Tag: Interloc

Investing in Excellence: How the Certified Installer Program is Raising the Bar in the Masonry Industry

October 26, 2023October 31, 2023by instoneLeave a comment

Investing in Excellence: How the Certified Installer Program is Raising the Bar in the Masonry Industry

For a homeowner getting started on a masonry project, finding a top-quality local contractor can feel like a virtual maze. Unless you have a family connection or a trusted source shares a positive testimonial, you’ll likely delve into the hit-or-miss world of crowdsourced websites. When sifting through the well of comments on Google, social media and home improvement sites, it can be hard to know what to believe. Was that five-star rating and glowing review submitted by the owner’s wife? Was there more to the story than the rant about a crew that wasn’t up to the job?

A new program initiated by the Concrete Masonry and Hardscapes Association (CMHA) is taking the guesswork out of the process by providing hard-earned endorsements from those who know the field best. Launched in January 2023, the Certified Installer Program grants certificates to those who undergo two days of testing and observation to demonstrate their skills and knowledge.

Cultured Stone Echo Ridge photo — ***Cultured Stone Echo Ridge Country Ledgestone***

Nearly four years in the making, the program was developed by a consortium of manufactured stone producers, installers, vendors and respected industry experts.

“The Program offers professionals an opportunity to separate themselves from the pack of less skilled and experienced competitors in their market”
Jeff Tew, Westlake’s Director of Technical and Training

“As long as I’ve been doing this, I’ve had architects, homeowners and builders ask, ‘How do I know if I’ve got a good installer,’ or, ‘Do you have a list of certified installers?’ We couldn’t do that on our own as a company, but as an industry we could take that up and deliver a robust certification program,” Tew said. “It’s a great way to now point those folks in the direction of the best-quality contractors.”

Once certified, installers are listed on the CMHA and Westlake Royal Stone Solutions websites (click here to scan the current roster). Tew said interest from customers has been high already.

“The people who are joining are interested in seeing the industry become better, stronger and more code-compliant,” Tew said. “The early adopters joining the program now are the ones who will see the most and fastest results. Beginning next year, a lot more information from the CMHA will be pushed out to architects and builders encouraging them to use those certified contractors.”

Making the Grade

Those who seek certification will go through a course administered either by the CMHA or regional partners (including Westlake) that have undergone “train the trainer” programs.

Day one is primarily conducted in the classroom. Participants complete a series of modules covering each step from installation to completion, including code requirements, materials, and terminology definitions. Trainers provide instruction on key topics like how to assess a wall’s suitability for installations; the proper use of grouting and mortar, and when materials should be discarded; and working in varying temperatures. Participants must pass a 50-question multiple choice test at the end of the day.

Day two is more hands-on and challenges installers to demonstrate their ability under close observation. Participants must install manufactured stone veneer on a 10-square-foot wall, demonstrating proper techniques and following any special instructions in the product’s guide. They are also shown a completed wall that has 12 mistakes and asked to identify them.

The certification lasts three years. To renew it the first time, participants can retake the 50-question written test online to extend their certification by three years. For second renewals, the applicants must retake the full course in person. (The course designers determined that after six years, enough conditions in the industry will have changed to warrant a reexamination.)

Cultured Stone White Oak ledgstone — ***Cultured Stone White Oak Country Ledgestone***

An Investment in the Future

Westlake produces several manufactured stone veneer brands, including Cultured Stone, which is carried by Instone. Cultured Stone’s leadership team was integral in developing the certification program and Westlake has dedicated significant resources into making it successful, Tew said.

The company views its contributions as an important investment in an industry that is still growing up, he said. Actions like the creation of the Certified Installer Program and the establishment of the ASTM 1670 standard for manufactured stone veneer products are helping build credibility and will improve the industry’s reputation going forward.

“It’s another important step, and the CMHA taking leadership and developing this program is one way we can show that we care about the contractors out there,” Tew said. “We’re not just trying to sell them stone. We’re also trying to help them succeed with their businesses.”

To view a schedule of upcoming certification session dates and locations in your region, click here.

For additional questions about the program or manufactured stone veneer, contact Instone today.

Upgrade Your Stone Veneer Siding Game: Get Quick & Stunning Results

September 5, 2023September 13, 2023by instoneLeave a comment

Upgrade Your Stone Veneer Siding Game: Get Quick & Stunning Results

Fast-track Your Masonry Projects with Instone’s Solutions

Whether you’re a contractor or a weekend warrior do-it-yourselfer, you feel the need … The need for speed.

