Stone Veneer Is The Alternative To Natural Stone

!±8± Stone Veneer Is The Alternative To Natural Stone

The desire to personalize our homes is nothing new. Paint, trim and cabinetry have always been the simplest ways to make changes but are limited in the affects they can provide. The innovation's that building materials manufacturers have devised give the do it yourself in many new ways to decorate and personalize their property. One approach that gives a stunning result is the use of brick or stone materials. One of the easiest projects that the home owner can safely undertake is with the new thin stone veneer products. These product's produce a material that has all the aesthetic characteristics of brick in texture and finish but are ninety percent lighter and require much less skill to yield a good finished result.

Stone veneer comes in a multitude of colors and textures that are best suited for interior use. Let's say your home has an entry way that is plain and some what drab. The interior dimensions of an entry often won't allow us to use full thickness whole brick, but will accommodate thinner artificial stone. Most manufactured stones are usually 3/8's of an inch thick or less, but the width and lengths are the same as whole brick. The principles to apply veneer are much simpler than that of whole brick. Mason's use mortar to put brick together, but the newer artificial stones can be put up using acrylic adhesives that have no VOC, or volatile organic compounds, that are often hazardous. Designing a veneer system for covering your project wall can quickly be obtained from the supplier with the help of new computer software that will let the home owner see the finished project in a virtual view generated by a computer.

Using vendor resources will also give the do it yourself a complete list of the required material's and complete instructions to make a perfectly finished project in a timely fashion. Often without a good set of references, a project can get bogged down because of the lack of information. The home improvement industry has made great strides in information technology geared to the occasional typical home owner project. The utilization of the vendor will be helpful in product selection and helpful tips geared to keep potential problems to a minimum.

Today's stone veneers can be produced in many ways, all of which create the desired effect for the project at hand. Many manufactures produce a fired brick material that uses the same clay base that whole brick are made from. The surface has the same feel and resilience that whole brick provides and come in a myriad of textures and colors that are sure to accent the project. Stone veneers aren't designed for structural needs but do provide a hard surface that will withstand the rigors of day to day life.

Many providers will offer a veneer product made from alternative methods. The use of recycled components is now being widely used to produce products that are every bit as attractive as fired veneer but without the carbon foot print that results from fired brick. Recycled ingredients can range from ground stone and powdered brick scraps that are incorporated with Portland based binders that are cast and formed to give the same look and feel as their fired counter parts. Whatever your choice of products, a veneer project will, when properly done, give the project a professional touch.

Stone Veneer Is The Alternative To Natural Stone

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Sealing Natural Stone

!±8± Sealing Natural Stone

The sealing of stone is quite different to sealing other floor types. When sealing wooden floors for example a protective coat is added to the outside. When sealing stone the pores in the rock, or the spaces between the crystals that make up the rock are filled with the sealant with no trace of the sealant on the outer surface.

The purpose of this process is to stop liquids seeping into the stone and staining it. A sealant does not protect the stone from physical damage as a sealant on another surface would.

So what is the best sealant to use?

Natural stone must be allowed to breathe. What does this mean, because stone does not breathe like we do. Stone is made up of a variety of crystals. Each crystal is made up of different minerals. The minerals that make up the crystallised structure of the stone determine whether it is marble, or limestone or granite. To maintain the integrity of these crystals they must interact with the air and the component parts of the air in particular the oxygen. Hence they must be allowed to breathe. It is also essential that any water that gets into the stone is able to evaporate by moving through these spaces until it reaches the surface and can evaporate.
Most importantly and a little considered aspect of stone structure is the interaction between the crystals of the stone and the many millions of bacteria that live in these pores. Very slowly research is demonstrating that bacteria would seem to play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the stone in ways that are as yet little understood. In order for these bacteria to survive and prosper the sealant used should be one that does not damage them but possibly promotes their activity.

Acrylic type sealants or impregnators should be avoided at all costs because they fill up the pores killing the bacteria and blocking completely the movement of water through the stone. This can ultimately lead to the stones cracking if the underside becomes wet for any reason. They are also very difficult to remove if excess sealant is applied and not properly removed whilst still wet. What you end up with is a covering of sealant on the surface of the stone which discolours and dulls it.

The best sealers to use are those based on natural products and made up of fatty acids such as soap. These can be applied in the normal cleaning process to top up the seal and clean at the same time. Any excess is washed off with pure water. Most importantly these fatty acids fill the spaces but not in a rock hard manner. Because fat is hydrophobic it repels water stopping it penetrating during any spillage so preventing absorption into the stone and subsequent staining. Being semi hard only it does not stop the natural movement of water through it so it can still escape by evaporation. Most importantly it encourages the bacterial population by providing another source of nutrient and a comfortable environment in which to live and reproduce.

Sealing Natural Stone

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Types and Products of Natural Stone Veneer

!±8± Types and Products of Natural Stone Veneer

A veneer is a thin covering applied to the surface of another object in order to conceal or hide the true appearance of the object and it appears to be more attractive than the object. It improves the aesthetic appeal and its value. Veneer is used in wood and stone works, masonry and also in dentistry. Now let us get to know how these veneers are used in the following works.

Masonry Veneer
In masonry, veneer is a layer of bricks used to cover the surface of a wall, but it does not provide any additional strength to the structure. It is used to make a building or wall more visually without interfering with the structural integrity.

Stone Veneer
It has different construction applications, most commonly used to build homes. It is created by pouring a light concrete mixture into a stone-shaped moulds and allowing it to harden. The end result is a faux stone that can be used for buildings and walls for decorative purposes.

Natural Stone Veneer
It has numerous benefits compared to other construction materials, because it is generated straight from the earth. It offers a genuine color palette that is matchless by substitute materials. Exposure increases the strength and splendor of this type of veneer.

Natural Stone Thin Veneer
It makes the application process easier and quicker because of its thin cut. There's nothing more durable, natural and beautiful than the natural stone. Natural stone thin veneer is approximately five times thinner than the traditional stone facings, available in a wide array of colors and styles. Thin stones have less weight, so it means less shipping costs, easier installation and no footing requirements. Similarly, field stone veneer is also used for decorative purposes.

Thin Stone Veneer
There is no substitute for the natural beauty and longevity of authentic stone veneer, even though, there are some weight restrictions. It is possible to shape the real stone, each and every piece as needed. The benefits of using thin veneer are its speed and ease of installation, reduced cost of preparation, resistance to the elements, everlasting maintenance and free beauty.

Thin Brick Veneer
It comprises of thin fired clay units, referred to as thin bricks. Thin brick veneer is a new product which is gaining popularity among commercial and residential purposes. Thin veneer brick units made from clay or shale provides two grades (exterior and interior) for exposure to weather conditions.

There are lots of suppliers and manufacturers are available, which provide varieties of stone veneers. First, it is essential to get to know about the suppliers, their service, products, prices, customer relations etc. Wholesale providers for stone veneer are also available, whenever a product is brought through wholesale; it is possible to get lot of offers.

Veneer products
The following are some of the products; they are wood veneer, dry film adhesives and backings, laminating equipments, flame (fire) retardants, oil spill protection, river rock, field stone and lot of flexible materials.

Types and Products of Natural Stone Veneer

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