Is All Stone Veneer Faux Stone?

Faux Stone Veneer

Faux stone is manufactured in quantity by mixing cement with stone aggregates and coloring to resemble natural stone or to create a stone veneer that does not appear in nature.

Cement is poured into different shape molds to create stones that resemble mosaic (broken ice), squares, rectangles, rounds, and stacked stones.

These pieces of cement are roughly 1″ thick and often have color applied to the outside of the cement to resemble different types of natural stone. In a single package of faux stone there will be duplicates.

Since making faux stone is a manufacturing process using rubber molds, casual inspection will reveal duplicate pieces in the project. When using natural stone, no two pieces are or could be exactly alike.

There are advantages and disadvantages to faux stone veneer. It is made from porous cement and is lighter than natural stone. Faux stone can appear to be real stone from a distance, but on closer examination the difference becomes obvious (see sidebar).

Disadvantages of faux stone veneer include no ability to trim stones as each stone is made from a cement cast, then painted and it is very obvious when it is chipped.

Faux stone veneer is often found in commercial spaces such as office buildings, restaurants, roadways, bridges, hotels, industrial buildings, medical facilities, and other large scale commercial sites.

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Today, faux stone and natural stone are often comparable in price. The primary reason for choosing manufactured stone veneers vs natural stone veneer used to be price. As faux stone manufacturer Centurion states, “A high-quality faux stone can cost more than some types of (natural) veneer, depending on how it is made.” Even though natural stone weighs more than faux stone, transportation costs are similar due to both being of equal size.

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The cost of installation may be less for faux stone, which stonemasons will tell you is faster to install. It may be an easier option for a DIY project. However, a stonemason’s primary skill is installing natural stone, and the artistry of doing so varies greatly.

Here are two tips about selecting a stonemason. The two most important points in the selection process are:

1. Ask to see photos of similar stone work they have completed.

2. After choosing your stonemason, have them create a small mockup using the natural stone veneer you have selected, especially for exterior siding, chimney, foundation, or outdoor kitchen.

Both faux stone and natural stone must be adhered to a structural wall over a layer of cement board. Both can be directly applied on a vertical brick surface, such as a chimney or house façade.