Custom Stone Manufacturer

Questions? Call us at:   (888) 823-0745

You are here: Home / Archives for Manufactured Stone

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.

Why Should You Use Manufactured Stone Veneer In a Bathroom

Manufactured stone veneers are getting used in more and more places around the house. Everyone has seen how good it looks around a fireplace as a center piece for a room. It looks equally good on the outside of a home because it lends a certain rugged charm but have you ever considered using it in your bathroom? The basic qualities of a manufactured stone veneer are its amazing durability and its almost complete resistance to moisture and staining. If you are shopping for the perfect building materials for your bathroom then durability and stain resistance are probably the two things you are specifically searching for.

Manufactured Stone | Custom Stone Veneer | BathroomUp until recently, only the most affluent homes could have natural looking bathrooms covered in marble and other high end stone. The price tag on bathroom projects like these would sometimes rival a small house but with a manufactured stone veneer they became a much more practical design decision. Even middle income homeowners can afford to own:

  • Unique vanity top designs. These are made out of stylish stone that really adds a dash of elegance to a room.
  • Decorative accents made from cultural marble. Marble is always a hit and most people cannot tell natural stone apart from its manufactured counterpart.
  • Cultured Onyx, Granite and Piedrafina. These stones and many more are available in manufactured varieties and they are very easy to work with.

If you have never seen manufactured stone then you may think that it will look cheap or fake. Most manufactured stones are actually made from rock dust instead of plastic or synthetic materials so it is an actual stone, just not a naturally formed one. This process of formation is the main reason that manufactured stones are so easy to work with. Liquid polyester is utilized to make all the rock dust stick together and then it is covered in a non porous coating that resists stains and spotting. The end result is that you are left with a bathroom that doesn’t absorb moisture or hold onto odors and it can be easily cleaned with soap and water for the most part.

There is one thing to be careful of when buying manufactured stone veneers and that is to get them from a reputable company. Some will skimp on the manufacturing process and it can result in you buying inferior manufactured stone.

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.

  • Manufactured Stone | Custom Stone Veneer RepairStep 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

5 Steps for Creating a Custom Stone Veneer Accent Wall

Manufactured Stone  has always been a popular building material because it gives a home a natural look and is more cost effective than natural stone. If you have the budget it is always best to let a professional construct your veneer for you but if you are comfortable working with your hands, it is possible to just do it yourself as well.

Before you get started you will need to gather up a few tools and materials like a trowel, mortar mix, metal lathe, 2 inch galvanized nails, plastic moisture barrier, stone veneer, hand rake, wire brush, a hammer and sand.

Custom Stone Veneer Accent WallOnce you have everything gathered up you are ready to start with step one:

  1. Secure a plastic moisture barrier over the surface of the wall that will be your veneer. It is best to use painters tape in case you need to make adjustments or move the barrier. Next you will need to use the galvanized nails to secure the metal lathe to the moisture barrier. Try to keep the nails 6 inches apart and try to hit the wall studs as much as possible.
  2. Read the mortar package then mix the sand and mortar accordingly. This will create a cement mixture that you will begin applying to the lathe. Use the trowel to spread a thin layer of the mixture over all of the exposed lathe.
  3. While the cement mixture is still wet you need to use the hand rake to either make scratches in the cement or just rake it. This will help your stone to adhere to the surface more securely. After you have finished you need to let it set undisturbed for forty eight hours.
  4. Take one of your stone veneer pieces and apply a layer of mortar across the back about a half inch thick. Then press it into place on the wall near the top. Press firmly enough that some of the mortar squeezes out from beneath it. Keep placing pieces until you reach the bottom and try to keep the pieces as tightly spaced as possible. It will reduce the amount of mortaring you will have to do later. Let everything dry for about an hour or two.
  5. Go back across the surface and press mortar into any cracks that you see between the pieces. Use a wire brush to clean the excess cement of off the stone pieces.

4 Steps for Applying Manufactured Stone Siding

Adding manufactured stone veneer to your home is a great way to add value, and make your home more beautiful.  Stone has been a staple building material since the beginning of time. Manufactured, or custom stone veneer, has changed up the game a little bit though.  It is less expensive, and much easier to install.  In fact, this particular project can be completed over the weekend with little or no professional help.  There are many different styles of manufactured stone veneer to choose from, so make sure you choose one that perfectly accents your home.

When you have chosen your perfect manufactured stone veneer, you’re ready to get started:

  1. Prepare the surface that you will be applying the siding to. First you will need to create a moisture barrier by affixing house wrap or roofing felt to the area. If you are preparing a masonry wall you can skip the moisture guard. Next you will need to attach a metal lath to the wall with screws or nails to give the mortar a way to gain purchase on the wall.
  2. Start to apply the mortar mixture to the lath in a layer that is between 1/8 and 1/16 thick.
  3. Start applying the stones to the mortar by holding them in place for 5 to 10 seconds. Try to keep them as tightly spaced as possible because it will make filling in the gaps much easier later on.
  4. If you fit all of the stones tightly together then you may be able to just fill in the spaces between with an S type mortar. If not then you may have to cut small pieces of stone to put between the larger stones. The best way is to mark a stone using a pencil and then use a cut off grinder to give it the correct shape.
Native Custom Stone, a lead manufacturer of custom stone veneer has high quality stone in many varieties.  They are sure to have the perfect stone to accent your home, or commercial building.

 

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.

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

Back-Splash: Update Your Kitchen with Manufactured Stone Veneer

Manufactured stone veneer is an excellent way to renovate any part of your home.  We have already talked about how you can make a fireplace more beautiful with the use of custom stone veneer, and today we are going to talk about the steps for installing a great back-splash to update your kitchen.

Back-splashes are great for a few different areas in your kitchen such as behind the sink, stove, or counter space.  Here are the materials that you will need for your project:

  • Chalk line
  • Level
  • Trowel
  • Mortar

Step 1:  Find a great manufactured stone veneer for your project. Once you have all of your materials. Follow your mortar manufacturer’s instructions for mixing the proper mortar-to-water ratio. Spread the mortar compound on the space that you will be installing your back-splash.

Step 2:  Use your level and chalk line to ensure that you’re working in an even line. Be sure to check your work with the level periodically.

Step 3:  Start installing your manufactured stone veneer in the design that you want.  Make sure that your stone is sufficiently placed in the mortar, but doesn’t slide.  Also, make sure to clean off mortar on the stone as you go.  If mortar is seeping out from your stones in excess you might want to start again and use less on your initial application.

Step 4:  Once all of your stones are in place, use a piping bag to fill in gaps between your manufactured stones.  Clean up excess mortar with a small grout trowel.

Step 5:  Clean up any mortar on your stones and allow them to dry, this should take no less than 24 hours.  However it’s wise to follow your manufacturer’s instructions on dry time.  Clean up your stones once they are dry, and with a back-splash behind a stove or sink it is recommended that you seal your project to prevent staining and moisture damamge.

There you have it, a great kitchen back-splash.  Make sure you use a quality manufactured stone veneer to ensure that your new kitchen will stand the test of time.


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!