For years, the public has remained skeptical of the faux stone industry and its products. And for the most part, that skepticism has been deserved as faux stone companies have struggled to offer a quality product that not only looks great, but also retains its quality over time. Many of the industry’s limitations were due to a lack of technology and testing. That’s where GenStone went further than the competition, engineering a 99.9 percent-waterproof, closed-cell, high-density polyurethane that is capable of standing up to all of the elements regardless of location. These advanced, quality stone veneer panels are manufactured in a factory-controlled setting, ensuring every product is consistent and reliable.
The sledgehammer is specifically designed to distribute force over a wide area. The head of a sledgehammer usually weighs up to 20 pounds and lands with 1,000 pounds of impact force. In the test above, the GenStone panel withstands the force without cracking or breaking. Meanwhile, the natural stone product suffers substantial damage with nearly half of the entire installation crumbling to the ground.
We first tested each product – a GenStone panel and a piece of natural stone – by dropping them approximately 4 feet from the ground. The piece of natural stone displayed its fragile nature, cracking and breaking upon impact. The GenStone panel remained unblemished.
We then decided to up the ante, climbing to the second floor balcony to repeat the test. Once again, the GenStone panel not only withstood the impact of the 18-foot fall, but suffered no cosmetic damage whatsoever.
Our most demanding test yet put the stone solutions against a Jeep Rubicon that weighs more than 4,000 pounds. Our lightweight, 11-pound panel once again proved superior to the elements, easily withstanding the weight and force of the Jeep.
We then decided to up the ante, climbing to the second floor balcony to repeat the test. Once again, the GenStone panel not only withstood the impact of the 18-foot fall, but suffered no cosmetic damage whatsoever.