Stone Veneer Fireplace, a Nature Look on the Fireplace
Stone veneer fireplace is a fireplace that covered and protected with a manufactured or natural stone. It will add a nature look on your fireplace. The stone veneer usually has 1 inch of thickness and weight less than 15 pounds to make no structural additional supports. Natural stone veneer is made from a cut and weighted real stone. The manufactured veneer is a factory product that duplicates the shapes of natural stone.
The comparisons of advantages using natural or manufactured stone veneer fireplace
The manufactured comes in cheaper price than natural stone. It is also light enough so it will not bind in the wall. Because of the light weight, the manufactured veneer is easier to be built. The color and design also provides you much more option than natural stone. The natural stone is strong enough and reusable one. The natural stone can be cut and shaped to match the size you need. And the leftover can be reused.
The manufactured veneer has a larger waste factor because they are made from a concrete stone in the factory. The natural stone will not change the color if exposing with the sun beam, but the manufactured is changed. The natural stone has less pores than manufactured, which made the manufactured absorbs much water and cause the moisture transferred to the wall. The natural veneer is also excellent in durability which makes you no need to change it every year.
For myself, I prefer a natural stone veneer fireplace than a manufactured stone veneer fireplace. Probably the big cost will put you down but the long lasting durability is worth it. I do not recommend the manufactured if we take a look from the durability. I do not want fireplace maintenance every year in house. I hope this article will help you decides which one of them that you prefer the most.