Stone veneers are often used as decorative siding, wainscoting, cladding, or wall covering for interior or exterior walls, fireplaces, chimneys, and other surfaces. On interior walls it is often used to create stunning accents. Natural stone makes an excellent choice because it is both attractive and extremely durable. It is a favorite choice for creating elegant spaces in both your landscape and your home or office.
These aesthetic veneers are available in a broad range of hue, shape, and texture. And they are broadly versatile for multiple uses, presenting options for elegance and beauty as well as ample design potential. And to make it even more desirable, natural stone is a building material that is practically maintenance-free.
So as you begin to contemplate your choices, we want to present you with our top 5 tips to help you in the decision-making process.
1) Stone veneers are best viewed in person when possible.
This is our top piece of advice to you when you are going to use real stone veneer, or most other natural stone building or landscaping products, for that matter. If you live in Missouri, then you will most likely want to choose your natural stone veneer in Missouri. The main reason we lead with this is that real stone is a product of nature and therefore has many variations. Such characteristics as hue, texture, veining, mineral deposits, etc., will affect each individual piece. These nuances can be difficult to see in online samples, so we recommended that when possible you try to personally view it before you make your product choice.
That being said, some people are quite satisfied with the overall look they may see in a good picture. So you will need to decide that for yourself. Our friendly experts right here in Osage Beach, MO have years of experience and knowledge. And having worked with a great many stone veneers they are very good at helping customers make the decision easier.
2) Make a plan.
Preparation is important in producing an excellent natural stone veneer. Even though we keep a very good inventory at hand, larger projects can sometimes take a little longer to fulfill. Sometimes there are custom specialty items to order or cut. And while custom stone items like caps (or capstones), hearths, slabs, bullnose, or balustrades make a project even more exquisite, they can also slow down the process.
So if you already know what you are going to want or need, go ahead and order it as soon as possible. Or check with our expert representatives to help you anticipate your needs. When you order ahead we can have your materials ready in our yard and avoid delays and unanticipated costs.
3) Remember to plan for waste.
Unfortunately, despite what some may say, natural stone veneer is like all other construction materials in that there will be waste.
So if you attempt to order the precise quantity you’ll most likely leave yourself short which can create project delays and cause your costs to go up.
Therefore, for most projects, we recommend employing a 10-15% waste calculation. However, for those projects that necessitate additional shaping of the stone to get an excellent fit, you will need to plan accordingly. Real natural stone demands good craftsmanship to create a quality and beautiful installation.
And so it is always a good idea to discuss potential waste with an expert. That way you can assure that you are well-informed and prepared.
4) Work with an expert in natural stone veneers.
We have already alluded to consulting with an expert who has extensive knowledge and experience working with stone veneers. Not only do we give you access to people who have personally done it, but we also have many excellent connections in every aspect of the industry. So when it comes to choosing the best stone for your project, we can walk with you every step of the way so you don’t have to go it alone.
5) Don’t forget, this is your project and your choice.
You will discover that there are multiple options when it comes to selecting stone siding or veneers. There are natural thin stone veneers, full bed stone veneers, stone cladding, stacked stone, manufactured faux veneers, and so on. And you will hear various opinions about each one.
As you search the internet you can find countless examples of what others have done. And while getting opinions and advice can be helpful, and researching the projects of others is a smart thing to do, we just want to remind you that this is really about you. It’s about what you like and what you want. And this is your dream, your budget, and your money. Please be sure to get what you want.
So do your research and confidently select the stone veneer that you love and want to as a part of your life for the future.
Getting to choose your natural stone veneer ought to be exciting and fun for you. And while there will be more for you to investigate and think about, we trust that these tips will give you a hand up as you begin!
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