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Skills Required for a DIY Stone Veneer Project

The skills required for any DIY stone veneer project will depend on the materials and methods used for the job. For instance, if you opt to use natural stone cut for use as a veneer, you will need good building skills even if you don’t cut the stone to size yourself. If, on the other hand, you decide to use man-made stone veneer, it will be a lot easier and quicker to install. And if you choose to use Native Custom Stone’s ingenious Go-Stone Panels, you don’t need any special skills at all.

Generally, natural stone veneer is a job for the professionals. Because of the weight, it will require a foundation, and the cut-stone veneer units will have to be laid in mortar. Depending on the size of the stone used, it might even need steel reinforcing.

Manufactured stone is a lot easier to work with, and it doesn’t usually need any concrete foundation or base. Go-Stone panels are even lighter

Skills Needed for a Faux Stone Veneer Project

Our #21 Aspen Ridge CustomFit Panels

Most faux stone veneer projects require basic building skills including knowledge of how to ensure everything is straight and square, as well as level and plumb. In essence, for any structure to be square it must have right-angled corners, horizontal surfaces must be flat and level and vertical surface must be plumb. All this means is that you need to know how to measure correctly and how to use a torpedo or spirit level since these tools allow you to check both horizontal and vertical surfaces. A builders’ square is useful for testing that corners are at right-angles.

While some faux stone veneer products can be laid dry and stacked without mortar, it is often better to use mortar. You can buy a pre-mixed product that comes in one bag for this.

It might take a bit of practice using a trowel to lay the mortar on the stone veneer, but it isn’t particularly different. If you work systematically, checking your vertical and horizontal levels as you go, there is no reason why you can’t achieve a professional finish.

Go-Stone is a unique product made partially from rubber tires. Because it comes in panels, it is a quicker process than laying a faux stone veneer. Nevertheless, you will need the same basic skills that relate to ensuring the veneer is straight, level, and plumb. Instead of working with mortar, Go-Stone panels are laid using a ceramic tile and stone adhesive.

Whether you opt for a faux stone veneer or Go-Stone panels, Native Custom Stone has products that offer lots of choices of finish and color. You’ll wonder why you ever considered using natural stone!

How Fake is Faux Stone?

By definition, faux stone is fake or false, or more kindly, it isn’t natural made stone.  However, because it is deliberately made in imitation of real stone, it doesn’t have to look fake at all.

So, perhaps the question should be: How can I prevent faux stone from looking fake? But first, it pays to get your head around the concept of faux stone.

Stack Stone
Stack Stone from Native Custom Stone

What is Faux Stone?

There are different types of faux stone, the most common being cast in molds using a fine-aggregate concrete. Molds are made from different types of naturally occurring rock and stone so that both surface finish and size mimic what is found in nature. The concrete used depends on the preference of manufacturers, but it is commonly made with a mixture of cement, suitable building sand, and very finely crushed stone rather than the coarse aggregate used for the concrete used for foundations and footings.

Traditionally, faux stone was only available in single units in imitation of the individual units a stone mason would prepare for building. Faux stone veneer is considerably thinner than full-scale rocks or stones.

Native Custom Stone produces several manufactured stone veneer products, including a range of Custom-Fit faux stone panels that interlock, simplifying the installation process for DIY enthusiasts.

Native Custom Stone also produces an eco-friendly variant of faux stone veneer made with recycled materials including rubber tires. Lightweight and easy to install, they are sold in a panelized form.

How to Prevent Faux Stone Looking Fake

When a stone mason builds a wall, he will choose his bonding pattern based on the stone used and the look required. Also, he will decide whether to lay the stone dry or to use mortar to bond it as bricklayers do when they build brick walls. Since no one individual rock or stone will look identical to another, there is no risk that the stone elements will look fake. But, the skill of a stonemason is to make the wall itself look natural!

If you’re going to build a faux stone wall or have one built, here are a few tips to help ensure it won’t look fake.

  • Choose a product that looks natural.
    • If using individual stones make sure you buy a good selection of different stones to be able to create a more random impression.
    • Faux stone panels are manufactured so that adjacent stones are not the same, making them a good option for DIY.
  • Choose a product that looks reasonably similar to natural stone found in your region and install it so that it looks like walls typically built with these materials.
  • Take care not to install faux stones and panels that are the same right next to or above one another. A repetitive pattern is a dead giveaway, and if a faux stone wall looks fake so will the faux stones it is built with.
  • Make sure that the design of the installation is something that could genuinely be built with natural stone. For instance, if it’s used above a wide opening and covers the lintel, it’s likely to look very fake.