Installing a veneer one stone at a time is meticulous work that takes time. Time that could be spent on a family outing, crossing tasks off the to-do list, or doing the things you love. Or in the case of a masonry professional, time that holds you back from moving on to the next job.

Instone offers two high quality solutions that are easy to install and help you cruise through stone veneer siding installations. Interloc Natural Stone Panels and Be.on® Stone are three to eight times faster to install. And they work well on interior and exterior applications.

Both stone siding brands have their own unique features but share a common approach in producing panels made of multiple stones. The professionally designed panels can cover plenty of ground in a hurry. The veneer panels fit together seamlessly and are designed for stress-free installation, making projects simple enough for any moderately handy do-it-yourselfer to take on.

Using Interloc or Be.on Stone, a wall that looks like it’s clad with thousands stones will only actually require a few dozen stone veneer panels. Chris Camosse, general manager for Massachusetts-based Camosse Masonry Supply, said these creative products have been hot sellers and given his company an edge.

“With the proprietary products that Instone finds, it allows us to have something that our competitors in the area don’t have – for example, the Interloc interlocking panel systems,” Camosse said. “These have become a huge success not only with homeowners but with contractors. Everyone sees the value of the product and the time it saves.”

Interloc gif — Interloc Natural Stone Veneer Panels – Real Stone 8x Faster

A Loc on Quality

Interloc panels feature thin natural stone pieces that are set into mortar and shaped to fit tightly together, hiding joints and giving the appearance of a stacked stone masonry wall. With Interloc, the hard work of selecting and arranging individual stones is already handled at the factory. Adding to the ease of installation, Interloc stone veneer panels have rough grooves on their backs that aid bonding.

Camosse first began carrying Interloc products about three years ago. Since then, he has held short how-to courses for contractors to introduce the product. During the courses, he demonstrates the panels’ consistency, time savings, and helps them become familiar with the product.

“The product we got on day one was the same quality as the product we got a year in, so that proved a lot to us as well.”
Chris Camosse, general manager for Massachusetts-based Camosse Masonry Supply

Interloc is available in two styles: New England, which features a blend of grey and warm, earthy colored stones, and Berkshire, a more consistent grey stone with sandy highlights. Use our online savings calculator to compare costs of Interloc vs. standard stone veneer siding.

Interloc Natural Stone Veneer Panels In Two Colors - Berkshire and New England

Be.on Stone Veneer Panels Showcase Carousel — Be.On Stone Veneer Panels – Mechanically Fastened

Above and Be.on for Simplicity

Instone President and CEO Kevin Grotke recently took on a DIY project of his own, adding wainscoting around the outside of a cottage he bought for family getaways. After giving some thought to his options, he determined Be.on Stone mortarless stone veneer siding was the ideal choice.

“We’re only here on the weekends so I’ve only got a day and a half to get this done, which is why I decided to go with this rather than a mortar and a lath application.”
Kevin Grotke, Instone president and CEO

Be.on Stone, also known as “screw-on stone veneer” or “stone veneer siding,” requires no mortar. It requires few tools – if you have a screw gun, a tile saw, a level and a tape measure, you’re off to the races.

As Grotke demonstrates in this video, the key is applying a starter strip along the base of the wall at the beginning of the job and making sure it’s level.

Once you’ve screwed in the initial row of veneer panels, you can run the rest of your panels above them quickly and perfectly level. Whether you have a standard OSB or plywood wall, you only need two or three fasteners per panel and don’t need to hit a stud.

Best of all, you won’t need a confusing assortment of panels to form your corners. As explained in our InBuilding Design series, the same pieces are used for inside and outside corners.

“You don’t need to order inside corners, you don’t need outside corners. One panel does it all,” Hortigan said. “All you have to do is figure out what your square footage is.”

Plus, with Be.on Stone’s patented D.Rain water management system, any rain that makes it behind the stone veneer drains automatically to the bottom of the wall, preventing mold and other damage to the structure. The product also has a 50-year warranty.

Be.on Stone comes in four styles, ranging from the Element collection, with its old European flavor, to the more contemporary Horizon. Each has its own variety of color options. Try our Virtual Designer for an instant glimpse at what a Be.on Stone veneer would look like on your home.

We Make it Easy!

Contact Instone today to learn more about why Interloc and Be.on Stone products are the fast, easy solutions for your next stone veneer job or DIY home exterior and siding project.

