Laying the stones

All stone veneer projects require careful planning and attention to detail. As described in parts 1 and 2 it is important to have a sketch of the project to act as a guide for the installation process. The sketch will be an essential reference point for the installation so be sure to continually refer to it when in doubt.

Arranging stone patterns

Most stone veneer will require a level but if you’re aiming to create a more natural look then a more complex arrangement process must be established. Larger stone veneers like Fieldstone, Tuscan Fieldstone, and Cobble Stone will require more thorough planning. Since they are large, irregular in shape and heavier than most other stone veneers they require special attention in the installation process.

First off remember to be very delicate when placing these stones on the ground. Since they are wide and displace a large area the stone veneer can crack or split if mishandled.

Cutting stone veneer

Also, it is important to lay out a design on the ground before attaching the stones to the walls. Natural patterns are more difficult to produce then one might think. A good natural pattern is not one chosen at random. Instead a pattern that recognizes harmony and allows the stones to balance each other out produces the greatest results. This can be achieved by combining the smaller stones with the larger ones and mixing the hue’s of each piece evenly. Lay out a few square feet of the stone veneer on the ground and mix them around until you are satisfied with the pattern. Then mount the stone veneer onto the wall in the same pattern as you had laid out.

Leveling stone veneers

Remember not to rush this process, the design and layout is one of the most important points in the installation. Here is where you will be building up the look of the stone veneer. It will pay off in the end of you take your time and choose an arrangement that you are satisfied with. Attaching the stone veneer to the wall is the final step and should be carried out as such. Here at Stone Selex we have a saying: layout twice, mortar once!

Grouting stone veneers

For more information on installation visit our Stone Selex website or visit our showroom located in Mississauga. Feel free to ask one of our experienced sales representatives about the full diorama we’ve built to illustrate the installation process.

Finishing the grout line

So now that you’ve created and finalized your concept sketch it’s time to prepare for the installation. There are a few important points to remember that will be addressed here. For a more detailed explanation and breakdown of the installation process visit our Stone Selex installation page here.

Stone-Selex-Protective-Hat

First and foremost always remember to wear appropriate eye and face protection when working with our stone veneer. Safety glasses will prevent debris from causing potential injury to the eye while a face mask will block out the dust that is created when the stone veneer is cut. Knee pads help protect the knees from bruising when kneeling on sharp pebbles. Working with gloves is also a good idea since they add an extra barrier to the stone and your skin.

As for materials, one needs to be armed with the proper tools in order to complete the task properly.

Stone Selex-Installation Tools

Some basic supplies you will need include; a diamond blade circular saw, a level and the safety equipment mentioned. Normal circular saw blades will dull very easily when cutting through our stone veneer so it is strongly recommended that you use a diamond saw blade. Not all stone veneer needs to be cut, however, our products vary in difficulty when it comes to installation. So some stone will need to be trimmed in order to fit properly.

Stone-Selex-Installation-Tools 2

A level will also be important to keep the stone veneers in line. Again, not all stones will need to be applied in a perfectly level manner. Natural stones don’t often appear in perfectly straight lines after all! However some of our contemporary and modern stone veneer styles require a level to achieve geometric harmony.
To learn more about applying mortar, scratch coats and laying a proper foundation visit the Stone Selex website or better yet, visit our showroom in Mississauga. There you’ll be able to see a full diorama we’ve built to help teach our customers about the installation process.

Using Stone Selex stone veneer can really bring a space together in style and harmony. The number of projects and uses of stone veneer is endless, the limit really is only one’s imagination. However, no matter what type of project, big or small, it all starts with a concept sketch. Sketching out and planning your project is important because it will help you visualize the end result and act like a guide tool to the project at hand. Here are some tips on how to prepare for an installation.
The idea: Every great project begins with a great idea. When planning out your home decor project in the conceptual realm it will help to consult interior design magazines, home decor blogs and especially our Stone Selex website. On our page you’ll be able see all the stone patterns we carry which will greatly aid in the visualization of the project. Remember to be realistic and take measurements into account.

