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Using Custom Stone Veneer vs. Natural Stone for Your Project

Natural stone creates an amazing effect in homes and gardens, for walls and for feature structures including fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, water features and planters. But there’s a certain irony about this statement because you can create exactly the same effect using a custom stone veneer, and you’ll find it’s generally easier, cheaper, and much more manageable to maintain.

River Rock

While there is a certain mystique about natural stone, largely based on tradition and the age-old skills of practiced stonemasons, modern technology has enabled us to manufacture faux stone in various forms, including veneer. Custom stone veneer and other faux stone products are perfect for both construction and finishing projects. Stone veneer is also a great tool for revamping and renovating walls and other indoor and outdoor features.

Effects You Can Create Using Custom Stone Veneer

Here’s another irony: unless you have an unlimited budget for natural stone, you have many more choices in terms of the effects created by using faux stone and veneers than you do when using natural stone. The reason is simple. When you use the natural stone from the area where you live, you are limited to what stone occurs naturally. If you opt for faux stone blocks or custom stone veneer you are limited only by the range produced by an accessible manufacturer like Native Custom Stone.

The reality is that manufacturers offering manufactured stone veneer products have dozens of styles and colors. There are also numerous different finishes and sizes that will give you the opportunity to copy any effect from an elegant castle stone finish to a typical rubble effect like the traditional ashlar, commonly used in southern USA.

Alternatively, you might want something that looks as if it was built using genuine fieldstone or perhaps river rocks. No need to go into the field or seek out a river, a good quality custom stone veneer or manufactured stone will provide you with the materials you need.

Working With Stone Veneer Rather Than Natural Stone

Custom Fit Stone

Traditional stonemasons didn’t need university degrees to do their work, but they did need incredible skills that were generally passed down through the generations.

While stone can be used in the form of boulders or random blocks, unless you are building a rockery or irregular dry-stone structure, the stone will need to be cut into blocks or slabs that will slot together or enable them to be laid neatly and effectively. Natural stone is heavy and can be challenging to cut.

Stone veneer, on the other hand, is available in the form of individual units or simple panels. Interlocking panels in particular, are very easy to install without any skills at all, other than the ability to use a spirit level to ensure they are laid level. They are also lightweight and easy to handle. Furthermore, no foundations or additional structural support is required and they can be used to clad a variety of frame types, both metal and wood, or even a masonry structure.

Typically natural stone walls vary in size from about 2 to 30 ins (or 51 to 762 mm). Manufactured stone veneer, on the other hand, is substantially thinner than natural stone blocks, varying in size from about 1 to 3 ins (or 25 to no more than 76 mm), partly dependent on the texture chosen.

So if you like the effect of natural stone, explore the options offered by the Native Custom Stone range of veneer products.

 

 

 

Cut Building Costs with Manufactured Stone Veneers

In most projects manufactured stone veneers can take the place of natural stone without anyone ever knowing the difference. If you need the weight and the strength of natural stone in your project then there can be no substitute but there are not a lot of medieval castles under construction anymore. If you are building a fireplace, wet bar, backsplash or any of the numerous other home improvement projects that benefit from a real stone look, then a manufactured stone veneer is the better choice.

You can save a lot of money on building costs when working with manufactured stone because:

  • It is easier to work with – Manufactured stone is significantly lighter than natural stone, which helps out in a lot of ways. You don’t need to pay a bunch of guys to help you haul it around and put it into place. You don’t need to pay for all the extra materials required to install natural stone securely into place. You don’t have to pay for a doctor visit for the back and neck strains often associated with natural stone construction.
  • stack-stone-gallery-03It costs less than natural stone – Stone has always been a popular building material but over time it has become associated with elegance and sophistication. Once the wealthy started using it in their homes, the price for natural stone kept rising and rising. Manufactured stone can give you the same look and feel of natural stone with out having to pay the artificially inflated price.
  • Comes in a wide selection of types and colors – One of the biggest limiting factors of natural stone is its weight. Since it is too expensive to transport stone from halfway around the world, you are often limited to using the stone that is naturally found in your area. With manufactured stone, you could have a fireplace made from German stone, a kitchen backsplash made from African stone and an accent wall done in Japanese stone without breaking the bank.

