Categories
Faux Stone Panels Advantages

Veneer Panel Science Saves Money for Homeowner

Science is an asset that always helps people in the long and short term. In this case scientific breakthroughs have made polyurethane into the saving grace for homeowners and business owners who want to remodel their place. Polyurethane can be made with a simple process by combining two chemical groups leading to a very versatile chemical which is then heated and hardened into a strong resin. This chemical compound has been used to create a plethora of different products. In fact it is used in hundreds of different products that we see everyday. It is fairly cheap to produce and can take any size or shape that the mold comes in.

faux stone siding on fire pit
faux stone siding on fire pit
faux stone bar
faux stone bar

The difference between imitation and real products is in the installation material cost, time, and labor price. The consistency of the pattern is better with stone veneer because you are avoiding the use of mortar and grout which has variations.

The veneer panels create a flowing and even design where as certain natural elements can be mismatched and uneven due to poor grout placement. Sometimes the real thing is just too problematic because it has so many setbacks.

The great thing about using faux stone and imitation products is that there is no way you could have a stone falling out of line or grout that was mixed incorrectly leading to runoff which in turn skews the pattern.

 

 

Science Saves The Day

Another great scientific advantage is the closed cell structure that allows faux stone products to become waterproof and UV proof. When polyurethane products become hardened in the oven the foam closes up its cells. This enables the product to be placed outside or inside in any climate. The polyurethane process does not take too long either because the molds hold the design that is needed it is simply a matter of pressing the resin together and going on from there. Most design problems can be taken care of with this product because of its flexibility.

Making the right decision for your home or business is important. Building up the area in which you choose to remodel is a tedious and special process. When most people hear of a new method which is an evolution of a traditional one they seem skeptical at first. Fortunately, when people use faux products they always love the end result and appreciate the great look it brings to their project without the hassle and mess of having a masonry workshop building stone pieces in their home or business.

 

Categories
Faux Stone Panels Advantages

Quick Installation Of Faux Stone Panels – DIY Stone.

Quick Installation Of Faux Stone Panels – DIY Stone.

If you own or rent a home you have probably experienced the stress involved with dealing with contractors. Some tenants try to build a decorative stone wall on their own because they cannot justify the cost of hiring a contractor when they do not own the unit. This usually adds to the overall frustration of the homeowner or tenant.

Stress related to real stone installation
Stress related to real stone installation

The DIY option is rapidly growing thanks to the fact that natural stone is not the only solution available when we need to create a stone wall. When using products faux stone panels or even cast stone the entire project becomes quite simple AND more affordable overall.

So, let’s safely assume that the average homeowner does not want to deal with mixing cements, cut and fit stone by stone or even brick, and even less worry about grouts between each block.

How real stone is installed
How real stone is installed

Materials like cultured stone or faux stone panels have been developed with the average “Joe” in mind. Who can’t use adhesives and screws in this DIY age?
That’s right; this is all you need to install faux stone panels. Let’s take a look at the steps required to install them.

Precautions – Keep in mind that you will need to use some carpentry tools. If you are not familiar with these tools please use caution.Tools Required:

  • Protection goggles
  • Circular saw or any saw available
  • Screws or nails and a tool to drive them
  • Some building glues for the panels
  • If installing outdoor, make sure to use galvanized screws

Preparing the walls:

  • Unlike real stone or the cultured type these fake panels do not need a concrete board or metal wiring. You can glue and nail the panels in place.
  • Make sure you have a solid surface on which to affix the faux stone panels. This can be drywall, concrete or even directly on the wood framing.

How to use the panels:

Stone 1
Stone 1
Stone 2
Stone 2
Stone 3
Stone 3

 

Most faux stone panels are designed and developed to remove most of the work from the users’ hands. These panels slide into with each other with the help of the interlocking edges that create a nice uniform look. In order to achieve this you will need to follow a straight line along which you can install the parts.

  • Start by laying your panels on the floor and see how many you need per row.
  • You will need to complete the first row before going to the next
  • Remove the joints on one side of the first panel and start your installation in the opposite direction.
  • Apply the glue in the rear, flat part of the panels and on the lips that will hold the next piece.
  • Secure the panel with some screws in the middle, by trying to hide them below the stones.
  • After the next panel is applied you can then drive the fasteners where the lips are.
  • When cutting a piece, you will need to mark and cut from the back side to avoid scratching the front surface and avoid “chipping”.
  • The ideal tool is the table saw but most tenants will not have one. In this case a skill saw will work just fine.
  • At the corners you can use pre made parts that blend into the panels perfectly to make the process even easier.

The manufacturers recommend not using caulking on the joint since the product is designed to interlock without visible gaps. Make sure to always follow an initial straight line.

As you can see, stone walls can be now created without real stone or contractor. Enjoy!

Categories
Faux Stone Panels Advantages

The Advantages Of Decorating With Faux Stone.

Nearly half of all Americans use some variety of stone products, such as stacked stone or even brick, to try to improve the atmosphere of their residences. There’s no question that these products are effective in enabling the individual to enjoy some kind of stone wall look; unfortunately they do not offer any long lasting solution or provide the saving that faux stone offers.

Imitation faux stone sheets
Imitation faux stone sheets

Decorating With Faux Stone.

For many decades our culture was used to having a member of the household do most the house work or light construction without having to pay an outside contractor. In-house construction and repairs used to be a very normal skill a household used to have. It was passed from one generation to another.
Today, for many reasons, most homeowners tend to hire a general contractor for various types of construction and even small home improvement projects.

The costs of employing a contractor today are often higher that what homeowners can afford. This is why some companies have come up with faux stone in order to provide a way of bypassing the need to hire external help.
With panels of faux stone a homeowner on a budget or anyone who doesn’t want to deal with costly labor can simply apply the panels on any surface on their own. They can pick the perfect product for their decoration preferences without having to wait for samples or design drawings.

Ordering And Delivery Process.

Another reason why faux stone is taking over cast stone, stone veneer and the cultured type in general is fact that anyone can order the material from the comfort of their desk and avoid paying high shipping costs deriving from the weight of traditional stone, brick and rocks.

Faux stone boards are approximately 9 pounds each and even with very large orders you can see a considerable saving. Some advanced web sites have a panel calculator as well as a shipping preview button. Beware of sites that do not quote you shipping costs. In the past we have found companies that billed their customers once the material was delivered.

Commercial Application Of Faux Stone
Commercial Application

Commercial And Residential Applications.

We have customers who switched from old style stones to faux stone have told us that they have no more interest in using products like cast stone or real rocks again. The ease of installation makes this product incredibly appealing to businesses. The biggest users of faux stone panels are display manufacturers. They love these panels because they help to reduce set up time at trade shows.
When using real stone it is impossible to screw the material in place and remove it when the show is over. This is only possible with high density resins faux boards.

So, the things to keep in mind when trying to make stone installation easy and affordable are these points. Come back often and take a look at our catalog to choose the style and color that goes with your design.