1. Similar in appearance to natural bricks

Years ago, the contrast between brick veneer and traditional concrete or clay bricks was jarring.  You could easily distinguish which was veneer and which was natural.

Not anymore.

Today’s modern brick veneers are made from clay and shale. This ensures that the look and feel/texture of veneer is virtually identical to regular bricks.

In fact, the only noticeable difference comes in thickness:

• Veneer brick panels are approximately 1” thick
• Natural bricks are around 3”- 4” thick

Which leads us to…

2. Veneer is very lightweight

Because veneer is lightweight compared to natural bricks:

• They’re much easier to handle and manipulate during installation
• The surface underneath brick veneer doesn’t need to have excessive weight-bearing element
• They can be installed on most residential walls

3. Lower monetary and time costs compared to natural bricks

Perhaps the most appealing advantage of brick veneer is that they’re much more affordable versus natural stone bricks – in all aspects:

• Unit costs
• Construction and/or installation costs (when measured by the square foot compared to conventional bricks)
• Time spent during installation and maintenance
• Cleaning and/or care costs

And because today’s brick veneer is just as strong as conventional bricks, they’ll last an exceptionally long time without requiring high maintenance costs.

4. Ease of installation for DIY’ers

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, it’s much easier to install and keep brick veneer vs. full bed brick.

Here’s are a few reasons why

• Usually only one layer of masonry should do the trick
• Brick veneer requires a very simple support system, compared to solid brick which needs a heavier (and more expensive) foundation
• Veneer doesn’t require much maintenance once it’s installed
• It is very easy to paint or stain brick veneer in the colour of your choice

View our gallery to get some design inspiration for your next veneer project

5. Great insulation

Most brick veneer is graded and sold based upon their insulation capacity. This is known as R-Values.

When installed properly, homeowners can take advantage of the veneer’s high insulation capacity.

This also means they can use brick veneer just about anywhere in the home to create the perfect level of insulation, comfort and style

• • • Fireplaces
    • Walls
    • Siding
    • Kitchen backsplash

Want to know more about brick veneer? Just ask

Many people have already made it a priority to visit any of our 4 locations to learn more about brick veneer. And if you’re interesting in experiencing the benefits of brick veneer, you should too. Of course, you can always request more information or a FREE quote when it comes to our veneer products.

The post Five Key Advantages of Brick Veneer appeared first on Grand River Natural Stone.

You may be wondering what to do with your old red brick feature wall. Exposed brick is becoming an increasingly popular interior décor trend. The historical background of the brick combined with modern design ideas provides the chance to try several neat décor opportunities. 

If it is Already Exposed 

If you live in a home where an exposed brick wall already exists, you are in luck! You can take advantage of this feature without having to get messy. Here are some décor ideas for accenting your old red brick feature wall:

Create Contrast

One of the most effective ways to highlight your brick feature wall is by choosing colours and textures for the rest of the décor that will create a sharp contrast. For example, if your brick wall is dark red and rough, try a smoother white stone on the walls that meet with it.

Wash or Paint It

Have you become tired of the red brick? A fairly simple and cost-effective way to change it is to paint it. A fresh coat that changes the colour of your brick wall will give your home the facelift you have been looking for and create new stylistic décor opportunities.

Frame a Section

Is your brick wall a bit too much? If you feel like your brick wall is too large and overpowering, consider framing an area of it in. This provides the opportunity to keep some of the brick but still feature a small portion of it.

Shelves

Brick walls are a great place to hang shelving and shadow boxes. You will be able to display and store your items while enjoying the brick background behind them.

Art

Like any wall, brick walls are an ideal spot to hang your favourite art. Choose pieces that will stand out against the brick or highlight historical undertones. You can play around with multiple pieces of art and different sizes to get the perfect amount of exposed brick for your taste!  

If You Still Need to Expose it

The alternative to living in a house with an exposed brick wall is living in a house where you are able to expose brick that has been previously covered up. If you intend to expose a brick wall (which are the building blocks of your home) it is very important that you take proper precautions.

Pick a Wall

Think about your home and take some serious time to consider where you would most enjoy an exposed brick wall. Consider what type of room it is. A bathroom, a living room, and a bedroom may all need a different size and placement of brick wall. Think about what type of décor you envision so that you choose the right size.

