GB2214858A

GB2214858A - Method of producing a decorative surface finish

Info

Publication number: GB2214858A
Application number: GB8803059A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Garrett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-02-10
Filing date: 1988-02-10
Publication date: 1989-09-13
Also published as: GB8803059D0

Abstract

A method of producing a simulated brick or stone decorative surface finish on a substrate, such as a wall, comprises the steps of applying to the substrate (11) a mesh-like mould forming member (10), applying a first hardenable material (14) whilst in a fluid state to the mould forming member to fill the openings (12) therein, allowing the material (14) to harden removing the mould forming member and then at least partially filling the channels left in the material (14) with a second hardenable material (16) of a different colour. <IMAGE>

Description

METHOD OF PRODUCING A DECORATIVE SURFACE FINISH ON A SUBSTRATE This invention relates to a method of producing a decorative surface finish on a substrate, such as a concrete, brick or stone substrate. The substrate may comprise a concrete pathway or a wall structure.

According to the present invention tllere is provided a method of producing a decorative surface finish on a substrate, comprising the steps of applying to the substrate a mesh-like mould forming member, applying a first hardenable material whilst in a fluid state to the mesh-like mould forming member to fill the openings therein, allowing the first material to set or harden, removing the mesh-like mould forming member and at least partially filling the channels left in the set or hardened first material by removal of the mesh-like mould forming member with a second hardenable material whilst in a fluid state.

The mesh-like mould forming member may be formed of an elastomeric material or a fibre reinforced plastics material so that it can be physically removed and re-used, or it may be formed of a plastics material, preferably a foamed plastics material such as polystyrene, so that it can be removed by destroying the material such as by applying heat thereto or by dissolving the material.

Preferably the second material is of a colour different to that of the first material. The first and second materials may comprise a cement/aggregate or cement/sand mixture.

The method can be used for re-surfacing paths or walls and providing a simulated brick or stone finish.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 4 diagrammatically illustrate the steps in carrying out the method.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a mesh-like mould forming member used in the method, Figure 6 illustrates the cross-section of part of the mesh-like mould forming member, and Figure 7 illustrates an alternative cross-section of the mesh-like mould forming member.

Figure 1 shows a mesh-like mould forming member 10 which is initially placed on the substrate 11 on which a decorative finish is required.

The mesh-like mould forming member 10 is shown more clearly in Figure 5 and in this illustrated embodiment it comprises a mat having rows of rectangular openings 12. The web-portions 13 between the openings 12 may have a wedge-shaped cross-section as shown in Figure 6 or a rounded cross-section as shown in Figure 7. The mesh-like mould forming member 10 may be formed of an elastomeric material, such as rubber, or of a fibre-reinforced plastics material, or of a plastics material, preferably a foamed plastics material such as polystyrene. It may of course be formed of metal. The rectangular openings 12 produce a brick-like finish. The openings 12 may be of any other desired shape depending on the appearance required on the substrate 11, for example to produce a crazy-paving or stone appearance.

After the mesh-like mould forming member 10 has been placed on the substrate 11 the openings 12 are filled with a settable or hardenable material 14, such as a sand/cement or aggregate/cement and water mixture, whilst in a fluid state. This step is illustrated in Figure 2.

When the material 14 has set or hardened the mesh-like mould forming member 10 is removed so as to leave channels 15 in the material 14.

This state is shown in Figure 3. The mesh-like mould forming member 10 may be removed by physically lifting the member 10 or, depending on the material from which the member is formed, it may be removed by destroying the material, such as by heating the material and destroying it by burning or by leaching or dissolving the material with a suitable solvent.

After removal of the mould forming member 10 the channels 15 are filled or partially filled with another settable or hardenable material 16.

The materials 14 and 16 are preferably of different colours and/or textures so that a patterned finish is produced. In the described embodiment the pattern simulates rows of bricks separated by lines simulating mortar.

The mould forming member 10 may be of a predetermined length and a plurality of such members 10 can be placed on the substrate 11 in a juxtaposed relationship.

The substrate may comprise concrete laid as a pathway or it may comprise a vertical wall structure. Thus, the method can be used for facing new or old path or wall structures.

Preferably the webs 13 are 10 to 12mm in depth and approximately 10 to 15mm wide at their upper end.