The Sheer Veneer of Manufactured Stone

Human history has provided dwellings of all shapes and sizes, consisting of different materials to decorate and/or stabilize (or both) structures. Natural stone was a hugely popular choice due largely to its strength and aesthetic value. Pricey due to its being of the earth and therefore limited in supply, full-fledged stone use in construction and exterior decor has greatly dropped off in recent decades. The cost and availability of manufactured materials like concrete, made stone almost obsolete in the building of new homes. The overall beauty of stone as applied in “siding” on houses fueled a need for cheaper alternatives that present in the same way. Thus we have manufactured stone for Minneapolis home buyers and owners.

Known by many names, manufactured stone goes by stone veneer, manufactured veneer, faux stone, lick and stick stone, and so on. Manufactured stone is made of a molded concrete mix that will be “dyed” or painted to mimic the look of any popular type of real stone used in decorating a home’s exterior. 

Manufactured stone is much lighter than their natural counterparts allowing for ease of installation. Less weight also equals less cost as the need for weight support is substantially less than that of most any natural stone. The weight of the manufactured stone is carried by the framing of the building itself and not the foundation. This makes remodeling easier in all aspects.

The installation process itself is much like that of applying stucco—a sticky base is applied and the manufactured stone pieces or slabs are fit in. The stucco application similarities require only an extra step for exterior applications of manufactured stone: a weather resistant barrier consisting of wire mesh, coat of mortar, mortar applied to back of stones and they are then placed on the wall.

Cascade Stone has been doing manufactured stone on houses for many years. Our process involves blending colors into the stones, utilizing natural pigments and permanent oxides.  The colors chosen become part of the manufactured stone itself are not mere surface tints. Our stone veneers can be installed onto any structurally fitting interior or exterior surface using regular mortar. Manufactured stone provided by Cascade Stone are not flammable.

Cascade Stone manufactures stones that can be installed one of three ways; grouted, dry stacked or both. Check with Cascade Stone at the time of purchase for installation instructions that correspond with the type of stone you have selected.

Interested in learning more about manufactured stone for your Minneapolis home? For free literature, or the opportunity to speak with a sales representative, call Cascade Stone at 651-774-9657. You may also contact us to get a free estimate or stone sample.

Artificial Stone FAQs

Are you thinking about artificial stone for your Minneapolis home or business? There are plenty of great reasons to choose it! Cascade Stone specializes in making several different types of faux and artificial stone. Over our many years in business, we've been asked several different questions about artificial stone and its benefits. Here are a few of the questions we hear the most and our general answers to them.

Q: What types of artificial stone do you offer?

A: There is a wide variety of artificial stone on the market today, and we here at Cascade Stone offer several different types and styles. Castle rock, brick, fieldstone, hearth stone, trap rock, split face and ledgestone are just a few examples of the types of artificial stone that we have for sale.

Q: Can anyone tell the difference between artificial stone and the real thing?

A: To the naked eye, there is no difference between artificial stone and natural stone. Thanks to the way we manufacture our stone, it looks exactly like the real thing.

Q: How easy is it to install artificial stone? Do I need any special tools or equipment?

A: Artificial stone is quite easy to install. You do not need a lot of extra tools to properly install our artificial stone either. We will give you detailed instructions on how to correctly install your new stone when you purchase the stone from us.

Q: Why is artificial stone a better choice than natural stone?

A: There are a few reasons for this. For one thing, artificial stone is more cost-effective than natural stone, which makes it fit well into just about any type of commercial or residential renovation project or new construction project. For another thing, your options are usually limited when it comes to natural stone. For example, if you really want a certain type of fieldstone but the closest place they have it is somewhere 500 miles away, you will have to pay to have it shipped to your location. Stone is heavy, so shipping fees will probably be quite expensive! But thanks to how lightweight artificial stone is, it is easy to find and ship just about anywhere in this area and beyond.

Would you like to learn more about artificial stone in Minneapolis? Call Cascade Stone at 651-774-9657, or you can contact us to get a Free Estimate or Stone Sample.

Welcome to Our Blogger!

Welcome to Cascade Stone’s Blogger! We make manufactured stone and brick veneers for residential and commercial use in the Twin Cities. We create our stone to be an economical alternative to heavy stones, limestone or full-sized bricks. Our stones are great for entrance monuments, fireplaces and retaining walls as well as the interior or exterior of your home or business. All of our products come with a 50-year warranty.

Keep checking our blog for updates on new products.

For more information, contact us or call 651-774-9657.