Gypsum tiles in imitation of brickwork

Imitating brickwork with gypsum tiles is a chic and useful way to improve interior areas. Without requiring major renovations, these tiles give your house the charm of classic brick walls. They’re the perfect option for giving any space a dash of urban chic or rustic elegance.

Gypsum tiles come in a range of textures and finishes, giving the appearance of real bricks while remaining lightweight and simple to install. They are therefore the ideal choice for do-it-yourselfers who want to update their décor with the least amount of hassle. Gypsum tiles can help you achieve the desired effect, whether you’re going for a modern, industrial feel or a cozier, classic appearance.

What are gypsum bricks

This finishing material is composed of gypsum mortar and additional ingredients to give it strength, resistance to wear and tear, and mechanical resistance. Gypsum tiles come in a variety of thicknesses, forms, and textures. As an illustration:

• length – from 18 to 24 cm;
• width 7-15 cm;
• thickness 2-2.5 cm.

There is no set size for this; manufacturers are free to use slightly smaller or slightly larger sizes.

Benefits of placing gypsum tiles beneath brick:

• light weight;
• easy and quick installation;
• good workability;
• environmental friendliness;
• fire safety;
• good heat and sound insulation.

Its drawbacks

• High level of hygroscopicity, this means that it is not advisable to use it in rooms with very high humidity. Tiles absorb moisture and deteriorate.
• Fragility, so the material must be cut carefully. It is better not to glue gypsum bricks in the hallway, children"s room or other room where they can be accidentally hit and damaged.
• Relief surfaces collect dust, so they need regular wet cleaning.

Use gypsum blocks as accent pieces against the background of windows, doors, arches, fireplaces, and corners, or decorate the entire wall surface.

Gypsum bricks can be seen inside in the picture below.

DIY

If you have the right casting molds, you can create ornamental bricks on your own. You must first mix a solution of gypsum, water, and strength-enhancing additives before pouring.

You’ll require:

• Gypsum or gypsum putty;
• clean cold water;
• Homemade plasticizers: lime, PVA glue or purchased;
• Polyurethane or silicone molds for casting;
• Vibrating table. Used to remove air bubbles from the solution. This increases the strength of the tile. You can do without it, but the quality will be worse;
• Container for preparing the solution;
• Spatula.

These supplies are widely accessible and can be purchased from any hardware store. Add colored pigments to the mixture or to the mold’s bottom to color the gypsum.

After the gypsum solution is ready, it is poured into the molds and allowed to set fully. The bricks can be taken out after three to four hours, placed on a level surface, and allowed to dry for two days.

How to make tiles from drywall scraps

Making fake bricks without pouring them into a mold is simpler. From drywall, they can be cut out. You can use any GKL scraps. Putty or gypsum plaster will also be required.

The video tutorial demonstrates how to cut rectangles and then apply a textured layer of gypsum. The tiles are tinted with decorative wax and given a light sanding after drying. It comes out beautifully!

Imitating brickwork with gypsum tiles is a chic and useful way to improve interior areas. These tiles combine the timeless charm of brick with the convenience of gypsum for installation and upkeep. Gypsum tiles that mimic brickwork are a great way to add texture or a feature wall to any space. They also add visual interest and are a practical option for modern home décor.

What surface can they be glued to

Now let’s think about the type of base that is best for adhering decorative masonry.

1. Concrete base – is well suited for pasting with gypsum blocks. For better adhesion, concrete must be treated with an adhesion primer.
2. Plaster – is also an excellent option. The strength of old plaster is checked by tapping, potholes and irregularities are putty.
3. Paint can be used as a base for decor if the wall is properly prepared and adhesion is improved. Minimum requirements: notches over the entire surface and treatment with quartz primer.
4. Wood. decorative tiles cannot be glued on a wooden surface. The walls must first be plastered using an armus.
5. On the wallpaper gypsum bricks do not glue, the walls need to be cleaned.
6. Drywall before finishing, putty with a thin layer.
7. OSB board or plywood. You can glue on these surfaces if you first prime with an adhesive primer with quartz sand, for example, "Betonokontakt".

What kind of glue is needed

The type of glue used also affects how well decorative masonry is installed. Every type has unique properties and usage guidelines. Let’s think about a few possibilities:

• Knauf Perlfix is intended for mounting gypsum tiles on a plasterboard base. It is not recommended to apply to iron, plastic or wood.
• Bustilat can be used when gluing bricks to different surfaces. No need to dilute or prepare, it is sold ready to use.
• Mastic is used in working with gypsum with concrete, plasterboard, or brick surfaces.
• CMC or wallpaper glue can also be used. But before gluing, you should add a little alabaster to it.
• Litokol X11. This is a cement-based tile adhesive reinforced with cellulose. Sold in 5 and 25 kg bags. It is used more often in finishing large areas.
• Plaster of Paris – mounting adhesive for drywall. Also suitable for gypsum bricks. Dries well and quickly.
• Lithoelastic. Has a polyurethane-epoxy base. Can be used when gluing gypsum bricks to a concrete or brick wall, resistant to temperature damage, dries quickly.

