The masonry profession is nearly as old as human civilization and has shaped many of the world’s most stunning architectural wonders as well as casual, everyday home and workspaces. Bringing ambitious dreams to life often comes at a cost, however. Through the ages, masons have sometimes sacrificed their health and their artistic aspirations.

Aches, pains and physical weariness set in after decades of heavy lifting, sorting, shaping and installing full-bed stone. And an artistic weariness among masons comes from limited product options and seemingly ubiquitous projects.

But new product offerings, such as manufactured stone veneer (MSV), are opening up enticing avenues for artistically-minded masons to incorporate their own creative expression into individual projects while also completing more rapid installations and lightening the physical toll on their bodies, too.

Here are a few ways masons continue to evolve in their critical jobsite role:

Less Weight

One benefit of working with MSV, rather than full-bed natural veneer, comes from its lightweight properties. MSV typically comes off the pallet in easy-to-manage boxes that weigh roughly 10 pounds. Presorted for variations in color and size, MSV is easier for a mason to move, manipulate and apply.

Faster Installations

Installation also moves more quickly with MSV on most projects. Due to the weight that full-bed stone puts on mortar, even the most skilled masons can make only so much progress in a given day. Faster, easier installation allows masons to take on more projects in a busy season.

Artistic Pride

A wider selection of MSV color and texture selections — including a versatile mix of trend-setting modern profiles — appeals to the mason’s sense of artistic ownership on each project. For instance, more contemporary colors have begun to take the place of the traditional range of browns and grays.

The versatility of manufactured stone veneer allows masons to see themselves as more than just installers. These creative-minded individuals understand that masonry is an art, and MSV has given them another, less-taxing medium with which to work.

Introducing new products with trend-setting styles, lighter weights and ease of application will continue to impact both the homes and workspaces of tomorrow as well as the jobsite artisans who build them.

About Sarah Lograsso

As Director of Marketing and Portfolio Management for Westlake Royal Stone Solutions, Sarah has successfully coupled her design talents with business acumen to refresh, refine and distinctly position five standout brands in the North American market and abroad. She continues to provide design direction for the brands’ variety of best-selling modern profiles and trend-forward color palettes while also developing tools and merchandising for the commercial success of the multi-brand portfolio. By delivering a steady stream of compelling articles, interviews and technical resources to the market, Sarah has also established herself as a subject matter expert and industry thought leader.