Stone is one of the world’s most enduring building materials, and it has never offered as much versatility as it does today. Manufactured stone, in particular, offers lighter, thinner, and more diverse interpretations of natural surfaces than almost any other material. As manufacturing methods have continually improved over the years, manufactured stone veneer has become incredibly popular in today’s building market for a variety of reasons.
No other product offers the depth, complexity of color, pattern, and tactile distinction of manufactured stone. The nature-inspired textures and authentic color palettes of quality manufactured profiles are virtually indistinguishable from stone and other natural materials. This makes it easy to create a desired aesthetic.
What is Manufactured Stone Veneer?
Manufactured stone veneer (MSV) is a lightweight building material used as a decorative wall covering for exterior and interior surfaces. It is made of concrete and replicates the textures and colors of natural stone. The best manufacturers create molds from natural stones to capture and recreate the most authentic textures. The end result is a durable, lightweight stone veneer a few inches thick, which creates the illusion of a structural stone wall.
Common interior applications of MSV include living rooms, fireplaces, kitchens, bathrooms, stairways, wine cellars, and other unique spaces. On the exterior, popular applications include full façades, entryways, landscape walls, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and more.
Contemporary + Cost Effective
While earth tones have traditionally been king in the MSV industry, there is an increasing demand for contemporary profiles that utilize clean, linear formats and give specifiers a solution for elevating the stark simplicity of a modern aesthetic with nuances of color, depth and shadow. MSV is also the perfect solution for specifiers looking to incorporate authentic touches of texture without a lengthy installation process. It is designed to adhere easily to a variety of structurally sound surfaces.
At roughly one-third the weight and half the cost of full-bed-depth natural stone, MSV requires fewer structural modifications during a remodel and lower labor costs upon installation, making installs less difficult and less costly to achieve.
Designing with Nature in Mind
The design/build community continues to embrace biophilic design—which prioritizes the use of natural materials to reinforce our connections to the natural world—as a necessary approach for new projects and renovations. And rightfully so. There are a variety of health benefits including reduced stress and lower blood pressure and heart rates when we connect with nature, even when we are indoors.
MSV can play a key role when implementing biophilic design for a project. Commercial spaces such as luxury spas often incorporate stone and wood on the walls because of the calming effect of natural textures on the human psyche. This principle can be just as easily translated into someone’s home or office.
Long-Lasting Durability
MSV requires little maintenance after installation and can stand up to years of weathering, with little change to the color. Other environmental factors, such as freezing and thawing, are also not an issue, and MSV can withstand hot environments as well. In terms of day-to-day or seasonal cleaning, MSV is easy to clean with a water rinse and a soft bristle brush to remove any debris.
When it comes to selecting the right materials for any project, it’s important to streamline your specification process and consider every option. Given the intense attention to detail that goes into the development and evolution of MSV, manufactured profiles remain the preferred choice for interior and exterior spaces among a growing selection of options in both residential and commercial projects.
To explore the latest premium MSV options, visit Cultured Stone or find a dealer near you.
About the Author
As the Director of Technical and Training for Westlake Royal Stone Solutions, Jeff Tew is an invaluable thought leader and resource for trade professionals. With more than 25 years of career experience in Manufactured Stone Veneer (MSV), he works with masons, builders, architects and others in the construction industry to help design and build beautiful projects.
