Tips and Advice Archives - Page 2 of 2

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:

Gather the equipment that you will need for the job: water, dish detergent, two stiff brushes that are not wire and rags.
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.
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.
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.
Use one of the rags to remove all the dust that has been accumulated on the stones surface.
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.
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.

How to Repair Cracked Manufactured Stone Veneer

Quite a few homeowners have decided to install a manufactured stone veneer instead of natural rock. In most situations it is a smart decision because they look the same, last forever and cost a lot less than the natural stone equivalent. Over time any type of veneer can become damaged, cracked or chipped just through normal wear and tear. Unlike natural stone, you can repair your own manufactured stone veneer in 5 easy steps. Before you get started with repairs, there are a few items that you will need to get including: a small broom, trowel, cold chisel, wire brush, a hammer, grout bag and mortar mix.

Step One: Find the damaged veneer piece and place the cold chisel on the grout line. It needs to be at a forty five degree angle with the tip of the chisel facing inward towards the stone piece. Lightly tap the hammer on all sides of the broken piece to loosen the grout and remove the stone. If it refuses to come loose, you may need to chip away at the piece itself until it comes free.
Step Two: Use the wire brush to clear away the debris and dust from where the stone piece was removed in step one. Be careful of the wire mesh inside the socket because you do not want to pull it away from the foundation of the veneer. That mesh is what you will be securing the new piece onto.
Step Three: Measure the hole that was left and find a piece of stone veneer that will fit into it. If you cannot find one small enough you can use a wet saw to cut a large piece down to size.
Step Four: Get a bucket and mix the mortar with water until it thickens into a paste.
Step Five: Apply a thin coat to the wire mesh, otherwise known as a Skim coat. Then you can apply a half inch thick layer of mortar onto the Skim coat using a trowel. If that is too big then you can substitute a putty knife. Now apply a half inch layer of mortar to the back on the replacement stone piece and press it solidly into place. Once the piece is in position you can use a grout bag to squeeze out a line of grout around the perimeter of the new piece. After that the only thing left to do is wait for it to dry.

Seal Your Custom Stone Veneer in Just 4 Easy Steps

Adding a manufactured stone veneer to your home can go a long way toward improving its curb appeal and possibly its overall value as well. If you are trying to sell your house, a custom stone veneer can give it an upscale look that will set it apart from your neighbors. In order to keep costs down some homeowners have decided to tackle the project on their own instead of hiring an expert for the installation. The process is not too difficult and even inexperienced people can install it if they pay close attention to detail. However do it yourselfers often make the mistake of forgetting to seal their work.

Adding a sealant to your manufactured stone veneer is not expensive and can be done very easily if you follow these four steps:

Do not try to add a sealant to your veneer for at least a month. If you seal the veneer too soon you will trap in the moisture and defeat the purpose of sealing it in the first place. Most stone veneers need 30 days to cure properly.
Purchase sealant that is penetrating but can still breathe. If you are unsure about which to purchase, just ask the salesperson at your local hardware store and they should have no problem directing you to the right product. Use a paint brush to apply a thin coating of the sealant over the entire surface of the veneer.
Read the sealant’s directions for how long it needs to dry and follow it exactly. You can really mess up the finish of your veneer if you try messing with your sealant before it has had time to dry all the way.
After the first coat is completely dry, you need to apply a second coat the same way. Some sealants need another coat after that but unless the directions specifically call for it, never apply more than two coats.

4 Steps to Add Manufactured Stone to Your Garage

If you’ve been house hunting recently you may have noticed an increase in the popularity of stone work on the exterior of homes. This manufactured stone veneer product is one of the best materials on the market for this kind of work. There is river rock, castle rock, ledge stone, and many more designs that you can choose from to make the outside of your home look wonderful with half the installation work, and a much lower cost.

If you would like to dress up your garage, you might want to start with adding a manufactured stone veneer. This Native Custom Stone product is so easy to apply it will take two people just the weekend to finish.

Applying a manufactured stone veneer is a fairly simple procedure that can be accomplished following these 4 steps:

You need to have a base for your concrete. The best base is made by attaching felt paper and wire mesh to the surface of the garage wall. First cut the felt paper into manageable pieces and start stapling it to the wall with a hammer tacker. Now put the wire mesh over the felt paper and attach it to the wall as well. A pair of tin snips will make cutting the mesh much easier.
Read the instruction on your concrete and mix it accordingly. Use a bucket or a wheelbarrow so you will have room to mix it with a shovel. Once the concrete is thick and creamy, it is ready to apply.
Use a mason trowel to start covering the wire mesh with the concrete mixture. You want to force the concrete into the mesh so that it completely encases it.
Take your first manufactured stone piece and apply a ½ inch layer of concrete to the back. Then press it into place on the wire mesh. If you tightly stack the pieces as you work your way around the wall, you will not need to go back and use grout to fill in the joints.

