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3 Pros and Cons of Manufactured Stone Veneer Products

Manufactured stone veneer products is a great alternative to natural stone because it is lighter and cheaper, but still designed to look exactly like natural stone. However, as with anything there are pros and cons to discuss when considering manufactured stone veneer products.

Pros:

1) Variety and Design: stone veneer products are, at their most basic, cement. It is the design, color and molding that the cement goes through that makes it look like natural stone — so much so that only a true expert would be able to tell the difference. There are a number of processes that produce a variety of designs and colors to suit any style or preference people are looking for, giving you more to work with when using this type of material.

2) Being lightweight, manufactured stone veneer products are easier to work with and given you more options as to where and how you want to install manufactured stone veneer products. This means that this material can be used with masonry, wood frame or metal structures. They don’t need foundation support either.

3) Durability: As long as your manufactured stone veneer products are used, installed and maintained correctly, you can rely on them to last a very long time.

Cons:

1) Improper installation of this type of veneer can result in severe damage, often immediately after installation, therefore it is very important that you hire a professional to do the work for you. Otherwise the result will be severe water damage.

2) Exposure to certain elements will reduce the aesthetic appearance of stone veneer. Such things as harsh chemicals, paint thinners, de-icing salts, and cleaning solvents can scar and stain the surface or result in discoloration. In general though, manufactured stone veneer products are hardy.

3) Manufactured stone veneer products may not be the best to use in swimming pools, as chlorine can cause discoloration.

Again, to avoid water damage, which will result in tearing up manufactured stone veneer as well as any other affected materials that are used in the structure of your house, all the way down to the foundation, it is important to have a professional install stone veneer products to ensure that you get the most out of this wonderful product. If you’re interested in learning more about manufactured stone veneer products, give Native Custom Stone a call today!

6 Great Reasons to Install Faux Stone Veneer on Your Fireplace

Fireplaces not only provide heat and bring comfort to any home, they also provide a naturally gathering place and dominate any room that they are in, therefore designing your fireplace with faux stone veneer is a wonderful option for a variety of great reasons. Some of these reasons are very basic, but no less important when considering stone products for enhancing your fireplace.

 

1) Aesthetic Appeal: put simple, faux stone veneer products look good and this is a major factor in remodeling or designing your fireplace. Veneer can be added on to pre-existing fireplaces to enhance it with added features and design, making your fireplace not only a source of warmth but a work of art.

2) Variety: Everyone has their own sense of style and preferences, and another great thing about faux stone veneer products is that they come in a wide variety of colors and designs to suit you as an individual and blend in with your style and home, as well as the workmanship that has already been done on your fireplace.

3) Inflammable and Heat Resistant: faux stone veneer is a safe material option to install in and around your fireplace, so you won’t have to worry about any wall damage happening unknown to you.

4) Durability: It’s made to last and when you pair this material with good quality cement, you won’t have to worry about deterioration because faux stone veneer is a hard material that can withstand shock. You don’t have to worry about being careful around these products.

5) Cleaning is Easy: Everyday a house needs tidying and cleaning up, and the last thing you want to do is worry about the appearance of your fireplace. Some materials are incredibly hard to clean and look dirty faster than others. Faux stone veneer is not one of these materials. Cleaning is easy, and is often as simple as wiping down the surface of the veneer. It is also resistant to stains, maintaining a new and beautiful look throughout the years.

6) Cost: Faux stone veneer is cheaper than natural stone, while still giving you the effects of natural stone, making it a great way to go for those on a budget.

And there you have it: 6 great reasons why you should consider using faux stone veneer to remodel, design, or enhance your fireplace. If you are interested in learning more about this project and taking a look at the many designs available to you, give Native Custom Stone a call today!

Custom Stone for Kitchens & Bathrooms

Custom stone is a wonderful way to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal in any room in your home, but two places where stone can greatly revive with style and finesse is in the bathroom and in the kitchen. Simply remodeling your counter tops or floors with custom stone can make a huge difference, but the appeal isn’t just aesthetic.

