MASONRY VENEER MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES THIRD ANNUAL “MVMA DESIGN AWARDS” COMPETITION

Calling all Masons - here is your chance to shine - enter your project in this year’s competition and get the credit, notoriety and bragging rights you deserve. Instone the largest distributor of Cultured Stone Veneer in the US supports local masons and encourages their participation in this year’s competition. Good Luck to all area Masons.

Enter today!

MASONRY VENEER MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES THIRD ANNUAL “MVMA DESIGN AWARDS” COMPETITION
TO SHOWCASE CREATIVE USE OF MANUFACTURED STONE

With Manufactured Stone fast becoming one of the most requested wall coverings in new construction and renovation projects, contracting and design professionals are looking for innovative ways to incorporate its rugged, authentic, elegant looks and versatility.
Today, the Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association (MVMA) announced its third annual MVMA Design Awards, a program created to recognize the work of industry professionals who are setting trends by featuring manufactured stone veneer in their projects.
“Our goal is to recognize leaders in the Manufactured Stone industry by highlighting their design successes,” said Mike Fischer, MVMA general manager. “This year‟s theme of „Natural Beauty Fashioned in Stone‟ aims to showcase the beauty and authenticity of Manufactured Stone.”
MVMA Design Awards Facts
All entries will be submitted online at www.MasonryVeneerDesignAwards.com by December 31, 2011
An independent judging panel will announce winners at the MVMA Design Awards in Orlando, FL, February 2012
There is no entry fee
Submissions require high-resolution images of the completed project
More information, including rules and entry can be found at www.MasonryVeneerDesignAwards.com.

About the Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association
Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association (MVMA) was organized and officially began operation in April 2006 to represent the Manufactured Stone Veneer industry‟s manufacturing companies and their suppliers. MVMA is the only incorporated trade association organized specifically for the masonry veneer products industry. The mission of the organization is to advance the growth of the manufactured masonry veneer products industry through proactive technical, advocacy and awareness efforts.

Caring for Cultured Stone - no salt please

Cultured Stone® Tips
Summary: Cultured Stone® is basically concrete mixed with aggregate and color pigments and shaped in special, detailed, molds to produce a real stone look and feel. Quality stone veneer products are, therefore, durable and made with solid color to avoid discoloration over their long service span. Maintain and clean artificial stone with common sense and these tips, and your Cultured Stone® projects will outlast you.

Making the Stone
Cultured Stone® is nothing more than concrete. But for those who have seen this product up close and actually touched it, you know that it does not look or feel like concrete.
Some manufactured stone products cannot be distinguished from the real thing. The colors and textures of these artificial stone products are basically unbelievable.
These realistic results are achieved, in most instances, by using highly detailed rubber molds and special pigments to color the concrete mix. Some manufacturers apply additional pigments directly to the rubber molds for purposes of adding tones to the surface of the finished product. These additional pigments soak into the surface of the concrete so that they can't be easily washed off by the elements.
The key to the entire process is using small, light weight aggregates in the concrete mix. This keeps the weight of the artificial stone to a minimum. It is for this reason that no foundation is required to support these materials. They simply are glued onto the side of your structure, whether it be wood frame, masonry or a steel structure.
Long term durability should not be a concern of yours. This is due to the fact that these products are manufactured under controlled conditions. This allows the concrete mix to achieve maximum strength characteristics. Because the surface of the artificial stones is so realistic, water is not easily absorbed by many of these products.
Discoloration
Some people wonder about the long term effects of weathering on these products. That is a valid concern, as this material could easily have a service life on a building between 50 and 100 years. Just about every artificial stone product has solid color attributes. This means that the concrete mix is colored from the beginning. Secondary coloration achieved by applying pigments to the rubber molds should be the only area of concern. As long as the manufacturer uses high quality, non water soluble pigments, it should never be a problem.

Most manufacturers caution against the use of deicing salts near these products.
The salts can hurt the artificial stone and cause surface disintegration.
Manufacturers also caution against the use of harsh chemicals, cleaning solvents or paint thinners. Some of these products can stain the stone products and cause discoloration.

Simply use common sense.
The artificial stone products can be cleaned if they become dirty. You simply use a mild detergent and a stiff bristle brush. Never use a wire brush, as this may harm the surface.
"Long term durability should not be a concern of yours. This is due to the fact that these products are manufactured under controlled conditions."

Click here to find an authorized mason

How to choose the right mason for your stone veneer installation.

How to choose the right mason for your stone veneer installation.

Here are a few questions to consider when choosing a mason. Make sure your mason is current with the best practices of the industries. Over the years there has been significant changes and improvement to masonry installation.
Products now exist that are designed to prevent water damage by allowing moisture to escape from behind the installed stone. Your mason should be informed and following these best practices.

What you should ask:
Do you follow the Manufacture Veneer Masonry Association recommended installation guidelines?
These guidelines are only recommendations created by a coalition of stone veneer manufactures. Masons are not required to use them. These guidelines have been revised due to the need to allow proper moisture drainage which over time can cause damage. Make sure your mason is following these guidelines for the prevention of water damage.

Are you a Certified Cultured Stone Installer?
A Cultured Stone Certified Installer has been trained,
has had: their quality of work checked, background checked, are licensed and properly insured.

