Manufacturing of concrete headstones in comparison with other materials

Today, a tombstones can be made using various materials. Natural stone, artificial stone, and metal are most often used. However, thanks to advanced technologies, concrete is increasingly used in the manufacturing process. In this article, we will talk about the features of manufacturing monuments from concrete, the pros and cons of making tombstones from concrete, and also look at a comparison of monuments made of concrete and other materials.

Technology for Manufacturing Concrete Monuments

Before talking about the technology of monument manufacturing, it is worth considering what compositions can be used for making monuments. Most often, natural stones can be used – granite, marble, and other options. But such monuments are quite expensive, since the materials themselves have a high price. Working with such stones is very difficult, and not every beginner will be able to cope immediately. But the main advantage of such material is, of course, durability; many manufacturers claim that they can last up to 100 years.

There is also artificial stone, which can be presented in the form of polymer granite, marble chips, and similar materials. Externally, they are quite difficult to distinguish from natural stone. The service life is, of course, shorter, approximately 60-70 years.

Both types of stones are resistant to temperature changes, but artificial stone is much easier to work with, which is why this type is used more in practice. It also turns out cheaper in price.

And another option of material for manufacturing a monument is the use of concrete. The process of creating a monument from concrete is much easier. Finished products are distinguished by their strength, resistance, and pricing policy.

Stages of Creating a Concrete Monument

When it comes to making monuments with your own hands, the process is absolutely no different from the production of any other concrete product. The main condition is strict adherence to proportions for mixing the mixture, and then a mold for pouring concrete is taken and the manufacturing process begins. The composition of the mixture is typical – cement, additional filler, water. It is important not to overdo it with water. In order to improve the fluidity of the mixture, epoxy, furan, or polyester components can be added. If a specific color of the monument is needed, then color pigments are also added to the mixture.

After the mixture is completely ready for use, you should treat the molds for monuments before pouring. It is very important that the concrete mixture does not stick to it. Next, the first layer is poured, usually its thickness reaches up to 2 cm. At this stage, it is very important to compact the concrete mortar well, check that all corners of the mold are filled. Take this stage responsibly, because this is the outer side that you will see when finished. Next, you need to install reinforcement to secure the structure – you can use rods. After this, you need to pour the remaining mortar along with crushed stone – this will be the outer layer.

The top layer can be fixed with a reinforcement bar and an additional layer of plasticizers. Using a trowel, you need to make a flat surface of the product. In this form, the concrete mixture in the mold is sent to a dry place where it will dry. After a couple of days, you can take out the monument and give it more time to dry completely.