Visualize your project

The sketch: Here is where the idea actualizes into something visual. The best way to create a sketch is through interior design software. Of course not everyone has access to professional home design applications so here’s the next best thing. Print out a picture of your home project and then simply pencil in the specifications of what is to be created directly over the printed photo. Add measurements and draw everything to scale. This is a really important step in the installation process because it will help contractors and experienced interiors designers with understanding your projected vision.
The experts: Now for some more decision making. At this point you can either begin with the installation process by going here. Or you can opt to have one of our veteran stone masons do the installation for you. Either way it’s important to have the sketch finalized at this point so that it can be used as a reference point for either you or one of our stone mason installers.

Limestone-Blueridge-Visualization

If you ever feel like a second opinion feel free to bring a sketch into our Stone Selex showroom in Mississauga to get it professionally visualized by our experienced design consultant.

Santa Fe LEDGE STONE

Southwestern look with stone veneer

The Southwestern look has become a popular way of decorating ones home. A style that has its roots ingrained in South America can now be seen on the facades of many homes in Arizona, California and Texas.
The look can be created by combining stucco, Spanish shingles, and stone veneer in a way that achieves harmony and balance. The secret is all in the colour, the hues must reflect the colours of the Southwestern climate. It’s no surprise that yellows, browns and red clay coloured earth tones work best with this type of project. The colours are used to reflect the earthy tones of the desert climate. It’s no surprise that the southwestern look has been adopted by many southern United States and Canadian home owners.

River Rock & Limestone Mix

River Rock & Limestone Mix.
Stone veneer plays an important role here in that it brings an organic feel to the desert atmosphere. Think about it this way; every element of the Southwestern look represents a piece of the desert climate. The yellowish, orange or off white stucco emanate the look of the sand. The Spanish shingles look like the red clay used by ancient civilizations for use in pottery and sculpture. And the stone veneer is used to replicate the look of stones and boulders found in the desert climate.
All these elements work together and compliment each other in creating this very specific Southwestern look. Country Ledge stone veneer is a great choice for this type of project. The Chestnut and  Santa Fe colours work well to reflect the hues of the mellow coloured stucco and clay toned shingles.
If you want to learn more about using Country Ledge to achieve a Southwestern look, feel free to ask one of our experienced sales representatives at our showroom in Mississauga.

Stone Selex-Cottage living with Ledge stone

Cottage Country Living with stone veneer.

Recently there has been a resurgence of classic decor styles. The modern and contemporary are ever changing, yet the traditional textures of wood, metals and stone stand the test of time. What really highlights this phenomenon is the popularization of the cottage look. This trend among home owners infuses the feel of the country getaway home with the practicality of an urban or sub urban location.

Cottage Living-Ledge stone fireplace

There are many examples of how this is used, from the modest wooden patio in the backyard to the complete wooden paneled homes of some cottage enthusiasts. The possibilities are vast and we’ve seen a multitude of different cottage country home styles. Here are some tips to remember when using stone veneer to enhance this type of project.
Plan first, apply the mortar later. It’s always important to map out your projects no matter how small or large they appear in the conceptual stage. We recommend visiting the Stone Selex website and looking for the most suitable stone veneer. Each of our stone veneer products are designed to create a different look and feel within a space. It is important to understand the function of each particular stone and how it should be applied to the given project.
Choose your stone veneer wisely. The most usable stone veneers will be greatly dependent on the feel and aura of the room they will inhabit.

Cottage living-Ledge stone stone veneer

For a more classic and organic cottage feel stone veneer like the Canyon Ledge and Country Ledge patterns are ideal. Their organic shape and colour produce some truly authentic textures. Experiment with areas that would work best with a stone veneer accent. The Canyon and Country Ledge line is suitable for creating believable fireplace structure, stone support columns and even textured walls.
Take a look at our website for further inspiration and ideas. The cottage country look has become very popular in the last few years. Make sure to ask one of our sales representatives about how to create this look when you visit our showroom in Mississauga. And don’t forget to bring some pictures of your home decor project.

Applebees restaurant- Classic Cut Stone

Popularity of California stone veneer in Canada.

