Stone Veneer Can Spice Up Any Room in the Home

In the past decorating with stone veneer was a tedious and labor heavy task. Because of the heft of stone veneer it was very often an outside-only application and even then it had to be secured to other stone or brick. Because of the requirements surrounding previous stone veneer the general population moved away from it’s use. That simply is not the case anymore as recent advancements have created a lighter and easier to install stone veneer which has pulled people back into using the material for indoor decorating purposes. In fact the current stone veneer is incredibly light which in turn makes it versatile. It can be used in showers, as a back splash in kitchens and as a surround for a fireplace.

What you plan on using the veneer for will effect the type of veneer you will likely purchase. For example a thin stone veneer is best for showers, bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes while a thicker more substantial stone veneer can be used for fireplaces and living space. There are two types of stone veneer available. One is a natural stone veneer, which looks great, but can be very expensive. The other option an artificial stone veneer that will serve the purpose and look almost as good as the natural stuff. What you decide to go with it is completely your own preferences but if your budget does not allow natural stone veneer the artificial stone veneer will look almost as good and can still create an impressive and expensive looking finish to your home.

Installation is fairly labor intensive but not too difficult. It would probably be rated as an intermediate job. If you are not overly comfortable with the idea of installing it on your own most contractors will be more than happy to take the job. If you are planning to put stone on dry wall you will first need to install cement board. Dry wall will likely not bare the weight of stone, so the cement board acts as a support. Cement boards can be bought at most home improvement stores. The cement board used for this project should be �½ to �¾ an inch thick.

Once the cement is up it’s time to start laying the stone veneer into place. Using mortar butter the cement and the brick. Start in a bottom corner and work your way up and over. You can use a rubber hammer to make sure you get a nice secure fit to the wall.

Each panel will look different so mixing and matching from different boxes will create more visual interest. Make sure what you are laying down fits together well specifically if you are using the stone in a bathroom. Because of the concrete base everything should be secure and safe to water, but ensuring there are no crevices is advisable.

There will be areas were cutting might be necessary but try different angles and sides of the panel as they might fit as well. Cutting is not an overly difficult job and just about anyone can accomplish it, however care must be taken to measure out the angle needed before cutting commences. You know what they say, measure twice, cut once.

Stone veneer comes in so many colors that the application can be used in just about any home for a multitude of styles and designs. Light beige stone veneer looks crisp and clean in any bathroom around and a slightly deeper beige veneer can give a kitchen an interesting Tuscon feel. Darker gray veneers create an older feel to fireplaces and living area walls, creating a cozy “cave-like” setting.