Natural Stone

Natural Stone Veneer For Homes

August 15, 2019 by Champion Brick

If you’re planning on building a new home or want to renovate your current one for an updated look, consider adding natural stone veneers into you plans. With a variety of shapes and colors you can create a look for home that is edgy and modern or classic suburb. Champion Brick currently offers six natural stone veneer options to choose from that provide a variety of looks for any home. Natural stone veneer is a great option to consider as it’s become a growing popular item in the market over the last several years.

What is natural stone veneer?

Stone veneer is a product that can be made from natural stone or manufactured stone, similar to how precious gems have their alternative faux items. Natural stone veneer is made from real stone that is either collected fieldstone or quarried. The stone is cut to a consistent thickness and weight for use as a veneer. Manufactured stone veneer is composed of Portland cement, lightweight natural aggregates, and iron oxide pigment for coloration. Natural thin stone veneer is cut to approximately one-inch thickness, weighing no more than fifteen pounds per square foot. This is important because it allows the contractor to install stone without building a block or concrete base that has to support the weight of a full bed stone.

They can weigh up to fifty-five pounds per square foot, which is a lot of weight to support and one of the reasons why natural thin stone veneer has become so popular.

Stone designs/cuts

Natural stone veneers can come in many styles. Here are typical cuts you can find:

Round: These are natural shaped round and ovals that have a balance of size. They’re great for that old farm look or for oceanside communities. Farm walls or country fireplaces are a very desirable look, especially in the northeast and mountain areas.

Square and Rectangular: This cut enables you to get an excellent ratio of size which is a plus for larger applications. It’s a great choice for a classic “old world” look.

Rectangular: This is rustic or a finely cut shape; a very universal cut that can be used in most applications large and small. It has a balance of size but not as dramatic as the square and rectangular.

Ledge Cut: Ledge cuts are smaller in width two to four inches and have varying lengths. If used alone they can create a “stacked” look and are an excellent choice for contemporary designs.

Mosaic Cut:This is a cut with points and angular shapes that have a mix of large, medium, and small sizes. Mosaic is another great option for larger areas where you can show the contrast of the shapes and size.

Contact Us

Champion Brick can assist you with any questions you may have about the product or design ideas. Check out our project gallery for ideas and to see some of the work we’ve done already with natural stone veneer. If you’d like to schedule a consultation or just have a question contact us and we’d be happy help.

Benefits of Using Realstone Systems Stone for Your Wisconsin Home

June 20, 2019 by Champion Brick

Natural stone adds elegance to your home. Realstone Systems Stone are top of the line stone manufacturers located in the Midwest. Champion Brick is proud to offer this brand and is one of the few dealers in southeastern Wisconsin. Here’s what you need to know about using stone from Realstone Systems for your next project.

What’s Realstone Systems?

Realstone Systems, based in Troy, MI, is a manufacturer that produces an assortment of stone veneer. They offer a vast selection of different styles for homeowners to choose from. There a number of factors that earns Realstone Systems their reputation.

What are the Benefits of Using Realstone?

Stone veneer from Realstone provides numerous benefits to homeowners, firstly, it provides eco-friendly benefits.

Eco-friendly Material

Our society is becoming more environmentally conscious as the years go on. The same goes for stone manufacturers. Going green is highly beneficial for homeowners because it can significantly reduce how much natural resources you use. Therefore, using eco-friendly material in your home can also get you a LEED certification.

Work Up Some LEED Points

LEED, or Leadership in Environmentally Engineered Designs, rates a project’s impact on the environment. A LEED certification rates a project’s recycled content, construction waste management, impact on air quality and the innovation of the design. Installing Realstone in your home can help you work towards getting a LEED certification and add value to your home.

Stone Veneer Adds Value to Homes

Homeowners aren’t just going green, they’re investing in it. According to an article from Construction Dive, “area homes built to LEED between 2008 and 2016 saw an 8% increase in value, while homes built to more general green standards experienced a 6% rise.” Even then, stone veneer in itself adds significant value to a home’s resale value.

