Adding Faux Rocks to showers and other walls and floors? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

jgray152 · 10-11-2009, 02:38 PM

I am thinking of expanding or making another company that deals with faux finishing inside houses such as showers, bathrooms, maybe kitchens or any other place.

I am used to using cement and concrete but I am wondering if there is another product similar. I will usually use fiber reinforced concrete and for thin applications.

My walkway textures/carving is one thing I would like to do. I would rather make a monolithic wall instead of lick n stick manufactured rock that could potentially come loose.

I would also need to either find a product that is water proof or find a good sealer so water will not go through the cement or another product.

This might be a confusing post so if I need to clarify, let me know.

jgray152 · 10-11-2009, 03:10 PM

Any of you know about Stamp Store Vertical Mix ? Sounds like its portland cement with lightweight admixtures such as silica and a lot of acrylic polymer.

I don't like using silca, its a pita the mix into the cement and very very bad for your health. Anyone else know anything else I could use in the replace of silica?

mikeswoods · 10-11-2009, 03:31 PM

The is a company called SCHLUTER that makes waterproof membranes.coatings and other useful stuff.
It's talked about adnausium in the tile section.

Check out this site also.Shower Construction Info (a collection of posts) - Ceramic Tile Advice Forums - John Bridge Ceramic Tile

jgray152 · 10-12-2009, 06:08 AM

That Schluter system looks real good. I wouldn't need the entire system. Just the membranes and I don't know if I can get those local. Basically I need some sort of membrane with the right type of drain kit it seems.

mikeswoods · 10-12-2009, 06:45 AM

The products are quite popular.I bet their web site will list dealers.
Concrete is rather porous,Lining the walls would save you from a possible failure.-MIKE

jgray152 · 10-12-2009, 10:49 AM

Right, I was worried about using a sealer and have it either wear off or not make a 110% seal against moisture/water. The Membrane ideas is exactly what I need to use.

angus242 · 10-12-2009, 11:08 AM

There are plenty of waterproofing systems. A fabric membrane is one style. Schluter Kerdi is the most popular name but there are others. You can also use a liquid style membrane. Laticrete Hydro Band is very popular as well as Custom RedGard.

Every one has a plus and minus. It's your application that would determine what would be best for each situation. Different materials, different substrates and different locations would mean different membranes.

I happen to use Kerdi because I waterproof bathrooms with a tiled finish. Doesn't mean it's the best or only membrane.

LAD · 10-13-2009, 07:48 AM

There are plenty of products to achieve what you want to create, and without the need of membranes, etc.
i.e. Aurastone is one product line for walls, floors, countertops, shower surrounds, outdoor kitchens, etc... You'll find these products and the training at Faux & Decorative Finishing suppliers/studios. While many suppliers will carry a variety of products, in the case of Aurastone, they have their own dist. and studios.
-Dan

jgray152 · 10-13-2009, 12:57 PM

I think you need to seal their product as they sell their brand name sealer. A Membrane would be a "backup" if moisture were to get through.

angus242 · 10-13-2009, 01:05 PM

You need to waterproof a shower substrate before adding tile or stone.

jgray152 · 10-13-2009, 05:13 PM

I am thinking of carving the concrete into stone, staining/coloring it and sealing it. Not using real stone or tile.

LAD · 10-13-2009, 05:29 PM

Yes I understand, and again there are lots of products to do that from the very thin application to inches of material. And yes, part of the finish would be a sealer.

angus242 · 10-13-2009, 05:42 PM

I'd still be leery of doing any of this work in a shower area without waterproofing behind the structure you create.

mikeswoods · 10-13-2009, 06:14 PM

JGRAY Angus has lots of real life experience with waterproofing showers.
I agree that a water tight area before adding your concrete sculpture would be the best insurance.

Any one not familiar with JGRAYS work would do well to look up his previous posts-NEAT STUFF.

MIKE

jgray152 · 10-13-2009, 07:03 PM

Thanks for the replies guys.

If / When I do this, I will be adding a membrane before any concrete is used for back up protection. This membrane will lead to the main drain. Since as you all know, concrete is porous, I really don't trust an applied sealer as the main defense for protection against water or moisture absorption.

I was doing some pricing today and it seems the basic materials do not cost to much and most are locally available.

I am still thinking of what type of concrete mix I should be using. Probably my standard , Portland cement, sand, acrylic polymer and poly fiber mix I suppose. I was thinking of using lightweight filler such as silica but that is dangerous stuff and hard to mix from my experience. Anyone dealt with silica powder before? Silica sand may be worth more, I just need to find where I can get it. It seems hard to get anything I want around here.

I am thinking of designing a drain feature that basically allows the water to "disappear" into the bottom of the shower wall eliminating any visible drain. This wall drain would have a removable face so you can clean it out. Women always clog the drain....if you know what I mean

Kuba · 11-06-2009, 05:54 PM

how do you say it?

"I pitty dah faux"
or
"What the faux!"