Introducing Game-Changing Stone Veneer Enhancements

June 2, 2023October 16, 2023by instone1 Comment

Introducing Game-Changing Stone Veneer Enhancements

Tradition Meets Innovation:
Undeniable Impacts & Benefits for Instone Customers

A trio of innovations pioneered by Instone stone veneer producers are bringing a new level of convenience, durability, and sustainability to the industry. With reimagined packaging solutions, a patented water management system, and a modular wall system, these Instone products are creating exceptional experiences for masonry professionals and their clients.

Be.on, Interloc and Pangaea value propositions

Scroll below for a tour of these remarkable features and their benefits.

Stone Siding Gutters Stop Water Damage

Be.on installation photo — **Vince Frassinone and Seal Tight Exteriors used Be.on Stone for this home facade in Illinois.**

Be.on D.Rain

With Be.on Stone exterior veneers, any water that sneaks through the joints goes down the D.Rain. The patented and inventive D.Rain system collects and channels rainwater down through a gutter-like system affixed to the back of each stone panel, releasing it into the ground at the bottom of the building. The system was specially designed to protect building exteriors from damage that can be suffered over time from continued moisture exposure.

D.Rain system graphic — See D.Rain in Action.

Vince Frassinone, president and owner of Seal Tight Exteriors, based in Steger, Illinois, recently tried Be.on Stone for two home builds. It was recommended to him by a local supplier who praised it for both its innovation and simplicity.

“A lot of other stone products absorb water, and when they do, it gets behind them and starts rotting the structure,” Frassinone said. “With Be.on Stone, everything is being captured with a rain-screening system, so if something does get behind it, it gets out fast and dries up.”

Streamlined Installation

Be.on Stone, a mechanically fastened veneer panel, also known as “screw-on stone veneer” or “stone veneer siding,” is also known for its ease of installation. The installation process is estimated to move as much as four times faster than a conventional veneer project thanks to Be.on Stone’s mortarless stone panels, which can be screwed directly into the studs or substrate. All an installer basically needs is a screw gun, a saw, a grinder, and a level.

Be.on Exterior shot — Contractor: Vince Frassinone of Seal Tight Roofing & Exteriors of IN, Inc FB: @sealtightroofinginc

Frassinone said there was a brief learning curve when his team started its first installation project, but once they got the hang of it, the rest of the project and his second one went quick and easy. Over a year after both installs, he said both homes look brand new and the Be.on Stone has done its job to perfection.

Be.on Stone comes in a variety of colors, distinctive styles, and finishes that can transform a home or building’s exterior to create curb appeal. Customers can use the Be.on Stone Visualizer to create an instant virtual rendering of what their home would look like with its various colors and patterns.

Check out our Inbuilding Design Video Featuring Be.On stone below!

Eliminate Slippage During Stone Veneer Installation

Pangaea Gripset^®

Through its patented Gripset technology, Pangaea pre-scores grooves onto the back of each stone during manufacturing. When applying the stone, the grooves allow stones to quickly and effectively grip onto mortar, expediting the installation process and ensuring the work will hold up well for many years.

Prefit Leads to Less Waste

Pangaea’s thin stone veneer is pre-cut, tooled, trimmed, and fitted, providing a mason with simpler installation and increased quality control. Each pallet layer is pre-blended for optimal color variance and size ratio, saving time and money before installation.

In addition, the company’s packing crates are specially designed to thwart the spread of invasive pest species. The pine used is inspected to ensure that its moisture levels are too low to harbor insects and each crate is International Plant Convention (IPC) certified and stamped.

Check out our Inbuilding Design video featuring Pangaea Natural Stone below!

Install Natural Stone 8x Faster With Predesigned Interloc Panels

As the name implies, Interloc natural stone veneer panels are engineered to interlock seamlessly. Each panel contains several pieces of stone, allowing installers to cover a surface up to eight times faster than it would take for a typical stone-by-stone job.

The corner pieces of the Interloc Panel System provide a smooth transition between wall sections. These shapes of the corner pieces match the profile of the Interloc panels, and are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate different wall heights and thicknesses.

Interloc installation along facade of home

Made from the same high-quality concrete as the Interloc panels themselves, the corner pieces ensure that they provide the same strength and durability as the rest of the wall. They interlock with the adjacent panels, providing a tight and secure fit that prevents shifting or movement over time.

Interloc Natural Stone Veneer Corner Panels from Instone — Interloc New England Corner Panels

Learn More: Find out what these innovations can contribute to your home and commercial property projects. Contact Instone today at customerservice@instoneco.com or (708) 371-0660 to consult one of our experts on Be.on Stone, Pangaea Natural Stone and Interloc Natural Stone Panels products.

