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How to Repair Cracks in Manufactured Stone

Manufactured Stone | Custom Stone Veneer Repair

Manufactured stone has become the go-to material for any homeowner that wants to add a little extra pop to their home. It looks exactly like natural stone but it is lighter, easier to work with, way less expensive, and tends to last a long time without deteriorating.

Nothing lasts forever though. Even manufactured stone will pick up the occasional crack or chip through normal wear and tear. It can’t be avoided but it can be easily fixed, unlike a natural stone veneer.

If you want to fix the cracks that are starting to show in your manufactured stone veneer you will need to gather a few supplies:

  1. Mortar mix
  2. Grout bag
  3. Hammer
  4. Wire brush
  5. Cold chisel
  6. Trowel
  7. Broom

Once you have everything you need, just follow these easy steps:

  1. Locate the first stone that you want to replace. You will use the cold chisel to carefully chip away the grout so that the stone comes loose. The best way is to hold the chisel at a 45 degree angle, pointing inward toward the stone you are removing. Once you have removed the grout, lightly tap the hammer around the edge of the stone to loosen it. If it still won’t budge, you may need to start chipping away at the stone itself.
  2. Once the stone is removed you should see the wire mesh it was attached to. Carefully use the wire brush to remove as much debris as you can without pulling the mesh away from the wall.
  3. When the hole is clear, measure it. If you have another stone of the correct size then you are ready to move on. If you don’t, you may need to rent a wet saw to cut one to size.
  4. Mix the mortar in a bucket until it becomes a paste.
  5. Put a thin coating of the mortar directly onto the wire mesh then apply a thicker coat, about a half inch, onto the back of the stone. Press the stone firmly into place and use the grout bag to fill in around the edges.
  6. Move on to the next piece.

The Benefits of Manufactured vs Natural Stone

Stone is a beautiful building material, but it is expensive, difficult to transport, heavy to handle, and it requires very specific construction stonemason skills to cut and lay. Manufactured stone on the other hand is considerably cheaper, lighter, a lot easier to install, and it is more readily available than natural stone. Better still, it is available in a wide range of finishes and styles that look exactly like different types of natural stone.

Manufactured vs Natural StoneAnother of the most valuable benefits of manufactured vs natural stone is that it can be used internally to revamp surfaces without the mess associated with stonework.

Additionally, because manufactured stone is available in architectural grade stone, professional companies that offer building and renovating services prefer it because they are able to provide a more reliable, quality service for a lower price.

Availability of Manufactured vs Natural Stone

Natural stone is quarried and varies according to what occurs naturally in different states. So you will find that sandstone is common in some areas, while flint, shale, quartz or granite is more common elsewhere.

Natural stone is also cut in different ways, to form large blocks or pieces that can be roughly stacked. River rocks, found in riverbeds and valleys, is generally rounded – because it has been washed by water over time – and is found in many colors and shapes. So too is field stone, though it is more textured and unevenly worn that river rock.

Ultimately, if you are opting for natural stone, you will need to use what is found on your own land (if you are lucky enough to own property large enough to have sufficient natural stone for building), or in local quarries. Some construction outlets supply stone, but local availability will link closely to price.

If you – or your contractor – are going to bring in natural stone from other areas, this will inevitably increase your costs.

Manufactured stone, on the other hand, relies solely on the types, styles, and colors created by the manufacturer. These may be cast in fine-aggregate concrete using a mold, or formed in some other material. Generally, it can be made to imitate any form of natural stone.

Georgia-based Native Custom Stone has a range of relatively conventional cast-stone products in a wide range of styles and finishes. The company also produces innovative manufactured stone panels made primarily from recycled rubber tires. All are available from BuildDirect.com, select Home Depot stores or online from www.homedepot.com. Whichever type of manufactured stone you choose, there will be no quarries and no dirty work for you or your contractor.

Versatility of Manufactured vs Natural Stone

Manufactured stone is considerably more versatile than natural stone, and a lot easier to use. For example, once you have a basic structure, be it a house or a freestanding wall, you can use manufactured stone veneer to completely change the finish and look of your home, or part of it. This means that it is also suitable for initial construction as well as for renovations.

