Dan's Papers - Issue #4 - April 20, 2007

The siding chosen for a home represents one of its most visible aspects and dictates most of the home's architectural appeal, maintenance needs and resale value. Now there are more styles and choices than ever before. Stone facing is an age-old material used for homes and adds durable refinement and long-lasting beauty to any home. Old homes used to be built out of stone for a lack of building supplies. As times changed, stone became a symbol of money, because the cost to install such a heavy and time-consuming material was too high for the common population.

The look of a stone home used to take a massive amount of time and work. The most advanced technology has brought us stone veneers. When it comes to enhancing the curbside appeal of your home, the natural beauty of stone veneer is an affordable alternative. Unlike artificial stones, stone veneers are made from real quarried stone that is cut into 1-inch-1.5-inches in thickness, which makes them lightweight and easy to install. The veneers look realistic because they are created from a natural product and the randomness of nature eliminates a repeated pattern, often seen in artificial stone.

Stone veneer siding is not as heavy or cumbersome to install as traditional stone. It also helps to enhance all different styles of homes, not just million dollar homes anymore. Custom shapes and corner pieces can be produced in a fraction of the time it once took to shape traditional stone facing. Stone veneers are more durable than artificial stone and can be applied to any surface without the need for foundations or footings, eliminating the time and money necessary for those supports. Veneers are low maintenance and only need to be hosed down annually. They are also fireproof and extremely solid.

There are not many drawbacks to stone veneers, but damage can be caused after years of wear and tear. Most problems with veneer siding usually occur along the mortar joints. All mortar eventually begins to shrink and crack if it is poorly applied or contains substandard material, which will crumble more quickly than top-grade mortar. This happens most often at the corner or bottom of a wall, and it is most likely caused by the water build-up that can't escape from the weep holes. To avoid this, make sure the water can escape. Rarely should you have problems with the stones themselves, and if they do chip, it will not be as noticeable as it is in artificial stones because of the veneer's natural coloring. Professional installation of stone veneers has a tendency to run a bit on the pricey side, but you are saving a lot by using veneers as opposed to stone facing. The only other disadvantage to stone veneers is that vines or ivy may weaken the veneers. This is a shame because there is nothing I love more that seeing an old stone house covered with ivy. Vegetation actually holds moisture in the walls and can advance the cracking and crumbling process.

Molded directly from nature, National Stone Veneer International's stone is a contemporary and attractive alternative to solid rock and traditional siding. They place their emphasis on researching natural stone throughout the world, and offer nature's finest hues, unique textures and authentic details to enhance your home or business. NSVI sells a variety of over 50 veneers and patterns. National Stone Veneers International invites you to contact them and discuss how their process and broad selection of stone veneers can bring an element of long lasting beauty to your home. Their products can be shipped anywhere in the United States.

Stone veneers are the work of geology, not man. Because of this they will look spectacular whether the setting is residential or commercial. The style and durability of stone veneer siding ensures that it will fit into any neighborhood or city.

To learn more about National Stone Veneers International and other stone veneer companies, find them at the Hamptons Home and Garden Show or visit www.nsvi.com.