Whether you want to use faux stone for a DIY project or have a contractor do the work for you, contact Native Custom Stone for more information. Alternatively, Go-Stone and Custom-Fit faux stone panels, and other simulated stone products are available from Home Depot online or from Build Direct.

Building a Bar from Scratch and Finishing With DIY Go-Stone Panels

A home bar is a great place for entertaining. You can plan it so that it becomes the hub of your home, or so that it can be used as a hideaway where the guys (or girls) can escape out of sight and sound.

The location you choose depends on the space you have available in your home, as well as the function you want this special entertainment area to fulfill. If you don’t have much space you can tuck it in a corner; but if you want to incorporate a games area, perhaps with a pool table or home theater, you will need a dedicated room or a basement.

Go Stone

Designing a Bar From Scratch

While the dimensions of a bar are variable in terms of length, height and width are standard for practical reasons. Generally a bar top shouldn’t be wider than 16 to 20 inches (400 to 500 mm), which is about the width of a standard desk. Anything more than this is simply a waste, both in terms of materials and space, though the top should overhang the bar structure by at least eight inches (200 mm.) A bar molding will finish the top off nicely, and will help to keep drips and spills from dribbling onto the laps of those sitting at the bar.

While not all home bars incorporate a drinks rail on one side, for you or the barman to mix drinks, it’s a very useful feature. It should be separated from the rest of the bar top by a drip lip in the form of a thin strip of wood that will keep any spills from splashing on the bar top itself. Additionally, a lower counter on the barman’s side is great for preparation and also a good place to keep unwanted bits and pieces out of sight. If you want to incorporate a bar sink, this is where it should go.

The height needs to accommodate the bar stools you plan to use. Most are 30 inches (about 760 mm) tall, which is perfect for the standard bar height of 42 inches (just over a meter.)

While space might be the deciding factor in terms of the length of your home bar, you should allow 24 to 30 inches (600 to 760 mm) for each bar stool.

Foot rails should be seven to nine inches (177 to 228 mm) off the floor; these can be in the form of a metal railing (either brass or stainless steel) or timber.

Then there is the question of finishes, which of course depends partly on what you use to build the bar structure. If it’s solid wood and you’re going to leave the top wood, then you’ll need to give it a few coats of tough, hardwearing varnish. Tiles are another option; or, if it fits your budget, a good solid surface like marble, quartz or granite would be even better. Tiles and solid stone are ideal options if the bar is constructed with a material like chipboard.

You can use Go-Stone panels to finish vertical surfaces – and if there is a suitable wall behind the bar, to finish this too and create a good-looking feature wall that matches your bar.

Installing Go-Stone Panels

Go-Stone panels are ideal for any DIY build-your-own bar project. Manufactured for interior use, it is lightweight and super-easy to install. You don’t need specialized tools, masonry skills or experience, and the system is quick and clean.

Native Custom Stone

The product, which is manufactured by Native Custom Stone from 87 percent eco-friendly materials, is sold in DIY kit form. There are three finishes, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, and Coastal Blend, each of which looks just like real stone. There is enough to cover an area of five square feet (0.465 square meters) in each box. Corner pieces are packed separately, with four linear feet (1,2 meters) in a box.

The only equipment you need to install these simulated stone panels is a:

  • Steel measuring tape
  • 12 inch (about 300 mm) spirit level
  • ¼ inch notched floor trowel
  • Drywall or wet-cut saw. You can use a circular saw if you have one.

You will also need a good quality ceramic tile and stone adhesive to stick the panels onto the wall and/or bar structure.

Installation instructions start with ensuring the surface is clean and dry. It’s a good idea to cover the floor adjacent to the bar and wall you are cladding for protection. You can use cloth or rosin paper to do this.

Then start installing the panels at the bottom corner of the wall or structure. Apply the adhesive to the back of the first stone panel and set it in place, moving it firmly from side to side to ensure there are no air bubbles. The kit contains three different sized panels: alternate these for a realistic effect. The horizontal edge of the panels must be level, so use the level after setting every third stone to check that they are in fact level. You may need to cut one of the panels to ensure that the panels fit perfectly; you will need to measure the exact length. Be sure to wear safety glasses when cutting.

When you start on the second “course” of stone, make sure you stagger the panels so that you don’t end up with obvious seams running vertically up the wall or bar structure. So, if for instance you started with a 16-inch (406 mm) panel, use either an eight-inch (203 mm) or a 12-inch (305 mm) panel above it.

It really is that easy!

 

Can Adding Stone to Your Home Increase Resale Value?

