastic and let it rest out of the |
| brick veneer molds. Depending on the type of | | | | direct sunlight. |
| stone or tile, the mold may cover an area ranging | | | | The longer you let the concrete cure, the |
| from about four square feet to about seven | | | | stronger it will be. The concrete molds and be |
| square feet. A ledge stone mold, for example, | | | | unmolded after 24 hours, but it's best to wait |
| may produce 16 ledge stones, while a river rock | | | | longer. Once you release the stones, tiles, or |
| mold may produce 12 river rocks. Ideally, you | | | | bricks, you should rewrap them in plastic to |
| should buy several molds so that you have a | | | | preserve the moisture and let them cure for an |
| rocks or stones with a variety of appearances. | | | | additional two weeks. Then, you simply have to |
| Keep in mind, though, that you can use different | | | | apply sealant to your creations, and they'll be |
| colors or turn stones in different direction so that | | | | ready to install. |
| it doesn't look like you're using duplicate stone or | | | | I've discovered that able to create a beautiful |
| rock shapes. | | | | stone pathway, tile entryway, or river rock |
| Preparing Concrete Molds | | | | fireplace is incredibly rewarding. And to think that |
| Once you have your concrete molds and are | | | | it all started when I read an article about concrete |
| ready to begin your project, you need to apply a | | | | paver molds. |