Over the past decade the popularity of stone veneer in Canada has seen a steady annual increase. What started out as a revolutionary way to decorate a home in a cost effective and highly stylized manner has turned into a staple in interior and exterior design. The ways in which stone veneer can be used is truly endless as more designers are taking into account the efficiency, aesthetic effect and overall practicality of stone veneer products. Throughout this time of growth and recognition some stone veneer trends and styles have emerged. Although virtually every stone veneer project is unique in its own right there are a few staples that have surfaced. Here is a very brief guide to what’s trending.
California style: Like many great things we see in North America this stone veneer style emerged in California. The idea here is simple and effective, combine stucco and stone veneer to get superb results. Add some Spanish roof shingles and there you have the California stone veneer style.

Residential Stone Project in Country Ledge

Stone Veneer like the Country and Canyon Ledge work well here, the wide range of colours and organic textures pair up nicely with the mellowness of stucco. Stucco is like the quiet and modest cousin to stone veneer. The bold colour and texture of stone veneer is balanced out by the mellow and subdued nature of the stucco. The best way of using stone veneer and stucco is explained here.
Oakville Style: Similar to the California style in many ways, the Oakville trend is to use larger and darker stone veneer and pair them up with stucco or siding. This trend emerged alongside the California suburban stone veneer trend. It can be viewed as the Northern version of the California style in that the technique is the same but the materials are different.

Oakville's Residential Stone Project

The Oakville style uses bigger and bolder stone veneers like Limestone and Classic Cut Stone and pairs them with grey and brown stucco. Using appropriately coloured siding with stone veneer products has also gained popularity in the past few years.
Cottage Country Style: Last but not least is the classic cottage country pattern. This style differs in that the material used to compliment the stone is also organic. The wood within the structure of the cottage is used as the anchor for the stone veneer accents. With this type of design stones like River Rock, Field Stone and Rubble Mix work best. Their large size and organic texture create a truly believable natural look.

Visit our showroom in Mississauga to get a closer look at what stone veneer styles to implement in your home decor project.

Stone Selex -River Rock in the Bathroom

Using stone veneer in the bathroom.

A bathroom is an important area of the household and has always reflected the elements of neatness, cleanliness and freshness. Thus, the look and feel of the bathroom has always been concerned with emanating the idea of a clean space. The look of a bathroom is dictated by the function of the space itself. What better way to add a touch of contemporary flavour then by adding some stone veneer to the mix.
Bathrooms have been traditionally fitted with ceramic and stone tiles. Polished down to give a shimmery look and water repellent texture. Stone veneer provides the same look and feel with the added benefit of an easy installation process. The beauty of using stone veneer is that one need not even resort to substitution. The stone veneer on the walls will compliment the tiles on the floor. All you have to do is make a wise decision on which stone veneers will match best with the floor tiles. Here is a quick guide to get you started:

Canyon Ledge- Stone Bathroom

Bathrooms usually work best when using a very mellow toned down colour palette. Hazy grey, sandy brown, soft aqua blue, cream or off white are popular choices. The idea is to create a clean and relaxing energy within the space, and this is achieved with mellow colours. Very rarely do we have bathrooms coloured sunburst orange or lime green…..but the possibility is there if you have the imagination!

Stone Selex- Castle Stone bathroom

The best way to see what stone veneer will work best for your bathroom is to assess the textures and colours already in place. Figure out what stone works best with the metal and colour hues within the bathroom and match them up accordingly. The Quick Fit Line work really well for this type of project. They’re easy to install and come in a variety of colours. Dark Ember of Slate Grey are hues that would work best with…you guessed it, a grey colour palette. Utah brown mixes in seamlessly with a sandy toned wall and bathroom tiles.
Try it out yourself by visiting our online catolog a testing out which stone veneer works best for your bathroom. And if you’re really stuck visit Stone Selex showroom in Mississauga where our trained sales representatives can help you achieve tonal bathroom harmony.

Aspen Cream in Quick Fit Stone Panel

Stone Selex and DIY Products.

Stone Selex products are made for the the do-it-yourself enthusiast. Their lightweight design make them practical, efficient and easy to work with. The advantages of using stone veneer products as opposed to real stones are many. Below is a breakdown of the main benefits to using Stone Selex Stone Veneer products.
For one, they are much less expensive than real stones. This is because of their weight and composition. The materials used to create Stone Selex products were created with the consumer in mind. The manufacturers combine authenticity, practicality and affordability when designing our products. Stone veneer like Quick Fit, Fieldstone and the new Cathedral Stone are made to replicate the look of natural stones. A lot of time and effort is put into mimicking the size, texture and colour of the real stones but the trick is creating a product that is less expensive and easier to work with. The manufacturers have succeeded and are continually improving on their design.

