Stone Veneer - Fall 2024 PRO News

A Simple and Stylish Way to Renew the Look of Your Clients Home

Stone veneer is a stylish way to add masonry to a home or commercial property, and as this option grows in popularity you’ll have more opportunities to include it in your projects. As a contractor you can get more of this profitable work by preparing yourself to explain the benefits to your clients. Canada is a world leader in the manufacturing of stone products, including stone veneer. Any siding contractor or carpenter can install it – no mason needed – and the results will boost your reputation as a builder.

What is Stone Veneer?

Unlike full-bed stone that’s 4” thick and needs a foundation ledge for support, stone veneer is about 1 1/2” thick and fastens to the walls of a structure directly. Being thinner than full-bed stone, stone veneer doesn’t require deep jamb extensions around doors and windows either. It’s the simplest way to add masonry to an existing structure, and can even be used indoors around fireplaces, wood stoves, or in permanent backyard BBQ installations.

Today’s stone veneer products can be made of natural stone, but most are typically made by replicating natural stone textures and shapes prepared by experienced masons. This is why the look is so authentic. Even experienced stone masons can’t always tell the difference between natural stone and manufactured stone from just a few feet away. As you explain stone veneer to clients, mention how the best installations include a rain screen to provide downward vertical drainage channels to allow any leaked water to exit the wall harmlessly at the bottom.

Benefits of Using Stone Veneer

Durability and beauty are the main reasons stone veneer is trending. And unlike heavier options such as traditional brick or full-bed stone, stone veneer needs no special foundation ledge or support for installation. Some even come in a lightweight panelized form that saves even more labour by allowing multiple stones to be installed together as a unit.

Today’s stone veneer products have the authentic look of full-bed natural stone, but it’s easier and faster for you, and less expensive for clients. The best come with warranties up to 50 years, they go up 10x faster than traditional stone, they’re exceptionally good at shedding water, and stone veneer can substantially increase the value of any building.

Stone Veneer Options

Different styles of stone veneer can have dramatically different appearances. As you work with your clients, be sure to come to client meetings with visuals to show property owners how the main styles look.

Working With Stone Veneer

Depending on the situation, you’ll need to prepare wall surfaces in different ways for stone veneer. Manufacturers all provide detailed instructions for how to prep walls. Stone veneers fasten with mortar alone, with screws, or with both. As you come up with a quote for a job, include time and materials for creating a waterproof layer on exteriors walls using a synthetic membrane or two layers of tar paper.

When ordering stone veneer, calculate the total area of walls, subtract the area of windows and doors, then add 10% to allow for cutting and trimming. With your stone on site, take time to experiment with stone placement to determine the best place to start a course of stone around doors, windows and corners.

Stone veneer is here to stay, and it makes sense to include it in what you offer clients. It’s one more source of work, it offers higher-than-average revenue potential, and the beauty it provides will boost your reputation.

A Simple and Stylish Way to Renew the Look of Your Clients Home

Stone Veneer Options

Different styles of stone veneer can have dramatically different appearances. As you work with your clients, be sure to come to client meetings with visuals to show property owners how the main styles look.

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