The look of stone is very appealing, loaning a rustic beauty like nothing else can quite capture. However, when considering natural materials, it’s wise to note possible pitfalls. Though stone is able to make a unique statement all its own, it has its drawbacks. Stone can be difficult to work with for a number of reasons, including weight and availability of materials. Installation cost and difficulty increases as wall ties and footings may be required to support the weight of natural stone.

Before you become discouraged or your concerns overcome your desires, realize there is an option that allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds. The solution presents itself through the genius of artisans and dedicated craftsmen in their invention of manufactured stone veneer. Cast from real stone molds, these replicas are outwardly identical to natural stone with one major advantage – they are considerably lighter, allowing them to be used with significantly greater ease. Installed, manufactured stone is also approximately one third to one half the cost of natural stone.

Eldorado Stone has been creating architectural stone veneer for more than 35 years, keeping a single “most important ingredient” always at the forefront…believability. Using a distinct process, Eldorado handcrafts molds in order to capture not just all of the subtle nuances of real stone, but exacting natural color palettes as well.
Because Eldorado stone is noncombustible, it can be installed as a fireplace façade and as a backsplash to stoves – as long as it is a minimum of 18 inches away from any direct flame. Of course, stoves and fireplaces don’t even begin to cover the scope of areas that manufactured stone can completely transform. Some places to consider using manufactured stone are:

• Great Rooms
• Master Suites
• Kitchens, Breakfast Nooks and Dining Rooms
• Private Courtyards and Porches
• Libraries
• Outdoor Living Spaces
• Living or Family Rooms
• General Exteriors
• Wine Cellars

If you are interested in a solid appearance, Eldorado Brick may be the right choice. Inspired by European brick and stone, a combination of exaggerated textures couples with varying lengths, heights and thickness to create a unique, aged look. The earthiness of the color palette is flawless representation of nature. With four profiles and fourteen color blends available to choose from, there are a lot of possibilities:

• RomaBrick – a longer, wider and irregular shaped brick
• TundraBrick – a classic shaped and sized brick with chiseled edges
• ViaBrick – a smaller, shorter brick with softened, rounded edges
   and deep textures
• ModenaBrick – another classic shaped brick with soft corners and
   rounded edges

Most recently, Eldorado has added Eldorado Adobe to its line of fine manufactured veneers. With this veneer, it is possible to capture the essence of the Southwest without the cost and structural considerations of true Adobe. And true to Eldorado standards, there are many choices available with the Adobe line.

If you find yourself looking for a way to make a dramatic difference in your dwelling while simultaneously creating a vivid expression of nature, know your options. If cost or structural considerations have given you pause, it helps to know there are alternatives to achieving the look and feel you desire.