Quick Fit-Winter Grey

As mentioned earlier another great advantage to using Stone Selex products is their thin design which allows them to weigh much less the real stone. Take an ordinary brick and compare the width to that of a stone veneer from our Old Antique Brick Line.

Brick Veneer Corner

When you put the two together you can see that the Old Antique Brick veneer looks like a cross section of the other brick, a piece of bread from the loaf. Why bother with toasting an entire loaf of bread when all you want is a single slice? In other words what’s the point of using real brick in a space when you can achieve that same look with brick veneer for a fraction of the price? The stone’s pretty much speak for themselves.
Perhaps the greatest advantage to using Stone Selex products is that they are designed for self installation. No need to hire an experienced stone mason, Stone Selex products are easy to work with and are quite versatile. All you need is the proper tools, the right instructions and of course some inspiration…the rest is easy.
To learn more about the stone veneer installation feel free to ask one of our experienced sales staff. You can also get a closer look into the installation process by visiting our showroom in Mississauga or signing for our Newsletter.

Natural Stone Veneer & Stucco

Stone veneer and stucco go together like bread and butter. They both compliment each other and help balance out the exterior texture of a home. In terms of design the stucco acts as the base that holds things steady. While the stone veneer acts as the perfect accent. Combining the two is really effective when done properly.

The best way to create a balance between the two is to focus on the hues of the stone veneer and match that with the exterior colour. Stucco comes in a variety of muted colours, usually peach, mild orange, milky grey, and cream. As mentioned this will act as the base to the stone veneer accent colours. The stone veneer helps add a dash of flavour with colour, shape and texture. Experiment with balancing the accent with the base colours and see what suites your taste. It is also sometimes helpful to take a photo of your home and use it like a colour swatch when deciding on the right type of complimentary stone.

Stone Veneer on Chimney with Exterior Stucco

One of the best stone veneer for pairing up with stucco is the Canyon Ledge line. It is truly the jack of all trades in that each colour selection corresponds nicely to a popular stucco hue. For a mild orange stucco choose the Sandy Buff or Sienna hue. And for a milky grey or coffee coloured stucco choose Midnight Slate, Mountain or Santa Fe.

Take a look at our vast selection of stone veneers on our online catalog. Or better yet visit our showroom in Mississauga and ask one of our experienced sales staff about how to properly combine stucco and stone veneer.

Rustic kitchen with Classic Cut Stone Veneer

How to achieve a look of an old Rustic kitchen with lightweight stone veneer.

The solution for creating a rustic kitchen is simple. It’s all dependent on the type of stone veneer chosen. In most homes the kitchen and living room act as the unifying focal point. They are the anchors that ground the theme and look of a house. They are the reinforces of household decorum. Thus, if one is looking to achieve a rustic look then the appropriate stone veneer needs to be used.

Rustic kitchen with Fieldstone veneer

There are three main elements to creating an elegantly aged kitchen. One is lighting, the lights should be dim and not overpowering. This can be achieved through selective light placement or by simply installing a dimmer switch for practicality. Next is of course the kitchen furniture. It’s best to use dark wood with cast iron appliances. The wood grain is an important part in creating the elegant aged look, it provides a natural touch and accents the stone texture. Finally one must choose a suitable stone veneer. Rubble mix, Tuscan Fieldstone and the new Cathedral Stone line work well at creating the rustic look. Adding texture to the kitchen walls or applying the stones to the center prep table/island are some ways of working with these types of stones.

This line of stone veneer is loosely referred to as the rustic selection. These stone veneer products tend to contain bigger and more intricate stone pieces. Thus, installation should be performed by one of our trained stone masons. The skill level required to work with these stone is a bit higher because of their size, weight and pattern. If you would like to install these stones yourself feel free to ask one of the sales staff for tips on how to properly install these rustic style stone veneers.