Thinking about installing stone veneer around your fireplace, on your wall, or as feature outdoor cladding? Stone veneer has been around for ages, but it’s never been more sought-after by homeowners and architects than in it has in the past few years. We’ve seen an explosion in the popularity of these stunning interior designs recently at Paving Superstore, and most of it can be explained by the demand for natural stone veneer. But what is stone veneer, exactly, and why should you choose natural stone over manmade, or faux veneer?
Choosing Natural Stone Veneer
Invented at the close of the 19th century, stone veneer is an attractive, thin layer of decorative stone that serves a purely aesthetic purpose. You may have seen stone cladding looking beautiful on the exterior or interior walls of business and homes, or you may have seen it framing fireplaces as part of attractive hearth surrounds – these are all examples of non-load-bearing stone veneer at its best. Natural stone veneer is quite simply quarried stone that has been cut to a relatively consistent thickness to add value and aesthetic appeal to your home, rental property, or public building. Because they are minimally processed compared to faux veneers or manmade cladding, they retain all the strength and natural benefits of rock that has formed in the earth over time. Sandstone is an especially on-trend natural stone veneer material thanks to its strength and stain-resistance, and can be used to add style and character to properties through a whole range of indoor and outdoor facades. Striking examples such as Natural Paving’s ‘Lamina Veneer’ Autumn range and ‘Lamina Veneer’ Summer collections show just how easy it can be to add instant value to your home with cleft surfaces, eye-catching designs, and unique design features. So what are the real advantages of natural stone over manmade materials for your veneer?
Durability
Without a doubt, the hard-wearing nature of natural stone is one of its key distinctive advantages over other materials. Choosing manufactured stone is often a cheaper option in the short-term, but homeowners and designers often choose natural stone for its longer life and resistance to damage. If you’re weighing up between manufactured stone and natural sandstone, the latter is far more likely to stand up to wear and tear when used in external areas, giving you greater value for your money in the long term. Sandstone is an especially clever choice for veneers given the high compressive and flexural strength of this rock – in non-design speak, it’s less likely to crack, chip, or split due to frost and changing weathers. The ‘Lamina Veneer’ Spring collection is a superb example of how you can introduce new textures and play with form to upgrade the look of your property in no time.
Colorfast
Natural stone veneer also retains its color and appearance much more effectively than a manmade veneer. A well-known natural benefit of quarried stone is its ability to resist fading when exposed to sunlight and rain, and sandstone veneers like the ‘Lamina Veneer’ Winter range are less prone to fading than synthetic or artificial cladding sections. If you’re investing in an upgrade for your property or home, it makes sense to choose a product that will continue to look and feel authentic long after it has been installed. Given sandstone’s low porosity, it’s also difficult to stain if you live in an area with high rainfall, leaving you with exactly what you paid for, day in and out. Even if you’re installing your veneer as an exterior facade!
Appearance
It goes without saying, nothing says ‘authentic’ like natural stone! And whether you’re looking for a vintage, timeless look or an upscale urban vibe, natural stone veneer is entirely real in shape, texture, and appearance. Unlike artificial veneers, no two natural stones are identical, helping you avoid repetitive patterns and introducing an elegant, luxurious element to your home or business. Have you had any experience with natural stone veneers? Are you planning to redecorate your outdoor living area, interior space, or create a gorgeous facade? When it comes to manufactured versus natural stone veneers, we know what we’d choose here at Paving Superstore – every time!