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3 Reasons to Use Cultured Stone® on Your Project 

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3 Reasons to Use Cultured Stone® on Your Project 

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When selecting a stone veneer for your interior and exterior designs, the question often arises: natural or manufactured stone veneer? There are benefits to both, but the biggest considerations are: how does it look and how much will it cost?

What is Manufactured Stone Veneer?.

Manufactured stone veneer, also known as MSV, is a lightweight building material used as a decorative wall covering for exterior or interior surfaces. Produced by using a concrete mixture that’s poured into a mold and colored using mineral pigments – its porous and light weight properties make it easy to cut and handle, creating compared to natural stone.

Manufactured stone veneer originated in 1962 by a pair of brothers in Vallejo, California. They developed a concrete mixture to cast in flexible molds that were created from natural stone to give it a realistic size and texture. They began distributing this stone into the market under the brand name Cultured Stone®. Today, Cultured Stone remains the industry-leading brand offering premium manufactured stone veneer (MSV) products.  

How is Manufactured Stone Veneer Used?

Manufactured stone veneer as a decorative architectural element that can be used on a variety of project applications. It is applied to the wall using lath, scratch coat, mortar, and grout. Manufactured stone veneer is lightweight, does not require ties or footings, and offers panelized systems for easy installation. This makes it a great alternative to natural stone.

The varied shapes, sizes, colors and textures of manufactured stone veneer provide design versatility that’s perfect for creating an inviting space. Range of applications include

  • Interiors
  • Exteriors
  • Outdoor Living
  • Commercial
  • Multi-family
  • Signage

3 Reasons Cultured Stone® Is A Great Choice

For homeowners, installers and dealers, there are three solid reasons to choose Cultured Stone MSV over a natural stone.

1. Manufactured Stone Veneer Can Save Homeowners Money

For homeowners choosing Cultured Stone, one of the biggest benefits is cost savings. Since the stone is made from cement and not quarried, it’s less expensive to produce compared to natural stone, and the savings are passed on to the consumer. However, not all manufactured stone looks natural. Cultured Stone has created an intricate process to create the most realistic-looking stone product on the market and offer a versatile range of styles.

 A manufactured stone veneer product can cost as much as 50% less than natural full bed depth stone. Another cost saving comes in the form of labor. Read on about the installation process for Cultured Stone and how its light weight features means faster install times and lower labor costs

2. Manufactured Stone from Cultured Stone® Looks Like the Real Deal

Cultured Stone is made from a mold of actual natural stone so it has the shape and texture of a quarried real stone. Before cement is poured into the molds, each stone and brick is literally hand painted piece-by-piece by highly-trained artisans. Using only the highest quality natural mineral oxides, the stone’s surface is infused with rich, authentic tones, offering an unmatched depth and variation in color.

This attention to detail gives consumers an authentic look of natural stone. It also means that Cultured Stone provides a wide range of finishes and styles that are consistent in shape, color, and availability.

According to Joel Ginsberg, branch manager at Hearth & Home Technologies, which sells manufactured stone veneer for interior projects, consistency in color is one of the biggest selling points of Cultured Stone. “If you ever need to replace it or add more to your project down the road, it will be the same color you bought previously. With natural stone, you’ll get whatever color is cut out of the mountain, which may be different from another piece cut somewhere else or at another time.”

The range of offerings with Cultured Stone includes:

  •  20+ textures 
  •  100+ colors 
  •  Accent products 
  •  Capstones 
  •  Hearthstones

Think you can tell the difference between natural stone and manufactured stone? Watch our recent episode of “In Building Design” to see how hard that can be:

3. Manufactured Stone Veneer Is Easier and Faster to Install Than Natural Stone

If you’ve ever held a piece of natural stone in one hand and manufactured stone in the other, the first thing you may notice is the difference in weight. Cultured Stone’s products are made of lightweight aggregate materials and are approximately one-quarter the weight of natural stone.

