Stone Veneer Siding & Installation

Why Stone Veneer Makes Sense for Your Home

Stone veneer gives you the timeless elegance of natural stone without the structural challenges and expense of full-thickness masonry. Modern manufactured stone veneer looks remarkably realistic while weighing a fraction of natural stone. This means you can add stone accents to your home exterior without reinforcing walls or foundations. The cost is also significantly lower than natural stone, making it accessible for more homeowners who want the stone look.

Here in Roseville, CA, we see growing interest in stone veneer as homeowners update their exteriors. Stone accents add character and value to homes that might otherwise look plain or dated. You can apply stone veneer to entire facades, create accent walls around entryways, or highlight architectural features like columns and chimney exteriors. The versatility of stone veneer makes it work with almost any home style from traditional to contemporary.

At RV Roseville Masonry, we install both natural stone veneer and manufactured stone products. We work with premium brands like Cultured Stone and Eldorado Stone that produce high-quality materials with realistic textures and colors. We help you select styles that complement your home architecture and guide you through the design process to create a cohesive, professional appearance. Whether you want a rustic ledgestone look or smooth stacked stone, we have the expertise to install it correctly.

Natural Stone vs. Manufactured Veneer

Understanding Your Options

Both natural stone veneer and manufactured stone veneer have advantages. Understanding the differences helps you make the right choice for your project and budget.

Natural stone veneer uses real stone that has been cut into thin pieces specifically for veneer applications. It offers authentic color variations and unique character that comes from genuine geological materials. Natural stone is extremely durable and ages beautifully over decades. The drawbacks are higher material costs and more weight compared to manufactured options. Natural stone also requires more skill to install because each piece is different and needs to be fitted carefully.

Manufactured stone veneer is made from concrete, aggregates, and iron oxide pigments that are molded and colored to look like natural stone. Modern manufacturing techniques create incredibly realistic products that most people cannot distinguish from natural stone at normal viewing distances. Manufactured stone weighs about half as much as natural stone and costs 30 to 50 percent less. It also comes in consistent sizes that make installation faster and more predictable.

We recommend manufactured stone for most residential projects because it offers excellent value and performance. However, for historic homes or clients who specifically want authentic stone, natural veneer is the better choice. We are experienced with both materials and can help you decide which makes sense for your specific situation. Either way, proper installation is what determines long-term success, and we follow industry best practices regardless of which material you choose.

Our Stone Veneer Installation Process

Getting Stone Veneer Right

Stone veneer installation requires careful preparation and attention to detail. The underlying wall must be properly prepared to support the veneer and provide a good bonding surface. We inspect your existing siding and wall structure to ensure it can handle the additional weight and moisture considerations that come with stone veneer.

Here is what proper stone veneer installation involves:

• Water-resistant barrier installation to protect wall sheathing
• Metal lath attachment to provide mechanical bonding for mortar
• Scratch coat application and curing for proper mortar adhesion
• Careful stone layout and dry-fitting before final installation
• Mortar application and stone placement with proper joint spacing
• Grouting or pointing of joints between stones
• Flashing installation at roof lines and horizontal transitions
• Weep screeds at the bottom to allow moisture drainage

One of the biggest mistakes we see with stone veneer is inadequate moisture management. Stone veneer is not waterproof, and moisture can get behind it through joints and cracks. Without proper flashing, water-resistant barriers, and drainage provisions, water gets trapped behind the veneer and causes rot, mold, and deterioration. We follow manufacturer specifications and building code requirements to ensure your stone veneer installation performs properly for decades.

We also coordinate stone veneer work with other exterior improvements. If you are updating your home, we can work alongside other trades or handle related masonry work like new front steps or chimney repairs at the same time. This integrated approach ensures all the masonry elements work together visually and structurally.

Frequently Asked Questions