Concrete is universal and practical material, which is used when interior decoration and finishing of street surfaces. It is made from sand, cement, if necessary, pigment and water, using vibration casting or vibration pressing of various shapes. The area for using this product is very wide, but it is not always possible to afford it in terms of price; in this case, you can make the tiles yourself. To obtain quality material, special forms are needed, you can buy them, or you can make them yourself. We read and learn to do it ourselves.
Typically, polyurethane is used for casting, also popular Silicone forms, but they are not very durable, and the plastic does not quite look like natural stone. And yet, these materials help to make the most suitable product in terms of quality and appearance. Exist different ways production of facade tiles, for home use Only one will do - vibration casting.
The most popular forms were:
- Under the brick;
- Torn stone;
- Slate;
- Dolomite.
A huge range of products makes it possible to customize design solutions. The first stage of the work is the production of the actual molds for the further product, after which we dilute the solution, proceed directly to pouring into the molds, and the last final step is removing the product.
It is worth knowing that laying finished facade tiles or stone requires certain measurements and calculations, and you also need to process the forms themselves.
When the concrete tiles are ready, they can be immediately used for finishing facades, or packed for storage. In addition, it is worth paying attention to some important points. Firstly, we must not forget that the correctly chosen form alone is not enough; it is necessary to strictly follow the technology of its manufacture. Such work should be carried out under a certain temperature conditions, fluctuating around 15-30 ᵒC, this is necessary to eliminate excess oxygen in the solution and ensure high-quality solidification. Secondly, this is compliance with safety precautions; such work must be carried out in strict compliance with safety standards; eyes must be protected and gloves must be worn. It is important to have good ventilation in the room.
Do-it-yourself production of facing tiles
Facing tiles or artificial stone are essentially a decorative element. facing stone(terracotta tiles). If we talk in simple words about production at home, then a liquid solution, already painted in a color palette, is poured into the molds.
The tile is taken out of the mold, the material is ready, but only after it has completely hardened.
In the process of improvement, the following types of finishing can be distinguished: interior - on a gypsum base, exterior - on a cement base. The main thing is not to forget that most of success is the selection of high-quality components, as well as reducing the use of water, this will result in a more solid product.
All production can be divided into 3 stages:
- Preparation of tools and raw materials;
- Preparation of the form;
- Making stone.
The production of facing tiles should be done in the warm season, for example, in summer, but the product should be dried away from sunlight, protected from rain and wind. Having a certain set of equipment will only be beneficial; to the basic ones you can add a concrete mixer, a vibrating table, a mixer for mixing and a drying cabinet. There is nothing complicated in manufacturing using a simplified algorithm; by following certain rules and paying attention to the quality of the products used, a decent product is produced facing tiles with your own hands.
Types of stone-look facade tiles
At one time in Western Europe there was a search for a material that was not inferior in its properties to stone, thus, by firing and pressing clay with brick, this product was obtained. The meaning of the word tile has its roots in German, and literally translates as “brick”. Factory-made clinker tiles have a durable composition due to heat treatment and are only a type of ceramics, having their own advantages over it.
It is very easy to make independently, its technology is simple, and, as a budget option, fits well.
Initially, you need to prepare a model of the product itself from plasticine, coated with sealant and wait for it to dry. Afterwards, a solution of gypsum, sand and cement is prepared, color is added, the ingredients are mixed and poured into molds. 15 minutes is enough for the product to be ready, and in order to prevent it from crumbling and smearing, it should be treated with a primer. It is worth keeping in mind that a handmade product will have different characteristics from its factory counterpart. The versatility of the material is surprising; its choice is limited only by the preferences and capabilities of homeowners.
There are several types:
- Under natural stone;
- Clinker tiles;
- Under ordinary brick.
Houses made from natural stone, all the advantages are with of this material, this is durability, strength, and presentable appearance. But, there is one big disadvantage - the cost.
What are concrete facade tiles
Nowadays, they have learned to produce material similar to real stone, and very successfully. Nowadays, the technology for producing concrete facade tiles is not inferior in its characteristics; on the contrary, it is even attractive in price.
When introducing certain components into the concrete composition, finished material the necessary properties are provided:
- Water resistance;
- Frost resistance;
- Strength.