For installers, this means it’s easier—and therefore faster—to install. There isn’t as much worry or challenge with the stone sliding down the wall as you install it, so your project can be completed more efficiently in less time. Cultured Stone is available in a variety of stone types, including individual pieces and modular, panelized profiles. While panelized profiles offer a quicker installation, individual stone profiles allow for more customization in application and grout technique that can enhance overall design.

 Some of the benefits of installing Cultured Stone include:

  • No ties or footings required 
  • Adheres to any structurally sound surface
  • Simple installation process: lath > scratch coat > mortar and grout 
  • Panelized systems are available 

How to Install Manufactured Stone Veneer

See our series of videos on the installation process for Cultured Stone:

Instone Presents: InBuilding Design A New Online Show For Pros and the DIYers

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Instone Presents: InBuilding Design A New Online Show For Pros and the DIYers

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At Instone, we sell rocks. But what does that mean? If you’ve ever wondered, then we have a show for you!

Instone introduces the InBuilding Design Series, a new show that gives you a backstage look at Instone’s products and hot tips for installation for both professionals and at-home do-it-yourselfers (DIY). Plus, there is some fun trivia and we have friendly competitions between the Instone team and their expert guests.

Launching June 23, the show stars Instone’s COO, CMO Rob McKay, as our resident pro, and Video Producer Ken Czechanski as the “new guy” asking the questions you might have been afraid to ask. 

The show’s format is similar to a relaxed afternoon out in the garage sharing a beer with some neighbors.

“At Instone, people always ask what we do for a living, and sometimes it’s hard to explain without getting too technical,” says McKay. “People don’t typically see our type of product in Home Depot like they do paint and flooring. Our goal is to talk about the products in a casual, friendly way over a couple of drinks and demystify the whole thing.”

The show will focus on a separate product for each of the upcoming nine episodes. They also bring in an expert on that product.

“The idea is to provide education, but also keep it light, so it’s entertaining,” says McKay. Guests participate in games, knowledge tests and various challenges around the product. Will they rise to the challenge? You’ll have to tune in to find out! 

The show is designed to appeal to both the professional and the DIYer by providing information about Instone’s products and just being a fun show to watch.

“This isn’t a corporate training video,” says McKay, “The professionals don’t really need training, but they will walk away possibly having learned something about the product they didn’t know—and it’ll be entertaining.”

For Czechanski’s role as “the new guy,” he represents the curious neighbor who might want to know if they could use an Instone product in their DIY project. “I speak for the guy who might be wondering, ‘can I do this myself?'” says Czechanski. “I’m there to fill in the gaps for people who may not understand everything and make sure they say it in layman’s terms.” Czechanski also brings in the comedic element. “I’m an improviser, so I’m used to looking at things differently. I like to bring out who the guests are as people. There’s some good-natured ribbing going on.”

Whether you’re a professional or a homeowner DIYer, the InBuilding Design Series has something for you.

“Ultimately, I want to make the products more accessible for people,” says Czechanski. “I want them to feel more confident about using the products because if I can figure it out in the 15 minutes of the show, then there is hope for everyone!”

And while you’re getting to know Instone’s products, here are some fun facts about the team:

Rob McKay’s Fun Fact: He was Santa Claus and the Easter bunny in his local shopping mall for four years. People lined up and waited for an hour to see him. And he has the photos to prove it!

Ken Czechanski’s Fun Fact: He can sing! We just may ask him to show off those pipes on a future episode!

So crack open a cold one and sit back and enjoy InBuilding Design with your friendly Instone team!

Avoid Stone Veneer Failures: Get up to Speed on Building Code Requirements for Rainscreen

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Avoid Stone Veneer Failures: Get up to Speed on Building Code Requirements for Rainscreen

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For a contractor living in the Eastern half of the U.S. or along the West Coast states, you know the issues you can have with moisture getting into your projects. Rain and humidity can wreak havoc on stone veneers when any bit of moisture settles in behind the masonry and causes a leak or mold situation.

For that reason, the International Building Code passed a requirement for the incorporation of a drainage plane behind stone systems. Frequently referred to as “rainscreen,” this space or drainage material needs to be no less than 3/16 inch depth behind the stone. Rainscreens are available in a range of materials including entangled mesh and plastic or foam products with drainage avenues.

