Pros & Cons of Manufactured Stone

Submitted by FSM on Wed, 01/19/2022 - 10:11am

Home building typically has a small team of people making a ton of big decisions. If you’ve ever built or remodeled a home, you experienced firsthand how difficult it can be deciding what building materials to use. This process always starts out fun, but gets tedious rather quickly. Homeowners and contractors agree that selecting materials is becoming a challenge, because new building products are constantly making their way into the marketplace.

If you’ve done your homework and are considering stone as a material for your home, we want to help you make the best decision. Our manufactured stone products are made to last and they’re designed to give your home the timeless style you want. Every stone is expertly crafted to look virtually indistinguishable from a genuine stone you would see in nature. Plus the stones we produce have to meet our high-quality standards before they’re sent to our distributors.

Need more reasons why you should choose Casa di Sassi stone veneer? Learn more about evaluating the pros and cons, then think about all the areas of your home that would look better with a manufactured stone upgrade.

The Pros of Manufactured Stone

Using manufactured stone as a building material has plenty of pros. Obvious ones include elevating your home’s curb appeal and enhancing its aesthetics. A not-so-obvious pro is the positive impact stone has on your home’s long-term value. And a very big pro for those with limited budgets is how affordable manufactured stone is compared to natural stone.

Check it out! Here are top pros you need to know:

Return on Investment

If current economic trends continue, the amount you invest in manufactured stone siding today should almost completely return your investment when you sell your house years from now. Simply wait five or ten years to sell, and expect to get 90% or more of that initial cost back. Current homebuyers actively seek properties with stone, and will pay top asking price for a home that has stone features throughout.

Manufactured stone is a smart investment. Its high quality can lead to prices that are higher than vinyl and other types of siding (natural stone NOT included). But the extra cost now pays off by increasing your home’s value and attracting more buyers willing to pay top dollar for your property.

Lightweight and Easy to Install

Another advantage of faux stone is how much lighter it is when compared to natural stone. This is especially important for installation purposes. Lighter materials like manufactured stone veneers are easier to install, and they can be applied to a wider variety of surfaces, including most walls in your home.

Designers and contractors will recommend manufactured stone for almost all indoor projects. The eye-catching stone accent walls and fireplace surrounds you see and love on social media would be difficult or impossible to do with heavy natural stone.

Durable and Long-Lasting

When you invest in stone veneer (faux stone) siding you want to make sure it lasts. Manufactured stone veneer produced today not only looks better, it is longer lasting than similar products made over a decade ago. Recent advances in stone manufacturing have significantly improved product quality. With proper care and maintenance, stone veneer surfaces will look new well into the future, withstanding exposure to snow, sun, rain, and extreme temperatures.

The Cons of Manufactured Stone

Every type of building material, including manufactured stone, has certain limitations. While the pros definitely outweigh the cons, homeowners should be aware of what might go wrong or when manufactured stone is not the best choice for their project.

Improper Installation

The problem here isn’t the product’s fault, it’s what can happen after a not-so-good installation. If your installer doesn’t apply the proper backing materials before applying the veneers, moisture accumulation can occur between the stone siding and your home’s surface. This can result in costly water damage years later.

The best advice here is to work with your contractor to make sure the installation crew is experienced and properly trained.

Placement Problem

Manufactured stone products seem to check all the right boxes. They lead the way in quality, style, durability, easy maintenance and much more. In certain cases, there are limitations to their longevity and appearance. If they are installed in areas that are exposed to certain chemicals, damage can happen to the stone surface.

Faux stone isn’t recommended for the walls of in-ground swimming pools. Chemicals in the pool water will damage manufactured stone’s coloration and surface features. If you are thinking of a faux stone patio, or garden area, just be aware that chemical-based fertilizer and pesticide sprays could potentially harm nearby stone.

Opt for Casa di Sassi Veneer

Finding the right materials for remodels and new homes isn’t easy. Hopefully manufactured stone’s many pros will make it a top choice for future projects. When you choose Casa di Sassi manufactured stone veneers and accessories, you can be assured of top quality and timeless authenticity. Our stone profiles are inspired by handpicked stones and architectural designs from around the world. Plus, all of our stone products are backed by an industry leading 50 year warranty.

Now that you know the pros and cons of manufactured stone, are you ready to opt for Casa di Sassi as your leading supplier? Contact us today.