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:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

The Importance of Sealing your Manufactured Stone Veneer

Manufactured stone veneer from Native Custom Stone is a great alternative to natural stone. It cost tons less than natural stone, and is much easier to install. To keep your manufactured stone veneer looking great and lasting you do need to know the importance of sealing your manufactured stone after it’s installed.

Sealing your Manufactured Stone, or Custom Stone, prevents from:

Cracking or Chipping of the Stone and Mortar
Swelling and Breaking
Mortar from absorbing water
Color fastness in the Stone

If you are installing Manufactured Stone Veneer on the exterior of your home sealing it is crucial to prevent against weathering. If you don’t seal your Custom Stone Veneer you risk it becoming saturated and could break, crack, or lose color. Also, sealing your stone will help protect the Stone Veneer from mud and dirt stains.

However, if your custom stone is on the interior of your home it’s not mandatory, but it is recommended.

If you have a Custom Stone Fireplace you will want to make sure to prevent it from soot stains.
In bathrooms it’s important because of the excessive moisture in the air.
In Kitchens it really is a preference. If you install a counter top you are going to want to seal your stone to prevent against stains. However, if you have Custom Panels accenting areas in your kitchen you may want to protect them from accidents but, it’s not necessary.

The benefits of Manufactured Stone Veneer are abundant and you can use it all over your home. This type of stone is great for do-it-yourself projects or large contracting jobs. It’s light-weight and costs much less than Natural Stone, though it looks natural and beautiful in any setting. Native Custom Stone offers a large selection of Manufactured Stone Veneer. Have a look at their gallery and visit a distributor near you.

Christmas Decorating with Faux Stone

Christmas is quickly approaching and with Christmas comes days of decorating and bringing in the holiday cheer right into your home. Faux stone is a wonderful way to further your Christmas decorating creativity in a unique and cost-friendly way. Since faux stone is inspired by nature, this gives them an incredibly realistic look and appeal that will be sure to impress anyone and liven up any space. For example, you can incorporate stone into an accent wall, highlight trim, and the entire room will seem to have undergone a wonderful transformation.

There are also many options to use faux stone beams or paneling that look like wood, and many of these projects are simple and easy enough to do yourself. All you need are the basic tools, a little time and the holiday spirit and you will find yourself quickly revamping your entire house for the holidays in ways that you have never previously deemed possible. This material is also sure to impress your guests, whether you’re throwing a Christmas party or having family home.

Of course, if you don’t have time to do it yourself, it is still an excellent choice for Christmas decorating, as contractors can have whatever additions you want to make to any room quickly installed, cutting labor costs and increasing the time you have to enjoy these creative inspirations. Upgrade the mantel to display stockings, or install decorative trim at corners to provide accents. After all, its all in the details and it can give those little hints of charm and cheer that will brighten rooms and moods.

For more information on the many different designs and ways that you can use faux stone in your Christmas decorating, give Native Custom Stone a call. Their friendly and experienced staff will be able to assist you in completing whatever wonderful, creative project you have in mind.

Great Project Ideas for Custom Stone

Custom stone can greatly enhance just about any area that is being used. It’s not surprise then that custom stone manufacturing has gone way up, and the demand is from many different sectors, including landscaping construction, residences, and the masonry industry. All enjoy using custom stone in a variety of ways and love that this material is both cheaper, more user friendly, and has many perks that natural stone doesn’t have. Basically, you can find the stone that suits your particular need and style.

With innovative materials, coloring pigments and polyurethane, this material is molded and manufactured in ways that make it look real! Only someone with an intimate knowledge of stone work and a keen eye would be able to tell the difference between what is real and not, which ups the appeal all the more. It also allows us to do more with technology, incorporating things like further durability, stain resistance and so much more into the actual material itself. The actual molding process is inspired by nature itself, which is what makes custom stone look so real. In many ways, these are state of the art representations and replications of natural stone, whether you’re looking for a brick, soapstone, flagstone, slate, or any number of naturally inspired custom stone designing.

While it used to be that many people were deterred by the fact that the stone was not real, now that the technique has been perfected and people have seen the results for themselves, it is being welcomed in all different kinds of projects, both commercial and residential. This type of material is lighter, more durable, cheaper and gives the same affects as real stone, including beauty and integrity that will last for years.

For more information on how you can liven up your place by using custom stone, give Native Custom Stone a call. They will be able to show you the vast array of design and finishes available as well as give fun, creative and useful ideas on how to incorporate custom stone into your household or business, both indoors and out.

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!

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.