什麼是人造石板-石材面板

Faux stone panels greatly differ from natural stone and even from manufactured veneer stone. Faux stone panels are made of lightweight foam. While easy to cut and apply, faux stone panels are not durable against impact. Natural stone and manufactured stone are heavy, mineral-based products and are more durable.

Faux stone panels' greatest advantage is that they are easy to apply, requiring no mortar or grout. Faux stone applies with glue. On the downside, faux stone is impermanent, especially in high-traffic areas.

天然石材

Real, natural stone is the real stuff: 100-percent actual stone quarried from the earth. Few homeowners possess the masonry skills needed to work with stone, and even having previous experience with ceramic tile does not help much.

Plus, real stone is very heavy, with limestone tipping the scales at over 170 pounds per cubic foot. Interior stonework often requires additional bracing beneath. 

Manufactured Veneer Stone

Manufactured stone, represented by brands such as Cultured Stone, El Dorado, and Coronado Stone, feels very close to real stone. Cement and aggregates give 人造石 its heft and feel; iron oxides and other pigments give it a stone-like look.

Manufactured stone usually comes in individual stones that fit together with mortar, though sometimes it is available in panels. While not as heavy as real stone, manufactured stone is about 30-percent lighter than the real stone. Finally, the thickness can be an important issue when installing any veneer, thinner being better. Manufactured stone can run from several inches thick down to 3/4-inch. 

Faux Stone Veneer Panels

Faux stone panels are made of low-density foam with a durable impact-resistant plastic layer on top. Faux stone never has mineral content.

Faux stone veneer panels are often as large as 2-foot by 4-foot, even ranging up to 4-foot by 8-foot in some instances. Large format panels make the installation go faster.

Being made only of foam, these panels weigh only a few pounds per panel. In contrast to manufactured stone's several inches of thickness, faux stone panels are always thin, sometimes as thin as 3/4-inch.

Installation is easy, with most panels applying with construction adhesive. Some faux veneer panels can be used in exterior applications.

Faux Stone Panel Pros and Cons

Pros

• Larger format panels than found with manufactured veneer stone
• Easy to cut with a conventional hand saw
• From a distance, its appearance rivals manufactured veneer stone
• Lightweight
• Will not rot
• Easy application with construction glue

Cons

• Poor durability, especially against impact
• Not all panels can be installed on a fireplace
• Does not look similar to stone on closer examination

Faux Stone Panel Appearance

One of the best things about faux stone veneer panels is that, from a distance, they often can visually pass for real stone. At the very least, faux stone looks no less like a natural stone than does manufactured veneer stone.

Bargain faux veneer panels sometimes look decidedly fake. For that reason, it is wise to take advantage of any free sample offers from manufacturers and retailers. You will know instantly whether or not this product is right for your home.

Faux Stone Panel Durability

Because faux stone veneer is not a real stone or even engineered stone, durability is of primary importance. Faux stone veneer manufacturers rarely claim that their product will stand up to severe abuse, because the outer plastic shell is too thin to absorb impact.

Typical abuse, such as a chair swung in the wrong direction, will slice through the outer shell and gouge into the foam core. If you have boisterous children and the faux stone veneer is installed prominently, this product may not work for you. 

Faux Stone Panel Fire Rating

Some faux stone veneer panels are fire-rated, which may surprise some consumers since the product is made of foam. However, you do need to specifically look for a fire-rated product because not all faux stone is rated for fire.