By Dean H. Wild

Stone facing is an age-old architectural element that adds lasting beauty and an air of durable refinement to any home. This look was once achieved by using inches-thick chunks of stone and tedious methods which took up inordinate amounts of time and materials. A much newer concept in the implementation of stone facings, interior or exterior, is the thin natural stone veneer. As recently as a decade ago, only million-dollar homes had stone facing, but technology has made the production and affordability of natural stone veneers an option for homes on many budget levels. Gone are the ancient stone-cutting practices of feathers and wedges. Diamond saws, robots and computer technology now contribute to the quarrying and fabrication of thin (1 inch to 1-1/2 inch thick), lightweight slices of natural stone for use in a variety of home features. Veneer “slices”, custom shapes and corner pieces are created in a fraction of the time it once took to cut traditional stone facings. What’s more, scraps and rubble, once unusable waste, can be cut down and used as well, thanks to the technologies at hand.

Not as heavy or cumbersome to install as traditional stone products, and more durable than artificial or manufactured stone, the natural stone veneer shows a stronger presence in today’s homes than ever before. And sales continue to grow. Not only are costs saved by the streamlined production of the product, but the lightweight character of the veneer speeds handling and masonry time, shipping costs and the expense of extra materials. No additional structure supports are needed when a thin stone veneer is applied since the added weight is simply not that great. Thin veneers, unlike conventional full veneer stone products, do not require ledgers, footings or ties as part of installation. On average, a skilled mason can install 30-35 square feet of 4-inch stone veneer in a day. In comparison, a capable installer can put up nearly 3 times the square footage of the lighter weight product in the same amount of time.

From exterior projects to interior walls and fireplaces to water features, a thin natural stone veneer is a versatile and appealing addition to any builder’s plan. Its reliability and durability speak for themselves. Unlike artificial stone products (often made from a mixture of Portland cement, pumice and mineral oxides to give them color) natural stone is colorfast and resists scratching and fading. Because it is a natural product, the randomness of nature eliminates a repeated pattern in any given layout. Man made products inevitably present the problem of pattern-repeat, especially in large surface areas. Stone veneers open up the possibility of architectural flair since they can be cut into the shapes of corbels or keystones with the same high-tech, precision instruments used to cut the quarried stone to veneer thicknesses. The finish of natural stone is also highly durable- and why not? What weathers better than a stone it took nature eons to create? A small chip in an artificial stone can mean disaster, visually and in terms of integrity of the surface. A chip in natural stone will cause no harm—it may even add a spark of welcome character, or it may barely show at all since the color of natural stone is through and through to the core, not an oxide overcoat. Another point to consider—natural stone is virtually unchanging. Depending on climate and overall composition, however, artificial stone has been known to shrink over time, causing cracks and mortar gaps.

A stone veneer surface, due to its durability and natural beauty, is sure to increase the value of a home, as well as its curbside appeal. Natural Stone Veneers International of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, invites you to contact them and discuss how their innovative process and broad selection of natural stone veneers and patterns can help you bring the element of lasting beauty home. Their product can be shipped anywhere in the United States. Visit their website at www.nsvi.com. Set your commitment to value and your pride in a prestigious home in stone.

By Dean H. Wild

Designing Spaces, a half hour home improvement television series, featured Natural Stone Veneers International of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in their March programming. The show explores all facets of home décor and design, from furnishings to architecture, and design correspondent David Jones speaks with corporate liaison Jason Buechel about the production, installation methods and long-lasting beauty of the veneer products offered by Natural Stone Veneers International (NSVI). The natural quarried products come from around the world and are the result of a cutting process using patented machinery. Stone veneers are a perfect addition to interior or exterior surfaces, water features or any other structural element that requires a natural yet elegant touch. NSVI offers a wide variety of beautiful, natural stone options. Product photos and company information may be viewed at www.nsvi.com. Their high quality product and global availability made them a perfect fit for a nationally aired show such as Designing Spaces. The Designing Spaces episode featuring Natural Stone Veneers International aired on Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 7am on WE (Woman’s Entertainment) and on Sunday, March 25, 2007 at 7am on TLC (The Learning Channel).

Natural Stone Veneers International brings a new process to the creation of real stone veneers. The finished product is thin and lightweight, which makes it easy to handle and install. It offers the timeless beauty only natural stone can offer coupled with the durability only nature and eons of geological formation can provide.

Any structurally sound surface, indoors or out, will withstand an application of this new, thinner veneer. A galvanized mesh lath is attached to a moisture barrier, and then the lath is given a scratch coat of mortar. Once the scratch coat has cured, a piece of veneer buttered with 1/2-in to 1-inch of mortar is pressed into the scratch coat. Each piece of veneer is done this way, following a predetermined pattern until the surface is complete.

Once the mortar has reached a thumb-print dryness, excess mortar is removed from the veneer and the joints with tools and a whisk broom. The installation is as simple as that and the end product is less weighty than traditional stone veneers, so additional structure supports, ledgers or ties are not required.

The selection at Natural Stone Veneers International includes over 50 stone veneers and patterns. A Master Distributor Network ships the product throughout the United States.

For more information contact:
Natural Stone Veneers International
PO Box 347
Fond du Lac WI 54936
www.nsvi.com
1-877-923-2800