How To Cut Airstone?

Before you jumpstart cutting the airstone there are a few steps that you need to follow to ensure an overall good experience. The first step in cutting an airstone is to measure the room you are going to use the airstone in. The measurement of the room is essential because it will give you the idea about cutting the airstone. If you have the correct measurements, you can quickly get the idea about how long or wide a piece of airstone do you want. It will eventually help you in cutting your airstone accordingly.

Moreover, measuring the room is also essential as it will give you an estimate for the required quantity of airstone and adhesive you will need to cover the area.  Make sure you measure the area length-wise as well as breadth-wise.

Do not forget to take corners into account. You should also keep in mind that if there is any space that you do not want to cover with the airstone like a window, etc., you should measure it, calculate its area and subtract it from the total area space. The resultant area will be your final measurement.

If you are not very accurate with numbers, do not worry. You can always take a picture of the space you want to cover with airstones and email it to the company. The company will calculate the rest and tell you precisely what you need.

As far as the dimension and quantity of air stones are concerned, you must be aware that a primary box of air stones covers almost eight square feet, and the corner box covers around six feet. Also, one tub of the interior airstone adhesive can cover up to 30 square feet. However, the dimensions and quantities will change if you plan on using the airstone on the outside. It takes roughly one tube of Loctite PL to cover approximately 7 to 10 square feet on exterior surfaces.

Putting up airstones is like solving a jigsaw puzzle. You have to start with corners to figure out the subsequent puzzle. Similarly, the simplest way to start putting stones on a surface is to start from the corners. It will be easy for you to do the corners first. The corner parts help you in figuring out the pattern or designs. You can then follow the design to figure out which airstone to be put where just like a jigsaw puzzle. Thus, the process becomes much easier.

When you unbox the corner box of airstones, you will find two packs of finished stones. Each pack is wrapped separately. Each of the packets consists of two finished or corner airstone. Both these stones are precisely similar to each other. You can say that they are identical. There is only one difference. One of these stones has a flat edge. At the same time, the other stone has a round edge with precise finishing. Your job is to join the given sets of stones on the corners. It is totally up to you and your decor how you set the stones. You can put them up linearly or match your style and fancy. 

Now that you know what to do with airstones and have decided how you want to set them on the desired area, it is time for you to move onto the next big step. Now you must learn about the application and amount of adhesive you should use while attaching the airstone.

To attach airstones to the wall, you need to apply ample amounts of adhesive on the backside of each stone. Now firmly push the stone on the wall. Keep in mind that you must apply steady pressure on the stone to make it stick there. You can keep doing this for some minutes and then gently remove your hand without displacing or disturbing the stone. Repeat this with all the other ones as well.  

One extra feature that you will get with the box of airstones is the color combinations. Each of the boxes of the airstones contains stones of four different colors. It is entirely your choice to use or combine the stones to create a desirable look. However, it is advisable first to take a moment and see how many same-colored stones do you have. Now you can mix and match each to create a unique look.

Now that you are done with the corners, you should now move to the big, flat airstones. Yes, it is now time to complete the puzzle by setting up the primary airstones on the wall.

First of all, you should unbox all the stones one by one. You must do this carefully. You will notice that there are stones in multiple colors, as well. Focus on each color and segregate the stones of each color. Now you can mix and match these stones according to the color code of the cornerstones you just did. You can also combine the stones of the same color, or you can arrange them in contrast. The color combinations are your choice, and you should decide based on the final look that you desire.

Once all the stones are separated and arranged according to the coloring scheme, you can start with the actual work of setting the airstones on the given space. You should always start this task from the bottom of the wall and move horizontally. This makes it much easier for you to complete the task. You should apply a sufficient amount of adhesive on the backside of each stone and place it on the position.

Press it firmly to keep it on the wall. Apply steady pressure for a few minutes. Gently remove your hands without letting it displace or disturb the stone. Wait patiently for the glue to dry. Once it is done, move on to the next piece of stone and repeat the same steps. Once you reach the edge of the wall, use the stone with a flat edge to give a clear and clean look.

While you are applying the primary airstones on to the wall, one issue may arise. You may have to cut an existing stone for it to fit the space on your wall correctly. While installing the airstone on your walls, you will come across the airstones which are longer or more comprehensive than the space you have. In such situations, you will have to cut the airstones and make them fit in the space provided. It can be a bit tricky for an amateur to cut an air stone. However, it is an easy task that you can accomplish with a little guidance.

So, to cut the airstones, you should first be very sure about the measurements. You should take the airstone and place it on the space where you want to fit it. Now take a pencil and mark the exact measurements required for the airstone to fit in the space.
Once you have marked the exact spots after measuring the airstones, you can cut them accordingly. There are many tools which can help you to cut the airstones. You can choose the tool according to your convenience. You can use a hacksaw, power saw, or a miter saw to cut the airstones as per your requirement. It is advisable to use a tool according to your experience and convenience.

No matter which tool you choose for cutting the airstone, it is necessary to take all the precautions. You must use the safety gear to avoid any accidents. It is highly advisable to use protective eyewear or safety goggles. You should also use a face mask to avoid inhaling the dust coming out of the airstone while cutting it.