Unfortunately, there is no sure way of telling what the exposed brick wall is going to look like until you are done. You may end up with a polished, clean look or you may end up with a very rustic feel.

Unless that is, you want to install thin brick veneer instead of taking a chance on whatever kind of brick is in your walls. That way, you can choose the colour, texture and style.

Prepare

To begin, a small hole must be drilled into the wall to confirm that there is in fact brick there. After you have determined this, reveal a small test area where you can examine the quality of your bricks. If you are happy with the appearance, you can move forward.

Safety First

As you begin to uncover the wall you will need to protect yourself with gloves, masks and other protective clothing. Cover the floor and furniture to avoid excessive amounts of dust landing on them and minimize clean up afterwards.

Patience is a Virtue

The most important thing about exposing a brick wall is to make sure that you are patient. It takes time and you do not want to rush. You are uncovering the history and want to make sure you do so gently.

Clean the Bricks

After you are finished exposing, brush off as much dust as possible and use an appropriate mixture to deep clean the bricks. Now, get ready to decide what you want to do with your old brick feature wall, so you can enhance your interior décor.

For all things stone, consult the experts at Grand River Natural Stone. We supply interior brick, including that dashing red brick you’re looking for. We also supply exterior brick and stone.

The post What to do with an Old Brick Feature Wall appeared first on Grand River Natural Stone.

A common question that we hear all the time is: “What is the difference between brick and brick veneer?” Brick (also known as full bed veneer) and thin brick veneer often look identical. However, there are key differences.

Mainly, thin veneer products are not real stone or brick. Instead, they are often cement-based and shaped in moulds made from real stone and brick. This makes them affordable, and just as beautiful as the real thing. However, this also makes them thinner, less durable, and more prone to moisture absorption.

Brick veneer is all about wedding aesthetic to functionality. Whether you want rustic stone, traditional red brick, or smooth modern brick, brick veneer is lighter, easier to install and more affordable than full bed veneer brick.

Styles of Thin Stone Veneer

You may be surprised at the style options available when you choose thin brick or stone veneer. Forget the thin plastic sheet you may have seen in the past. Grand River Natural Stone’s veneer is real stone, that looks and feels just as you’d expect.

Style options include:

• Fieldstone: Rounded, uniquely shaped fieldstones give outdoor monuments, landscaping, and home exteriors a rustic feel.
• Classic brick: The red, uniform brick look has been a staple for years for a reason. This veneer is especially popular in interior restoration projects because it doesn’t take up much space.
• Large strips: You can achieve a very modern, or even minimalist look with brick veneer. Our large strips come in neutral colours and create dramatic shadows.

The Advantages of Brick Veneer Over Brick

The style options aren’t the only reason to choose brick veneer over brick. Brick veneer is lighter, thinner and less time-consuming to install than real brick, (though it still requires expert installation), which means it has lower costs.

Once the brick veneer is installed, you may also notice that it takes up a lot less room in your space than full bed brick veneer would have.

Brick veneer is a great choice to keep your living space large, especially in older historic houses that are much smaller, to begin with. You can get the look of an original historic home but get a bit more space with brick veneer.

If you’re curious about the looks you can achieve with brick veneer, take a peek at our brick veneer catalogue. You’re sure to find a style that’s right for your home or project, and you’ll be saving money and space by choosing brick veneer over brick. Contact us today to get your project started.

The post What is the Difference Between Brick and Brick Veneer? appeared first on Grand River Natural Stone.

A fireplace is a cozy way to spend fall evenings.

And installing thin stone veneer on your indoor or outdoor fireplace is full of great benefits, such as:

• Giving it a rustic and charming appearance
• Protecting it from the outdoor elements
• Extending your enjoyment of the fireplace for the season

The best part is that installing thin veneer stone on your fireplace is quite simple to do – even if it’s a brick fireplace.

Choose your stone veneer

There are two types of stone brick veneer for you to choose from:

• Authentic: It may come at a higher cost, but it’s a gorgeous, long-lasting choice for your backyard or family room fireplace. Usually it’s heavier than artificial veneer, but is cut thinly enough that weight is not an issue.

• Artificial: Sometimes known as faux stone. Manmade stone veneer now looks, feels and behaves like the natural version. If you’re planning to do it yourself, artificial stone veneer is lighter, tidier and overall easier to work with.

Preparing to install thin stone veneer

Whether you’re installing authentic or artificial stone veneer to your brick fireplace, the process more or less remains the same.