To improve these indicators, in modern industry All kinds of additives and additives are used. Essentially, concrete tiles look like brick or stone, laid in several rows with an offset, similar to some kind of mosaic, the edges are torn.
It is also worth paying attention to the fact that not all walls are suitable for using decor; everything here is decided by the choice of material and other factors.
For such walls it is required facade tiles With metal fastenings. It is worth remembering that there are few methods of fastening exterior finishing, facade tiles are mounted either on frame basis clamps, either glued or screwed directly to the wall.
Handmade clinker tiles
Laying under brick does not differ significantly from laying conventional ceramics. Regardless of the application surface, it must be cleaned of dirt and properly primed. It is also necessary to take a responsible approach to the choice of glue, because it must absorb moisture well and be resistant to frost. It is worth paying attention to the treatment of the seams between the tiles; they must be properly sealed.
If we break down all the work step by step, it looks something like this:
- Surface preparation;
- Marking;
- Adhesive solution;
- Laying tiles;
- Seam processing.
The properties of clinker are very attractive; the tiles are resistant to cold, durable, easy to maintain, have a low level of water absorption, and are resistant to mechanical stress. This is a large number of advantages. Homemade tiles are in no way inferior in quality to the factory-made alternative. In addition, such a house will look very solid and attractive, and its facade will not lose its character over time. appearance.
How to make facade tiles with your own hands (video)
To summarize, it can be noted that, in principle, almost any material can be made with your own hands and no worse than it is done in factory production. The main thing is to follow safety rules, not to violate technology and to approach the choice of materials responsibly, and then you can get a result that will delight you for many years with its reliability, decorate with its individuality and will not burden your wallet.
For exterior decoration of building facades, a special facing material– facade tiles. It is made from mineral mixtures, which may include cement, quartz sand, shale or clay. Do-it-yourself facade tiles are made using special equipment, which allows you to achieve the desired technical and decorative qualities of the coating.
What are facade tiles?
Facade tiles are an environmentally friendly facing material that is used not only for finishing the facades of houses, but also for paving open areas or paths. The service life of this coating is significantly longer than that of facade plaster. This is why facing materials have become so popular in exterior decoration buildings.
What types of tiles for facade cladding exist?
- terracotta;
- clinker;
- with glass cover;
- with ceramic coating;
- two-layer with decorative ceramic finishing.
Features of facade tiles
Whatever materials you decide to make the facing material from, it will have the following qualities:
- high strength;
- low level of water absorption;
- frost resistance;
- wear resistance;
- long service life.
By choosing the shape of the appropriate configuration, you can create coatings with various shapes(triangular, square, polyhedral, asymmetrical). This allows you to decorate buildings in almost any style. However, it should be understood that independent production of facade tiles is associated with some difficulties. In particular, this concerns the acquisition or assembly of the necessary equipment.
Nuances of production of tile materials
If you want to get a truly high-quality and durable material, under no circumstances try to save on raw materials. Making facade tiles at home is already quite a risky undertaking for those who are encountering such a process for the first time. But if you strictly follow the recommendations experienced craftsmen, as a result of molding a properly prepared solution, a durable facing material will certainly be obtained.
What points should you pay special attention to?
- Amount of water - solutions that are too liquid in consistency tend to harden unevenly, which leads to cracking of the material. To avoid this, do not add too much water to the mixture;
- Adding plasticizers– to improve the physical and mechanical properties of the coating, add plasticizers to the raw material;
- The strength of cement and, accordingly, the coating is largely determined by the quality of the cement. When producing tile coverings, it is advisable to use cement of at least grade M200.
Necessary equipment
What equipment is required for the production of facade tiles? To create a high-quality coating, you must purchase the following equipment:
- Concrete mixer - if the amount of work is small, you can use an ordinary construction mixer to mix the raw material components. But in the case of using such equipment, mixing the components of the solution should take at least half a century;
- Vibrating table - a vibrating table surface during the molding process allows for compacting solutions, which affects the density of the future coating. If necessary, you can assemble it yourself by attaching it to metal table construction vibrator;
- Forms - directly in the molds and the raw materials will harden. To make such structures, it is enough to assemble wooden frame the required shape, fastening the parts with metal corners.
Of course, purchasing professional equipment for the manufacture of facade tiles, you can achieve significantly better results. In particular, this applies to forms. If you need to create tiles that imitate natural stone or brick, you will need matrices with a corrugated surface.
