Whey Homeowners and Renovators Should Pick Natural Stone?
Whey homeowners pick natural stone? When it comes to comparing natural stone with man-made stone, natural stone is the clear winner. When homeowners and renovators go out in search for a stone veneer product that they can use to upgrade an interior fireplace or feature wall, they typically have the four criteria in their mind including: Cost, Color, Texture and Size. Considering natural stone veneers point of view to man-made products, it is very easy to fall into the trap of simply considering the cost of the material without considering the installation cost related to that stone or the final results.
Stone Veneers’ Color and Texture
Not all stone veneers are made equal. Taking the time to understand the pros and cons, and setting the expectations, will help ensure there are no surprises during installation or at the end of the project. Natural stone veneers maintain the color and texture that Mother Nature created. Furthermore, this natural color runs throughout the entire stone. Man Made alternatives on the other head are usually colored with pigments on the face and are concrete on the inside. Cutting natural stone veneers and seeing the cut end is therefore not an issue. However, this is not the case with man-made products. For these products, extra care and steps must be taken to disguise the cut ends.
Stone Veneers’ Distinctiveness
Furthermore, when viewed up close, natural stone veneers are very distinct. The natural composition of the stone is unmistakable. Man-made stones on the other hand cannot replicate what Mother Nature has taken millions of years to create. When man made stones are viewed up close, it is very evident that the color and texture is man-made and the final result cannot compare to natural stone.
Finally, the color found in natural stone veneers is derived from the different minerals found in the stone. It is also these minerals that give natural stone veneers their personality. These minerals withstand what Mother Nature throws at them and most natural stone veneers maintain their color throughout their life. Man-made stones on the other hand are colored by pigments, and this color is usually applied to a very thin layer on the face of the stone. As this layer breaks down due to UV rays and airborne contaminants, the color of man-made stones can dramatically break down over time.
Natural Stone vs. Man-Made Stone
When selecting your next stone for your next stone prefacing project, consider your options and make a decision based on all the important factors. You have a lot of options when it comes to your new construction or home renovation, but there’s no substitute for natural stone.
Some people opt for man-made stone for tile flooring, countertops, and backsplashes, but high-end designers and home specialists typically recommend real quartzite, granite, limestone, or marble for your home improvement needs. Let’s compare natural stone versus man-made stone, so you can learn the difference as you plan your custom build or renovation project.

Natural Stone
For homes and businesses, beautiful hand-crafted natural stone has been a paragon of luxury for thousands of years. In modern homes, you can find natural stone flooring in bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, fireplaces and outdoor pools.
Types of natural stone include: marble, quartzite, granite, onyx, soapstone, limestone slate, sandstone, travertine and basalt. The most common natural stones used for countertops are now quartzite, marble and granite. Marble is also a popular stone for floors, fireplaces, and home features such as kitchen islands.
Backsplashes are often created from decorative mixtures of natural stone types, which can include slate and limestone. Natural stone is crafted by expert artisans and used by designers to enhance a home’s beauty.
Forgiving and practical, natural stone tile is hygienic, safe, and durable. Families with children or pets often report the ease of cleaning their floors and countertops when they’re made of natural stone. Dust, pet hair, and dirt from shoes are easy to clean on a natural stone floor.
Not only is it a superior product, but it’s a more luxurious feeling to have natural stone in your home. Invite some of the outside world into your abode with earthen stones for an instant upgrade.
Man-Made Stone
Man-made stone is manufactured to look like natural stone. Many people mistakenly choose man-made stone, only to learn that there’s no true way to imitate the aesthetic beauty of natural stone. Made with cheaper materials, man-made stone tile floors and countertops are less durable and can be more difficult to clean. Man-made stone isn’t usually indicated for outdoor use, either. A garden pathway or patio flooring won’t perform or hold up as well with man-made stone. Moisture and decay can be a real problem for outdoor spaces decked out with manufactured stone.
Man-made stone uses repeatable grading, where natural stones are never true duplicates of each other. The manufactured material is also less timeless and may fade or fall from favor over time.
Not only is natural stone more authentic and artistic, but it’s a more practical choice for your long-term needs.
Side-by-Side Comparison
1.1 Which Stone Lasts Longer
Hands down natural stone is more durable and provides greater longevity, natural stone will last centuries vs the 10-12 year lifespan of manufactured stone.
1.2 Colors & Style
While faux stone offers a wider range of colors, natural stone has an advantage is that no two stones are alike. We should note that natural stone does come in a variety of colors from yellow, green, blue, pink, white, black, red, gray and a wide spectrum within from the accents (veins and deposits).
1.3 Sustainability and Eco-Friendly
This is a complex question and cannot be easily answered, it depends on where the materials are being sourced or produced, and what process is being used to extract or produce the material etc. We can’t say that either is a clear winner in this category, it really depends on your personal priorities and the project you are planning.
1.4 Pricing
Again this really depends on the stone, premium manufactured stone can land in the same range as a more affordable granite or limestone. Where natural stone has the edge is that it will outlast fake stone, the need for replacement is a non-issue and therefore the cost over time is generally lower.
Learn More About Natural Stone
Our family name (DiPietro) translates to “of stone”, we are true experts in stone and stonework, with a family of stoneworkers spanning five generations! We would be thrilled to help you plan your project and select the perfect natural stone to execute your vision. Drop us a line and let us know how we can help.
To learn more about us, click here.
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Sources
https://dipietrotrading.com/blog/natural-stone-vs-man-made-stone/
https://erthcoverings.com/news/article/natural-stone-vs.-man-made-stone
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