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The enduring beauty and timeless quality of natural stone is unparalleled. From wrapping a few columns, adding a stone wall behind a woodstove or around a fireplace to a full interior wall, kitchen backsplash or sections of exterior façade, stone is treasured for its visual appeal, low maintenance and durability.
The striking patterns, natural colors, irregular shapes and rugged textures of real stone or natural-looking rock offer a rustic, earthy vibe of authentic beauty and sophisticated expression that complement any style. The good news is that rocking your world at your home or your business can be achieved in a weekend, whether you use a contractor or choose to do-it-yourself.
Stone masons are revered around the world and the New River Valley for their skills. Hardscaping has become very popular for patios, retaining walls and outdoor entertaining spaces. Their experience with rocks, mortar, placement and artistic style is admired. One only needs to cruise around the Virginia Tech campus to appreciate the striking appearance of Hokie Stone, a gray dolomite-limestone sedimentary rock prevalent in western Virginia.
Manufactured Stone
Stone veneer siding mimics natural stone and can be installed with screws instead of mortar. It is less expensive and incredibly versatile. M-Rock’s P-Series Stone is “not just a stone, it’s a stone system,” appreciated by both contractors and homeowners for the ease of installation. Additionally, these products have no water entrapment or freeze and thaw issues.
Whether you’re seeking that Adirondack look on the outside or a classy yet rustic fireplace wall on the inside, natural-looking, manufactured stone might fool a geologist and looks like the finished work of a master stone mason. Crafted in shapes, sizes and colors originally styled by Mother Nature, M-Rock’s I-Series Stackable Stones elevate the ordinary to extraordinary, enhancing property value along the way.
Ranging from soft browns with a hint of terra cotta and smoky embers to warm golden tans and gray tones or deep brick reds with muted mocha and pewter, manufactured stone products mimic color combinations found in river rocks, palisades and natural rock formations. It is easy to handle, can be cut to size and attaches with drywall anchors, exterior grade screws, staples and commercial adhesive. A smart, savvy homeowner can complete a small project in a weekend using common hand tools.
“We definitely sell big for the small projects – foundation fronts, garage or front door accents, fireplace surrounds and transforming a basic post to a stone column,” says M-Rock’s founder and president Matt Mann. The New River Valley resident started the company in 2003, and it remains headquartered in Peterstown, W.V. The rock products are sold at Lowe’s and Home Depot along with all the accessories, corner materials, screws. “We are a one-stop shop for everything you need, and our staff can be reached Monday through Friday to answer questions or explain anything.”
A leader in natural-looking, manufactured stone products, M-Rock takes seriously the desire of homeowners to embrace the natural stone look without the weight, cost and intensive installation of pure rock. The brilliant research and development team has been cloning stone, refining manufacturing processes and streamlining installation procedures to produce superior rock-like products more than two decades. Fire-resistant, stable in harsh weather conditions and “Made in the USA” all contribute to the exceptionalism of their products.
You are in control of standing out or blending in, going unexpectedly creative or casually rustic. Green manufacturing with near zero waste translates into this reasonably-priced design element having near zero waste on the job site. You can be daring, practical, emotional and budget-conscious all at the same time. As Mann points out, “you don’t have to rock your whole world or even one entire wall.”
Stone accents inside a home, on the front of a house, around the fireplace or on the dog house or she shed can enhance the ambiance and value of a property. Manufactured stone is dependable in strength and crafted to stand both the tests of time and trend.
Giles County homeowners Phillip and April Vaught put M-Rock stone on their north-facing front porch 18 years ago. The steps no longer get mold or need cleaning and painting. “We never have to do any maintenance or repair to this stone accent, and we love the rustic look.”
Text by Joanne M. Anderson
Photos courtesy of M-Rock
Photos courtesy of M-Rock
