What Type of Cement to Use for Making Stepping Stones?

Types

• Most directions for making stepping stones will tell you to use outdoor cement for the base of the stone; however, there are other factors to consider. These can include the base color of the cement, the mix's properties and the size of the package. Some people also consider brand name. Most of the cements you can purchase will be white or gray. Craft cement tends to have fewer properties in it than outdoor cement, which contains sand, calcium, aluminum, lime, silica and other ingredients. The size of the package depends on the manufacturer, but most home improvement stores sell a wider variety of sizes than craft stores.

  You may want to consider visiting an art store to look at cement for crafts. You should be able to find a powder mix for white cement. Often sold as FlashCrete, the product works well for outdoor projects like garden stepping stones. Most stores sell in box containing 20 pounds of dry powder. After you add water to the powder, it will harden within an hour. Once you pour the cement mixture into your mold, you can begin putting in objects like glass tiles or beads.

  Some people prefer to save money by purchasing outdoor cement from a home improvement store. Most experts recommend working with a ready-mix cement powder, which can be a good option if you don't mind using a gray base color. You can purchase 10- to 80- pound packages, depending on the amount you need. If you don't like the gray, you can add cement colorant to change it as you mix the powder with water. If you care about brand names, QuikRete and Portland Cement are industry leaders.

Misconceptions

• Some do-it-yourself fans use cement and experience problems like discoloration, cracking or crumbling. While you might think the brand of the cement played a role in the outcome, it often boils down to mixing the wrong proportion of water. The directions on the packaging estimate the amount of water you need, but you may not need it all. If you add it all and didn't need to, your stepping stones will crumble. Failing to add enough water can cause cracking. To get the correct mix, set aside the recommended amount of water and mix in two-thirds of it. Slowly add water as needed to get a milkshake-like consistency with the cement.