Dell Nolt, field service representative of Westlake Royal Stone Solutions recently provided an educational workshop to professional contractors in order to educate them on this new requirement. He covered the official code, where contractors can find its official language, why it’s important, the materials on the market that are compliant with the code and how to install it.

According to the code, adhered masonry veneer will follow the 2018 Section R703.12​. Its installation will refer to the 2021 Exterior Plaster section:​

  • R703.71—installation of lath and all accessories​
  • R703.7.3—water-resistive barrier including a rain screen drainage space

Best practices to achieve this rainscreen include:

  •     Sheathing​
  •     WRB​
  •     Drainage medium​
  •     Mortar screen/WRB​
  •     Lath​
  •     Scratch coat​
  •     ACMV.

Nolt says there is often a lack of education in the industry when a new code requirement comes out. Contractors just aren’t hearing about it. He hopes Westlake Royal Stone Solutions can be a resource, informing the industry on how to stay compliant with installations.

“We’re trying to help you protect your business so you can utilize this information and pass it on to your clients,” Nolt explains. “As an industry, we want to make sure we’re doing the best thing for our clients so they can enjoy the longevity of the product and it performs as it’s designed to.”

He adds that it’s not hard to understand the logic behind the code. “If you Google stone veneer failure, it doesn’t take long to see a lot of horror stories about drainage issues and stone systems that have leaked for various reasons. We need great moisture management behind these systems to prevent bulk water intrusion or any other capillary failure that results from moisture getting trapped behind the stone system. It eliminates the potential for mold remediation or leak remediation.”

Moisture management is not something new. Nolt says that most contractors are already doing exactly what the code requires and the code is really just catching up with the science that’s been around for a while. “It’s not just unique to stone veneer. If you’re in the exterior cladding business, whether that be stone, cement, board siding or other types of veneer, moisture management is super important,” he says. “The code just makes sure that the industry addresses it from a universal standpoint.”

While this new International Building Code came out in 2021, Nolt says there is always some lag time in the adoption process.  Pennsylvania was the first state to adopt the process but it’s required in all states that fall into the moisture zones on the climate map. This is Moist Climate A, which includes the Eastern half of the U.S. via a line split down Minnesota through the center of Texas and Marine Climate Zone C, which runs along the West Coast and Pacific Northwest including Washington and the California coast. The only states not requiring this code are in Dry Climate Zone B, which includes Nevada and Colorado.

While adding an extra step is not something contractors always want to hear, Nolt says it’s not really that much additional work or monetary inconvenience. “We’re talking about an ancillary type of product. The cost is not significant; it’s really just a few cents on a square foot. The significant cost comes if there is a failure of the product if moisture gets in. So this is really a kind of cheap form of insurance to prevent that.”

There are already products on the market to help contractors address the code and with the new requirement, Dells predicts more products will become available as the demand increases. One product already available is made by Cultured Stone, called Drain-N-Dry™, a pre-rainscreen material that provides moisture drainage, and it has an added feature many others do not provide.

“It has some technology behind it to address air circulation behind the wall system. It creates some airflow to become a ventilated type of system for moisture drainage,” Nolt explains.

For contractors looking for information or solutions to comply with the code requirement, they can contact Instone.

As the old saying goes: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” By adhering to the code and adding a rainscreen to stone veneer projects, it helps the industry as a whole ensure against moisture damage and have many happy customers with beautiful stonework on their homes and commercial properties for years to come.

Boost Your Home’s Value with Pangaea® Natural Stone for Added Curb Appeal

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Boost Your Home’s Value with Pangaea® Natural Stone for Added Curb Appeal

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Curb appeal. We’ve all heard about it, but how do you get it and what’s the best way to increase curb appeal while getting a great return on investment when you decide to sell? The front of your house greets guests and passers-by alike. Its appearance can turn heads or make heads shake. Your house’s exterior beauty, or “curb appeal”, is one of the biggest factors that determine your home’s value and street cred.

