This article looks at the pros and cons of natural stone veneer, manufactured stone veneer, and faux stone veneer to help you make the best decision for your home and budget. Stone veneer is a popular choice for both interior and exterior masonry projects. Some homeowners choose to install stone veneer inside or outside their home as an accent wall. It also works well for fireplaces, archways, or wherever you’d like to add a unique touch to your home! To learn more about masonry for your home, contact us today!
What Is Stone Veneer?
Simply put, stone veneer is any stone that is used for decorative facing purposes but is not load bearing. Stone veneer can be made from natural stone or manufactured stone.
We’ll take a look at the pros and cons of both natural and manufactured stone veneer as well as faux stone veneer below to help you choose which is best for you and your home.
Natural Stone vs Manufactured vs Faux Stone Veneer
Natural Stone Veneer
Source: Cougarstone.com
Manufactured Veneer
Source: Thebrickyard.com
Faux Veneer
Source: Thespruce.com
When looking for stone veneer, most homeowners decide between natural stone veneer and manufactured stone veneer. Natural stone veneer is made completely from stone that has been taken straight from the earth.
High quality manufactured stone veneer looks almost exactly like natural stone veneer, but is man-made. Manufactured veneer is engineered from Portland cement and iron oxides, mixed together and molded into stone shapes.
Faux stone veneer is actually not a type of natural or engineered stone, but is a high-density polymer product. See the chart below to learn a bit more about each product.
When looking for the easiest product to install yourself, faux stone veneer is the winner. It is also the least expensive option. However, it is generally not a high-quality product, not very durable, and will not add value to your home.
Manufactured stone veneer and natural stone are similar in many ways, including price, installation difficulties, looks (although natural stone is typically more vibrant as it does not fade), and uses. However, natural stone veneer will last the longest and is the most structurally sound, while manufactured stone veneer is the most predictable product and can be carried and cut more easily.
When choosing which stone veneer is best for you, it’s important to consider budget, how much do-it-yourself work you want to do, and how much value you want to add to your home. If you’re having trouble deciding between manufactured and natural stone veneer, contact Royal Masonry today for advice from the masonry experts!
Stone Veneer – Common Misconceptions
As stone veneer becomes more and more popular, common misconceptions tend to spread. In this section, we’ll debunk some myths about stone veneer and related products to help you learn more and make an informed decision about what’s best for you and your home!
#1: Stone Veneer Is Easy To Install
Unfortunately, both natural stone veneer and manufactured stone veneer can be quite difficult to install. Though manufactured stone veneer may be easier due to its weight, it is not a project for a brand new do-it-yourselfer. Natural stone is difficult to cut and can only be installed on certain surfaces (for example, it cannot be installed on drywall).
When installing stone veneer, the best way to ensure you get the beautiful end results you’ve been dreaming of is to call in the professionals. A professional masonry company knows all of the potential pitfalls when working with stone veneer and how to avoid these problems, so you can have your beautiful stone wall without any setbacks!
#2: Faux Stone Veneer Is The Same As Manufactured Stone Veneer
As mentioned above, faux stone veneer is not the same product as manufactured stone veneer. Manufactured stone veneer does go by a variety of other names, such as cultured stone or architectural stone, but faux stone veneer is an entirely different product.
#3: The Cheapest Product Is The Best Product
With stone veneer, like most products, you generally get what you pay for. Some manufactured stone veneer products can cost as little as $3.00 per square foot.
However, a poor quality stone veneer product, especially manufactured veneer, is not worth the initial savings. It is easy to spot poor quality stone, and cheaper products are significantly less durable.
Where To Buy Stone Veneer
Stone veneer is available at many local stone dealers and even big box home improvement or hardware stores. For example, Natural Stone Solutions offers a wide variety of stone veneer products that can be used both outside or inside your home.
If you’re looking to browse for or purchase stone veneer online, you can check out online stores such as Home Depot for many stone veneer products. You can also check out this listing from The Spruce to view top manufactured stone veneer dealers.
Avoid Stone Veneer Pitfalls & Install With Royal Masonry!
Stone veneer can be difficult to install, especially for the inexperienced handyman. When DIY installing, an improperly placed stone can create a big headache! That’s why it’s important to work with professionals who know exactly how to avoid DIY pitfalls like this.
At Royal Masonry, we can help you install your new stone veneer! Why choose a professional stonemason to install your stone veneer exterior or interior project? As do most experts in their field, stonemasons acquire their specific skill set over years of on the job training, apprenticeship, and good old-fashioned hard work.
We value our customers as well as having professional, polite, and hardworking staff. We understand that you love your home – and we put in the same effort to install or repair parts of your home we would with our own!
If you are looking for the best and most professional workmanship possible, then look no further than Royal Masonry. Most tasks can be completed in a few days or a few hours or less, and will last for years.
Sources
The Spruce – Natural Stone vs. Veneer Architectural Stone
The Spruce – Faux Stone Veneer
The Balance – Professional Guidance on How to Install Stone Veneer