Natural stone and manufactured stone are both versatile building materials used for interior and exterior construction, including fireplaces, accent walls, backsplashes, facades, patios, landscape walls, and outdoor fireplaces.

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Features and Comparisons of Natural Stone and Manufactured Stone

Natural Stone and Manufactured Stone Have Unique Characteristics in Construction

Masonry Products sells both natural stone and manufactured stone. Both product types are widely searched and popular in our product lines. This article defines the aspects of both products and how they vary in their characteristics and uses. Both types of stone are used in new building and construction, as well as renovations and upgrades of existing construction. While manufactured stone is low-maintenance and more affordable compared to natural stone, the authenticity and timelessness of natural stone are a factor in purchases.

Builders install both natural stone and manufactured stone in interior and exterior spaces. Interior spaces include fireplace surrounds, kitchen backsplashes, half walls and accent walls, and custom rooms such as wine cellars. Outdoors natural and manufactured stone construct home exterior facades, landscape walls, pathways, patio and porch floors, driveway stones, and outdoor fireplaces.

Natural stone and manufactured stone: explore the differences in cost, durability, color, maintenance, installation, and design versatility.

Key Takeaways

Both materials are versatile: Natural and manufactured stone can be used for fireplaces, accent walls, backsplashes, exterior facades, patios, landscape walls, pathways, and outdoor fireplaces.
Manufactured stone is cost-effective: Its efficient manufacturing and transportation process generally makes it a more affordable alternative to natural stone.
Manufactured stone offers design flexibility: Because it is manufactured, it can be produced in a broad range of colors, patterns, and styles.
Natural stone offers authentic character: Each piece can feature naturally occurring variations in color, texture, and pattern that contribute to a distinctive finished design.
Durability differs by material and environment: Natural stone is highly resistant to weathering, while manufactured stone can provide lasting performance when properly selected, installed, and maintained.

Manufactured Stone Features

Ease of Use

Manufactured stone is a lightweight concrete that is dyed to look like natural stone. It’s malleable and can be designed to match the color and theme of the exterior of your house. Manufactured stone adheres to many different types of surfaces, so it makes it easy to install.

Cost-Effective

The process for acquiring and transporting natural stone is time consuming, which makes it cost more. The manufacturing process for manufactured stone is efficient making it more affordable than natural stone. Also, there are far more color and pattern selections for manufactured stone because it is a designed medium and not a natural one.

Quality and Care

Lasting durability is a characteristic of manufactured stone, just like natural stone. Advances in technology push industries to create quality concrete products, and manufactured stone is no different. While it doesn’t withstand temperatures, freezing and thawing, and wind damage as well as natural stone, manufactured stone has a reputation for endurance. Plus, if you apply a sealant after installation, it requires minimal maintenance and cleaning.

Natural Stone Features

Timeless

Quarried stone or natural stone comes from the ground with superior durability and weather resistance. Stone features evolved from the time and pressure it endured in the earth before being “harvested” to be used in new construction projects. Natural stone doesn’t require special sealants or maintenance to stand once it has been built into your new home or renovation. Remember, there are castles, forts, and structures which have stood for hundreds of years built out of natural stone.

Color and Durability

Unlike manufactured stone, natural stone’s color tones run all the way through the stone, not just the surface. Because it’s not a man made manufactured product, natural stone also has unique color strata throughout a single formation which add to the custom design of your stone structure.

Long before it was installed at your jobsite, natural stone experienced weather patterns such as freezes, droughts, strong storms, and water and wind. You can count on the fact that these patterns won’t significantly impact your stone’s facade. In fact, over time, stone develops a patina which is a surface layer which deepens color, softens edges, and develops a smooth, natural sheen.

Care and Maintenance

Fade resistance and low upkeep are characteristics of natural stone. Harsh ultraviolet light does not affect the stone’s color because the color is part of the stone all of the way through. Natural stone doesn’t require a special sealant. It can washed and maintenanced with cleaners that would be used for the exteriors of many homes and commercial buildings.

Acquisition, transport, weight, and cost are factors that have many builders and homeowners choosing manufactured stone instead of natural stone for their building or renovation project. However, both products have much to offer. Masonry Products sells and delivers both types to the Greater New Orleans area, so contact us for an estimate on your stone today!

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