As designer Michael Maines wrote in ‘Behind the Build,’ modern design is about creating art you can live in, and last a long time.

Cultured Stone, the original name in manufactured stone veneer (MSV), is established as a product that imitates the beautiful aesthetic of natural stone, while also generally easier to install than natural stone. In fact, according to the Remodeling 2016 Cost vs. Value Report, installing MSV resulted in an average 92.9% return on investment. Still, the recent uptick has meant a flood of look-alike products that look and feel nothing like natural stone, despite claims of high-performance and sustainability. Molds are often re-used and the texture and colors can quickly fade, depending on product selection.

Cultured stone MSV is unique in that it checks aesthetic, maintenance-free performance and environmentally-friendly boxes all at once. Using a process that captures even the faintest detail, the MSV is cast from thousands of individual molds taken from carefully-selected natural stone. And, to further eliminate the possibility of repetition, no two stones are produced with the exact same coloring. Even on close examination, these manufactured stones look and feel like the originals.

In addition to an eye-catching aesthetic, the FHB Home team recognized the durability of the MSV would be equally important for creating value. Cultured stone products are lightweight concrete materials that typically last as long as any quality concrete or masonry material such as concrete block or brick. Our products undergo stringent third-party testing, which verifies durability, quality, reliability and consistency, allowing Cultured Stone to be one of few MSV manufacturers with ICC-Evaluation Service Approval.

In order to install the product in a way that maintains that authentic appearance and performance attributes, remember:

1. Cultured stone products are easily cut and trimmed using a hatchet or wide-mouth nippers or with a masonry blade used with a circular or masonry saw.

2. Because the product requires no additional footings, foundations or wall ties, installation time will be considerably less than when using natural stone.

3. As with any concrete or natural material, continued exposure to chlorine and other chemicals may eventually affect coloration. When frequently exposed to water, we recommend protection with a silane based non-film forming breather-type masonry sealer.

4. Occasional washing to remove surface dust and dirt is all that is required. The products are virtually maintenance free. Never use any harsh detergents or chemicals on Cultured Stone products.

Whether it’s for a new FHB Home build or a single-façade replacement, installing high-quality products is does not have to mean sacrificing aesthetics. And if you love the classic look of stone, there are few alternatives more appealing than MSV for your modern design.