Technological advances have helped manufactured stone become an even more convincing alternative to solid rock, and the simplicity of installation is hard to argue against.
Call it what you want—man-made stone, faux stone, or manufactured stone—this material has firmly entrenched itself in modern homebuilding. That’s thanks to the fact that the material—molded concrete—is lighter than real stone, easier to install, is available in as many styles as the stone it’s meant to compete with, and if installed with some care, it looks really good.
Here you’ll find a gallery to offer some inspiration, but don’t overlook the particulars of the installation. Natural-stone veneer is very heavy, which is why masons use metal wall ties and a concrete or metal ledger to provide support below. Manufactured stone, by comparison, installs pretty much like tile. The material can be applied over plywood, OSB (oriented strand board), rigid-foam insulation, concrete block walls, poured concrete, or even regular old interior drywall.
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Manufactured stone is made by pouring lightweight concrete into molds that take their shape from real pieces of rock. Although the color and the texture are lifelike, they are only as deep as the surface of the stone. Any cuts need to be concealed along the mortar lines to maintain a realistic appearance.
SPONSORED: Replicated from natural limestone originating in the Midwest, the Limestone veneer collection from ProVia represents natural stone selections chosen for their exceptional shape, texture and character. Architectural styles dating back to the colonial period exhibit extensive use of this stone type in structures. ProVia Limestone veneer’s natural earth tones and warmth add beauty and charm to any application.
Preformed outside-corner pieces of manufacturer stone come in different sizes and have an “L” shape to create the illusion of an authentic stone corner.
SPONSORED: ProVia’s Dry Stack stone collection comes in eleven color palettes, each replicating the rich stone colors found in specific geographic regions across the country. Our stone collections provide natural beauty and realism and are easy to install. The dry stack method of installation gives the work a very natural, casual appearance, as though the stones are simply stacked on top of one another.
Although not typically a concern with manufactured stones designed to create a dry-stack look, applications with visible mortar joints allow the opportunity to customize the look through subtle changes to the joint tooling.
SPONSORED: Ledgestone’s rough dimensional surface, jagged edges and varying surface area bring all the beauty and character of southeastern charm to this collection from ProVia. Dramatic shadows between the individual pieces change with the sun’s position.
SPONSORED: A stone accent wall dramatically transforms this modern kitchen, giving it a warm, old-world feel. ProVia’s Ledgestone Collection features the rough surface, jagged edges and rich color of real stone. Ledgestone stone veneer styles can take on completely different looks simply by the installation and grouting style – either dry stacked or grouted.
SPONSORED: Installing a stone wall in a master bathroom lends authenticity and a spa-like charm. Manufactured stone by ProVia is available in eight stone styles and eleven color palettes to bring warmth and luxury to any bath.
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