Natural Stone Vs. Cultured Stone And Increasing Your Home's Value

Lennox Masonry - Natural Full-Bed Stone with Concrete Caps and Mexican Tiles

Time and time again, I am asked the same question: "What do you recommend? Cultured stone or natural stone veneer?" And my recommendation is always natural stone veneer over cultured for the following reasons:

4 Reasons To Go With Natural Stone As Opposed To Cultured Veneer:

Lennox Masonry - Natural River Rock with Blue Stone Archways and Flagstone Caps

Lennox Masonry - Cultured Granite River Rock

1) Longevity:

Stone clearly stands the test of time. Take a look at any structure built using stone over the centuries as a testament to that statement. In fact, time typically adds character to any stone structure or surface. It is an element which is virtually indestructible. Cultured stone however, is a man-made combination of chemical processes which attempt to imitate natural stone products. Unfortunately, it falls short when it comes to longevity. Cultured stone products are a painted veneer which eventually fade in colour and consistency, leading to a grey blob without any character or definition. Due to our coastal weather in Victoria, BC, it is a certainty that over the coming decades, the majority of home's which utilize cultured stone, will have to be remodelled due to aesthetic issues.

However, you can rest assured, that no matter what the seasons throw at your natural stone wall/walkway, it will remain not only undaunted, but, also, its colours ever more vibrant. In essence, its features only intensify over the years and stone is a household feature which never goes out of style.

2) Maintenance:

Natural stone veneer is a product which needs little, if any maintenance at all. Natural stone is easier to clean than cultured, can withstand the occasional pressure washing, if necessary, and does not require the assistance of a sealing agent. Cleaning moss, lichen, and stains off of natural stone will not cause the surface to fall into disrepair. Cultured stone on the other hand will not hold up to an abrasive cleaning tool such as a steel brush. In fact, many cleaning solutions which will have no effect on stone, will have a detrimental effect on cultured stone veneers.

3) Energy Efficiency:

When you think of natural stone, equate it to savings. Read from any one of the studies conducted over the past 20 years—and there are well over a dozen of them—and you'll find that the exterior of any building which is faced with natural stone, provides, on average, 60-175% more energy savings, in comparison to any other material used. While cultured stone will help with insulating efficiency and thus overall costs, it still pales in comparison to its natural competitor.

4) Increasing Your Home's Value And Your ROI:

Ask any property assessor and they will all deliver the same unanimous verdict: natural stone nets a greater return on your investment than any other interior/exterior application on your home. Period. So, in the end, given maintenance costs and longevity, natural stone not only increases the value of your home but also costs less in the long run. In essence, natural stone veneer products will also net a better return on your investment.

With years of experience in the field of masonry, Lennox Masonry is well equipped to assess and address your specific needs.

Give Us A Call At: 778-968-6574

As always, if you have any questions, please, comment below or write to us at sean@lennoxmasonry.com

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Sean Lennox,

Lennox Masonry, Masonry Contractor, Victoria, BC

Lennox Masonry of Victoria, BC has been proudly serving both Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands for over a decade. We are small group of skilled masons with a great deal of passion towards our trade and for improving the communities we live and work in. We extend our gratitude to the lək̓ʷəŋən people for allowing us to share and work on this corner of the garden with them. We are thankful for the residents and businesses of Victoria, BC for supporting us in our endeavors!

If you’re in need of a professional and reliable masonry company for your next project, please contact us today!