When it comes time for you to sell your home, remember that perception is everything. You want prospective buyers to see quality in every part of your home even if it is only perceived value. Stone veneers are a perfect example of this. In a recent Real Estate Pro Magazine article, experts agreed that stone veneers led buyers to believe that the home was of higher quality than it actually was. It gave the home that polished, finished look that all home buyers desire.

Manufactured Stone Exterior | Native Custom StoneSince it is a given that stone veneers will add value to your home, the only question is whether to go with natural or manufactured stone.

For the most part, you will always want to go with manufactured stone veneers but each has its pros and cons.

Natural Stone Veneers

Pros:

  • Natural stone has a certain reputation that appeals to buyers
  • Very durable
  • An easy way to incorporate materials from your local area into your home

Cons:

  • Extremely heavy which may make it impractical for do it yourselfers
  • Very expensive
  • Since it is so heavy, shipping is expensive and you are often limited by what can be found locally

Manufactured Stone Veneers:

Pros:

  • Much lighter than natural stone so it can usually be installed by one person
  • Can look exactly like natural stone or it can be made in different colors and styles
  • With proper maintenance it can last as long as natural stone
  • Significantly less expensive than natural stone

Cons:

  • Really, the only con to manufactured stone is that it isn’t “natural” stone. But if you don’t tell anyone that the stone was manufactured then they will probably never be able to tell the difference.

Contact Native Custom Stone today to find out about all the different ways manufactured stone can add value throughout your home.

 

4 Reasons to Use Faux Stone on Your Fireplace…

A fireplace adds a lot to a home beyond the heat it gives off. It is usually the first thing that visitors see when entering the home and it is the focal point for family gatherings and parties. Since it is so important, people often pay exorbitant prices to build natural stone fireplaces. It is unfortunate because an experienced Faux Stone Company could build a fireplace using faux stone at a fraction of the price and it would be indistinguishable from natural stone.

Price is only one reason that you should have a Faux Stone Company build your fireplace for you. Faux stone is also:

  • Faux Stone | Fireplace | Native Custom StoneMore Durable – Stone may seem indestructible but if you have kids you will soon find out how easily it can be chipped and scratched. Faux stone is hard enough to withstand shocks and does not deteriorate over time
  • Widely Varied – Because of the high cost of shipping, most people just use the stone from the area they are in. It can be horribly limiting and give your projects a certain sameness. When using faux stone you can pick styles from around the world and mix and match to your heart’s content. You can find the perfect blend of colors and design to fit your personal preference and home décor.
  • Easy to Clean – Since Faux stone is stain resistant it can maintain its new look for years and years. Some materials are extremely difficult to clean but when it comes time to give your faux fireplace a once over, you can get the job done with some soap and water.
  • Beautiful – If you already have an existing fireplace then you can use faux stone to add in design features and aesthetic touches. It can really spruce up the old fireplace and give it a new life.

So, if you are considering adding a fireplace to your home, be sure to use a great faux stone manufacturer. You’ll be glad you did.

How to Remove Mortar from Manufactured Stone Veneer

Manufactured stone veneers have become a very popular project for do it yourself homeowners. The stone adds elegance and rustic charm to everything from your fireplace to the outside of your home. Since it basically amounts to sticking rocks in mortar, building a manufactured stone veneer seems like it would be very easy but it can go wrong quickly. A veneer can be ruined by things as simple as:

  • Accidentally wiping mortar that’s still wet
  • Getting excess mortar onto the stones surface
  • Overly humid conditions
  • Incorrect stone placement

Once the stones are in place, it can be a chore to remove mortar from them without damaging the stones. However, if you do make a mistake and need to remove your mortar, it can be done in seven easy steps:

  1. Manufactured Stone Veneer | Custom Stone | MortarGather the equipment that you will need for the job: water, dish detergent, two stiff brushes that are not wire and rags.
  2. If the mortar is still fresh then you must wait for it to dry completely. In most situations a full day and night will be needed to thoroughly dry fresh mortar.
  3. Mix up a warm water and dish detergent solution. The only trick to this step is that you cannot have bubbles in the mixture so keep mixing until all the bubbles disappear. Set it aside for now.
  4. Using one of your stiff brushes, start wiping it across the mortar that you need to remove from your manufactured stone. It may help to put the brush at an angle so you are wiping at the contact point between the mortar and the manufactured stone. Try to get as much of the mortar off as possible during this step.
  5. Use one of the rags to remove all the dust that has been accumulated on the stones surface.
  6. Take your second brush and dip this one into your water and dish detergent mixture. Use the same technique as before to remove the rest of the mortar and give the other parts of the exposed stone a good scrub while you are there.
  7. Now give the stone another once over with regular water and look for any residual mortar. It has probably all been removed at this point but if you can still see some just repeat step five again.

