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Faux Stone Panels Advantages

How To Install Faux Stone

How To Install Faux Stone

Faux stone in the form of paneling is engineered to interlock and fit like a jigsaw puzzle.

Laguna faux stone panel cappuccino

These products require very little tools to install. All you need are basic carpenter’s tools like circular saws, drill and construction adhesive. It’s quite simple to install them.

Take a look at the panels, if they have the protruding fingers on the right side then you will install the panels from right to left so that the next pane will just sit atop the previous one.

Before starting to install the panels it would good practice to make a chalk line at the base of the wall to make sure the starting row is straight and  horizontal.

The first panel should have the right edge cut straight and remove the “fingers”. This way the panel will butt tightly against the next wall.

Cutting one side of the faux stone panel to create a straight edge.

With a caulking gun and a tube of adhesive, apply a generous amount of adhesive in the back of the panels. Also apply it where the panels overlap.

Continue installing panels by interlocking them with each other. When you reach the end of the wall you should measure how many inches you have to cover and cut the last panel to fit that space.

When starting the next row, you do not need to use a new panel. We suggest using the leftover panel from the previous row. By doing this the joints in each row will not align with those in the row below.

If you have ordered outside corners, this is when you install them.

You may also miter-cut the panels at 45 degrees if you prefer not to use corners.

If your panels are not installed between to right-angle walls, so the edges of the panels are visible, you may use our Trim pieces to cap those edges. This is also useful if you install the panels half way on a wall.

Explore all the colors available in our catalog.

In most cases the caulking of the joints is not necessary. You may want to consider using it on the white panels, where the joints are more visible. The darker colors usually do not need caulking.

Faux stone installed in an interior fireplace application.
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Faux Stone Panels Advantages

Faux Stone, What Is It?

What is faux stone?

It’s a question many have asked us for a very long time.
Some believe it’s a great invention, some think it looks too fake and others do not know what to think.

We all want to create a stone wall or wainscoting look without spending a fortune.

Faux-Stone-Wainscoting

There are many forms of faux stone.
-It can be me made of a mix of cement and fillers like pebbles or crushed rocks and gypsum.

-Some homeowners spend a considerable time creating a faux stone look with faux paints.

-Others have had the fortune to try and love the one we recommend which is made of a resin composite and does not have many of the drawbacks of concrete or gypsum.

We often hear from people in the trade that they prefer “real stone”. What we usually do is make sure they understand that what they are looking at is not real stone but a form of faux stone. An easy way to find out if you’re looking at “real” stone is by grabbing a sample and either cutting it or breaking it. In most cases, inside you will see the shapes of the crushed stones and the concrete.

We also often bring up the cost of using ACTUAL real stone. Not many can afford the real thing.

We then ask “Did you know that concrete acts as a form of sponge in contact with rain water?”

Mold-over-faux-stone-blocks

Suddenly they realize that I can’t be real stone and that it’s not a very good option for outdoor.
When water gets absorbed it will stay embedded in the blocks and slowly create a nasty dark look and it also contributes to the discoloration of the paints.

We decided to support and promote faux stone in polyurethane panels to remove all the issues mentioned above. They look just as real as many other products, are designed to install very fast and requiring little maintenance and most of all to make the overall project affordable.

Faux-slate-stone
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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!

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Faux Stone Panels Advantages

Five Reasons To Use Fake over Real Brick.

People have been finding out that faux stone is better! Many homeowners or business owners have been using faux stone instead of real stone for their home and business renovations! See why you should too!

Imitation Vs Real
Cut Faux Stone Polyurethane

  1. Desirable Installation Perks: Faux Stone Panels are lightweight and easy to install. With simple woodworking tools, you can make virtually any adjustments by simply cutting it to the desired shape and dimensions. With adhesive and screws you have the look of days worth of work in a few hours and with lower labor costs if you do the project yourself.
  2. Get that Consistent Look: For a pattern with no variation in the grout lines the Faux Stone panels are a great choice! Faux Stone brick typically comes in panels that interlock together and give you a consistent and unified look despite the various persons and time frames that go into working on your project.
  3. Minimal Maintenance Needs: Faux Stone does not stain easily, there is no grout deterioration to deal with and no chipping away at the crumbling layers of aging stones. Even better, you can find these panels UV and water resistant and can even keep color lasting longer.
  4. Look of Real Stone: Faux Stone panels are made out of moldings that are created with the use of real stone. The molding creates a very real shape and texture taken from the actual stone which leaves the panel looking and feeling as realistic as the real thing.
  5. Affordable: The manufacturing process and material of the product allows Faux Stone to be much more affordable than real stone, yet with more advantages, including the savings on labor to install the products. Installation of these products are so simple that the cost of installation is reduced significantly.

Overall, Faux Stone is more affordable as well as convenient without putting a hole in your pockets for the look that you want.

 

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Faux Stone Panels Advantages Makeover Ideas

Traditional Design And How It Has Evolved

When people mention a traditional design what is the first thought that comes to mind? Most people tend to think about old antiquated genres of style. Perhaps Victorian interiors or Greek masonry come to mind but in reality traditional design has evolved as our perception old has changed. Every generation has its own style. The way we view traditional home design reflects how we think about the past.

Polyurethane brick
Penthouse faux brick panels application

Some luxury designers like to use traditional concepts to create their own brand of luxury. Many modern penthouses and condos combine exquisite modern improvements with traditional styles.

As of 2013 designers have created a strong push for a well balanced approach when designing. There is a hint of utilitarian efficiency that can be seen in modern showers that are designed with basic amenities and no extra pieces.

“Simple, yet elegant,” was how one of the home owners in the prestigious Canyon Ranch in Miami Beach have described the styles of condos being created. Many condos are selling fully furnished which give people a chance to see just what direction style is taking. Plus it saves them time and money so they don’t have to find furniture themselves.