First, though, you’ll need to clean the surface where the stone will be affixed and remove any:

• Paint
• Dirt
• Dust
• Debris

If you’re planning to install thin stone veneer directly into a brick or concrete fireplace, you can apply it directly to the surface.

Then, apply a scratch coat (about ½” think) of mortar to the surface and let it cure for 24 hours.

1. Mix the right amount of mortar you’ll need

Usually the mixture is two parts of washed masonry sand to one part of cement.

Stir it up for a minimum of five minutes until the mixture is both think and creamy.

2. Lay the stones out in the pattern you want

If you need to trim the stones to fit your backyard fireplace, you can use a masonry hammer or masonry saw from Grand River Natural Stone.

3. Clean the stones before applying them

After you’ve cut the stones to fit, you’ll need to remove all dust, dirt and loose particles from them.

If necessary, you can even wash them with water.

However you’ll need to wait for them to dry before you install them.

Once dried, you can moisten their backsides with a masonry brush, which will help strengthen the bond between the stone and the mortar.

4. Apply mortar to the back of the stone

Then, press the stone to the fireplace wall.

While you’re pressing it, rotate the stone slightly in order to force some of the mortar to squeeze out around the edges of the stone.

Before the mortar has finally set, remove any extra from the surface of the thin veneer stone with a rag or brush.

5. Point the joints with grout

When all of the stone veneer elements are in place, grout any large gaps between the stones.

Post-installation maintenance

Once four weeks have passed, you may wish to apply a high-quality sealer to the stone veneer.

• For an indoor fireplace: Sealing is more of an aesthetic reference, as opposed providing a protective barrier (simply because it won’t be exposed to outdoor elements).

• For an outdoor fireplace: Even though it’s outside, your fireplace doesn’t need to be sealed. However, if you want to enhance, darken or bring its colour back to life (especially if it’s an older unit), then sealer is an appropriate option.

Applying stone sealer on a regular schedule is completely optional.

Remember: the sealer may change the colouring of your thin veneer stone, so make sure you test it out first in an area of the fireplace where it won’t be noticed.

And since stone veneer is easy to clean, just wash off the sealer with a hose if you aren’t happy with the results. Just make sure you do this within minutes.

We’re ready to start when you are

Now that you know how to install thin stone veneer to your backyard fireplace, it’s time to make it happen.

And Grand River Natural Stone can help. We’re your source for everything you need to get it done, including:

• Masonry tools
• Mortar
• Masonry sand
• Sealer

Just contact us for a FREE quote or to speak with any of our product or building experts.

We’ll answer all your questions and give you the guidance you need to get started.

The post How to Install Thin Stone Veneer on Your Indoor or Outdoor Fireplace appeared first on Grand River Natural Stone.

The term patio stones is a broad catch all for many types of outdoor building materials. The phrase can include flagstone and natural rock, brick and concrete pavers. The pros, cons and best location for each will be laid out at so you may judge which is best for your patio, walkway, or driveway project.

Flagstone and other natural stone

Pros and cons: Local stone will cost less and be more friendly to the environment due to lower emissions used during shipping. Once you have a good installation of natural stone set up it has excellent durability and requires little to no maintenance. The main drawback is the cost of shipping it to your house from the store, and the installation is highly demanding labour wise.

Best Location: Around pools, accents along a driveway, walkways up to your door, porches

Brick

Pros and cons: There is no other look that is as old-world charming as a well set up brick patio or walkway. The porous nature of bricks makes it ideal for walking as it is low slip. A potential drawback is the shifting of bricks over time.

This can lead to trip hazards and difficulty shoveling snow off of it.

Best location: Patios, paths in and around a garden, deck or fountain surrounds, driveways, the deck of your pool

Concrete Pavers

Pros and cons: Their interlocking design is an improvement on bricks, it leads them to be less likely to shift up and down. Concrete pavers are easy to repair, simply pull up broken ones and replace them with spares. They are not prone to cracking like a solid concrete slab will do. They can be a lot of work to get down, but are well worth the effort.

Best Location: Patios, around a pool, paths in and around a garden, driveways, the area around your pool

This has been a basic look at the building materials available. The options for patio stones to build your deck or walkway with are nearly endless.

The post A Buyers Guide for Patio Stones appeared first on Grand River Natural Stone.