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Faux Stone Panels Advantages

Using Real Stone Equals Real Problems

Stone may look great but the alternatives have made the antiquated method of laying natural stone obsolete. Take a look at the large heavy blocks in the picture below and try to imagine how long and tiring it must be to build a wall. Why would anybody use this old method when they could finish the project in a fraction of the time and cost?

Laying Heavy Stone
Laying Heavy Stone

Real stone has many setbacks that can turn a simple building project into a nightmare. The hardest part of starting a building or renovation project is the budgeting process.

Many factors must be projected and calculated to perfection. When using conventional masonry calculating for maintenance must also be a factor into the budget plan or else a nasty surprises could occur that will sink the whole project. Making sure this doesn’t happen should be a number one priority.

Frustrated Contractor
Frustrated Contractor

Investors look at the bottom line for the immediate project, but do not consider certain problems that may arise in the future because they are focused on the present revenue. Many people have the natural tendency to look at the face value of things without evaluating the true cost. A great way to avoid this would be to consult the online masonry guide. Any research will prove that faux stone is the best way to get the stone look without all the headaches. Most people forget about repair or maintenance costs when they are doing a project this oversight can sink a picture.

Homeowners also get trapped in this budgeting oversight. Failing to account for loose bricks or mislaid stones that fall off equals a serious repair cost that doesn’t happen with faux stone. These problems will turn a professional looking project into a disaster zone. Masonry maintenance is very expensive because it requires a mason to come out on site with an expensive wet saw and other materials. In addition, humid climates can create a lot of moisture which can cause serious damage if there is not a proper drainage system by the substrate.

Hard Stone Project
Hard Stone Project

Stone is not only heavy and hard to install but dangerous. There have been serious incidents where joints inside the interior wall have deteriorated due to a lack of drainage for moisture which led to the overall collapse of the wall system.

Even larger buildings like universities and apartments have all experienced this problem at one time or another. This is a serious issue with masonry which is very expensive to fix.

Thankfully, imitation stone panels have avoided this problem by combining a cladding system that is also waterproof and dissolves the need to create a flashing system. Once the panels are adhered to the surface the builder can caulk the sides of the panels to make sure they are water proof and it is done. People have even created retainer walls and fences with this product.

Faux Stone Fence
Faux Stone Fence

The weight of the panels does not pose a problem.  to the surface When they are being applied to because they are so light they do not need any lateral support beams.

Moisture poses no problem to the panels because they create a closed cell structure when they are hardened.

After the home is sealed with any form of licensed waterproof barrier(consult building code for your state because they may differ) then you can simply apply the panels and the project is finished in no time. Faux Stone Veneer is the perfect solution to the drawbacks and problems of using real stone.