Renovation With Manufactured Stone

Words: Dan Kamys

December 2009

Chimneys & Fireplaces

Renovation With Manufactured Stone

fireplace rennovation

Photo courtesy of Gustav Schmiege Photography

By Justin Whitman

The fireplace is the focal point of every room. Furniture often is arranged to face it, our favorite items are placed on our mantels, and it is the heart of every home. Updating the look of a fireplace is a great way to enhance a home, and an easy way to update a fireplace is by giving it a new face with manufactured stone.

Manufactured stone is gaining popularity as a building material for both indoor and outdoor projects, due to its authenticity and versatility. First and foremost, it is difficult for the untrained eye to differentiate between manufactured and natural stone. Manufactured stone, which comes in countless styles, is easy to install over most substrates. Weight can be a factor when renovating a fireplace. If a fireplace is above a basement or on the second floor, extra caution should be taken to find a lightweight product. Manufactured stone is a fraction of the weight of natural stone, so the concern of putting too much strain and stress on the foundation possibly can be eliminated. Manufactured stone is available in a large variety of colors and styles. The most successful projects are created using stone styles that look native to the project area. Many companies will customize a color, making it easy to match just about anything from a paint color to a natural stone. Another way to get a custom look from manufactured stone is by selecting the type of grouting technique that works for the project. There are three main techniques: dry stack, ?-inch mortar, and over-grouting. The dry stack technique means there are no mortar or grout joints. It gives a cleaner and more contemporary look to any stone profile. The ?-inch mortar technique is the most common and lends itself to a traditional look. The over-grouting technique is stylish and can give the stone profile a more Tuscan look. All three of these can dramatically change the appearance of a project. Custom colors for grout also can be used.

Justin Whitman works with Tejas Textured Stone.

Return to the main story:
Return to Table of Content
Case Study: Battersea Power Station
January 2026

Battersea Power Station has long held a unique place in British industrial architecture. For masonry professionals, it represents something even more specific. It is one of the largest brick buildings ever completed, a structure that demonstrates both the

Cassandra Stern
Case Study
Read More
Risk Management Benefits of Reviewing the OSHA Top 10
January 2026

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards serve to keep employers aware of common risks that can have serious consequences. This annual list highlights the most frequently cited violations that inspe

Patrick Cunningham
MAP Partner
Read More
MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 35 Recap: David Pitre, Chair of the Board at CMHA
January 2026

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, David Pitre sits down with Justin to talk about CMHA, the moves the association is making for the future of the industry, and the journey he took to get to being the Chair of the Board.

Justin Stengel
The MASONRY STRONG Podcast
Read More
Government Affairs: Immigration Talks Are Heating Up!
January 2026

For some of you, I might be starting to sound like a broken record (nice that “vinyl” is coming back in vogue, so even our younger masons know what a record is!)…WE NEED YOUR HELP ON DIGNITY ACT…WE NEED YOUR HELP ON DIGNITY ACT…WE NEED YOUR HELP ON THE DI

Stephen Borg
Legislative
Read More