Change is Hard
For the most part, human beings don’t like change. That’s why we have a favorite shirt, a favorite restaurant, or even a favorite vacation spot. Consistency just feels good. One of the places in life we see that most frequently is with people who work in trade industries. Perhaps it is that way because these folks rely so heavily on their tool and material choices to be successful.
We had a chance to sit down with a local mason here along the Wasatch Front to talk about making a material choice change. Specifically, when selecting a product for an exterior or, in some cases, interior home project.
Let’s Chat Manufactured Stone Veneer
American Stone: Thanks for sitting down with us Brandon (Lemonds), to talk about stone masonry projects.
Brandon: Glad I could help.
AS: First, why would someone choose a stone product for the exterior of their home?
BL: I think it comes down to aesthetics. Sure, you could use stucco, siding, or even brick. But I think the stone look provides a more natural beauty you just can’t get with other treatments.
AS: We know there are different types of full-bed or stone veneer from natural to manufactured. What does it take to successfully install?
BL: Sometimes those things need to be addressed with the project spec. In general, full-bed is heavier, more time consuming, and requires a more robust mortar. Thin Stone Veneers, or TSV, whether natural or manufactured use the same or similar mortar. What I think sets the manufactured TSV apart, is in the corners. You can get much more predictable corners that makes the entire install easier. Besides, manufactured tends to be much lighter and less dirty for the whole process.
AS: Sounds like you know your stuff. How long have you been a stone mason?
BL: I’ve been doing this for about a decade. It took me several months before I started hanging rock and more than a year before I felt like I hit my stride. Don’t get me wrong, hanging rock is art as much as anything, and it takes years and years to hone your craft. I am still learning from the challenges it presents.
AS: Speaking of manufactured stone, there is a manufacturer local to our market that makes a solid product. What would you say makes their offering so appealing?
BL: I think it really is about the on-hand availability.
AS: Not long ago, you decided to try ProVia manufactured stone from American Stone. What made you decide to give it a try?
BL: My wife and I were in the middle of our own build, looking for a product we could both agree on. When we came into American Stone, we were able to talk to a real person, unlike the experience at a big box. We loved the personal touch. She fell in love with the ProVia stone, and we were able to find a mixed style we both agreed would make our house a home.
AS: What was your first impression when the ProVia product was delivered to your job site?
BL: The boxes. Other manufacturers, like the one you mentioned, ship their products on pallets. What that means, is when I near the end of a pallet, it becomes really difficult to get the remaining stone out. With ProVia, I can handle it all myself without too much difficulty. I really appreciated that.
AS: Why would you choose ProVia for your next job?
BL: Of course, by nature manufactured is lighter and easier to work with, but there are two benefits I can think of off the top of my head. One, the ProVia molds provide a much cleaner product, which means the profile doesn’t ooze over the edges. That extra edge ooze takes time to remove from other products, and in my business, time is money.
And two, the variety in the molds. ProVia doesn’t have a repeating pattern in more than 200 square feet. The competition tends to be only 100 feet or less. On the job site, if you have to spend extra time making certain the pattern doesn’t repeat too closely, it can be a real time suck. And we’ve all seen examples in flooring or other manufactured products where repeating patterns are too close. It just looks wrong and unnatural.
AS: What would you say to another mason who is reluctant to give ProVia from American Stone a try?
BL: If you are a smaller mom and pop mason, you can have your clients stop by American Stone and choose their own stone. ProVia has a wide selection of colors and styles to choose from which will make your client happy. And for you as a mason, you’ll notice those advantages we already talked about right off the bat. Just how clean and easy it is to install.
When I compare the competition to ProVia, it just seems like the ProVia product is more robust and durable. We have harsh weather here, and the last thing any home owner wants, is to see their house sluff off stone.
Try It, You'll Like It
If you’re a mason looking for something that could make your life easier, check out ProVia from American Stone for your next project.