Caught between a rock and a hard place when it comes to your home design or remodel?
Perhaps learning the benefits of manufactured stone veneer and seeing some amazing examples of it used in the interior and exterior of homes will have you ready to rock and roll.
So, what is manufactured stone veneer and what are the benefits of using it in a home?
“Manufactured stone veneer is cast from molds of real stone, which makes it lighter in weight than natural stone and generally less costly,” says Ramsay Hawfield, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development at Eldorado Stone.
So not only is a lighter material easier to work with, but this is offering more bang for the buck.
“Adding manufactured stone veneer to your home ranks as the No. 1 aesthetic remodeling project that retains its resale value in 2016, according to the Remodeling 2016 Cost vs. Value Report,” says Derrick Johnson, Director of Marketing and Architectural Business Development at Coronado Stone Products.
This is a sound investment, and there are several applications for manufactured stone veneer.
Home exteriors
“Many homebuilders and homeowners are realizing the benefits of installing manufactured stone on the exterior of their homes, which creates curb appeal and increases the perceived value of the home,” says Johnson.
Outdoor entertainment spaces
“Eldorado Stone is also leading the trend in fashioning opulent outdoor entertainment spaces to serve as the new ‘great room’ of the home,” says Hawfield.
“Homebuilders and designers are incorporating stone and brick veneer to create elegant outdoor living spaces that fuse the look of luxury with the atmosphere of the outdoors, such as pre-designed signature kitchens, handcrafted artisan fire bowls and distinctive outdoor fireplaces.”
Accent walls and hardscapes
“We continue to see an increase in manufactured stone usage for both exterior and interior projects around the nation,” says Johnson. “Accent walls and hardscapes have become some of the fastest growing applications in the industry.”
Master bedrooms
“When planning a room upgrade, such as the fireplace wall of this master bedroom suite, the enduring natural beauty of real stone is a first-class design element, uniquely transforming this space,” says John Schaefer, Technical Marketing Specialist at Natural Stone Veneers International, Inc.
Fireplace surrounds
“Eldorado fireplace surrounds are handcrafted to create an elegant, distinctive one-of-a-kind appearance, normally only found with natural carved limestone,” says Hawfield.
Home bars
“For every installation of granite or quartz countertops, it only makes sense to extend the strength, boldness and beauty of natural stone to other architectural features such as a wall behind a contemporary residential bar,” says Schaefer.
Unique projects
“One recent project along Florida’s Gulf Shore utilized our CoastalReef stone veneer to create a stunning, seamless transition between interior and exterior spaces,” says Hawfield.
“The profile’s unique ocean-worn coral accents, deeply faceted texture and color palette help to create a memorable connection between various rooms and along part of the outer façade of the home.”
“Unique niche projects like wine walls, stone backsplashes and bathroom applications are becoming more prevalent,” says Johnson.
Popular products
“Eldorado Stone’s Vintage Ranch profile has garnered a great deal of coverage since its debut earlier this year, due in large part to its authentic wood plank stone profile inspired by the rich color tones and textures of naturally weathered wood,” says Hawfield. “Both durable and sustainable, Vintage Ranch preserves the authentic look and feel of oak, Douglas Fir and pine in an easy-to-install panelized format, combining planks of varying height and depth to provide the ambiance of real wood in a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces.”
“A product line that’s gaining a lot of traction with our customers recently is our new WoodStone Series,” says Johnson. “It’s a concrete-based product that replicates beautiful reclaimed barn wood, rough-cut wood and refined oak textures. WoodStone is a low-maintenance product, insect and fire resistant and available in an array of colors.”
Manufactured stone veneer can be used to enhance just about any part of the home, and builders, designers and homeowners are using it to their advantage.