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Surface Shop Natural Stone Veneer Manufacturer
Surface Shop Natural Stone Veneer Manufacturer

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7 Metal Building with Stone Veneer Ideas

Metal Architectural Building with Stone Column Accents
Metal Architectural Building with Stone Column Accents

For those eager to spruce up their metal buildings, the possibilities are endless. Whether you’re a hands-on DIY enthusiast or a project coordinator with a vision, adding a touch of natural stone veneer can work wonders. We’re talking about those mundane commercial metal structures, which might be great when it comes to having a long warranty and great insulating r-value, but can be uninspiring from an aesthetic standpoint.

Think storefronts with character and industrial warehouses that command attention. In this article, we’ll explore some fun and creative ways to use natural stone veneer on exteriors, because let’s face it, who doesn’t love a little curb appeal and architectural flair?

1. Accent Panels

Metal Building with Stone Panel Front
Metal Building with Stone Panel Front

Accent panels clad in stone veneer offer a versatile and effective means of enhancing the visual appeal of metal buildings. With natural stone veneer, owners can create stone wall sections of the building that add depth, texture, and character to the exterior facade.

Selecting the Right Veneer Option

Natural stone veneer comes in a diverse range of styles, textures, and colors, providing endless possibilities for customization to suit the aesthetic preferences of the building owner.

Whether opting for a rustic, rugged stacked stone appearance or a sleek, contemporary finish, the availability of various options ensures that the accent panels seamlessly integrate with the metal building’s exterior, elevating its overall appearance with style and sophistication.

2. Column Wraps

Metal Building with Column Wraps
Metal Building with Column Wraps

Wrapping columns in real stone veneer presents an opportunity to elevate the aesthetic appeal of metal buildings. By cladding columns in stone veneer, building owners can infuse texture and visual interest into otherwise plain metal columns, transforming them into striking architectural features, as well as create a more durable covering for the column as compared to something like a stucco wrap. 

Compatibility with Metal Columns

Stone veneer ledgestone can be adhered to a wide range of surfaces, including metal, making it easy to update existing columns in a metal or steel building. This versatility opens up a world of possibilities for enhancing the appearance of structures without the need for extensive renovations. Interior columns, particularly in tall open spaces like warehouses and even a barndominium look great wrapped in stone as well. Wrapping columns in stone veneer provides a cost-effective solution for transforming plain metal columns into captivating architectural features, enhancing both the aesthetic and value of the metal building.

3. Foundation Skirting

Metal Building with Stone Skirting
Metal Building with Stone Skirting

Installing stone veneer on the foundation skirting of a metal building plays a pivotal role in enhancing its aesthetic appeal. Serving as both a practical and decorative element, foundation skirting, sometimes referred to as a wainscot siding project, conceals the base of the building while infusing visual interest and architectural detail. In metal buildings, owners have a myriad of options for foundation skirting, ranging from traditional materials like stucco or metal sheeting to more ornate choices such as stone veneer or wainscot panels. Among these options, stone veneer stands out for its versatility, offering the authentic look of a natural product with the added benefits of easy installation and minimal maintenance.

A highly textured product like a ledgestone natural stone veneer also serves as a nice contrast with the smooth metal siding and metal roofing of a commercial building. With stone veneer, owners can achieve a sophisticated and cohesive appearance that seamlessly integrates with the overall design of the metal building, elevating its charm and character.

Compatibility with Metal Siding

One of the great things about metal siding is that stone veneer can be bonded to it really well, unlike some other common building materials like OSB or drywall.

To ensure proper attachment and alignment between the skirting and existing metal siding, it’s crucial to carefully measure and align the panels, use appropriate adhesive, commonly an epoxy based thinset, and regularly check for any adjustments needed during installation to achieve a cohesive and visually appealing finish.

4. Entryway Features

Metal Building with Stone Entryway
Metal Building with Stone Entryway

Adding natural stone veneer to entryway features of metal buildings not only enhances their appearance but also creates a warm and inviting facade. Stone veneer brings texture and depth to entryways, making them visually appealing and cozy, while its versatility allows for unique customization and architectural accents to suit any style. 