Tile making process
The technology for manufacturing facade tiles is quite simple, but requires careful implementation of all stages of work. What materials are needed to pour concrete into the mold?
- containers for diluting the solution;
- construction mixer and spatula;
- cement (not lower than grade M500);
- plasticizers;
- pigments for coloring raw materials;
- sand.
So, the direct production process of tile materials consists of the following stages:
- A solution of the above components is diluted in a container;
- By using construction mixer the components of the mixture are mixed until the mass is homogeneous;
- Forms are placed on a vibrating table and concrete mixture is poured into them;
- To prevent the tiles from getting stuck when removing, the molds are initially coated with a soap solution;
- The semi-finished product is covered with polyethylene and left for several days;
- Then the half-dried tiles are laid out and left for another couple of days until completely cured.
The process of producing tile materials is shown in more detail in the video clip.
Review of manufacturers
For choice indeed quality tiles You should give preference only to the most popular and well-established manufacturers. These include:
- Stroeher, a German manufacturer of tile materials, adds mineral granules and modifying components to its raw materials, which improve the frost resistance of the coating. Stroeher facade tiles have a 25-year service life guarantee;
- King Klinker is one of the best Polish companies for the production of cladding coatings and produces high-quality tiles with very low water absorption. Add to the solution before molding polymer compounds, forming a protective film on the surface of the tile;
- Litos - facade tiles are made by hyperpressing from cement composition with the addition of kaolin substances. Thanks to this, the coating has high technical indicators, such as strength and frost resistance.
Making façade tiles is a relatively simple process that requires the craftsman to accurately carry out the work at all stages. At the same time, the quality of the future coating is largely determined by the composition of the raw materials and the uniformity of the prepared solution.
A large number of cladding materials are produced for façade finishing. building materials. Each of them has its own characteristics and advantages. But many are often stopped by the cost of the material.
Therefore they resort to alternative solution– making facade tiles with your own hands. This allows you to save money and give the facade of the building the appearance that you will like. In this article we will tell you about some of the secrets of the process of making tiles at home.
Choice of material - what affects it
When choosing a material for making tiles with your own hands, you need to understand that it serves a role not only for decoration. The finishing must reliably protect the facade from negative impact environment.
In order to minimize the cost of producing facade tiles, the following factors are taken into account:
- Cost of material for manufacturing.
- Availability of cooking technology.
- Shape and dimensions of the product.
- Availability of decor and color shade.
Important! For the production of cladding, you can use different dry mixtures, ranging from ordinary concrete to special compounds.
Selecting forms
It is important to understand that factory technology making facade tiles is not suitable for home use. The only thing that can be introduced is the vibration casting method. As for the forms, the cost quality product big.
The purchasing decision depends on the scope of work. One high-quality mold is designed for up to 1500 tile production cycles. If you need to produce up to 20 squares of tiles, then buying an expensive mold will not justify the investment. In this case, it is better to do it yourself. Therefore, it is important to make the correct calculations.
Important! It is not always possible to make a mold at home so that the tiles turn out High Quality, which will affect the aesthetics of the final result.
Therefore, if you do not have the ability and opportunity to make a high-quality mold with your own hands, it is better to purchase it.
Necessary equipment
The equipment for making facade tiles with your own hands depends on the raw materials used. The easiest way is to use concrete. To make tiles you need a good mold and a vibrating table.
The form can be made of plywood, plastic, wood or polyurethane. The best material is polyurethane. Using it you can convey the texture of the future tile in the smallest detail. Due to this, you can ideally create an imitation of natural stone and other building materials.
A large number of home craftsmen make a vibrating table on their own. For this you need metal carcass, sheet of metal or other material for the tabletop, motor from washing machine and springs.
Vibropressing technology is also used in the production of facade tiles. Thanks to its use, the density of raw materials is reduced without large quantity water.
In some cases, a kiln is used to ensure that terracotta, clinker or porcelain tiles are fully prepared. In these furnaces, the workpiece is fired at a temperature of 1 thousand to 3 thousand degrees.
note
Main advantage self-made tiles - the ability to give it the desired shape and texture. You can experiment to make exclusive products, for example, make non-standard shape or use different composition of raw materials.
