With regards to Cabins and Lake Homes, we are seeing a lot of whole stone selections from our customers for both interior or exterior finishes . Whole stone fireplaces are becoming the “go to” replacing stack stone which had been all the rage over the last fifteen years. As with any trend, cabin and lake home trends change and repeat. What we are seeing in stone finishes is a perfect example of a change in cabin/lake home stone trends. Whole stone fireplaces are becoming popular again, mostly because of the authenticity. The stones are not cut into any shape. They are simply used the way they are seen in nature and because they have not been in pictures lately, the look is perceived by people as more unique.
Authenticity of Stone Fireplaces
Below you will see a couple projects showing the stone trend. The fireplace pictured shows raised hearths topped with 20” x 20” cultured hearth stones. Mantels shown are both peeled ½ log with ½ log supports and cut timber. Both go well with any stone façade whole stone or not. Real whole stone and cultured whole stone are both shown.
Cultured stone is man made of concrete in forms that look like real stone. They are much less expensive for product and installation and used most often. Real whole stone is much more expensive and requires concrete footings beneath each face of stone, thus more expensive.
Interestingly, the whole stone fireplace look was very popular in the 80’s. It fell off as a trend up until a few years ago. It is starting to show up again much more often in our customer’s selections in both interior and exterior application. The exterior stone is normally capped with either real or cultured stone drip cap. (Shown at the top of the picture below.) This type of stone is most indigenous to Western Wisconsin streams and lake bottoms as well as in fields and wooded areas. It is available in many styles and colors in both man made stone and real stone from nature.
The Cold stone Fireplaces gives a more massive and natural look than the popular stack stone. Either type can be sealed with a clear seal products to bring out a more pronounced stone color which our customer’s often ask for.
At Tice Construction, we work with our clients to show them different custom stone options for both interior and exterior. Stone fireplaces add a dramatic and rustic feel to ay cabin or lake home. Got a remodel or new cabin build project in mind? Give us a call:715-635-4664.
