Manufactured stone is an alternative to using real stone which has to be transported, chiseled and shaped and then jointly installed by craft masons. While real stone is magnificent to look at and will last for centuries, the cost can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Creating the look of real stone at more than half the price by using manufactured stone is an option that many contractors and homeowners are now seriously considering.
it seems so real
Take a walk through the parks and visit the new buildings that have a stone front or paths with beautiful paths. Stop and feel the stones that have been placed with such care. You will not be able to tell if it is real stone or manufactured stone. The only giveaway will be the perfect pattern that is virtually impossible for man to create.
Manufactured stone is versatile
Preparing a surface to support the weight and roughness of real stone is a large part of the cost. Synthetic stone weighs much less than stone and can be placed on any type of surface without preparation. Many homeowners will consider manufactured stone when they want to maintain a stone or brick wall that has become unsightly after years of use. Matching the original design is very easy and can be used indoors or outdoors. Easy to maneuver and simple to install, there’s no reason to choose real stone.
Durable and maintenance free
Real stone is beautiful until it begins to chip and discolor from normal wear. Porous and exposed to spills and smoke, once real stone is marked it is virtually impossible to clean. Manufactured stone does not require maintenance due to the hydrophobicizers and polymers used in construction. Guaranteed for decades of use without tarnishing, cracking, or chipping, the faux stone eliminates the worry of your stone becoming unsightly.
Beautiful Colors and Any Type of Stone
Whether you’re considering a slate floor, marble countertops, or field stone for a fireplace, the options for manufactured stone are vast. Manufacturers can configure molds for just about any screen you have in mind, including corners, trim, and inlays. Colors can be mixed into the stone with iron oxide pigments that bring out the natural features of a mountainside or the brilliant look of beautiful quartz for flat surfaces.
cost factor
Shipping rocks from all over the world to have the best looking stone comes at an abominable cost. Between the weight and the duration of the trip, it is not difficult to come across millions of thousands of dollars. Being able to have the same stone look for less than $10 per square foot just makes sense. Even experts will argue that the texture and characteristics of cultured stone are difficult to distinguish from the real thing.
If you’re considering stone for a project, look at the positive options manufactured stone offers and you’ll soon see why this product is gaining in popularity.