Veneer made from real stone or artificial stone is growing in popularity for a wide variety of home projects, including exterior walls, outdoor fireplaces and patios, and interior accent walls. That’s because real and artificial stone veneer has come a long way in recent years, so much so that sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between it and real stones or bricks.

Stone veneer is a protective and decorative finish that is basically a covering over an interior or exterior wall or surface. Slate, marble, or granite are often used for real stone veneer. They can be produced in thin and thick varieties, but preference in recent years has been for a thin stone panel. This process involves slicing the natural stone into thin pieces one to two inches thick, which creates a lightweight cladding that can be used virtually anywhere.

Artificial stone veneers are produced using marble or cultured stone ground to a powder and blended with resin and pigments, then cast in molds. The result is a molded product cut and polished to perfectly imitate the colors and textures of real stone, but in lightweight pieces in various sizes and shapes that are versatile in many applications.

Stone veneers are being used for everything from outdoor kitchen facing to kitchen sinks and countertops. Thin stone veneer presents additional advantages because its light weight allows for covering entire walls and taller structures without the worry of the weight real stone or thick stone veneers bring to construction.

The great news is that the process of making stone veneers—especially artificial stone veneers—has improved to the extent that it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between real stone and artificial thin veneers. Homeowners and stone suppliers point to several reasons for choosing veneers for your home improvement projects:

• Stone veneers are highly durable in any application or environment, including extreme temperatures and inclement weather.
• The materials are resistant to rot and insect infestation.
• Veneer never needs to be painted or stained and it does not fade. Maintenance is simply the occasional cleaning.
• Use real or artificial stone veneer for exterior or interior walls for a stone look without the weight and challenges of installation.
• Veneers generally are less expensive for the materials and the installation, saving you money on your renovation.
• Minimal preparation is needed because veneers can be installed over any surface, including wood, cement, brick, and metal.

Stone veneers offer homeowners the ability to create any look or style for their project, from natural beauty to upscale sophistication to warmth and luxury. At Ohio Beauty Cut Stone, you can choose from a wide variety of real and artificial stone products that will work in your home. Call today for details on how we can help with your project.