Why Stone Veneer is a Natural Fit for Siding and Interior Projects in the Winter

December 8, 2022December 21, 2022by instoneLeave a comment

Why Stone Veneer is a Natural Fit for Siding and Interior Projects in the Winter

Published:

December 8, 2022

Last Updated:

December 21, 2022

Author:

instone

Be.On® Stone is the Product of Choice for Exterior Stone Siding Projects in the Winter

When the cold weather hits, many building and home improvement projects come to a halt. But not stone veneer projects using Be.On Stone. This manufactured stone veneer product is applied as a mechanically fastened screw-on panel that doesn’t require mortar (which is temperature sensitive). Installation involves a starter strip, and the panels are set in place.

“The nice thing about Be.On Stone is you don’t need a mason to install it,” says Chris Miller, Instone’s territory sales manager. “If you’re a little bit handy, you can do it yourself. There’s not much to it. And it looks great.”

If you’re worried about moisture getting behind your stone veneers and creating mold issues, you can forget about it with Be.On Stone. The panels come with a D.Rain moisture management system, a track gutter system behind the stone. Any water, humidity, rain or snow that gets behind the stone will just drain right out the bottom.

“You’ll never have moisture damage to any of your sheathing or house wrap, which is awesome!” exclaims Miller. “And it will save you money because typically, with a mortar application of natural stone, you need three or four different types of water barriers on the house, which can get expensive. With Be.On Stone, you only need one.”

Because of its mortar-less application, Be.On Stone can be applied anywhere, even in freezing temperatures. “We’ve had guys out there in negative 15 degrees installing it,” says Miller. “I don’t recommend that, but it can be done!” The screw-on application and z-shaped edges that allow it to be put together seamlessly and form inside and outside corners without separate corner pieces also make for a quicker install than a mortar install. “We’ve had crews install around 200–400 square feet in a day. With a mortar product, you’re looking at only 20–50 square feet a day,” says Miller.

For more information on Be.On® Stone, explore our product page. Interested in stock? Check out our portal page.

Also be sure to check out our Be.On® Stone Inbuilding Design Episode Below!

Interloc is One of the Fastest Installs of Natural Stone Siding

Another product option for installing stone siding in the winter months is Interloc. Unlike other stone siding veneers that are loose pieces that need to be applied one at a time, Interloc is made out of pre-cut panels that fit together and can be installed very quickly, saving time and money.

It begins with a starter strip on the top or bottom of the install area. Once that is in place, it creates a straight line on which to lay the rest of the panels and corner pieces, which lock together with hidden joints to create a straight, seamless look.

“It can be assembled and installed very quickly,” says Miller, “It’s designed

to get teams off the jobs faster, which saves the homeowner money on labor costs.”

Interloc New England

Interloc is applied with mortar, so be aware that the outside temperature needs to be above 40 degrees to avoid bonding issues. Interloc can be applied in winter in areas with temperatures that fluctuate between freezing and above. Plan the installation for when at least a week of above-40 temperatures is forecast. Some installers will also build a tent around the install area to maintain the right temperature. We recommend hiring a professional to install Interloc.

For more information on Interloc, see our product page. Interested in stock? Check out our portal page.

Want To Learn More About Interloc Products? Check Out Instone’s Jake Alicandro Break Down the Installation Process Below

Be.On® Stone and Interloc for Wintertime Stone Veneer Interior Projects

Have you imagined how you can add a little extra something to your home interior décor? Use all that time indoors during winter to fix up your home and add some character with stone veneer. Both Be.On Stone® and Interloc can be used indoors for a variety of home improvement projects, such as:

An accent/feature wall
A Zoom background wall
Wainscoting
Kitchen backsplash
Fireplace surrounds

As mentioned previously, Be.On Stone’s easy install can be done by a handy DIYer. We recommend hiring a professional when installing Interloc, since it requires a mortar application.

So don’t give up on your home during the winter. Use the time to improve your curb appeal and resale value by adding the charm and beauty of stone veneer siding.

Tag: Interloc

Investing in Excellence: How the Certified Installer Program is Raising the Bar in the Masonry Industry

Investing in Excellence: How the Certified Installer Program is Raising the Bar in the Masonry Industry

Making the Grade

An Investment in the Future

Upgrade Your Stone Veneer Siding Game: Get Quick & Stunning Results

Upgrade Your Stone Veneer Siding Game: Get Quick & Stunning Results