To get that natural stone effect you are looking for at a price that is affordable manufactured stone veneers is definitely the way to go. Check out our online catalog or stop in at your local Home Depot today to see our huge selection. For further assistance contact Native Custom Stone at 706.216.5545

Want an Easy Weekend Project? Pick up Go-Stone at Home Depot

Do it yourselfing used to be a survival trait. When something broke and you didn’t have enough money to hire a contractor, you did it yourself. Over time DIY has developed into a full blown hobby and even people that can afford to hire outside help, enjoy tinkering around on their own. The stumbling block new DIY’ers have is finding good projects to start with. Everyone makes mistakes at first so your first few projects need to be manageable. Lucky for them, there’s Go-Stone.

Jay'sFirePlaceAfterGo-Stone is a revolutionary new product from Native Custom Stone designed specifically for the do it yourselfer. It is a light weight, easy to install, stone panel system that makes it simple for you to construct:

  • Stone fireplaces
  • Custom backsplashes
  • Accent walls
  • Wet or dry bars
  • Custom projects

There are a lot of factors that make Go-Stone a do it yourselfers dream. Go-Stone is:

  • Extremely light – Go-Stone is 50% lighter than actual stone so one person can easily work with it. When working with natural stone, you always want a buddy close by in case something happens or you need a hand. With Go-Stone there is much less danger of back and neck strains through improper lifting and if you drop a piece on your foot, it will probably just hurt a lot instead of causing injury.
  • Very easy to install – When working with regular stone you have to make sure everything is securely mounted to the wall. As mentioned above, you will be dealing with a lot of weight and if mounted incorrectly, someone will get hurt. Go-Stone is so light that you can actually mount it to the wall with tile adhesive and it will be perfectly secure. Even if a piece does come loose at some point in the future, making a quick repair is a simple process.

If you are looking for a new project involving stone then you need to look into Go-Stone. It makes everything so much easier and it can be found at your local Home Depot.

Use Go-Stone for Indoor Custom Stone Work

Do you know of any products that can help the environment, cut down on waste and beautify your home at the same time? If not, then you haven’t been introduced to Go-Stone yet. It is a new type of manufactured stone that has been designed specifically for the DIY enthusiast.

panel-stoneIf you were to try installing a new natural stone fireplace or even a backsplash for your counter, you would need to have a professional do the work. The weight and cost of the material makes it too difficult for amateurs to mess with. Manufactured stone is much easier to work with and can be used in many DIY projects but for best results it is still better to leave it to the professionals. Go-Stone is different. A few minutes of hands on time with Go-Stone and most DIY enthusiasts could be deep into their first project. What makes it different?

  • Go-Stone is about half the weight of the other materials. So, it can be held to the wall with basic tile adhesive. No special tools or compounds are needed.
  • It is extremely safe for the environment because it is made from 87% recycled materials.
  • You don’t need any specific training, tools or years of knowledge in masonry to do a top notch job with Go-Stone. No joints or mortar is needed to have professional looking results on your own.

The really amazing thing about Go-Stone is that it is indistinguishable from natural stone, yet it is created from crumbled rubber. Specifically, recycled tire rubber. So for every five square feet of Go-Stone produced, a twelve pound tire is prevented from going to the landfill. That may not sound like a big deal until you think about these statistics. Over 200 million tires are thrown out in the United States per year. Of those, about 78% are illegally dumped or taken to a landfill. So, the next time you want to improve your home the easy way, use Go-Stone and improve the environment while you’re at it.

You can pick up Go-Stone for your home at select local Home Depot locations, contact Native Custom Stone for more information.

You can download our Go-Stone installation instructions here.

This Article Could Change Your Mind About Manufactured Stone

Have you priced natural stone lately? You may find it in the ground but it is anything but dirt cheap. Natural stone has been used for years in high end homes to add a touch of elegance. This association with sophistication has given it a certain prestige that makes it very expensive to build with. So, many people are turning to manufactured stone.

