Stone veneer
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Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer is a decorative building material manufactured to replicate the look of natural stone. The names artificial stones, stacked stone veneer, manufactured stone are also used for stone veneer.
Stone veneer is fabricated by pouring a lightweight concrete mix to rubber forms of different style and then painted with a coloring process which makes it resemble real stone. The stone veneer produced is then attached to walls with special mortars.
The advantages of manufactured stone veneer over natural stone are:
cost (cost of material, cost of application, waste cost)
weight (ease and cost of application)
variety of designs and colours
Manufactured veneer is cheaper than natural stone, approximately 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of natural stone. Its light weight eliminates the need for wall ties or footings and make it easier and cheaper to build. Furthermore, manufactured stone has a significantly smaller waste factor than natural stone. The variety of designs and colours makes available options which would not be available with natural stone, since natural stone is used in the general area around the locality which it is extracted.
There are also disadvantages for stone veneer compared to natural stone: It is not as strong as natural stone; if a piece breaks, or if a piece is removed from the wall, then unless it is replaced, it shows significantly; it is not reusable as natural stones are.
In Canada, these stone veneers are a matter of controversy as the climates for which they were originally tested and designed to perform are not present. Rather, they are subjected to significant temperature fluctuations, freeze/thaw cycles, and moisture accumulation that the assembly can not withstand. When reviewed for adequacy and performance, installations performed as outlined in the manufacturer guidelines are frequently considered deficient and requested to be replaced. Unfortunately, not always is this done due to costs and construction time lines of the home building industry.
When considering a manufactured, cultured, or thin stone veneer for your home, also consider the entire wall assembly (interior gypsum through to stone veneer) as this attractive cladding can have a detrimental impact on the wall’s overall performance. Should you not be aware of the assembly options, contact a Professional or Building Envelope specialist in your area. They can provide a 3rd Party review of the product, design details for the contractor / builder, and perform on-site inspections to confirm adequacy of the installation.
Remember, it’s not the product that has failed, it is the components of the installation and their ability to perform in a given environment that is the issue. A properly designed and installed stone veneer will provide many years of enjoyment. However, an installation that does not consider your particular environment and climatic conditions can cause detrimental damage to both the veneer and your home.
Be aware, build with care.
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