The post Creative Stone: The Natural Stone Alternative appeared first on Fieldstone Center.

Manufactured stone, also known as Creative Stone, is a manmade, mass produced decorative stone made with cement, natural iron oxide pigments, and lightweight aggregates. The concrete mix is molded and colored to simulate the look and feel of natural stone. The use of lightweight aggregates makes it much lighter than natural stone. Because it is lightweight, it is easy to handle and install.

The Development of Manufactured Stone

Stone has been used in construction for centuries. If you were to tour the castles of Europe, you might see some of the stone structures from the 1200s still standing. Stone construction is durable.

If you were to look at many of the buildings constructed prior to the 1900s, you’ll see foundations, fireplaces, chimneys, and exterior accent features built with natural stone. By the mid-1900s, building methods improved and natural stone became more of a luxury. It was heavy, expensive, and time consuming to use.

As the market became more adaptable to other construction materials, manufactured stone became popular as an alternative building material. Today it provides a remarkably realistic rock look that it is widely used in interior and exterior applications.

How It Differs from Natural Stone

Manufactured stone, faux stone, architectural stone, cultured stone – the list continues but they all are the same. They are derived from a mold and made to look like real stone. So how does it differ from natural stone?

Manufactured stone is a decorative alternative to natural stone. Besides being lightweight, color is a great advantage because it comes in a variety of designs and colors not available in natural stone. The lightweight characteristics are also advantageous. It can be used in places where a building’s structure can’t handle the weight of natural stone.

There are disadvantages, however. For example, manufactured stone is not as durable as natural stone. Therefore, if a section breaks or is removed, it is very noticeable. It’s also a porous product. For this reason, we do not recommend using manufactured stone with water applications such as fountains and pools. The concrete will also react with chemicals, causing it to deteriorate. Early applications of manufactured stone have often disintegrated. To avoid this, when used outdoors you should take the additional step of applying a weather resistant barrier to the surface.

Today there is not much difference between the two in materials cost. Contractors know when and how to use manufactured stone to their best advantage versus natural stone. The contractor’s experience with using different materials is key to providing your project with a beautiful, quality construction.

Fieldstone Center has a wide selection of both natural and manufactured stone. Find out more when you contact us at (770) 385-7708.

The post What is Manufactured Stone? appeared first on Fieldstone Center.

When you add a fireplace or cover an existing one with stone, you get a timeless structure that fits in perfectly with almost any setting. This is because stone mixes and matches well with many different materials and with any taste in decorating that you have in your home. It will enhance the beauty of a room whether it is rustic or elegant, traditional or modern, or of European or Asian influence.

If you are building a stone fireplace, you will reap the benefit of having upgrades when you put your house on the market. Depending on the design, you will need to determine whether you want to go with a natural or manufactured product. A home with natural stone accents is valued for its unique attributes and recognized for its customization, which you cannot find in most products today. Manufactured stone mimics the beauty of natural stone and is less expensive.

Choose from a Variety of Stone Options

Whether you choose a natural or manufactured product, there are many choices. Common choices include veneer, limestone, marble, slate, and granite. Each of these has their distinct properties and will provide a different look to your fireplace. While stone is incredibly durable, some options are more durable than others. And you can get it cut with a beautiful shine or showing its natural texture. Depending on the type you select, you will have a variety of styles, patterns, colors, and sizes available that will make your home look truly amazing!

Many people consider marble to be the best option for the fireplace, but it is also the most expensive. Limestone and granite are two of the most popular choices and they offer prices that are affordable for the level of quality provided. All of these have color options that are gorgeous. But sometimes it can be difficult getting the right blend of colors and shapes. Thin stone veneer is another good option to create that right blend and turn your fireplace into a piece of art!

By working with one of our customer service associates or our outside sales associates at Fieldstone Center, we can help you with the design and type of stone that is just what you want. If it is a softer appearance you are looking for, we have selections of natural limestone with curved patterns. Or if you want to make a strong impact, we can design a fireplace with rectangle and square patterns, drystack stone, or freeform, irregularly-shaped wall stone patterns. We also can provide custom cut limestone, bluestone, and sandstone for fireplace surrounds.

What is the statement you want to make when your family and guests come into your home? Let that statement be strong, natural, and beautiful. Contact Fieldstone Center and get the perfect design and stone for your fireplace.

The post Make a Statement with a Stone Fireplace appeared first on Fieldstone Center.

If you are thinking of using manufactured stone and are stuck on the type, a good place to start is deciding on the shape. There are three main popular types that are based on the general stone’s shape:

• Ledgestones are broken, symmetrical, and tight-fitting stones with a wide range of sizes and colors. The stones are stacked together using a mortar, cement, and sand mixture. They are generally short and wide with flat-cut sides and a jagged front for a rustic appearance. When selecting ledgestones in your architecture, they are mostly used on residential home facades or interior fireplaces, and can also be used in landscaping wall applications.
• Fieldstone is a gathered material and this stone material is typically left in its natural state. They are random-sized stones that have the appearance of being unearthed and stacked. The irregular shapes provide a much different rustic beauty compared to ledgestones. They work well in a variety of settings from interior fireplaces to home facades to landscaping.
• Riverrock are shaped using smoother, oblong river rocks, or cobblestones. They can show depth when used in architecture. The stones are suited for rough borders, pond and stream beds, or wall construction.

The shape of the rock has a lot to do with creating the appearance you are aiming for. If you are looking for a chiseled and stacked look, ledgestones are a good choice. If you want more random stacking with a smoother look, fieldstones are a good choice. Riverrocks work well when you want a slight uniformity in size, depth, and a smooth surface.

When considering the shape of manufactured stone, think about how it will match with your style. Native American Indians used the ledgestone style for construction of buildings and walls along cliff edges and ledges where the stones were sourced. The fieldstone style has historically been popular in agricultural areas because it is associated with the rocks found when plowing the fields in preparation for planting crops. And as you might guess, riverrocks are popular along rivers where the rocks have been tumbled over hundreds of years to become smooth and rounded.

Once you determine your overall shape, your next step is deciding on color and size. Fieldstones come in a multitude of color choices while riverrocks have colorful rocks. Ledgestones are usually in various neutral hues. When decorating, adding in lighter colors can help brighten and open up your space. Darker colors can make your space look smaller and more intimate.

As for the size of the stone, smaller stones and pebble textures look better when you are working in a small area. Whereas, you have more flexibility when using larger or random-sized stones in a larger area. And while ledgestone has softer colors with pinks, beige and grays, its blocky size works best in larger spaces so that it is not overwhelming.

Fieldstone Center has a wide selection of manufactured stone and natural stone for your home project. We can help you find the shape, size, and color that work best in your home. For more information or to see our products, contact us at 770.385.7708.

The post Understanding the Different Types of Manufactured Stone appeared first on Fieldstone Center.