GenStone vs NextStone
"The quality of this looks fake, it looks cheap. Even from a distance, you can tell it's not real stone."
-Keshia
This focus group was assembled for the purpose of comparing and contrasting GenStone and popular alternative products. The group was asked to evaluate each product based on appearance, material composition and quality, and installation process after reviewing the product installation guide. These individuals were selected by a third party and had not seen or evaluated any of the GenStone alternatives. These are their personal, authentic opinions.
NextStone
In business since 1997, NextStone was one of the first faux stone companies. NextStone manufacturers polyurethane panels and accessories in China with fire retardants and UV inhibitors. NextStone is available in 6 stone styles in as well as brick and can be installed with screws, eliminating the need for masonry skills or tools.
GenStone
Established in 2003, GenStone manufacturers a full collection of stone and brick colors including easy to install panels, corners, ledgers, trim, pillars and columns. The majority of the materials used to formulate GenStone panels are sourced in the United States which are then cast and hand painted by artisans in Mexico.
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Why Chinese Material is Problematic
The raw materials used to make faux panels is produced at a very high temperature and must be allowed to cool before packaging. Chinese raw material producers put the hot material in shipping containers and let it cool during the trip across the ocean, which is problematic because the material is not allowed to breathe and cure.
Faux stone companies who source their raw materials from China are able to offer a lower cost panel, but at what cost to you?
GenStone sources all of its raw materials from suppliers in the USA where tight quality control procedures including a 7 day cooling and curing period are in place.