Stones such as granite and other natural stone options are also incredibly durable and will stand the tests of wear and tear, weather and abuse, that many other materials will eventually begin to deteriorate under. Granite is not only beautiful but a lasting custom option for many outdoor areas, whether that be an outdoor kitchen, pool deck or hot tub. The reason granite does so well is that it is

Custom Kitchen

Custom Kitchen

naturally harder and scratch resistant than other materials. Stone such as granite is also heat resistant and only under the most extreme, unearthly conditions will this type of stone crack.

Granite is also a natural stone that comes in a variety of colors and designs. Finishes can increase or revitalize granite as well, making your stone uniquely yours. And just to give you an idea of what I mean by variety, there are well beyond 3,000 color and finishes on the market. When it comes to custom stone granite, limited options is definitely not an issue.

This brings us to issues of cost, and you will be pleased to hear that granite custom stone is not nearly as expensive as one might think. In fact, when you take into account how long it will last and all the activity it will endure while still looking brand new, you’re making a far better investment than installing a cheaper material that will need to be redone, refinished or completely torn up relatively soon in comparison to granite custom stone. For more information on design availability and costs of remodeling with custom for any project you have in mind, give Native Custom Stone a call today!

Stone Veneer Panels Can Be A Weekend Project

You have started projects that promised to be weekend projects and found yourself with weeks of work to finish. One of the products that really can go up in a weekend of work is DIY stone veneer paneling. In short, it provides a solution to getting your walls covered with truly beautiful faux stone panels without the cost or the labor involved in the process that you normally would have when creating stone walls.

Here’s why stone veneer panels work as a great DIY project:

  • It does not require a great deal of time or physical labor to install – quite unlike installing traditional stone onto walls.
  • It is far more affordable than using traditional stone, often costing a fraction of the cost you would pay otherwise.
  • It is easy to install. You do not need to piece together stones and hope they fit. This product comes to you in a beautiful, easy to put up panel.
  • You can use it anywhere. The stone veneer paneling you want can often be used both indoors and outdoors, in any room of the house, even.
  • It has a long lifespan. It does not fade. It will not crack on you. It does not split and the sun will not damage it. It is even impact proof. This means it gives you years of beautiful looks without hassles.
  • It is lightweight. It does not require a great deal of support to be put on the wall safely.

For all of these reasons, individuals should consider the benefit of using stone veneer paneling throughout their home. It can hide any unsightly wall and add significant value to your home with just a weekend’s worth of work – really just a weekend to get it up and looking great is all it takes. For many homeowners, that is the perfect combination.

For more information on faux stone CustomFit panels available from Native Custom Stone please contact us directly!

 

The Advantages of Faux Stone Paneling

Stone veneer panelingmay be one of the best choices for consumers today. For those who wish to install traditional stone, you can do so, with the help of professionals. However, with paneling, you have far more flexibility and far more homeowners can easily install it in their homes. There are numerous advantages of using this product over traditional stone.

Faux Stone Panel

One of the key benefits that may not be as easy to see is that it is easier to handle. In short, stone veneer panels are lightweight far more so than traditional stone. That is because they are reinforced using lighter weight aggregates. This allows these panels to be durable but also keeps them light enough to easy to install without a great deal of structural strength necessary (though you still do need to ensure you meet the product’s needs.)

This shows another advantage of stone veneer paneling, then. It is easier to install. You can install it on or near just about any surface with ease, even on drywall. You can install it on wood, concrete or metal, too. It is easy to cut to fit and does not require a great deal of woodworking skills to make it happen. You need to know some basics in woodworking, of course.

Perhaps the most important of the advantages of stone veneer paneling is its cost that does not compromise its beauty. This is a great aesthetic choice in nearly all cases because it looks like natural stone. It has all of the same features of natural stone, in texture, shape and color, but it is manufactured. For many people, it is simply the best option because it is available, in wide assortment of styles, without requiring a very high budget. These factors play an important role in the decision to use this product over others.

Weather Proofing Stone Veneer | Atlanta Stone Veneer

Stone veneeris a good product that can provide years of beautiful service to you. However, to ensure this happens, you must know how to water and weather proof stone veneer. Atlanta stone veneer professionals are the best to turn to for this particular need. You should know what to look for, though.

Stone veneer on a new home.

Installation Is Key

In order to weather proof effectively, ensure you have the installation properly completed. This means adhering to all safety regulations. Otherwise, the OSB will rot and the stone will buckle no matter how much you keep the rain off it. A weather resistive barrier, known as a WRB, is a good way to keep water from getting to the OSB.