A home’s entrance featuring Pangaea® Cambrian Fieldstone.

Curb appeal is especially important for those considering selling or being compliant with homeowners’ association maintenance regulations. It also plays an important role in just being a responsible neighbor, keeping the neighborhood looking nice, and raising property values.

For a quick and easy way to boost your home’s curb appeal, let us introduce you to natural stone veneer. Our Pangaea ® veneer can instantly add an attractive finish to a home’s entryway, siding, walls and columns. It is made from real stone, cut thin and designed to be affixed to vertical surfaces, giving the appearance of full-bed stones.

What a difference one choice makes. WestCoast® Fieldstone makes the entry stand out!

We spoke with Andrew Everleigh of Environmental Pools, who has completed dozens of home improvement and masonry projects using Pangaea® stone to enhance a home’s appearance. He said one of the biggest reasons to go with Pangaea® was the look of the stone. “The way the stones are cut and the tightness of how they look together. I get a lot of feedback on how people like the simple, modern look that Pangaea® gives them.”

He says the quality is also a benefit, “There’s a lot of thin veneer out there. If someone is looking for a high-end stone veneer, Pangaea® is it.”

The Difference Between Natural Stone and Manufactured Stone

While it may be hard to detect by the untrained eye, there is a difference between natural stone veneer and manufactured (aka cultured) stone. Natural stone comes from Mother Nature herself, quarried from the earth and thinly sliced to make a veneer instead of using a full-bed stone. Because it’s created by nature, it’s naturally sustainable, can withstand weather conditions and gives a unique appearance with textures and tonal variations that look aesthetically beautiful.

Manufactured or cultured stone is man-made and designed to mimic natural stone in appearance. It is usually made of concrete and aggregate materials and is stained or painted to look like natural stone colors. Therefore, it may not be as durable as natural stone and can fade or erode over time or in harsh weather conditions.

The difference may be in cost. While cultured stone may appear to be lower cost upfront because it’s not as durable, it may need to be replaced down the road. Because natural stone is made to last by the earth, the value is in its durability. However, Pangaea® natural stone veneers are comparably priced to cultured stone right at purchase, so it’s a win-win!

How to Use Pangaea® Natural Stone Veneers on Your Home

Everleigh and his team often use Pangaea® for applications where they are not able to do a full-set or full-bed stone; it provides a lighter weight, sleeker finish than bigger stones. It’s also more cost-effective to use veneers versus full-bed stones. While Pangaea® comes in a number of finishes, he said his team uses a lot of Ledgestone and Ashlar and sometimes will mix it with Castlestone for a unique look.

For a homeowner who’s been looking at their same house for a number of years, sometimes it’s hard to know where to make improvements for aesthetic value. That’s where Everleigh’s team or a landscape architect comes in to provide guidance.

“Either our team or a landscape architect would work with the homeowner to create a design and color palette and then we would come in and build it.”

A light post at the entrance to a driveaway featuring Pangaea’s® Diamond River 3 Course Ashlar.

He says the first step is taking a look at the architecture of the home and the overall layout to the outside environment and determining the type of Pangaea® stone that will work best. For example, for more of a country-style, old-fashion feel, they would use the Fieldstone. For a more modern look they would go with a Ledgestone. The homeowner would determine the color palette they like best—greys or tans, or a mixture based on the overall theme of the property.

Everleigh said each area has a prominent type of architecture. New England is generally a lot of grey and brown tones, while more of a Tuscan style may be popular in other areas. He says it’s best to turn to the guidance of an expert rather than DIY to make sure the design matches the architecture of the house. “They can help you narrow down the color and source samples so the homeowner can see and feel the choices available,” he says.

Pangaea® comes in a large variety of color and style options to fit the design you want to create. View our selection here.

Where to Use Natural Stone Veneers to Improve Curb Appeal

One of the benefits of using Pangaea® thin stone veneer is the way stone veneer can transform and upgrade the look of the home. Here are a few ways to use it for better curb appeal:

Entryway: Thin stone veneer can provide a completely new look to your home’s front door area and create interest and contrast.

