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Properly Cleaning Manufactured Stone Veneer

We want to make sure that you keep your custom stone looking great for years. Part of this is making sure that it’s well maintained and clean. As you know, manufactured stone veneer is different than a natural stone, and needs to be cared for differently. A good cleaning every two-three months should keep your manufactured stone looking new.

Keep in mind when installing your stone not to leave mortar on any surface. Mortar should be brushed away as the stone or brick is installed. If the surface is properly protected during the application, cleanup will be much easier. After the mortar sets for 24 hours, wash the job with a water hose to eliminate excess dust. Once the Stone or brick veneer has dried, apply a sealer for maximum protection.

5 Steps to Properly Cleaning Manufactured Stone Veneer:

  1. Thoroughly mix approximately one cup of Laundry detergent into 3 gallons of hot water.  Never use detergents with bleach, any type of acid, or a pressure washer.
  2. Rinse the stone/brick with water to remove loose debris.
  3. Using a circular motion scrub the dirtiest areas first using a medium bristle brush.
  4. Rinse the cleaned area thoroughly, removing all detergent and suds.
  5. Let dry, if you still see dirt and debris, repeat the cleaning process. Once completely dry and clean, seal.

Remember you don’t need to clean your manufactured stone often, if there is a little mud or muck just rinse with a hose or water. Or, if you have accent stone veneer inside your home, just wipe it down with a damp cloth.

They do make special detergents for manufactured stone if you wanted to keep it on the safe side, but a mild dish detergent or even laundry detergent will do. If you don’t have manufactured stone in your home yet, but have been thinking about it, Native Custom Stone has a wonderful selection of manufactured stone veneers to choose from. They also have distributors all over Georgia, and you can buy online from Build Direct or Home Depot!

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.

 

 

 

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

10 Steps to Install Custom Stone Veneer Around Windows

A custom stone veneer is a great way to add a little style to your home. It can make your house look like it was built entirely from stone but at a fraction of the cost of natural stone. To save a little money, homeowners with a do it yourself frame of mind have attempted to install their own custom stone veneer. As long as you’re careful, it is possible but you have to be sure and take extra precautions around your windows. If they are not sealed properly then you can leave yourself open to leaks and future water damage.

Before you get started on the steps below, you need to gather a few materials. For this project you will need:

  • Metal weep screed
  • Metal cap flashing
  • Silicone Adhesive

Step 1: On the plywood boards that form the outside of the house, known as the sheathing, you will find flashing tape installed. Squeeze out a beaded line of silicone adhesive in a zigzag pattern across that tape.

Step 2: Take your metal cap flashing and press it solidly against the flashing tape with the bottom edge against the top edge of the window.

Step 3: Now you will need to nail a metal weep screed into place over the top of the metal cap flashing. This will help to divert water away and act as a moisture guard.

Step 4: Starting at the bottom of the wall, begin installing the veneer and work your way up. When you get to the last piece of veneer, you have to measure the distance between it and the edge of the window and mark a line onto the back of the veneer.

Step 5: Cut along the line that you marked using an electric grinder but only cut about halfway through the veneer.

Step 6: Now place the veneer face down on a worktable with the line you cut running along the edge of the table.

Step 7: Using a hammer, gently tap on the part of the veneer sticking out past the table to break it along the line and remove excess material.

Step 8: Spread water over the back of the veneer piece to keep it from absorbing water from the mortar. If you don’t, it will cause the mortar to crack.

Step 9: Apply a half inch of mortar to the back of the piece and onto the wall where it will be placed. Then press the piece firmly into position.

Step 10: Repeat these steps as needed for the remaining windows.

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.