Two simple manufacturing methods
Step-by-step instruction
Now let's consider step by step process how to make facade tiles with your own hands. All work must be carried out at temperatures from +15 to +30 degrees Celsius. This temperature range will provide ideal conditions to harden the product.
note
For protection purposes, gloves and goggles are required. The room should be well ventilated.
First, molds for casting are prepared. A vibrating table is also installed. You can use a regular table.
Further work has the following sequence:
Complete hardening can take up to two days. During this time, the forms cannot be touched. After this period, the forms are immersed in a container with warm water to +60 degrees Celsius for three minutes. Then the tiles are removed from the water and removed from the mold.
It is necessary to remove it carefully so as not to damage the workpiece. You can use a rubber mallet or light hand movements. The facade tiles will be completely ready for further cladding after 10 days.
Conclusion
As you can see, DIY tiles are a doable task. By making it yourself, you will save family budget, but it is necessary to spend time and effort on the production process itself.
But the end result will not leave you and those around you indifferent. To consolidate all the material presented, we recommend that you watch the prepared video.
A tiled house has several advantages - it is beautiful and durable. You can buy exclusive material at individual order or buy the product you like in the store, or you can make it yourself and decorate the walls yourself. Making facade tile shapes with your own hands is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. This article talks about the most reliable and simple ways production of tile material at home.
Many people doubt whether this entire process can be carried out without special equipment and how durable the material will be. Therefore, before you start making facing products yourself, you need to study what tiles are and how they are made in production.
There are several main types of tiles based on the main component:
- concrete - made of cement, sand and plasticizers;
- ceramic - made from special grades of clay and fired in ovens at high temperatures;
- clinker - high-quality types of clay are pressed under high pressure and are fired at a temperature of about 1200 degrees;
- porcelain stoneware - made like clinker, but granite chips are added to the composition;
- terracotta - made from porous clay of the same name.
Brick elements look natural and neat
Each type corresponds to the manufacturing method and the main filler, which gives the material aesthetics and protective properties. Tile products can be divided according to shape:
- finishing facade stone;
- clinker brick;
- imitation of finishing or masonry brick;
- flat tile rectangular shape with a smooth, rough, matte or glossy surface.
Manufacturing processes can be: firing or dry pressing. Conventional ceramics go the following way:
- Extraction of raw materials in quarries.
- Processing of material, its cleaning.
- Formation;
- Drying;
- Burning.
The production of concrete tiles is quite accessible to everyone
For concrete products and for many types of artificial stones, the process is limited to vibration casting and drying.
Let's compare what equipment is used in production and what can be used to replace it at home.
- The crusher and extrusion machine can be replaced with a ready-made mixture from a hardware store.
- A concrete mixer will completely replace a mini concrete mixer or a bucket and a drill with an attachment.
- A vibratory casting press will replace a vibrating table.
- You can make press molds yourself or purchase them in a store.
As you can see, the whole process is easy to repeat at home. Some will ask why this is needed, because the required material can be bought for a suitable amount. But here's an example: you came up with a design, and suitable stone not on sale, or available, but the color is not suitable. And it may also be too expensive. In the end, this type of cladding may not exist at all. That's when they come to the rescue own hands and useful tips.
For wood it is important to choose a relief textured pattern
Mold making
Today it is quite possible to purchase ready-made forms. They come in all types of tiles; if you look hard enough, you’ll be lucky enough to buy exactly what you need. The most important thing is not to purchase cheap plastic matrices. Usually they are enough for no more than one application of the solution, after which the plastic becomes unusable. As already noted, a suitable form may not be on sale, then you will inevitably have to make it yourself. Whatever material you choose for the matrix, you can take an artificial analogue, tile or natural stone. If you choose the second option, then buy several different samples, remember that nothing is the same in nature. The basis may be wooden beam, log The main thing is to choose a beautiful wood texture. Let's understand the technology of the form.
Let us immediately note that the base can be made for one tile or directly for a group of stones. It’s more profitable to do the second one, since the output is several at once. finished products, the speed of work increases accordingly. Whatever material you use, you will need formwork. Buy ready-made or make it yourself.
Silicone sealant is cheaper to choose in large packaging
Silicone
Silicone is sold in different packaging. It’s better for you to look in buckets, since in tubes you will overpay for packaging, but you need a lot of it.