Manufactured stone is essentially concrete that has been shaped in a mold and given iron oxide pigments for its coloration.

stack-stone-gallery-24The result is a product that is indistinguishable from natural stone and it has three huge benefits over it:

  1. Selection. If you have ever worked with natural stone, you know how hard it is to find a piece that is the right texture and coloration for you. Since the shipping costs are so high for stone, most buyers are stuck with what is available locally. With manufactured stone there is no limit to your options. You can have a stone created and shipped to your door that looks exactly like what you would find in China, New Zealand or anywhere else in the world.
  1. Ease of use. A big plus of manufactured stone is its lighter weight. It takes less people to assemble it and there is less chance of injury while working with it. Also, it can be any size or shape you need so it is very easy to put into place. Natural stone on the other hand, is nearly impossible to cut without the proper tools and a lot of experience with them.
  1. Price. By far the biggest reason to choose manufactured stone over natural is its significantly lower price. Since natural stone has to be properly shaped and cut before it can be used in a project, it is very labor intensive. This extra labor translates to a lot of extra dollars in the price. Since manufactured stone doesn’t need the extra work, it is much cheaper to produce.

Native Custom Stone has a huge selection of manufactured stone and stone panels for your next project. Locate a distributor or contact us today for more information about using our manufactured stone for both  commercial and residential developments.

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.

 

How to Create a Backyard Firepit with Manufactured Stone

Have you ever gone on vacation and they had the little cabanas at your hotel or restaurant with the outside fire pits? It is always so relaxing to sit out there and watch the fire burn as it starts to get dark. Well with some Native Custom Stone’s manufactured stone and a little hard work you can bring that experience right into your own back yard!

If you like working with your hands then you should make a Manufactured Stone Fire Pit your next project. Before you start check the building codes in your area to see what you are and what you aren’t allowed to do. Then find a spot that is a little apart from any structure and not under any trees. It also helps to check where your utility lines are before you start digging any holes.

Once you have all that taken care of you will have to gather up the following materials:

  • custom stone firepit | native custom stoneCast concrete wall stones
  • Native Custom Stone Capstones
  • Sand
  • A shovel
  • Tape measure
  • Level
  • A rake

After you have everything together, you just need to follow these simple steps:

  • Lay out your manufactured stone in a circle where you want your Fire Pit to go. Decide how big of a diameter you want your fire pit to be and adjust accordingly. Most fire pits measure about 40 inches in diameter but it is up to you.
  • Once you have a good idea of where the pit will be and how big you want it, you can start to dig out your hole. It should be about a foot deep when you are finished.
  • Pour the sand into the bottom of the hole and pack it down thoroughly
  • Next place your concrete wall stones around the sides of the hole and continue laying them down until it sticks out a foot above the ground. The last layer of stones should be the capstones. When you are finished fill the hole in with sand until it is about 5 inches from the top of the stone ring and you are done.

Is Manufactured Stone Cheaper than Natural Stone Veneer?

Brick and stone have always been popular with home buyers because it gives a feeling of security and safety to a house. After all, it’s made out of stone so it will be around a long time and stand up to almost anything that’s thrown at it. Since it adds so much value to a home, why do you think that more people don’t use it? Mainly the price! Manufactured stone shares many of the same benefits as natural stone but you will find that it costs one third to one half less to install it.

Why is natural stone so much more expensive to install than a manufactured stone veneer?

The three biggest reasons are:

  • Manufactured Stone | Go Stone | Native Custom StonePerception – Everyone knows about natural stone because it has been used in housing for hundreds of years. It has created its own demand. Manufactured stone has improved a lot over time and it has just recently been coming into its own as a design choice. Even though manufactured stone looks exactly the same as natural stone, lasts as long if not longer and is easier to clean, it is just not as well known yet.
  • Complexity – When you are installing natural stone as an element in a home you are dealing with a very heavy material. You need a skilled craftsman like a mason to install it properly. Plus, you will need a builder to ensure that the underlying structure can bear up under the added weight of the natural stone. With all of those things to consider, it is just not the right project for a beginner. The downside is that all of that skilled labor does not come cheaply.
  • Safety – As mentioned above, natural stone is extremely heavy unlike manufactured stone. Even if you tried to install it yourself which is not recommended, you will need a team of very helpful friends. If any piece of the building materials slips or falls then it will injure and possibly kill anyone that is not fast enough to get out of the way. Without the free labor, you will need to rent or buy machinery to move the stone and that is never a cheap option.

Manufactured stone is the best choice when starting your DIY stone project.  Visit our Find a Distributor page at Native Custom Stone to find out where you can order our manufactured stone today.

