Manufactured stone is an alternative to using real stone that has to be transported, chiselled and shaped and then jointly installed by masons of the trade. While actual stone is magnificent to look at and will last for centuries, the cost can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Creating the look of real stone at more than half the price by using manufactured stone is an option that many contractors and homeowners are seriously considering today.

seems so real

Take a walk in the parks and visit the new buildings that have a stone front or paths with beautiful paths. Stop and feel the stones that have been placed with such care. You will not be able to tell if it is real stone or manufactured stone. The only gift will be the perfect pattern that is virtually impossible to create by man.

Manufactured stone is versatile

Preparing a surface to withstand the weight and roughness of the actual stone is a large part of the cost. Synthetic stone weighs much less than stone and can be laid on any type of surface without preparation. Many homeowners will consider manufactured stone when they want to maintain a stone or brick wall that has become unsightly after years of use. Matching the original design is very easy and can be used indoors or outdoors. Easy to maneuver and simple to install, there’s no reason to choose real stone.

Durable and maintenance free

Real stone is beautiful until it starts to chip and discolor from normal use. Porous and exposed to spills and smoke, once real stone is marked, it is virtually impossible to clean. Manufactured stone does not require maintenance due to the waterproofing agents and polymers used in the construction. Guaranteed for decades of use without tarnishing, cracking or chipping, the faux stone takes the worry out of your stone becoming unsightly.

Beautiful Colors and Any Type of Stone

Whether you’re considering a slate floor, marble countertops, or field stone for a fireplace, the options for manufactured stone are vast. Makers can configure molds for just about any screen you have in mind, including corners, trim, and inlays. Colors can be blended into the stone with iron oxide pigments that bring out the natural features of a mountainside or the brilliant look of beautiful quartz for flat surfaces.

cost factor

Shipping rocks all over the world for the best looking stone comes at an abominable cost. Between the weight and the length of the trip, it’s not hard to come up with millions of thousands of dollars. Being able to have the same stone look for less than $10 per square foot just makes sense. Even experts will argue that the texture and characteristics of cultured stone are difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

If you are considering stone for a project, look at the positive options that manufactured stone offers and you will soon see why this product is gaining popularity.