Are you current with the manufactures best practices?
Manufactures and Dealers offer training on new products and best practice yearly. A good mason will be informed and following these best practices.

What brand products do you install?
Warranty, stone thickness and depth of color is very important as not all stone veneers are created equal. Know what is going under the stone. This is important to protect your home from damage. Here is a list of recommended products:
• Cultured Stone • ProStone•
Semco Natural Stone Veneer• Keene Rain Screen Drainage Systems
• Keene Weep Screed• AMICO EZ Bead, Window/Door Drip Edge
• Self Furring Lath: AMICO Metal self furring lath & Spider Lath self furring fiberglass lathFor a list of Select Installers and Dealers please contact Instone today 888-467-8250 http://www.instoneco.com/

Thin Veneer Stone Installation - Run to Grade

Natural Stone Veneer - timeless beauty

Whether you’re a homeowner, designer, or architect there’s no matching the pride you’ll feel when you see the breathtaking allure of natural stone adds to your project. Natural stone helps communicate your vision, from sophisticated elegance to bold ruggedness.

Few building materials possess the durability and versatility of natural stone. From traditional installations to contemporary designs, from intimate buildings to towering structures.

Stone colors and textures vary from region - Quarries in the northeast tend to be of grays and blues, while stones from the Midwest regions have rust & browns, while out west it in the light range with tans, light browns and reds.

There is no replacing natural stone although there are many manufactured stone that could fool an expert mason. Natural stone has life long durability and is timeless.

Natural Stone is recommended when installing a wood burning fireplace, as the smoke and suet can damaged manufactured stone. Natural Stone can be scrubbed clean with out worry of damage.

There are numerous stone quarries, natural stone producers but few have the appeal and reputation as Buechel Natural Stone Veneer.

Buechel Stone has a vast selection of natural stone types and textures to add visual distinction to your project. No other building material offers the unique textures, natural colors, and exceptional visual appeal found in natural stone. When it comes to beauty, strength, and longevity, Buechel natural stone is in a class of its own.
To learn more about natural stone veneer and Buechel please contact instone or visit our website http://www.instoneco.com/ or visit http://www.buechelstone.com/index.php


http://youtu.be/JxozzUl3pmA

Masons, maybe it’s time to consider a new method for fireplace construction.

Masons, maybe it’s time to consider a new method for fireplace construction.
If you’re not already installing fireplaces with a pre-engineered fireplace unit/system, you may want to consider them now, here is why:

With the focus being money and saving on energy cost a masonry modular fireplace unit helps you overcome these hurtles to win more jobs. Experts compare traditional fireplace installation to masonry modular fireplace units.

• It takes masons two or more weeks to build a fireplace using the old fashioned construction method. Alternatively, a masonry modular fireplace unit can be installed in one or two days. The components in a masonry modular fireplace unit are large and fit together easily, so construction is quick and hassle-free. Installation is as simple as stacking the components, mortaring them together, adding firebrick, and finishing the outside with the veneer or mantle of your choice.

• Labor and materials average around $8,000 to $15,000 for a site-built masonry fireplace. Because a modular fireplace unit install in a matter of days, labor savings can be significant, typically cutting overall costs by at least 50% compared to a site-built masonry fireplace.

• Brick absorbs heat. That is why a brick fireplace takes time to heat up and doesn't send adequate heat into a room. Modular fireplace unit masonry materials are engineered to reflect heat so that your fire will heat up quickly and burn more efficiently. That means more heat output while using less wood, gas, or other fuel.

• With a modular fireplace unit, you get peace of mind knowing that they have passed rigorous testing procedures to comply with applicable Underwriters Laboratories standards, and each fireplace is backed with a manufactured warranty.

For more information on a masonry modular fireplace unit please visit http://www.instoneco.com/
Or call 888-467-8250 info@instoneco.com
Isokern FireRock

Masonry Industry and Building Inspectors need to get on the same page

Use this To prevent this

I've had conversations with building inspectors who have told me they advise home owners to stay away form masonry applications, stucco and stone veneer to be specific.
Why? Because they have seen too many faulty installations that created mold, stone falling off houses and water damage.

Now being in the masonry industry I found this very alarming, as my job is to inform our customers, contractors and home owners of the measurements to take now to have a healthy wall system. Stone veneer is here to stay, its beautiful, versatile and wanted by homeowners and designers. With proper installation a stone veneer application can last a lifetime.

Currently there is no building code in NJ or NY that enforce the use of a drainage system when installing stone veneer or stucco. Very few consumers are aware of the proper way to install and because these measurements add to the cost of installation, contractors will not recommend the extra expense in fear of losing the bid to a competitor.

Homeowners, you must demand your contractor follow the Masonry Veneer Manufactures Association (MVMA) guidelines. Its well worth the additional cost to protect your investment. Only use a contractor that has been trained and is current with the best practices of the industry.

Masons, help save your industry. Attend installation training on the MVMA guidelines, ask your dealer or distributor about drainage products. Educate your customers on healthy wall systems.

Please use me/InStone as a resource healthy wall systems, the MVMA guide, where to find a trained mason, product information and where to find these products.

contact me via info@instoneco.com or visit www.instoneco.com

(you can visit http://www.masonryvenner.org/ to down load the guide.) (Please know these guidelines are for stone veneer that is installed on the out side of homes/buildings. )