While both natural and manufactured stone may be used inside the house and outside, natural stone isn’t an easy option for renovations, unless they incorporate additions that involve new walls.

Installation Techniques of Manufactured vs Natural Stone

The installation techniques of manufactured stone are much simpler than the construction methods required to lay natural stone. For instance natural stone must be laid on a solid concrete foundation and cutting of the stone can be a challenge.

While most cast faux stone should be laid with mortar, the reduced weight of the units makes them easier to handle than natural stone blocks. Native Custom Stone’s Go-Stone panels are even easier to work with as they are laid using tile adhesive, so no mortar is required.

If you’d like to know more about the benefits of manufactured vs natural stone, contact Native Custom Stone.

Native Custom Stone – Natural vs. Manufactured Stone (weight heavy in pros favoring manufactured), ROI using manufactured stone

The Advantages of Using Go-Stone Panels for Your Home

Update 3/11/2016 – Native Custom Stone’s Go-Stone Panels are now also available online at BuildDirect.com

Faux stone paneling has been gaining popularity for years as a great alternative to natural stone. When considering updating your home with the look of stone, consider these downfalls of natural stone:

  1. Simply put, it’s heavy. For this reason, natural stone is not one of the most DIY-friendly materials to work with. It’s difficult and expensive to transport, and even more difficult to install without help.
  2. You will need specialized tools and masonry skills to cut natural stone into pieces that fit together properly. You could rent the tools, but you would probably waste time and money by making mistakes and wasting material.
  3. Since natural stone is so heavy, it must be installed correctly. If not installed properly, it could pull away from its anchors causing serious damage to your home.
  4. Natural stone is very expensive, mostly because of the high cost of shipping. Bringing in natural stone from other locations is cost prohibitive, therefore, you may be limited to the stone that is quarried locally and isn’t exactly the style you’re looking for.

Faux stone veneers, like Go-Stone Panels, are a growing trend because they don’t have any of these disadvantages.

We developed Go-Stone as an innovative product specifically for Do-It-Yourself projects. It is:

  • gostone cherokee stairwellFifty percent lighter than natural stone making it easier and more cost-effective to purchase, ship and install.
  • Very easy to install without expensive tools or years of masonry experience. Click here to learn more about the tools and installation needed for Go-Stone Panels.
  • Environmentally friendly. Unlike many other faux stone veneers, Go-Stone is made from 87% recycled materials. Learn more in our brochure.

Go-Stone panels are perfect for updating the interior of your home. They can be used on fireplaces, in kitchens or as wall accents. Go-Stone Panels are sold exclusively at select Home Depot locations or online at HomeDepot.com.

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.

How Moisture Effects Manufactured Stone and Your Home

Manufactured stone veneers have become a hot commodity in today’s homes. They look fantastic, last forever and cost only a fraction of what a natural stone wall would. They are so popular; many people have taken them on as a DIY project and caused themselves a lot of problems down the line.

Natural Shield | Native Custom StoneManufactured stone is extremely resistant to damage from the elements but the part of your home they are attached to is not. If they are not properly installed by a professional, they can end up absorbing water and trapping it against your home. What makes this issue even more dangerous is you can’t see it happening. The manufactured stone wall will continue to look perfect while your wooden framing or drywall quietly rots away behind it.

A few other common DIY mistakes occur in the flashing and the base. The flashing has to be applied in a way that leads the water away from your home. Plus, the base has to have some kind of weep at the bottom to drain water and prevent it from just pooling up between the veneer and your wall.
Once all of the above problems have been taken into account, there is still one thing to be aware of. Manufactured stone is porous and will retain water. The experts at Native Custom Stone have solved this problem with Natural Shield. Natural Shield is a water, oil and stain repellent that both chemically and mechanically bonds to substrates.

Natural Shield works on:

  • Manufactured Stone
  • Brick
  • Pavers
  • Stucco
  • Natural Stone

Native Custom Stone developed Natural Shield as a defense against freeze damage, stains, biological growth, water damage, cracking and dirt accumulation.

If you plan on installing a manufactured stone veneer in your home then you need to protect your investment with Natural Shield. It will ensure that both your manufactured stone and your home will stand the test of time and look great doing it.

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.

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.