Top 3 Reasons You Should Use Manufactured Stone

Natural stone has always been associated with quality and luxury so it is often used in homes. With the increase in demand for natural stone the price has gradually risen until people started looking for a quality alternative. Many have found it in commercial manufactured stone products. Manufactured stone is made from concrete that has been poured into a mold for its shape and given iron oxide pigments for its coloration.

The products look exactly like natural stone but in reality, it is a veneer about 2 – 3 inches thick. This means that a manufactured stone product is a fraction of the weight of natural stone, making it much easier to work with. Once the stone veneer has been put into place, it can easily last for decades or more without deterioration.

If you are still considering using natural stone in your next construction project instead of commercial manufactured stone, then consider this:

  1. Adhered Stone VeneerManufactured stone is more efficient than natural stone. Natural stone will come in a range of shapes and sizes. Before it can be made to fit into a project it has to be cut and shaped. This is often very labor intensive and time consuming. Whereas manufactured stone can be cut into the shape needed and put into place with very little fuss.
  1. Commercial manufactured stone is cheaper to purchase than natural stone. Natural stone construction will need people with specialized skills, tools and materials like reinforced footing to hold up the enormous weight involved. Without these, a manufactured stone wall often costs 1/3 to ½ less than a natural stone wall.
  1. Manufactured stone is available in a much wider selection than natural stone. Natural stone is often found locally because it is so expensive to ship due to weight. Manufactured stone can be made to look like stone from anywhere in the world and it is light enough to ship if needed.

How to Install Your Own Manufactured Stone Arch

It’s kind of funny when you think about it. Our earliest ancestors built stone arches and various other architectural elements because stones were plentiful and cheap. Then once we became civilized, stone became more and more expensive until people had to stop using it just because of the high price. Luckily manufactured stone was invented and now we can add a little style and substance to our outdoor projects without breaking the bank.

Before you begin to install your manufactured stone onto your arch you will have to gather a few items.

You will need:

  • Tile sealant
  • Buckets
  • Sponge
  • Grout bag
  • Four inch grinder
  • Chipping hammer
  • Acrylic modified thin set
  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • Pointing trowel
  • Mason’s Trowel
  • Nylon brush
  • Safety goggles
  • Ladder

Once you have everything together you can start going through these steps:

  1. Manufactured Stone Arch | Native Custom StoneLay out all of the manufactured stone pieces under the arch. Check your manufactured stone corner pieces to make sure they have fully dried or “cured”. The corner pieces are always installed before the rest because they act as an anchor for them to tie into.
  2. Mark the center of the arch with a straight line using your pencil. Make sure your first piece is centered on that line and stagger the corner pieces with your first installation piece. Mark an outline of where the piece will go.
  3. Mix the acrylic modified thin set until it is stiff. It should remain sticky and reasonably hard to smear with a trowel. Give the back of the piece a thick coating and make sure it is consistent to fill in gaps. Lightly coat the place where you will be putting the piece for extra adhesion. Take care not to get any of the mixture onto the surface of your manufactured stones.
  4. Using the ladder put the piece into place under the arch. Lean into the piece as you apply it so that your body weight will help hold it in place. Keep pressure on the piece if you need to slide it from side to side so you don’t accidentally drop it. Step back and look at the piece for a few moments to make sure it is not sagging.
  5. Keep going through the 4th step until all the pieces are in place. Start cutting the pieces using a chipping hammer or the 4 inch grinder. Once you are finished you should let the stones sit for about 24 hours.
  6. Get your sponges and nylon brush along with a bucket of water. Start cleaning the pieces but be careful not to accidentally mark the surface. Once the pieces are clean you will have to wait for them to completely dry before continuing.
  7. Use the grout bag to start putting grout into the cracks between the stones. The grout should easily come out of the grout back but be thick enough to adhere to the underside of the arch. Avoid getting grout onto the surface of the stone as much as possible and wipe it off with a wet cloth when you do. Wait for the grout to dry before you start tooling it with trowels. When you have finished, wait 24 more hours before starting the next step.
  8. Seal the stones with masonry or tile sealant. The best way to apply the sealant is with a spray bottle. Keep applying the sealant until the sealant is no longer able to get through to the stone.