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Concrete Stone
Concrete stone (also referred to as face stone or stone veneer) is a classy touch to the exterior or interior of any home. On this page we will discuss what it is, the different types, where to buy and talk about installation.
How concrete stone is madeAs the name implies, it is made of concrete. Most the stone you see on the front of peoples houses or around their fire places today is stone veneer. The materials are less expensive than natural stone, and so is the installation. In fact, it is becoming difficult to find a true stone craftsman. There simply is not as much demand for them since face stone has gained popularity.Manufacturers make the stone by creating molds of actual stones. Concrete is poured in the mold and color is added and allowed to harden. It is cast flat on the backside so it can be motored to a wall. Like everything - you get what you pay for. The more expensive the stone, the more it looks like the real thing. In fact, it can be almost impossible to tell the difference to the untrained eye once it is installed.
Types of stoneThere are many different types of stone offered by many manufacturers. I break the stones down into two categories. The stones that require grout,(mortar) and the stones that do not. Grout is the concrete you see around stones or in between bricks. Stack stones would be an example of a stone that does not need grout if installed properly. At Tanner-Phillips we custom fit stack stone so there is no grout required. Stones like river rock need a lot of grout. If you click here you will get a good idea of the variety of stone that is available.Make sure you take your time when choosing a type of stone. While nothing is permanent, stone veneer is difficult to remove once it is installed. Ask your supplier or contractor if they know of any homes you could drive by that may have the stone you are considering. That way you can get a good idea of how it would look. You can also do the opposite. You can find a home that has stone you like, then ask your contractor or supplier to drive by the home and match the stone. Most stone suppliers are happy to offer this service.
Where to buy stone in the Lansing, Michigan areaMany places in the area sell stone. We have purchased stone from Darling builders, Wimsatt and Menards (for a review of these companies, please click on the "improvement stores" tab to the left). They all have a large selection. Menards has good prices, but they are slow getting the stone. It can take 2-4 weeks to get the material. This becomes an issue if you do not order enough stone. Your stone project can sit unfinished for a long time while you wait for more material. Darling and Wimsatt can usually get the material in just a couple of days.
InstallationI would not recommend doing it yourself. Installing stone is tedious, requires skill, and there is some heavy manual labor involved. However, if you think you want to have a go at it, here are a couple of sites that give some installation instructions.Stone and brick installation by Boulder Creek Small video and great PDF installation instructions by TC stoneworks Paul Phillips installs concrete stone. We also offer consulting as well as other services. Please contact us with any questions about concrete stone you may have and we get you some information. Leave concrete stone page and return to materials page
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