Now we lubricate the bottom and walls of the formwork with a special lubricant, and lay tiles or stones on the bottom. The sources also need to be lubricated, since they will have to be freed from silicone.
Important! If as source material If gypsum stone or tiles are used, they must be covered with several layers of varnish, only then coated.
The form is filled to the brim
Cooking soap solution for brushes and spatula. Apply silicone and smooth it with a brush, constantly pressing. This way you will avoid bubbles. Now it is advisable to compact the silicone and level it with a soap spatula. Now the mold must be left until the silicone hardens.
The polymerization process takes a long time. The standard rate is 2mm per day. The thicker the future workpiece, the more time it will take. Don’t rush to pull out the matrix; the stronger it is, the longer it can be used. A poorly polymerized form can be used once or twice. Standard Properties silicone sealant, which should be taken into account when working:
- tensile strength - 01 MPa;
- density - 1200 kg/m3;
- viability - 8 hours;
- durability - 20 years.
Base for stone tiles
After complete hardening, the material is removed, the matrix is washed with soap and can be used.
Compound molding dies
There are special compositions for casting molds. They can be purchased at construction stores or creative departments. There is no need to chase imported compounds; our compounds are of good quality and reasonable cost.
The example shown in the photo has two components. Silagerm -5035 has a tensile strength of about 4 MPa, shrinkage of no more than 1%, and full time hardening - a day.
The quality of the composition is better, and accordingly the forms made from it are used longer.
Important! Before pouring plaster or cement, lubricate the mold with a special compound - Tiprom, then it will last even longer.
Domestic polyurethane compound
Professional production of tile material at home
Do-it-yourself tiles are made using gypsum or cement. Gypsum cladding is usually used indoors, but if its surface is impregnated with hydrophobic substances, it can be used on building facades in dry climates. Nevertheless, many are interested in gypsum products, since they are easier to give the required color, they have better adhesion and are much lighter than cement elements.
Production of gypsum-based facing elements
To work you will need the following tools and materials:
- Plaster, preferably white.
- River purified sand.
- Lemon powder.
- Necessary dyes.
- PVA glue.
- Drill with mixing attachment.
- Matrices for shaping.
- Plastic bucket for solution.
- Brushes and spatula.
Gypsum also comes in different forms.
Before work, prepare a place to dry the material. It must be perfectly even so that the products are of the same thickness. Let's look at the whole process step by step.
Finished elements can be painted white
Video instructions for making tile elements from gypsum mortar
We invite you to watch a detailed video tutorial. After watching it, you will learn how to cast beautiful finish for your home without difficulty.
Cement paste tiles
Cement or concrete tiles and artificial stones are much more in demand, as they can be used on any facades, garden paths and in other forms landscape design. Nothing will happen to them in any weather. This tile is resistant to weathering, chemical and biological influences. It is durable and wear-resistant. Such products can be formed from Portland cement, river sand and water. PVA glue is added as a plasticizer. The following is all familiar:
- After the solution has set a little, a mesh is drawn on it to improve adhesive properties.
- The tile must dry. Then it is carefully removed from the molds and left to dry completely for several weeks. It is then stacked on pallets and stored in a dry, dark place.
Storage of finished products
To avoid mistakes during installation, we will give some recommendations that will help make the cladding process better and faster.
Seamless installation method
Making the cladding yourself - exciting process, in addition, it is useful for the wallet and will satisfy any needs and imagination. Don't rush to buy ready-made finishing material, perhaps you will get exclusive forms of facade tiles as in the photo, and even with your own hands.
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It includes:
- cement;
- sand;
The tiles are attached to concrete surfaces or with dowel nails. Tiles are attached to log and plank walls and frames, as well as those made of timber, using self-tapping wood screws.
If you plan to install the tiles yourself, it is best to choose this method of cladding. Firstly, such cladding can imitate Various types stone and brickwork. However, unlike concrete facade tiles, they will be significantly cheaper, you can fix them quickly and easily, and the coating will look no worse.
- plain;
- iridescent;
Components for the production of concrete tiles
It includes:
- cement;
- sand;
- mineral powder - a cement substitute made from ash, ground slag, stone crushing waste, etc., introduced into concrete in a volume of 5-20% to give the concrete special properties (heat resistance, different colors and etc.);
- plasticizing additives - used to increase the mobility of the concrete mixture;
- stabilizing additives - to prevent separation of the concrete mixture;
- water-retaining additives - to reduce water separation.