Doubling Up

Another tip to ensure the weather proofing is the best it can be requires applying two layers of WRB is often best. In fact, if you were to apply stucco to your home, you may know that many areas have codes that require two layers of weather resistive barrier behind it. The same should apply to stone veneer. This will help reduce the risk of drainage problems, too.

Rain Screen Method

Another way to create this water and weatherproofing is something to talk to Atlanta stone veneer installers about. It is called the rain screen method. Here, the method will reduce the water instruction by using a small amount of airspace between the WRB and the stone veneer. This creates the ideal drainage space and keeps water and rain off the actual OSB, increasing its lifespan.
Whenever water damage occurs, replacing the system may become necessary. In the meantime, install one of these methods to improve water protection, especially in Atlanta where the heat and humidity can lead to potential problems quite quickly if you do not have a proper system in place to prevent it.

Choosing the Right Manufactured Stone Fireplace Veneer

Manufactured stone fireplace resources are out there – you just have to choose the one, or two, that you like the best and then put them to the test. For an interior fireplace a quality stone veneer is one of the best products on the market because it looks and feels like traditional stone but it is far less expensive and easier to install. The question is, how can you use it to fit your fireplace needs?

Manufactured Stone FireplaceThere are many ways to choose the right manufactured stone fireplace veneer. You could start with color. A variety of colors are available, including colors that can create the perfect stone hearth in a traditional form or the most modern. You can also choose materials with specific details, such as those that are tumbled or those that look as if they are weathered. Some love that old, aged look along their fireplace walls. You can also select a pattern that suits your needs. Consider the geometric affects of what you select and how well the colors and pattern play off other hard elements in the room.

To gather a few more fireplace ideas for manufactured stone veneers, do consider the various ways you can use it. For example, you can place it to cover the entire wall surrounding your fireplace. On the other hand, you can use it just to create a hearth, where your fires burn within their own firebox. Check the specifications on this material to know the heat level it can manage.

Overall, there are many ways to create beautiful manufactured stone veneer fireplaces. The creativity is up to you. The only limitations you have are for your overall needs in budget and with the space. Take a good, long look at your options. You may just find that a combination of options can work well to create exactly what you are looking for in a stone fireplace.

Learn More about Adhered Stone Veneer

Adhered stone veneer by far the superior choice when one is deciding between adhered stone veneer and cast stone.  Yet, there is often some misunderstanding between the two. Here are a few differences between them to show that adhered stone veneer is by far the best material for home improvement.  It really comes down to the taste and budget of the homeowner.  Both can come in any number of shapes, sizes and/or colors, but adhered stone veneer has the bonus of being much easier to remove when one wants to alter the overall look of a room.  Both  can be used in any interior decorating project imaginable with a great warranty.  In respect to the cast products, it is normally considered to be “up for good” once it’s in place.

Adhered stone veneer:

1)      Lightweight

2)      Held in place using something like type S mortar.

3)      Doesn’t add to the load-bearing ability of the existing wall.

4)      Not as permanent as the alternative in the event the homeowner wants to change the room’s theme.

5)      Extremely versatile.

6)      Works great on practically any exterior wall.

7)      It can be cut or pieced together as the job goes for the best result, allowing more option as the job goes on where cast stone cannot.

Cast stone:

1)      Heavier in materials.

2)      Does add the load-bearing ability of the existing wall.

3)      It is a permanent addition to the wall typically enhanced by something like brickwork.

4)      It is not easy to remove.

5)      Requires more to affix it to the wall.

6)      Weighs about the same as limestone.

7)      Usually cut the specified design discussed between the dealer and homeowner.

Both of these products are great depending on what a homeowner wants.  Adhered stone veneer is great because it’s much easier to install and can usually be done by the homeowner.  If after a few years a new stonework idea seems right, the adhered stone veneer can be removed and a completely new color scheme put in its place.  To learn more contact a leader in installation today.