Using Manufactured Stone for Commercial Projects

Manufactured stone veneer offers many features that real stone can’t, and if taken advantage of it can make a big difference in the success of your next construction job.  If you are familiar with using natural stone in a lot of your projects, maybe reading a little bit about the great benefits of custom stone will changer your mind. You will have many projects done in half the time, at a fraction of the cost.

A few of the ways the manufactured stone surpasses natural stone are:

  1. Manufactured stone costs a small fraction of the current price for regular stone. This can come as a surprise to construction companies because they view natural stone as being cheap and plentiful.
  2. Since a manufactured stone veneer is all part of the same piece, it can be installed much faster than normal stone. This is a benefit to commercial locations that do not want part of their building to be off limits for an extended period of time because if foot traffic is impeded it can result in lost revenue.
  3. Manufactured stone veneers are much safer than a standard stone facing. If a natural stone were to come loose and hit someone it could cause serious injuries. Since the manufactured stone veneer is a single piece, you never have to worry about parts coming loose.
  4. You will stand out from the crowd. Most commercial companies want to look businesslike and stylish so they tend to use a lot of stone in their construction. It looks good but after awhile it all tends to blend together.  If you use a manufactured stone veneer, you can get any look that you want. You can have a veneer that perfectly emulates natural stone or you can have a veneer that perfectly reflects your own sense of style. You have complete control over how it will look in the end.

A great manufactured stone veneer is key when working on a commercial project. Customers are sure to be pleased with the quality, efficiency, and price of this great product.

5 Steps to a D.I.Y. Custom Stone Veneer Fireplace

A GA custom stone veneer fireplace can give you the perfect place to gather with friends and family on cold nights. It also adds a lot of value to your home with a fraction of the cost in comparison to natural stone. If you have a DIY frame of mind then with a little preparation, you can tackle the project yourself. Or even better, you may want to recruit a friend to lend a hand.

The following steps will help to illustrate the right way to install a custom stone fireplace:

  1. Measure twice, cut once – Go over your plans to see if they are simple enough for you to implement. Measure the wall and make sure that you have all the materials that you need on hand.
  2. Start sizing the stone – Whenever possible, let the stone merchant cut the stones to your specifications. They have the experience and tools to do a much better job than you would be able to do. If you do have to cut the stone yourself, make sure that you are using a diamond tipped drill.
  3. Time to mortar – Make sure that the mortar you are using was designed for the task at hand. Start assembling the fireplace according to your design and always remember to put the mortar on the sides of stones that can’t be easily seen. Let the mortar sit until it has fully dried.
  4. Final check – Once the mortar is dry, give the fireplace a close inspection to find any cracks that you may have missed. If you find one, seal it with more mortar.
  5. Clean Up – You can choose to seal your stone, but it’s not required. Now you’re ready to enjoy your new fireplace.

A great GA custom stone veneer manufacturer will have the perfect stone for your fireplace, or DIY project. Find a distributor near you and get started renovating your home today.

Why Should You Choose Manufactured Stone over Natural Stone?

A local faux stone supplier is talking about the differences between natural stone and manufactured stone and which one to choose. Organic Stone has been the foundation of building materials for thousands of years. Now, however, we have manufactured stone or custom stone veneer. Natural stone is a beautiful way to accent any room in your home, thought it does come with a hefty price tag, and time consuming installation that you generally wouldn’t want to tackle alone. Custom stone, however, is an inexpensive material in comparison. It’s also much easier to use for do-it-yourself projects!

Why should you choose manufactured stone over a natural stone veneer?

  • Manufactured or Custom stone is much lighter in weight in comparison.
  • Natural stone is no doubt a much more expensive choice.
  • With natural stone you must first pay to reinforce the area, such as a fireplace, to support the weight. This isn’t the case with manufactured stone.
  • It’s easier to create a custom piece from manufactured stone. The more you customize natural stone the higher the price is.
  • Custom stone is made to look real. However, it is made to be consistent. For instance, if you use custom stone on your counter tops it will look natural, yet have an even and flat surface.
  • Last but not least, custom stone is simpler to work with on a DIY project. You could easily apply a stone veneer by yourself.

If you’re thinking about adding stone accents to your home whether it is a fireplace, exterior basement, or counter top, keep in mind the benefits of custom stone. While natural stone will remain a timeless building material, manufactured stone clearly takes the lead when coming to DIY projects and accenting homes for less. Native Custom Stone has years of experience with custom stone. If you’re considering adding custom stone to your home, check out their online gallery!

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!