Stone Veneer Siding & Installation

Stone veneer gives you the gorgeous look of natural stone without the weight, cost, or installation challenges of full-thickness stone. Modern manufacturing techniques create veneers that are nearly impossible to distinguish from real stone at normal viewing distances. You get all the visual impact of stone masonry at a fraction of the weight and price.

This lighter weight means stone veneer can be installed on most existing exterior walls without structural reinforcement. Traditional full-bed stone requires substantial foundation support and adds significant load to your home's structure. Veneer weighs only about 15 pounds per square foot compared to 150 pounds for natural stone. This makes it practical for renovation projects where adding heavy stone would be impossible or extremely expensive.

Stone veneer dramatically increases curb appeal and property value. Studies show homes with stone exteriors sell for 6 to 10 percent more than similar homes with standard siding. Stone also requires virtually no maintenance unlike wood siding that needs painting or vinyl that fades and cracks. Once installed, your stone veneer will look great for decades with nothing more than occasional washing. It's an investment that pays back when you sell and provides enjoyment every day you live there.

You have two main options for stone veneer: natural thin stone cut from quarried rock, or manufactured stone cast from concrete and pigments. Both have advantages depending on your Hollywood home's needs and your budget. Let's break down the key differences:

• Natural stone offers authentic variations in color, texture, and veining patterns
• Manufactured stone provides consistent sizing that makes installation faster
• Natural stone typically costs 20 to 40 percent more than quality manufactured options
• Manufactured stone weighs less and comes in corner pieces for easier installation
• Natural stone has inherent waterproofing while manufactured may need sealing
• Both options last 50-plus years when properly installed

We work with premium manufacturers like Eldorado Stone, Cultured Stone, and Coronado Stone Products. These companies produce manufactured stone that replicates specific quarries and stone types. You can choose from ledgestone, fieldstone, river rock, ashlar, and many other styles. Each collection includes coordinating flat stones and corner pieces in the same color palette.

Natural thin stone comes in materials like granite, limestone, sandstone, and quartzite. We source from suppliers who cut stone specifically for veneer applications. The stones are already calibrated to consistent thicknesses, making installation more straightforward than working with irregular fieldstone. Whether you choose natural or manufactured, we'll help you select the perfect style to complement your home's architecture.

Proper installation is crucial for stone veneer that looks great and performs well long-term. We start by preparing your exterior wall surface. This usually involves attaching a moisture barrier and metal lath to create a proper bonding surface for the mortar. The moisture barrier protects your home's structure from any water that might penetrate through the stones over time.

We apply a scratch coat of mortar to the lath and let it cure before installing stones. This creates a strong base that prevents the veneer from pulling away from the wall. Each stone gets a full coating of mortar on its back before being pressed firmly into place. We maintain consistent joint spacing and use the proper mortar consistency to avoid drips or gaps.

After the stones are set, we point the joints with matching mortar color. This step requires careful tooling to create consistent depth and appearance throughout the installation. We clean excess mortar while it's still soft to avoid staining the stones. Finally, we apply a breathable sealer to manufactured stone if recommended by the manufacturer. The entire process typically takes one to two weeks depending on the area being covered. Stone veneer pairs beautifully with other masonry elements, so consider adding stone steps or a custom patio to create a cohesive look.