The Faux Brick And Stone Looks And How To Get Them

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Brick and stone mortared in place always looks impressive. The trouble is that it can be expensive with all of the materials and the labor costs involved. However, you probably did not know that there is actually a way to get a faux brick or stone look, and you could even DIY. Here is how to get these faux brick or stone looks for less than it would cost to actually buy materials and have the job done. 

Concrete Slab Sawing

The secret is that you have to use concrete slab sawing services. A concrete contractor can initially show you how this is done. (If you think it is too much for you to do, then you can continue to pay the concrete contractor to finish the cutting job.) To get the brick look, the saw is used to cut thin strips of concrete out of a slab to create rows. Then, the saw is used to create staggered perpendicular cuts for the illusion of "bricks." A chisel and a hammer help pry these cut bits of concrete out of the big slab. Most of the strips will come out on their own, but you may need to cut a little deeper or give a couple areas a little more help to remove the strips. 

To create the "stone" look, it helps to start by tracing random, stretched hexagon and octagon shapes onto the concrete slab. Cut out bits of concrete around these shapes. Do not worry if you accidentally chip or break the shapes around which you are cutting. That actually works to your advantage later. 

Mortar/Grout Work

Once you have clearly defined lines around either your faux bricks or your faux stones, work mortar or grout into the areas where you removed strips of concrete. This creates the illusion of brick or stone work and masonry without having to lay and layer bricks or stone with mortar or grout. Leave your mortar/grout off of the broken faux stone if you have any.

Pit and Color the "Bricks" 

If you really want to give your faux bricks the illusion of brickwork, use a special paving acid wash to pit the concrete "bricks." Then, use an epoxy resin to color the bricks by hand-painting the epoxy over your bricks. When it all dries, you can use a light sanding to rough it up a bit for texture. 

Grind and Sand the "Stone" 

If you are doing the faux stone look, use sanders and grinders to alternately create uneven surfaces and smooth areas. This is where the broken bits of concrete really work to your advantage because they will help create the illusion of varied surface levels of stone set in mortar or grout. A little grinding, sanding, and buffing makes the job complete. 

26 September 2019