Choosing the Perfect Stone Veneer for Your Fireplace

In addition to providing heat, a fireplace provides ambiance and comfort and adds to the architectural detail of a home. We all love the coziness of our fireplaces but, over time, the surface can appear dingy and outdated. Remodelling the fireplace with solid stone is a timeless design option, but it can also prove to be quite an expensive undertaking. A common alternative to revamp this versatile structure is to surface or surround it with a stone veneer instead.

Stone veneers are cut stones or stone-like products used to surface pre-existing structures. Ideal for interior and exterior applications, they are easier and cheaper to acquire and install than solid stones. Stone veneers are, however, not meant for load-bearing and are mostly decorative.

Two forms of stone veneers are available to designers and homeowners to create stunning fireplace stone designs—those carved from natural stones and those cultured in a manufacturing process.

Both natural and cultured veneers are available in many colours, shapes, patterns and sizes, each with a flat underside that makes for a more even adhesion to your pre-existing fireplace structure. Whether your design choice is contemporary, rustic or modern, either stone veneer can easily be used to complement the design.

Natural stone veneers or manufactured stone veneers

Natural stone veneers are made from stones unearthed or mined from nature. Solid stones are sliced into thin layers (some as thin as ¾ inch) to create lightweight and relatively inexpensive veneers.

Cultured or manufactured stone veneers are made to look identical to real stones. A mixture of cement, iron oxide and aggregates are set in molds and baked to produce cultured stone veneers. As many stones and colours as Mother Nature produce, manufacturers can engineer replicas, making cultured veneers almost indistinguishable from their natural stone counterparts.

Cost-wise, there is very little difference between the two forms of veneers, but while both are very durable, natural stone veneers tend to outlast the cultured variety.

Fireplace stone veneers

Travertine, granite and slate are three versatile veneers widely used in fireplace design and construction, thanks in part to their heat and pressure-resistant qualities.

Travertine is a durable product that comes in various colours, including grey, coral-red, beige and white. Stack travertine for a rustic look, lay as tile for an ultra-modern look or carve for an “old world” look.

Granite veneers exude elegance and luxury. They are scratch, chip and crack-resistant, require very little maintenance, and are recyclable.

Slate veneers come in various colours (blue-grey, red and green among them) and patterns, including streaked and spotted. Slate veneers work well with a rustic or modern design and require light maintenance.

Stone veneer patterns

Your choice of stone veneer pattern is just as important as your choice of fireplace stone to achieve the perfect design. Ledgestone, ashlar and mosaic are three styles of arranging veneers.

Ledgestone patterns use stones that are rectangular and stacked flat. Smaller joints conceal any mortar used in the installation process. The pattern adds a trendy and timeless look to a fireplace design.

Ashlar patterns are similar in appearance to ledgestone, but veneers are larger. The insides of the veneers are exposed, showing the various grains and patterns. Ashlar patterns are great for a contemporary design.

Mosaic patterns incorporate stones of different shapes and sizes in an endless array of arrangement possibilities. The style and the uniqueness of each stone allow for a one-of-a-kind design that is truly your own.

Jointing styles

The perfect fireplace stone is aesthetically enhanced by the jointing method used in the installation process. Veneers can either be dry-stacked or mortared.

Dry-stack joints
Dry-stack or mortarless jointing uses no grout or mortar in the installation of veneers. The veneers are piled on top of each other with very little space between them. In some instances, built-in clips or anchor plates are used to install veneers.

Mortar joints
Mortar joints are spaces between veneers that are filled with mortar or grout during the installation process. Mortar joint options include recessed joints, standard grout joints or over-grouted joints.

Recessed joints
Recessed jointing produces a compact fit of stone veneers. There is very little space between each veneer as the mortar is laid at approximately ½ inch below each unit. The technique is commonly used in the installation of ledgestone and ashlar veneer patterns.

Standard grout joints
In standard grout jointing, the mortar is set flush with or approximately ¼ inch below the surface of the stone veneer.

Over-grouted joints
In an over-grouted joint, stones are installed approximately 1 inch apart with a liberal amount of mortar used around veneers so that some seem to be almost submerged.

Are you planning to remodel using stone veneers?

If you plan to remodel using stone veneers and need a supplier, contact us at Pacific Art Stone. We supply a wide range of stone veneers and other masonry products perfect for your interior and exterior design projects. We are known for our high-quality products, so whether you choose to use natural or cultured stone veneers, your satisfaction is guaranteed.

Contact us online today regarding your queries or visit our store to view samples and speak directly with one of our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives.