What is Stone Veneer? Your Guide to Affordable Interior & Exterior Faux Stone Solutions

If you love the look of natural stone but are looking for a more affordable solution, faux stone offers the look and beauty of a stone finish without the price tag. What is stone veneer, and how will it improve your home’s appearance while keeping you well within budget? 

cheap white natural stone cladding for exterior wall

What is Stone Veneer?

Stone veneer is a layer of cut natural stone or stone substitute that’s attached to a surface to give the appearance of a stone finish. It isn’t intended to be weight bearing, but it will offer protection from the elements when used as siding.

What’s the Difference Between Stone Veneer and Faux Stone?

Stone veneer covers a variety of stone finishes, including faux stone. It varies in thickness and the origin of materials.

1. Faux Stone

The most affordable option of stone veneer, also known as manufactured or faux stone, is a combination of aggregates, Portland cement, and, for coloration, mineral oxides. This mixture is then placed into molds and cast into realistic looking stone finishes. This is what makes stone veneer easier to work with, and more affordable than real stone options. Faux stone, or manufactured stone, is a very convincing replacement for real stone.

2. Natural Thin Stone Veneer

Natural thin stone veneer is real stone that comes from a quarry, riverbed, or mountain. As the name implies, it’s cut into very thin slices, usually around one inch in thickness. These stones can be shaped and result in a sturdy, beautiful, and elegant finish for your home’s exterior, but are also a good choice for interior accents.

3. Full Bed Veneer

Also made of real, natural stone, full bed veneer finishes use the same process as natural thin stone veneer during production. Three to five inches in thickness, full bed veneer is sturdier, but a little harder to work with. That’s why this option, while beautiful and durable, is priced a bit above other options.

Are There Benefits to Choosing Stone Veneers?

Stone has always been a beautiful and elegant choice for homes, no matter the design or location. Unfortunately for many homeowners, building with stone is expensive. Cutting, hauling, and shaping, weight and load bearing limitations, and fitting these stone blocks are all considerations that place the option of building or refinishing with stone out of reach for many homeowners.

There are plenty of benefits to choosing stone veneers for interior and exterior projects alike.

Versatility

Because faux stone is thinner and far easier to shape and place, it’s a great choice for interior wall accents as well as exterior projects. With stone veneer, you get the look of stone without a significant impact on space.

Lightweight

Stone veneers are lighter than stone blocks, meaning they won’t add to your building’s weight bearing load. Despite being lighter, these finishes are durable and low-maintenance. Lightweight stone veneers are also less expensive to transport and use in projects.

Affordability

Veneers save money with affordable production costs, as well as ease of installation. Adding a beautiful faux stone finish to your home will increase its curb appeal while adding protection, insulation, and weatherproofing for far less money than using full stone finishes.

Durability

Because faux stone is weather resistant, it requires much less maintenance than other siding options. This is an investment that adds more than beauty and elegance to your home. It’s an eco-friendly, fully recyclable, fire-resistant finish that will last for decades to come.