According to data from a cost vs. value report from Remodeling, homeowners who installed manufactured stone veneer saw 94.9% return on their investment. If you’re interested in boosting resale value, using real stone veneer helps homeowners get a bigger return on their investment.

Realstone is easy to work with. Above all, Realstone Systems’ does a great job with custom orders and sizing.

Realstone is Good for Custom Projects

Realstone is a good option for homeowners that are looking for a wide selection of colors and custom sizing. As a result, Champion Brick offers a wide range of Realstone Systems’ stone veneer, and homeowners can choose the dimensions they need for their next project. Looking for some inspiration for installing Realstone in your home? Take a look at Houzz’s gallery showcasing home improvement projects using Realstone Systems and see our guide to natural stone veneer!

Getting Realstone in Your Home

In conclusion, Realstone Systems’ stone veneer can be a great addition to your home for DIY projects and siding. Interested in availability? Call on Champion Brick for your next home improvement project!

DIY Stone Veneer Projects for Wisconsin Homes

April 16, 2019 by Champion Brick

Winter can be a great time to brainstorm DIY projects for your Wisconsin home. Stone veneer can be the main ingredient in sprucing up your home in time for spring. Whether it be inside or outside, there are a number of ways you can incorporate stone veneer in DIY projects. Here are just five ways you can get creative with DIY stone veneer projects.

Paneling Your Walls with Stone Veneer

You don’t have to bring out the paint bucket to spruce up your walls. Adding stone veneer panels can spice up your home. One benefit of using stone veneer is that it gives your walls more dimension. A good mix of elegance and liveliness is essential for creating an aesthetic. Champion Brick is proud to offer a number of different styles of stone veneer to choose from. Stone veneer works well with appliances such as grills and fireplaces.

Stone Veneer for Grills & Fireplaces

The cold months can get you dreaming about gathering around a fire pit or grilling out with friends. Stone veneer can be the source of inspiration to craft a DIY fire pit or grill. If you’re interested in making your own DIY stone veneer fireplace or grill, Pinterest is a great place to find ideas for DIY stone veneer installations! Decking out your home appliances with stone veneer works both in and outdoors.

Deck Out Your Kitchen with Stone Veneer

Stone veneer can be a great addition to your kitchen. The versatility it provides can give your kitchen an accent that will keep people in the room. Some popular choices for adding it in are kitchen tables, breakfast bars, cabinets, and backdrops for walls. Stone can also be a great addition to your bar.

Adding Stone to the Bar

You can turn your ordinary basement or outdoor bar into something more extravagant. Adding stone veneer to your bar is a great way to give your bar new life. Do It Yourself has a great step-by-step guide on installing a DIY stone veneer bar front. It may even lead to longer conversations with guests…and a few too many cocktails. Pavers are another great DIY stone veneer project for inside and outside of your home.

4 Unique Ways to Use Landscaping Stones to Spruce Up Your Backyard or Garden

August 8, 2018 by Champion Brick

Are you looking to give your backyard a makeover? Or maybe you just want to spruce it up a little. Incorporating stone can add depth and contrast to your landscape design.

Landscaping stones come in a multitude of sizes, hues, textures, and shapes. And they’re easy to find. They can be purchased at local landscape businesses, the garden shop at home improvement stores, or a local stone yard.

Your budget will determine what you can buy and how big you want to go. In this area, stones native to Southeast Wisconsin are typically more easily accessible and less expensive. But if your dreams are fixed on something different, be willing to absorb the expense.

manufactured stone used as landscape edging in a backyard

Continue reading for four unique ways you can use stones in your landscape design.

1. Create a Stone Walkway

Stone walkways have become increasingly popular. When planning your walkway, remember:

Pavers come in numerous sizes and styles. There is also an array of neutral colors that will add great contrast to lush green lawns and vibrant blooms.
A design can be as simple as a walkway on the side of the house that takes visitors from the front gate to the backyard.
A walkway can be a solid 2 ft. wide path or strategically laid so that grass grows in between the steps.

Another idea is to create a pathway from patios, decks, and lanais to other areas in the lawn, like a fire pit or fish pond.

