Why Use Manufactured Stone Veneer?

Manufactured stone veneers are rapidly gaining popularity as they continually improve over the years to become almost indistinguishable from natural stone products. At the same time, manufactured stone veneer is generally lighter and thinner. It is designed for an easy and quick installation and offers diverse colour palettes, textures and shapes.

Manufactured stone veneer is fabricated from lightweight concrete mix, poured into a mould and painted to resemble real stone. Some manufacturers even create moulds from real stones to recreate their texture.

Around the fireplace, on the exterior facade or as interior accent, the manufactured stone veneer is a good solution for homeowners, designers, architects and builders who need an authentic stone look and feel without natural stone drawbacks. The focus on design diversity extends to brick veneer options as well. Some manufacturers have even found inspiration in other materials, such as brick and wood.

Manufactured stone veneer offers utmost flexibility for both its interior and exterior use. It can be utilized just like wallpaper since it does not require any structural support. Through ongoing research and development, manufactured stone products are innovative and beautiful, and often engineered to solve design and installation challenges. With respect to installation efficiencies, many manufacturers now offer panelized products to enable a more rapid application.

The colour and texture consistency and the time-saving installation may be crucial for large-scale projects, as finding significant quantities of natural stone products with the respective consistency could be difficult to impossible. The same is valid when matching of previous projects is needed.

The state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies provide stone veneers that require little maintenance and are durable enough to resist sunshine and weathering for years without colour changes or fading. Some manufacturers provide warranty coverage for up to 50 years. Beauty and durability often depend on how well a product is installed. It is also important to check and make sure products are tested for freeze (thaw) durability. With proper flashing and water diversion, you can expect from best-manufactured stone veneer to endure years of weathering, including freezing, thawing, and heating without chipping.

As surprising as it may sound, manufactured stone veneer can also provide a really eco-friendly alternative to natural stone. Stone quarrying has negative impacts, such as erosion. The weight of natural stone also requires more energy for transportation. Stone veneer products with high recycled content are long-lasting and durable and are not a finite resource as natural stone. With manufactured stone veneer products, architects, builders, and homeowners can reduce their energy and sourcing footprint without compromising quality and aesthetic.