Make sure the glue is still in its original packaging when you purchase it. Keep it closed to prevent the mixture from absorbing moisture and clumping. This will have an impact on the decorative bricks’ installation quality and adherence.

Laying technology

Gypsum brick facing walls are typically laid using the traditional pattern, which shifts each row by half a brick.

Crucial detail: use an even spatula to apply glue to the wall if the block’s back side has an uneven (relief) surface. Conversely, if the brick is smooth from the back, a notched trowel is used to level the glue.

Laying Method:

1. Work begins with preparing the walls. They are cleaned with a brush or rag, holes and small defects are filled in.
2. Markings are made on the wall with a pencil – horizontal lines that will help to lay a brick wall without distortions. The distance between the lines can be 1-3 rows.
3. Then you need to prepare the adhesive solution according to the manufacturer"s instructions. You should pay attention to the viability of the glue, based on this, calculate its amount.
4. Installation of blocks begins from the corner of the wall. Top or bottom – it does not matter, as you prefer. Glue is applied in an even layer to an area of ​​approximately 1 m2.
5. Decorative bricks are pressed one after another into the adhesive composition along the line until they reach the end of the area. In order for the second row to shift by half a brick, it is started not with a whole tile, but with a half. The distance between the bricks, the masonry joint is made 7-10 mm wide.
6. The third row is glued in the same way as the first, starting with a full brick.
7. When the area with glue on the wall is completely covered, proceed to the next step: apply the mounting solution and press the tile, adhering to the markings on the wall.

Grouting the seams

It is imperative to grout the seams in order to enhance:

• Appearance. After grouting, the brick wall will have a finished look.
• Protection. A layer of grout prevents the formation of mold, penetration of moisture, dirt and dust between the finish.
• Durability. Grouting additionally bonds gypsum bricks, preventing the formation of chips, cracks on the edge of the bricks.

Here are a few examples of grouting tile joint mixtures:

• Ceresit. Sets quickly, does not paint the edges of the bricks, contains substances that prevent the formation of fungus, mold, has good adhesion, is safe for human health.
• Kiilto. Can be used for grouting large (up to 0.8 cm) seams. Highly resistant to temperature changes and heavy mechanical loads. It has good moisture resistance, does not fade, prevents the formation of condensate.
• Mai. Easily improved on the seams, has a wide color scheme, including translucent color. This grout serves for a long time, elastic, endowed with good adhesion, water -repellent.

Technology for grout:

1. Stir the solution in a bucket on clean cold water;
2. Apply to the seams between false shirts. You can do it with a small spatula. A faster way-squeezing out a grout from a shprier or a dense bag with a cut tip;
3. Calve the mixture throughout the seam with a spatula, a thin spatula or just a finger in a glove;
4. leave until drying;
5. Remove the dry rags.

How to paint gypsum bricks

Painting a wall with gypsum tiles to mimic brickwork demonstrates the ability to eventually achieve a coating that perfectly suits personal preferences. Paint prolongs the service life of the finish and provides good protection against moisture, mold, and damage.

The key is to select the appropriate composition for the painting project; you can complete the painting yourself.

One possible paint for artificial masonry is:

• Acrylic paint. It has elasticity, strength and vapor permeability.
• Iron sulfate. It is used as an impregnation for homemade bricks before gluing them, although the main purpose of the composition is to increase the strength of the material.
• Stain. Compositions are used that are made for painting artificial stone, concrete.

Although using a brush to apply paint and varnish coating is still necessary, using a spray gun is preferable as it saves time and effort. It won’t work to paint the masonry joints between ornamental bricks when using a roller.

Varnishing

Experts recommend varnishing the surface on top to guarantee that the paint adheres firmly and lasts a long time. This is required to give the coating more defense against dust and moisture. The best acrylic varnishes with a water base:

• Matte when applied to a wall imitating brick, preserve all the strokes, down to the smallest.
• Semi-matte endowed with the same properties. It has a small drawback; after drying, a light-colored coating can be seen on the coating. Therefore, you need to select the color to match the base tone.
• Glossy in good light can create a strong shine. Glare visually distorts the artwork. This should be taken into account when choosing this particular composition.

Brick-like gypsum tiles are an elegant and useful way to give your walls some character and texture. They combine the advantages of lightweight, simple-to-install materials with the timeless appearance of brick.

For homeowners who want an industrial or rustic aesthetic without the hassles of traditional brick, these tiles are a great option. They are a popular option for modern interiors because of their versatility, which allows them to be used in a variety of spaces, from feature walls to living rooms.

All things considered, gypsum tiles that mimic brickwork are a great choice for anyone looking to add a classic look to their decor. They offer a manageable and reasonably priced alternative to real masonry for those who want to enjoy the appearance of brick.

Video on the topic

How to glue decorative bricks. Different ways. Apartment renovation Omsk.

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