Manufacturing technology for concrete façade tiles
The main method of manufacturing façade concrete tiles with low porosity is vibration casting. Cooked concrete mixture placed in plastic molds mounted on a vibrating table and completely compacted under the influence of vibration high frequency. Then the plastic forms are transferred to racks and covered plastic film to prevent moisture loss and are kept for a day. Next, the finished tile is removed from plastic molds and transported to the warehouse.
Using this technology, it is possible to obtain tiles with both matte and glossy surfaces, without pores or other defects. The use of high-quality coloring pigments makes it possible to obtain tiles painted in rich colors that do not lose their brightness for many years. You can read the material about.
Advantages and disadvantages of concrete facade tiles
All building materials have both advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages of concrete tiles include:
- the mass of facade tiles is relatively light, which not only reduces the load on the structure of the structure, but also makes it possible to implement exterior finishing on your own;
- it is similar to stone, not only visually, but the natural aging process of these materials is also practically indistinguishable in appearance;
- Since the surface of the tile is hard, it withstands the effects of precipitation well and is resistant to mechanical damage, i.e. will serve for a long time if installed correctly and timely maintenance;
- To attach concrete tiles, you do not need a special spacer layer; they can be mounted on walls made of various materials that adhere well to adhesives.
- Concrete façade tiles are cut with a simple chisel (cutter), although cutting requires less labor and gives better results circular saw.
However, concrete tiles also have disadvantages:
- It is better not to use this tile in cold climates, since not all manufacturers guarantee the stability of its properties in the presence of freeze/thaw cycles;
- sometimes, even with normal production process, the edge of the concrete tile turns out to be uneven or an unnecessary edge is formed on its edges. And although they can be easily removed with a circular saw or cutter, installation labor costs increase.
Dry method of installing concrete facade tiles
Important! The dry method is intended for tiling brick, concrete and wooden surfaces without using any adhesives or solutions. Among other things, the work described can be done at any time of the year.
The tiles are attached to concrete or brick facades dowel-nails. Tiles are attached to log and plank walls and frames, as well as those made of timber, using self-tapping wood screws.
If you plan to install the tiles yourself, it is best to choose this method of cladding. Firstly, such cladding can imitate various types of stone and brickwork. However, unlike facing bricks Concrete facade tiles will be significantly cheaper, you can fix them quickly and easily, and the coating will look no worse.
Painting of façade concrete tiles for dry laying is carried out during their manufacture. In this case, the product is painted completely throughout its volume, and not just on the outer surfaces. Therefore, fading of colored concrete tiles under the influence of ultraviolet radiation is excluded.
These tiles can have almost any color:
- plain;
- iridescent;
- imitating the surface of granite, marble, malachite, amber, etc.
Properties of facade tiles (video)
Wet method of installing concrete facade tiles
For achievement good quality When facing façade walls, it is necessary that they are level. If there are irregularities, it is recommended to plaster the walls.
The installation process includes the following steps:
- Before installing the tiles, the surfaces of the facade walls and the back sides of the tiles should be moistened with water using a paint brush.
- The façade should be clad starting from the plinth, which is the base of the façade walls of the house and creates a transition to the areas adjacent to the house. earth's surface- sidewalk, driveway, lawn. It is better to make the color of the plinth cladding darker than that of the wall cladding, then it will look more monumental. In order to maintain the same level along the entire perimeter of the house when covering the base, a starting strip is nailed at the bottom of the base, which is strictly set according to the level (preferably a laser level). It is on the starting bar that the first row of tiles is laid out. Install the tiles starting from the corners from bottom to top.
- To apply a 0.5 cm layer of tile adhesive to the surface of the walls, use a smooth spatula. Next, level the glue notched trowel with teeth 4–6 mm high.
- A 0.4–0.6 cm layer of adhesive is applied to the back of the tiles with a notched trowel.
- Next, using gentle movements and turns, the tiles are pressed against the wall surface until the glue comes out at the joints between the tiles.
Correct and professional execution of wall cladding will significantly extend the life of the house façade. Therefore, before you start installing facade tiles, study the technology of this work, or better yet, watch it with your own eyes or at least on a video on the Internet.