Fireplace Stone Veneer fits any Budget

Fireplace stone veneer is an affordable, lightweight material that is gaining more popularity over the real thing.  Offered in any color, style or surface texture fireplace stone veneer covers it all.  When this product comes with an oustanding warranty there’s even more reason to pick this over the much more expensive alternative.  It’s so versatile that it can be installed over existing:

1)      Brick

2)      Wood

3)      Block

On many projects, fireplace stone veneer is so easy to install that a homeowner can do it themselves in a few days.  This saves even more money in respect to the cost of hiring a company to install real stone.  The lightweight alternative comes in any imaginable size which makes it easy to manipulate without much effort.  There is a great installation company ready to help, but for those interested in putting in the fireplace stone veneer on their own, here are a few steps to follow.

Proper concrete preparation:

1)      Make sure the concrete surface isn’t smooth/slick.  Without a coarse surface the fireplace stone veneer is less likely to properly adhere and stay in place.

2)      Use sandpaper or a sander to create a coarse surface if one does not exist.

3)      Sand the entire surface to make sure the whole area is consistent.

4)      There’s no need to put a great deal of pressure on the existing surface as only the top layer must be rough in order that the fireplace stone veneer will remain in place.

Proper wood exterior preparation:

1)      Waterproof the wooden surface.  A cement board is a great idea to achieve this step.  There are a few companies that manufacture this cement board.  Any home improvement center or hardware store can help find the best fit.

2)      Use rustproof screws to hold it in place over the wood surface.

3)      Over the first layer affix felt paper.

4)      The third layer should be a diamond mesh for the best results.

5)      Finally, S mortar should finally be applied sparingly with just enough to cover the layer beneath.

Putting the fireplace stone veneer in place:

1)      Use only S type mortar.

2)      Mix the mortar to the consistency of a thick paste.

3)      Put a layer of S type mortar on the back the fireplace stone veneer at least two inches thick.

4)      Make lines in the mortar as that will help it stick in place instead of smoothing it out completely.

5)      Make sure there’s about half an inch between each stone.

6)      Don’t worry about too much space between the materials as it will be relatively easy to find a stone to fill gaps.

7)      Wipe away excess mortar.

8)      Let the project dry for several hours.

9)      Use grout to fill the spaces in between to create a flush appearance.

Fireplace stone veneer is relatively easy to put in place.  Yet, if one would rather a leader in the fireplace stone veneer business do all the work, there’s a great one close by with years of experience.  There’s no need to go through all the extra expensive of real stone with this product has the same great look at a fraction of the price.

Interior Manufactured Stone Benefits

Interior manufactured stone is not only for fireplaces any more.  Though that is a popular choice for the use of interior manufactured stone, interior decorators are using them in other ways that look fantastic.  The kitchen has become the second favorite location to use this lightweight material that is available in any style or color found in nature at a fraction of the cost.  When thinking about remodeling the living room or kitchen area, seriously consider interior manufactured stone to stay within the budget.

Interior manufactured stone for fireplaces:

1)      Comes with a great warranty.

2)      Able to be installed after the home is built.

3)      Lightweight

4)      Can be installed on practically any surface.

5)      Available in any style/color found in nature.

6)      If chipped this product is the same color inside as the exterior so there’s no contrast in color.

7)      Requires very little maintenance to keep it looking new.

Interior manufactured stone for backsplashes:

1)      Much more stylish than the common ceramic tile.

2)      More durable than any laminate material.

3)      Numerous colors/styles to match any existing countertop.

4)      Doesn’t need a great deal of upkeep.

5)      So lightweight that on smaller jobs a homeowner may very well be able to install the new backsplash themselves.

Interior manufactured stone for walls:

1)      Lightweight materials allow this to be used as an attractive accent against another wall of any color.

2)      Can be used to create a column in either a rustic, traditional or contemporary style.

3)      Able to be removed and changed to suit the changing theme of a home.

4)      Bookshelves can be installed between two faux columns and durable enough to hold objects to accentuate the room.

5)      Takes up very little floor space to prevent a room from appearing cramped after installation.

There’s simply no way to go wrong in design or function of manufactured stone when either building a new home or simply in the mood to change the theme of an existing residence.  Though the job can often be done by the homeowner, there’s a company close by with years of experience ready to make the job quick and easy.  No matter what color is desired, there’s a perfect match for the job.  Interior manufactured stone is a durable, lightweight, affordable alternative to the real thing that stands the test of time and fits practically any budget.