2. Use Landscaping Stones as a Flowerbed Topping

When it comes to flowerbeds, choosing rock vs mulch is a common comparison. Both bring their own appeal, but there can be drawbacks. For instance:

With mulch, you have to replace it at a minimum of once a year. The color fades from harsh sun and changing weather conditions.
Rocks come in a variety of colors and last indefinitely. Rock mulch gives a great return on investment and adds an undeniable richness to flower beds.

3. Have a Stone Centerpiece

If your budget will allow, landscaping with rocks can add allure to a bland corner of your backyard. Our tips:

Create a centerpiece with a large stone. Have it engraved with a special message for visitors. You can also consider having it chiseled into a unique shape.
Surround your centerpiece with exotic flowers or plants. You can also install decorative fencing panels behind the stone or an arbor above it.
Cap off your centerpiece with integrated outdoor lighting fixtures to illuminate the artwork as the sun sets on your cookouts and evening outdoor parties.

4. Build a Rock Garden Around a Fish Pond

Backyard ponds are unique fixtures to backyard landscaping. A fish pond can add a touch of serenity to an otherwise lively scene, and they are definitely conversation starters at backyard gatherings.

Accentuate your pond with a rock border consisting of various rocks. You can also create a stone bench for visitors to rest on as they admire your fish collection.

Are You Ready for a Backyard Makeover?

We hope these ideas for landscaping stones have you thinking about creative ways to update your outdoor living space.

If you have questions or would like to review our products, please click here to contact us.

Can You Tell the Difference: Manufactured Stone vs Natural Stone

March 30, 2018 by Champion Brick

Do you know the difference between manufactured and natural stone? For instance, are the prices different? Which will last longer, and which has the most options for your home?

In this article, we’ll review a few of the biggest differences between natural and manufactured stone veneer.

Natural Stone vs Manufactured

What’s the difference? Which one is right for your project?

To keep it simple, natural stone is the real deal. It’s cut light enough so you can move it, but it comes from nature.

Manufactured stone, on the other hand, is usually dyed concrete that looks like the natural stuff but weighs less. Quality manufactured stone can be designed to look and feel (at least on the exterior) like most types of natural stone.

Here are three of the biggest differences between the two that you should consider:

Manufactured Stone Costs Less

If you have a tight budget for your stone remodeling project, you may consider manufactured stone over natural stone.

Besides the reduced cost of transporting a lighter material, manufactured stone also has the benefit of creating less waste. All the pieces come pre-designed to fit together, so you will have to dispose of less natural stone when it isn’t used in your project by the end.

Natural Stone Lasts Longer

If budget matters less than getting the job done right the first time, then natural stone is probably the way to go.

You can expect the real material to last beautifully for hundreds of years. On the other hand, manufactured products may only last about 50 years, and any cracks in the surface will expose the obvious synthetic material underneath.

Manufactured Stone Has More Options

“Manufactured stone is available in almost any texture, shape and color you can think of,” says Leslie Rouda Smith, 2016 chairwoman of Texas Association of REALTORS.

In the link above, Leslie also walks through the staggering statistics for ROI and increased property value on stone that matches one’s home. For example, Austin, TX reported increases of over 160%!

With manufactured stone, a company can easily customize the design of your material to complement the aesthetic qualities of your home or backyard. You will have many more options to choose from than its natural counterpart.

However, don’t think natural stone only comes in one size or shape. This article walks you through the cut and color options available to you if the manufactured route isn’t your choice.

Which Is Best For You?

Now that you see some of the differences, take a moment to consider what’s best for your project. For instance:

If your budget matters most, manufactured product is probably the way to go.
If you’re focused on the long-term, natural stone will last longer and look better even if it’s damaged.

And depending on the project you’re picturing, both types of stone offer plenty of customization options. Manufactured stone certainly has more, but natural stone isn’t one size fits all, either.

If you’re in the market for new stone, or simply have questions about how to approach a project, we’re happy to help. Simply fill out this contact form, and we’ll be in touch soon!