With the current trend to a more craftsman style of finishing in housing these days, many people are choosing to add some pizzazz to their homes with the application of stonework either for their own enjoyment or to add a more polished look to their home for sale.

Stone is an element in home finishing that adds visual interest and increases the perceived value of your home. When prospective buyers tour a house with a partial facade or stonework entranceway they see it as evidence of additional quality in the building which translates into higher offers when you sell. Surveys suggest that stone veneers can provide up to double the return for the investment.

So, the question many people ask about stone work is what is the better option, real or cultured stone. Real stone has the benefit of being the real thing instead of a copy and so it has more variation. However, real stone is very heavy and can be prohibitively expensive to install due to all the reinforcing that must take place to support it and the time it takes to custom fit all the pieces. Less common types of stone can be rather expensive to buy as well.

Modern cultured stone, invented in the early 1960s, is made from cement and aggregates. The cultured stone is cast in flexible molds made from real stones. To make the cultured stones look authentic they are coloured with iron oxide pigments. Because they are thinner and made with lighter materials, cultured stones are lighter and thus require less support for installation.

There are many places on the outside of your home that you can add either real or cultured stone veneers. They can be particularly striking when used to enhance the entraceway or cover any exposed foundations. Another great area to use them is on retaining walls, giving them that beautiful custom stonework look.

Inside your home is another great place for stone veneers. Many people opt for them on their fireplace but they can also be stunning in the bathroom, kitchen, or dining areas to give them that extra special appeal.

Whether you're looking for a little special touch or a whole faceade on the front of your house, stone veneer can add a lot of character to your home and increase its value too! Take a look at what's available online or check out your local supplier.  Mike Ciucci