Categories
Faux Stone Panels Advantages Makeover Ideas

How To Make Your Life Easier When Remodeling A Fireplace

Even with the many innovative products sold on the construction and DIY market we still see a lot of people using the so-called real stone. Although appealing, the real stone they refer to is not on the market. What we see is almost always concrete, a mix of cement, pebbles, gypsum and painted over.
The only things they have in common with real stone is the fact that they absorb water and stains and, are hard to cut and install and create a lot of dust in a home when they are cut.

Fireplace Created With Synthetic Stone Parts
Fireplace Created With Synthetic Stone Parts

As you can imagine by the above statement we prefer to talk about other products, those that don’t take shortcuts when created in the factory. The products that are designed to last and that are geared toward the “weekend warrior” rather than the expensive installer.

Stone veneer can be almost any material. Cast stone is also referred to as stone veneer but it’s really just a cast material that is thinner than other products. It is not necessarily cut down to a smaller thickness, in most cases it is cast in those dimensions.

So, the reason why products like these should be friendly to installers is that many homeowners who want to create or remodel a stone wall or a fireplace do not want to learn to be a mason, nor want to create a lot of dust in their house in the process.

Another reason why they don’t want to use materials that absorb water is that they will create outdoor facades so the material has to be resistant to stains, water and freezing temperatures. These qualities are simply not available to “concrete blocks” therefore they look into synthetic materials.

accessories
Accessories

Using stone and brick made of dense resins allows you to have a variety of accessories to make the projects easy to complete. You can find things like:

Inside or Outside corners

Ledge trim

Outlet trim

And more.

Imitation stone veneer
Imitation stone veneer

When creating your own walls a homeowner doesn’t want to buy a wet saw and learn to be cut dusty materials to create corners. Polyurethane accessories are ready to install and if you had to cut them to size you could do so by simply using a jig saw.

Making the shift from heavy products to light ones is actually risk proof. You can order a panel or two or a small sample to see what you will be dealing with. Most companies will take that product back if you are not satisfied.

The remodeling projects are becoming easier and easier to complete. Stay up-to-date with the available options!

Categories
Faux Stone Panels Advantages Makeover Ideas

Fireplace Remodeling Without The Hassle

The fireplace is one of the hardest areas to remodel. Finding a product that speeds up the process is essential to getting a great professional project. Using imitation stone can give you the best look at the best price. You save on installation and labor costs and you can make your home look great.

Perfect Fake Stone Fireplace
Perfect Fake Stone Fireplace

Every stone project requires a long time to complete. The best way to avoid a long construction period is by utilizing faux stone walls to create that great stone look in a tenth of the time.

If the fireplace looks blank and boring and it is in dire need of remodeling, then don’t fear a long construction process.

With the following information you will learn how to avoid expensive contractors and tedious masonry labor.

  • First we have to start with the surface. If your fireplace already has brick or stone facing on, it’s no problem. All you have to do to cover it is by using some sheets of plywood that can be screwed onto using masonry screws. This way homeowners can avoid taking off the actual stone facing without an expensive and messy tear down process.
  • Once a flat surface has been created around the perimeter of the fireplace then it is time to take the dimensions. Write down as many dimensions with the tape measure as you can in order to get the most accurate estimate of how many panels you will need to use.
  • Most projects will require cuts to panels. Find a place outside that is easy to clean so when the dust from cutting the panels falls on the project area it can be easily dispersed or swept up. Cutting them on grass is great since it only takes a quick shower from a hose to wash away the dust without any trouble. It is important to remember to cut as you go so that you don’t make any mistakes.

    Mitered Faux Stone Panels
    Mitered Faux Stone Panels
  • Here comes the fun part of applying the actual panels to the project site. When you are putting them on the surface hold the panel in its place for about a minute or two with your full weight to secure the panel onto the substrate. Drive some screws into it.

    Adhering Panels
    Adhering Panels

Once you are done use your touch up kit to paint any spots that may require it. Now you have a new fireplace.

Remodeling the fireplace makes a big difference and adds value to the house.

Creating a unique fireplace means making the best possible product without taking a long time. Finishing that long project in less than a day is worth it because it makes the renovation process a lot easier.

Categories
Faux Stone Panels Advantages

Cheap Renovation Ideas

It is not difficult to find the old houses in a neighborhood because they stick out like a sore thumb. If the front yard has an old mailbox or chipped paint those are telltale signs of an old house in desperate need of a renovation. It is very important that people focus on the fixing the front of their house before anything else if they want to increase the resale value.

Home Renovation Drawings
Home Renovation Drawings

Finding ways to spruce up the home is difficult because of many different factors. The main obstacle people face when remodeling is usually related to budget.

The second most common factor is time. After those two main obstacles there are more unique reasons why homeowners can’t renovate which will be discussed in further articles.

The financial hurdle is a common problem people face when they want to remodel. There are many ways around that because of different products that were designed to make the remodeling process easier and cheaper.

It is important to remember that the highest expense during a project is the labor. Labor costs are higher when skilled labor is needed which is the case for masonry projects. That expense drives up the bill which brings in another detrimental obstacle; time.

Home renovation before picture
Home renovation before picture

When a project goes over the deadline it can become fatal. Over time means over budget which can stop a project dead in its track whether it is an addition to a house or a tall skyscraper. This can leave homes looking like this picture for months.

Finishing renovations in a short amount of time enables many people to have the freedom to fix their home without losing it to creditors.

So the best way to save money on renovation projects is by simply doing as much of the work yourself as you can. Doing it yourself also gives you more quality control. With the wealth of information on the internet, it is easier than ever to find out ways of fixing up the home yourself.

With Youtube among other resources people can find thousands of different helpful videos. Plus there is a long list of different websites aimed at informing people of home improvement tips. Find the help you need to finish your project within yourself and enjoy the fruits of your labor. There is no price tag on getting the home of your dreams with your own two hands. It is essential to keep in mind the amount of labor the stone panels can save because it is expensive to have a crew of people working in your home.

Home Renovation After
Home Renovation After

 

Categories
Faux Stone Panels Advantages

The Elements of Fake Stone And Brick Panels

 

Fake stone and brick panels have been made possible by the chemical compound known as polyurethane. The best way to describe it would be by calling it a hardened resin. This resin can be molded in any shape or form enabling it to become anything from architectural elements to panels resembling stone or brick. These products have a diverse range of applications because they are so easy and convenient to install.

Cut Faux Stone Polyurethane
Cut Faux Stone Polyurethane

The hardened polyurethane resin has many qualities that make it the most marketable product in the industry.

When the material is formed and hardened it creates a closed cell structure that makes it impermeable to water. In addition, the panels are UV proof because of the numerous layers of high quality acrylic paint used in its construction.

 

Durability And Longevity Combined

The rate that the paint fades is 1% every 25 years. It is easy to cut and even easier to adhere to any flat surface. The panels can even be heated to a point where they are flexible enough to adhere on a curve with a ten foot radius. With simple construction adhesives you can be glued and gone in no time.

Faux Stone Close Up
Faux Stone Close Up

The numerous applications for the polyurethane panels are one of the main reasons for the success of this product but one of the greatest assets of this product is the ability to reduce the amount of time spent on any construction project using a stone design. Check out the various colors and textures you can get with Faux Stone Depot just click here.

 

 

 

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

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.