Moreover, incorporating stone veneer into entryway features adds a timeless charm that seamlessly blends with the surrounding environment, elevating the overall aesthetic appeal of the building. Lots of veneer options exist in the marketplace, including easy to install stone veneer panels, loose faux stone as well as faux stone panels, and even brick veneer, so there’s sure to be a great product to meet both the style and budget of any project.

5. Half-Wall Dividers

Metal Building with Site Wall Dividers
Metal Building with Site Wall Dividers

Natural stone on half wall dividers, whether used for partitions, privacy, or landscape walls, serves to delineate spaces and infuse architectural interest into metal buildings and the surrounding property. Enhancing half-wall dividers with stone veneer not only introduces texture, warmth, and visual appeal but also transforms them into decorative elements within the space, enhancing the overall ambiance. Moreover, the versatility of stone veneer enables the creation of diverse design styles, ranging from modern to rustic, allowing for seamless integration into any architectural stone siding concept.

6. Decorative Accents

Origin Terraform Used a stone Accent on Signage
Origin Terraform Used a stone Accent on Signage

Incorporating stone veneer on decorative accents like signage or even a small water feature enriches the visual appeal of metal buildings, elevating them from functional structures to aesthetically pleasing landmarks. These decorative touches serve as crucial finishing elements while also providing a focal point that draws attention and enhances the building’s overall ambiance and curb appeal. By seamlessly blending natural stone veneer wall panels into signage and other accents, the building gains a sense of sophistication and charm, leaving a lasting impression on visitors and passersby alike.

Types of Decorative Accents

There’s a wide range of possibilities for incorporating natural stone veneer as decorative accents of a metal building including signage, keystones, trim, and even water features, each of which can add its own unique architectural interest and visual appeal. These accents are available in a diverse array of styles, from traditional to contemporary, empowering owners to personalize their building’s design to match their style and brand.

7. Interior Walls

Interior Stone accent wall at Blue Federal Credit Union - 2022 AIA Design Award Winner
Interior Stone accent wall at Blue Federal Credit Union - 2022 AIA Design Award Winner

While most of our focus has been on the exterior facades of metal commercial buildings, the interior walls also offer a dynamic opportunity to elevate these spaces. As focal points within the space, an interior accent wall plays a pivotal role in shaping the overall atmosphere of a space making natural stone veneer an ideal wall covering option to amp up the warmth and texture in a space. Whether the stone starts outside and continues inside, or is just featured on the interior, by integrating stone veneer into interior walls the building gains a sense of sophistication and character that enhances the entire interior experience.

Benefits of Using Stone Veneer

Using stone veneer on an interior feature wall brings texture, warmth, and visual interest, making the space feel cozy and inviting. It adds a charming touch that envelops occupants in comfort while enhancing the overall appeal of the room.

Selecting the Right Veneer Option

When selecting the ideal stone veneer option for a metal building, consider the style of the metal building, the size and shape of the columns, and the desired aesthetic. Popular choices such as quartz, granite, and limestone offer diverse textures and colors to complement various architectural styles and achieve the desired visual impact. 

Depending on the size and shape of the columns to be clad, loose natural stone veneer might be a better choice as compared to natural stone panel systems with pre manufactured corner options. Whether virtually or in person, visit a Stone Veneer Inspiration Gallery to start the process of finding the perfect natural stone for your next project.

Installation Process

To install natural stone veneer on columns, begin by measuring and cutting the veneer panels to fit the dimensions of the columns. Next, prepare the surface of the columns by ensuring they are clean and free of debris, then apply adhesive and attach the veneer panels according to manufacturer instructions, ensuring a secure and aesthetically pleasing finish.

Find more details such as what adhesives to use and how to work around columns that are smaller using stone veneer panel systems and pre made corner units by contacting the manufacturer of the stone veneer product.

Final Thoughts

In wrapping up, using stone veneer to spruce up metal buildings offers a world of design flair and practical benefits. Whether it’s adding charm to accent panels, giving columns a facelift, or revamping entryways, the versatility of stone veneer knows no bounds. It’s not just about enhancing the aesthetic; it’s about adding durability and longevity to your building’s facade. 

Ready to give your metal building a makeover? Check out Surface Shop’s selection of stone veneer products and read and subscribe to our Surface Culture Blog to dive deep into the world of natural stone veneer finishes and start transforming your space today!

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    A Curated Selection of Stone Veneers for Metal Building Accents

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