Manufactured Stone

Manufactured Stone

 Q How do I go about choosing a high-quality faux stone with all the brands out there today? How do I tell them apart?

– Sandy L., via Facebook

A You seem to have already ruled out natural stone, for understandable reasons. Manufactured stone, also known as stone veneer, is a cost-effective way to bring the natural beauty of the rocks and stones carved by nature to a cabin’s fireplace, porch and interior or exterior walls. Keep in mind, however, that some uses, like the water retention required by a pool or pond, do need natural stone’s hardier attributes, according to Jason Thompson, a spokesperson for the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA).

“If you want something that’s going to be in a high-weathering environment, like a border around a pool or a pond, you need natural stone,” he said. “The advantages of a manufactured stone is that it’s significantly cheaper, easier to install and easier to maintain. But you do lose the natural stone durability.”