Dunwoody Concrete Company

Concrete Molds

Constructing Concrete Molds

Concrete molds are a fantastic technique to make your own concrete sculptures. You might be motivated to try them because of previous triumphs, or because of inspiration from neighbors or the internet. But how is this accomplished?

Concrete Forming Molds

You'll need high-quality concrete molds to get started (although some people call them cement molds or plaster molds). Different companies produce concrete stone molds, patio molds, concrete paver molds, stone veneer molds, and brick veneer molds. Depending on the type of stone or tile used, the mold can cover an area of four to seven square feet. A ledge stone mold, for example, may manufacture 16 ledge stones, but a river rock mold can produce 12 river rocks. You should purchase a lot of molds so that you can make a variety of rocks or stones. However, you can avoid the appearance of identical stone or rock formations by using different colours or spinning stones in different directions.

Preparing Concrete Molds

Use a mold release agent once you've received your concrete molds and are ready to begin working on your project to make it easier to remove the stones, tiles, or bricks once they're finished. While some businesses promote the usage of motor oil, the discharge harms the environment. Some of the newest mold release agents may be sprayed directly into concrete molds using a spray bottle, which is a much more convenient method.

Color Arrangement

Building your own concrete pebbles, tiles, and bricks requires the ability to find and blend colors that you prefer. To begin, a base color is put into a mixture of concrete and sand. After you've chosen your base color, experiment with different quantities and combinations of other colors to achieve the desired effect. Indeed, by varying the color densities, you may create an infinite number of different hues. Although natural oxides, ceramic stains, and even latex paint have worked for some, synthetic iron oxides produce the greatest hues.

Concrete Pouring and Curing

Instead of being soupy, your concrete mixture should be firm. Using a scoop, pour the concrete mixture into the concrete paver molds and fill to the top. If you merely want a veneer stone or tile, you can fill the mold half.

If you've ever worked with concrete, you know how important it is to get rid of any air bubbles after the pour. This can be accomplished by either bouncing the concrete stone molds up and down or by purchasing and using a vibrating table. Wrap the mold in plastic and store it away from direct sunlight.

The concrete will be stronger if it is allowed to cure for a longer amount of time. The concrete molds can be removed after 24 hours, however it is recommended that you wait longer. Rewrap the stones, tiles, or bricks in plastic to keep the moisture in and enable them to cure for another two weeks after releasing them. All that's left to do now is apply sealer to your projects and they'll be ready to use.

Being able to build a beautiful stone pathway, tile entryway, or river rock fireplace has been quite rewarding for me. And to think it all started when I stumbled upon an article in a magazine about concrete paver molds.

Dunwoody Concrete Company is dedicated to providing outstanding educational and research materials as you consider your concrete-related projects. The possibilities are endless! Explore the articles and resources here, and contact our team with any questions. We look forward to working with you, and helping turn your vision into reality.