Garage: Cover garage structures for a unique look. You can also match it to your entryway to unify your look throughout your home’s exterior.

Columns: Columns provide a stately look to any home. Ones made from stone veneer provide interest and color to the front of your home.

Stone Walls: Set borders around your home for protection or simply aesthetic value by adhering to walls. Pangaea® thin veneer is easy to install with beautiful results.

Chimney: If your chimney is visible from the front of your house, wrapping it in Pangaea® natural stone veneer will give it visual interest and a rustic look.

Contact us today for more information, to locate a dealer in your region, or to become a Pangaea® dealer.

Most Frequently Asked Questions at the 2022 Northeast Hardscape Expo

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Most Frequently Asked Questions at the 2022 Northeast Hardscape Expo

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The Instone Team enjoyed meeting all of you at the recent Northeast Hardscape Expo. We shared our products and signed up recruits to our Instone Army. We look forward to interacting with our new Stone Soldiers in the coming weeks!

In the meantime, for those who were there, and those who couldn’t make it, here are some of the most frequently asked questions from the expo, answered by our experts.

Q: We saw you have a product called Pangaea®. What makes it so special?

Like our saying, “We Make It Easy!,” Pangaea® makes it super easy to do your job. This product is ready for application right out of the box. Each stone is pre-cut, tooled, trimmed and fitted together. All you have to do is apply it just like it’s laid out in the package, saving you time, money and product waste.

Q: How much Pangaea® square footage is in a pallet? 

A: It depends on the type ordered, but in general, flats will cover 200-240 sq ft with a ½” joint, and corners will have about 50 linear feet in every pallet. To find the exact number for the profile you’re interested in, go to our website. In the top navigation click “Check Stock.” Click on the product you’re interested in. Click on the specific style. The description will list how much is available in each warehouse. 

Q: How does the cost of Pangaea® compare with other similar products? 

A: You’ll find Pangaea’s price point comparable to other quality products. It may appear slightly higher, but you get extra value in the time you save and the elimination of waste thanks to the unique features of Pangaea, which include:

  • Gripset® the pre-scored grooves on the back of each piece for quick and easy application and no slippage.
  • Pre-tooled, trimmed and fitted pieces so you can cover more square footage than the competitors (less waste). 

Q: Can I pick up my orders? How do I get product? 

A: Instone works directly through a dealer network to ensure the lowest freight costs possible and the quickest delivery. Our route trucks deliver material 2-3 times a week, so you can be sure your material will get to you in a dependable and timely manner.

Q: I didn’t know you had landscape products too. What can you offer, and is it in stock? 

A: We have patterned flagging, steps, treads, caps and coping readily available in a variety of materials. Our Aura Natural Landscape products include granite, limestone, pebbles, quartizite, sandstone and travertine selections in a variety of finishes. In addition to what we have in stock, we can also do custom fabrication for those one-of-a-kind projects. 

Q: How do I find a dealer near me? 

A: Contact our customer service team at (708) 371-0660 or customerservice@instoneco.com. Let us know the product you’re interested in and your  location. We’ll set you up with someone nearby who’s knowledgeable and ready to help.

Q: How can I find out what’s in stock?

A: That’s easy! Navigate to Check Stock on the top navigation bar on the website. From there, you can see the availability of our products in your area, whether you’re a homeowner or dealer. 

Q: Which stones will be the most readily available this year?

A: That’s a great question. We can’t always predict the demand of a particular stone. However, we strive to keep a full complement of stone types and colors in stock. If one stone isn’t available, we’re consistently sourcing new materials that can fill your needs if stock runs low in one area. We utilize our entire network to ensure complete coverage and availability. If you don’t see what you want, please ask. We may be able to offer alternatives and get them to you quickly.

Q: What is the Instone Army and how do I join?

The Instone Army is an elite group of stone soldiers who receive exclusive educational information, new product notifications, chances to earn and win tools and gear. Each new member gets a FREE Instone Army t-shirt! Sign up for our Army here.

Again, thank you all for coming out to the Northeast Hardscape Expo. We hope to see you at the next event!