Industrial space redesigned
Using white brick to redesign a modern space

The designers are establishing more influence amongst the construction industry. More and more clients have flocked to the advice of interior designers and the contractors in turn follow the clients’ wishes. With the onset of new products to the home improvement market many designers have increased their flexibility by using the newest, most advanced technology and products available to them. Some of this advanced technology has created an exploding market of polyurethane architectural elements. It is an incredible solution to the problems that come with stone because it helps save on installation cost, labor cost, and time expense.

Most designers have the need for using products that help extend their creative needs. Polyurethane architectural elements, like the high quality products we distribute, are one of the ways designers have extended their capabilities in their field.

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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.

 

 

 

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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.

 

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Faux Stone Panels Advantages

How to Cut Faux Stone Properly

Tips on Cutting Faux Stone Panels Correctly

Faux stone is one of the most versatile products to hit the home improvement market. In this article we will discuss how to properly cut faux stone. Cutting faux stone is simple and easy to do. The polyurethane is durable yet light enough to allow for an easy cut with any saw. The recommended saw for this product is the table saw. It ensures the straightest and highest quality cut. If you look in your garage and your toolbox and do not find one do not worry you will still be able to use any other kind of saw such as a jigsaw or circular saw in order to finish your product.

The main thing you should be focused on while doing your project is the proper preparation in order to secure the panels into place and to ensure the correct measurements for your needs. Do not fret because installing faux stone only takes minutes. The amazing difference is jaw dropping and highly gratifying once you see your redesigned porch and realized that you did yourself or got somebody to do it at a fraction of the cost of real stone. Take a look:
http://www.fauxstonedepot.com

Avoiding Problems

Deciding On Right Approach
Correct Preparation Saves time.

Some problems that arise while cutting is dealing with pipes or fixtures that they want to panel around which highlights the beauty of faux stone which is simply that you can cut anywhere to fit your needs. After you receive a panel you simply face it where you want and draw out the line where you need to cut in order to fit the piping. If you run into any problems such as having too much or little of a panel the large assortment of finished edges will fit to your needs thereby giving you the customized look and professional finished result when you are done with your project.

Indeed, if the surface you are looking to cover has windows and other fixtures a simple calculation can be done in order to ensure you get the right amount of material. Essentially, all you have to do is calculate the area of the windows or doors but the best way to do the calculations is to let support staff and customer service. Multiply length by width of the window or door then subtract that amount by the whole area of the wall. The answer you will have is the square feet of area you need to cover.

After Faux Stone Siding Is Installed
After Faux Stone Siding Is Installed

Once you have established the exact area you need to cover draw out where the panels will go. Then apply how many you will need according to your design. Triple check your measurements and then confirm with the actual panels where you want them to go. Make sure to do the cutting as you go. Do not start cutting right away or else you will not be able to keep a continuous flow of pattern. The goal is to stack the panels properly cutting off the edges in order to place them in a pattern. The edge that you cut off goes onto the level right above it and interlocks them into place that is why it is important to do your cutting as you go along.

A great place to find a picture step guide is by searching Google or Youtube for how to install faux products.  So keep your saw and marker handy. Always, use your tape measure in order to ensure you are cutting off the right pieces. In order to ensure a professional look make sure edges are cut straight. Be safe and have fun with your next home transformation project.

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Faux Stone Panels Advantages Makeover Ideas

Fireplace Makeover

Any fire place can be easily transformed in a day with the faux stone panels.

The fireplace is usually a dominant characteristic of any home. Its central location in the home guarantees every guest will see it. The fireplace is iconic so using a unique design to make your home a little more cozy is very important.  
When most people buy a home they like to make it their own with their own additions. Fireplaces represent the most common place people start to personalize their home. When considering changing or decorating your fireplace consider using faux stone if you plan to do it yourself.
http://www.fauxstonedepot.com

Project Completed
The completed faux stone fireplace

The greatest advantage of using faux stone to remodel your fireplace is the diversity of colors and textures that can be applied. Paint will fade and could be a messy and stressful process. Replacing the whole fireplace set or columns etc. will be expensive, tedious, and messy. The best way to avoid this and save money as well as time is by simply using these products to accentuate and revolutionize your fireplace.

The durable material is called polyurethane but it should still be kept at least five to six inches from the heat source. There have been many people who had extra masonry done around their fireplace, yet they constantly complain about how long it takes and how much dust was bothering them.

How real stone is installed
How real stone is installed

For any design purpose imitation stone or brick could be applied to the fireplace as long as it is five to six inches away from heat source. We could take a plain beige wall and white fireplace and transform it into one of the most appealing and unique fireplaces in any home.

Find your color theme then establish the mood you want to set. Then take your measurements and just apply it to the surfaces. Within one day you have a new fireplace. The best feeling is knowing that you did it yourself and you saved money while beautifying your home and increasing its unique qualities and characteristics.

When redesigning your fireplace take a look at the edges and then the furniture. Observe the colors you have in the room and the texture. If you want to change the color and texture faux stone or brick can do both.

Redesigning is also redefining your living space and lifestyle. By creating your own version you are putting yourself in the designer’s seat so have fun and explore your options. But do not get stuck deep into a huge construction project that will consume your living space such as this project has in this home from the picture below.

stone mortaring and construction
Stone Mortaring and Construction

Once enough research has been done the logical conclusion will be to use the faux stone if you want to contrast or accent the fireplace in your humble abode.

There are many examples where you can see how it vastly changes the look of the room. Any quiet plain room is now dominated by a beautiful fireplace giving it a luxurious look and feel. So enjoy using faux stone or brick in your next fireplace makeover. Good luck and have fun with your project.

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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!