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What is Faux Rock Siding?
Faux rock siding is a type of composite building material used to mimic the appearance of traditional stone siding. Made from thermoplastics like polypropylene or polyurethane, faux rock siding comes in large, relatively thin sheets. Installers use nails or screws to attached each panel to the framing of the home, and many of these panels lock together to create a seamless look. Faux rock siding may be used to cover the entire exterior of a home, or as an accent to complement brick, vinyl, or wood siding materials.
During manufacturing, workers use molds to emboss a rock or stone-like texture onto the siding. This gives the surface a highly textured surface, which looks just like real rock siding. Faux rock siding is also colored to resemble natural rock, and may include faux grout lines or sanded joints in between the stones.
This material comes in a variety of designs to suit the needs of different buyers. Some models resemble field stone or river rock, while others mimic the appearance of granite or slate. Each faux rock siding material may feature a variety of patterns in terms of how the stones are arranged or fit together. This product also varies in terms of color and available finishes.
One of the primary advantages to faux rock siding is its light weight. While real stone or brick often requires installers to add structural support to the home's framing, faux rock siding weighs very little. It can be installed over standard wall framing without added support. This allows homeowners to enjoy the look of stone siding without the expense of structural upgrades.
Faux rock siding is also easy to install. While traditional stone requires a skilled installer, faux versions require only screws and basic installation techniques. This material is also affordable, and costs much less than natural rock or stone. Finally, faux rock siding is water resistant, and poses little risk of moisture problems over time. It's also a quick and effective way to cover up existing siding that may be unattractive or damaged.
When choosing faux rock siding, buyers should be aware that quality can vary wildly among products. Some truly resemble natural rock, while others have a clearly artificial finish. Before making a purchase, it's important to view each material in person to get a true understanding of the finish quality. Buyers should also look for UV-resistant products designed to prevent fading from sun exposure over time.
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Discussion Comments
My neighbor has artificial rock siding all around the first story of his home and honestly I think it looks terrible. It does not look real at all, even from a distance. It is also totally out of step with the rest of his house and the houses in the neighborhood.
But you know what, who care? It's his house, his land and he can do what he wants. And besides that, neighborhood continuity is vastly overrated. For some reason we have convinced ourselves that it is a good thing when every single house in a four square block radius looks exactly like your own. What a silly idea. Individuality is a lot more interesting than sameness.
You should be cautious using faux rock siding. In some cases it can be a cheap and pleasing alternative to having expensive stone work done on your home. In other cases it can be a tacky aesthetic addition that ends up making your house look cheap and ugly.
You want to make sure that you are using a quality faux rock siding panels and that it is being installed by a experienced professional. Bad installations account for a lot of the ugliness of faux sidings.
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