6 Ways Faux Stone Can Upgrade Your Home's Exterior
Discover 6 simple ways you can renovate your home's exterior
Exterior Renovation Projects that Pay Off
Whether you’re replacing your roofing, upgrading your siding, building a new deck or faux stone wall, an improvement project can be rewarding in many ways. However, according to according to the Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com) report, many home remodeling projects do not recoup the homeowner’s initial investment. As a homeowner, this is not only bad news; it probably contradicts everything you have ever heard about improving your home. This trend however, does not always apply to all projects and building materials including products such as GenStone.
According to the same report, a manufactured stone veneer project in the Rocky Mountain region scored the highest percentage in terms of recovered investment when compared to 18 other home improvement projects. Additionally, a faux stone project was ranked second among the national averages, behind only installing new insulation in your attic. In light of these facts, let’s explore six home renovation ideas you can use to improve your home’s exterior.
Stacked Stone Retaining Wall
Getting familiar with the texture, look and even durability of fake stone panels is important, but temporarily installing a GenStone panel is the best use of the sample. GenStone is specifically designed for do-it-yourselfers, but we recommend starting in a small area few people see to get a feel for the installation process.
Try using two-sided Velcro to temporarily view your GenStone sample on a wall if you are not 100% sure you will be covering up the area in the near future. Then you can try out the installation process by attaching the panel to a cardboard box. Using a cardboard box will allow you to experience screwing the panel to another surface without putting any holes in a wall. If the sample installation goes smoothly, you can consider doing the project yourself without the help of a contractor.
Patio Projects
Improving your patio can be one of the most worthwhile home enhancement projects. Patios are a popular place to shoot the breeze with family and friends during summertime gatherings and a focal point of for many homebuyers regardless of the season. While constructing a new patio can be cost prohibitive, improving its ambiance is easy with faux stone panels. The patio project above transformed an ordinary wood deck into an outdoor living room. Who knew what some trendy wicker patio furniture and adding stone veneer to key areas could do for your outdoor living space!
Columns and Pillars
Pillars and columns are vital, functional supports for the structure of your property. But if ignored, mismatched or awkwardly positioned, pillars and columns damage the aesthetic value of your home. Faux stone columns give plain, unimaginative supports a distinguished, professional look that enhances the continuity of your exterior faux stone wall.
Curb Appeal
Realtors and professional house flippers agree, a home’s curb appeal can make or break a deal. While this may not matter to you now if you’re not planning on selling your home, you should take not that your home’s curb appeal is the first impression made to your guests. Replacing your front door, adding some new plants or even a fresh coat of paint can significantly improve your home’s curb appeal, but a full-scale stone veneer project can take it to a whole new level.
Faux stone veneer panels aren’t limited to providing accents and accessories. Large-scale applications of GenStone can dramatically improve the curb appeal of your property. Replacing outdated siding with the bold colors of faux stone panels makes a confident statement about you and your home or business.
Exterior Home Improvement – Unify Your Home with its Surroundings
If natural materials such as large rocks, boulders or even stone pathways surround your home, creating a cohesive design by adding a stone wall can is an exterior design trend and can dramatically improve the exterior look of your home. The problem is, adding stone walls to an existing home can not only be difficult and expensive, it can become a structural project.
These homeowners wanted to connect the exterior of their home with the hardscape patio and pond. A masonry dry stack stone wall was out of the question and would have blown the budget so they turned to faux stone wall panels to accomplish the feat. The rugged stone texture offers a nice balance when seen in eyeshot with the tranquil pond water.
