Synthetic Stone Veneer: Why Problems Occur and How to Avoid Them

Abstract

Stone has been used as a building material since the literal Stone Age and it is not going to be an extinct construction material anytime soon. While natural stone is used in all aspects of home construction such as exterior wall claddings, in the early 1960's companies began manufacturing synthetic or fake stones that replicated natural stones. Advancements in technology throughout the years have created more authentic artificial stones that continue to replace natural stones for use as exterior wall claddings. Without being an advocate of the synthetic stone industry, the products they manufacture offer many advantages over natural stone. Lower cost, greater availability, wide variety of colors and styles, lighter weight, quicker installation time, small waste factors due to custom stone pieces such as corners and water tables, and repeatability and reliance for the construction trades installing the products are some advantages to manufactured stone. Regardless of the quality of the product used to skin a building, the quality of any exterior cladding ultimately depends on the quality of installation. This article will attempt to provide the reader with the information needed to ensure their stone veneer and related building components do not suffer failures related to the improper installation and lack of detailing at important locations.