cultured-stone

We’ve talked before about the unique and stylish appeal of stone – the natural variety of color and textures is not only timeless, it’s a great way to add character to any wall or feature. However, using real stone can be expensive, time consuming, and difficult –perhaps even impossible for some projects because of its weight.

Fortunately, there are alternative materials that can achieve the same classic look, but without all the drawbacks of using natural stone. Here’s how cultured stone and other faux stone materials can provide you with more options to achieve the same great style and look of stone.

What Is Cultured Stone?

Cultured stone is a man-made material engineered to look like real stone. It’s also referred to as architectural stone, faux stone or manufactured stone. Cultured stone is usually created by combining cement or similar mixtures with iron oxides into a mold, which is then painted or colored to achieve the natural variation of colors reminiscent of natural stone.

The Differences Between Cultured Stone and Natural Stone Veneer

Beyond how they’re created, there are a few important differences between cultured and natural stone materials:

  • Availability – Natural stone must be quarried from the earth, which can limit its availability in some regions. Because cultured stone is artificially created and can be customized, different styles and looks are essentially always available.
  • Weight – The heavy weight of natural stone adds to its expense and makes it difficult, if not impossible, to use on some structures. Cultured stone is lighter than natural stone, making it more versatile for what types of structures it can be installed over.
  • Installation process – Cultured stone and thin stone veneer will both require some masonry. Natural stone can be cut or chipped to better fit where it’s needed, whereas cultured stone cannot, as the material will be damaged.
  • Appearance – Part of the appeal of natural stone is that no two pieces will look the same. Though cultured stone pieces will vary, some may share some similarity in design, based on the casts used to shape the stone. There may be a wider availability of different color and style option of cultured stone, depending on the manufacturer.
  • Cost – Cultured stone tends to be less expensive than real stone, though well-designed pieces may be as costly as real stone veneer. The masonry expenses of installation will run about the same.
  • Longevity – Natural stone is essentially guaranteed quality for life as the color will not fade and the material is difficult to damage. Cultured stone will fade in color over time when exposed to the elements and may require touch up after a roughly a decade and is easier to damage.

Natural Stone vs. Cultured Stone Costs

Exact costs will vary with the nature of the work and quality of the material. You can expect the cost of natural stone veneer projects to range from $35 to $50 per square foot. Cultured stone, in comparison, will generally cost between $8 to $12.50 per square foot, again depending on the quality of the material. For additional comparison, see our previous post comparing full natural stone and stone veneer to cultured stone and faux stone wall panels.

Why Consider Cultured Stone

Cost is a major factor when considering using cultured stone for a project. Due to its lower overall cost, it’s a much less expensive choice for larger projects. Though masonry labor costs will be around the same compared to natural stone, cultured stone’s lighter weight makes it easier to transport and apply to surfaces.

Since cultured stone is lightweight, it can more easily be used for jobs where excessive weight would be a problem, such as inside a home on non-load bearing walls and over non-reinforced floors. This also makes cultured stone a great choice for use in fireplace designs.

Because cultured stone is available in a wide variety of colors and shapes, based on what the manufacturer offers, it can be offered in a variety of design options when compared to natural stone. This can make picking cultured stone styles from one vendor easier than trying to find all the colors/cuts of natural stone you want for a project.

Like real stone, cultured stone does still required masonry to install, so it can still be a labor-intensive installation and may require the work of a skilled mason. If you’re looking for similar materials with low cost and simple installation, other faux stone materials can be a worthy investment.

How to Maintain your Cultured Stone

Cultured stone is more prone to wear than natural stone, which is a tradeoff for its lower cost. So, you’ll want to take a few important steps to protect the longevity of your investment.

  • Consider applying a breathable sealer over the cultured stone to better protect against wear and the elements. This will create a glossy look over the stone, so it may not be an option for all projects.
  • Inspect the material once or twice a year to look for signs of damage, wear or fading. You should have repair materials on hand to fix cracks and chips in the stones. You can also fix any gaps or holes in the mortar with pointing mortar.
  • Avoid the use of harsh chemical cleaners and pressure washers as either will damage the surface material and strip the color from the cultured stones. To clean properly:
    • Fill a bucket with warm water and add a little vinegar, or dish soap to create a mild detergent solution.
    • Scrub the stones with a sponge or soft bristle brush wet with the solution. Do not use wire brushes as that will scratch the surface of the stone.
    • Wipe down, or if outside rinse the veneer with clear water from your garden hose to ensure that no soapy residue remains.

When Not to Use Cultured Stone

Because of its light weight and lower cost, cultured stone is a great choice for large outdoor projects. However, because of how it will fade over time when be exposed to the elements, think carefully about placing in areas that receive constant, direct sunlight. If that area isn’t shaded, then you may need to restore the color of your cultured stones after a few decades of wear.

You will also want to avoid placing cultured stones near pools, as exposure to the chlorine and other cleaning chemicals will affect the chemicals used in the manufacturing process, damaging the surface of the cultured stone and causing it to fade more quickly.

Cultured Stone Design Ideas

The style of cultured stone is a natural fit for outdoor areas, and it especially stands out when paired with other natural materials.

Outdoor living spaces, such as a patio, sundeck or even a kitchen and bar, are perfect settings for the mix of rustic and modern that cultured stone can provide.

stone veneer outdoor patio

Cultured stone can be employed as an accent to the front of a house, adding an inviting bit of extra texture while complementing the colors of the siding and driveway.

stone veneer houses

Retaining walls are great structures to decorate with cultured stone. The design is livelier and more colorful than simple concrete or a brick façade and provides a bit of old-world flair.

stone veneer garden

Achieving a Cultured Stone Look with Faux Wall Panels

If you’d like to achieve the look of cultured stone without the expense or challenge of using real stone, consider the use of faux wall panels designed to replicate the design of cultured stone.

Faux wall panels are fit for outdoor use, so they work great when used as part of a gazebo or the backing of a veranda.

what-is-cultured-stone

Due to its lighter weight, faux wall panels are much easier to use for indoor projects. Consider adding stone panels as an accent wall to a den or TV room.

what-is-manufactured-stone

Looking to get creative with a basement area or storage closet? Consider transforming it into a rustic wine cellar with stone.

Cultured-Stone-Design-Ideas

Faux Stone Wall Panels Benefits

If you’d like to add the unique stylings of stone to your house or property, and would like to avoid the messy masonry of both real and cultured stone, then consider any of the stone stylings of our Texture Plus faux wall panels.

Lightweight and easy to install, with no masonry required, our faux stone wall panels are ideal for indoor or outdoor application. Tested in all climates, our panels are durable and long-lasting, with a 25-year warranty to rival the longevity of any cultured stone material.

Available in realistic, custom styles we have the look and style to fit any project that you can imagine. Take a look at your faux stone wall panels options or contact one of our specialists for assistance.

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