How to Use Stone Veneer in Landscape Design

A well-designed landscape requires more than manicured lawns, flowers, shrubs and trees; it also needs a hardscape. Hardscape refers to non-living structures in landscape design. Balancing natural elements with hardscape can prevent your outdoor space from looking like an overrun forest.

Stone has long been a popular material choice for hardscapes, but there are disadvantages to using natural stone in landscaping. For that reason, more people are now opting to use stone veneer.

A Stone veneer is a thin layer of cut stone or stone-like panels used as facing for buildings and other structures. Stone veneer offers the versatility, variability, durability and aesthetics of natural stone, without the transportation and installation costs and weight of the quarried stone. As the panels are ¾ inch to 2 inches thick, they are light enough to adhere to masonry substrates such as poured concrete, concrete blocks, wood, or metal. They can be used on existing walls, foundation facades, columns, and other outdoor features to create interest and variation to revive your landscape design.

Retaining walls

Retaining walls are a multifunctional addition to landscapes with varying slopes and gradients. They help to hold soil and plants in place to prevent erosion and provide outdoor seating. Retaining walls need to be constructed well to withstand the vertical pressure from the weight of soil and plants. Quarried stone can give the necessary support but may lead to high transportation and installation costs. A more cost-effective and less labour-intensive option is building concrete walls then installing stone veneer on the facing to give the sophisticated and ageless appearance of natural stone.

Garden walls

Garden walls are lower than retaining walls and are mostly decorative. They are used to highlight a landscape feature. Concrete walls can become dingy and stained over time, detracting from the aesthetics of your landscape. Stone veneer offers a low-maintenance, stain-resistant facing that adds visual appeal to flower beds and shrubs.

Walkways and driveways

Stone panels are ideal for pathways and driveways. They are available in a plethora of types, shapes, and sizes to fit any style and can be cut and laid in designs and patterns to transform any landscape. Whether you are aiming for a winding garden path, a curved driveway, or a straight entryway, cut stone can give your landscape a more inviting and uniform appearance.

Outdoor fire pits and fireplaces

An outdoor fire feature creates the perfect ambiance for entertaining and family gatherings. Stone veneer offers varying tones and shapes to create a beautiful focal point for any outdoor fire feature. The dancing light from the flames will create a visual display against earthy textures and tones for a visually warm and inviting space.

Water features

The sound of running water from an outdoor water feature is an excellent way to create a serene and tranquil environment. Using stone veneer within a water feature complements the aesthetics of the design. Stone panels can be incorporated using geometric patterns for borders or realistic river rocks to line the floor of ponds and fountains.

Columns and pillars

Columns and pillars can make a statement in your landscape design. They can be used as decorative posts to provide lighting or placed at the end of your driveway for your mailbox or house number. Accentuate the look of columns and lighting pillars by wrapping them either halfway or full-length with stone veneer.

Stone veneer supplier

Your landscape is one of the first things others will notice when they approach your home. Enhance your landscape with beautiful, durable stone products from Pacific Art Stone.

Pacific Art Stone is your ideal masonry supplier in Canada for natural stone or manufactured stone veneers. Visit our sales and design centre for a quiet and helpful place to coordinate and plan your next project. Our helpful staff can offer advice and estimate costs.