Natural Stone or Veneer Stone – Which one to include in your next renovation project?
Stone is a natural building material that has been used for both indoor and outdoor applications for centuries. We have noticed increased popularity among modern homeowners and businesses who are turning towards adding beautiful stone sidings to their décor. If this trend fascinates you, then now is the time to weigh your options around remodeling your space.
For the ones who have a hard time telling apart these two stones, and can’t make up their mind which one to opt for, here are some of the key differentiators between them,so you can make the best decision for your project.
Natural Stone – What is it?
As the name suggests, natural stones are excavated directly from the Earth and have no additives to them. Natural stones exist in the whole real shape like that of rounded river stone, or they can be chiseled and cut to fit your design. Since they come from a natural source, they are highly durable and don’t fade away even when exposed to harsh climates. These render a rustic appearance to your space, making it look even more charming.
Natural stones come with some drawbacks too. These stones are highly dense and heavy which makes it hard to cut into the desired shape and install them. They are rare in existence, and it may take longer for your remodeling contractor to source these natural stones.
Veneer Stone – What is it?
Veneer stones are engineered stones that are meant to look like natural ones. Called by different names like cultured, architectural, or manufactured stones, these are made by combining cement with iron oxide to create an exact look-alike of the natural stones. Cement lends the strength, while the iron oxide adds the pigmentation, thus replicating the stunning look like the real ones. Some of the main benefits of installing stone veneer is that it is easily available in the stores, they are lighter in weight, easy to install, and can be found in varied styles to match your needs.
While the list of advantages of veneer stones seems to be longer, there are some drawbacks you should be aware of too. With exposure to harsh climatic conditions, veneer stones tend to fade faster and also become brittle which leads to easy damage.
Ponder on these points while making the stone choice
Now comes the most challenging part – which stone should you choose for your renovation project? Here are some factors to consider that may steer you towards taking a final call.
1. Installation process: Like mentioned earlier, veneer stones are lighter in weight when compared to real stones, hence it’s easier for a contractor to install the veneer stones. Real stones are often very heavy to carry, and they also need structural support to balance their weight. This means that the installation process is tedious and time taking.
2. Appearance: If you desire to recreate an antique and grand look for your space, then you can choose either veneer or real stone as both serve the purpose really well. Veneer stones are readily available in various textures, colors and designs to choose from because they are manufactured. Natural stones also come in unique colors, however, the choice is limited because of their availability.
3. Maintenance: It goes without saying, natural stones sustain wear and tear better than veneer stones. Naturally occurring stones can survive the damaging sun rays and precipitation without getting discolored, but the same can’t be spoken about the veneer stones.
4. Cost: Final and the most important factor to consider while making the choice is the overall cost of the stone procurement and installation. At the time of installation veneer stone may come across as a less expensive option, but in the long-run natural stones make a more affordable choice because they last for several years and require minimal maintenance.
If you are still having trouble making a choice, consult a local remodeling contractor in Stratford, CT for expert advice.