One of the biggest questions that comes to mind when homeowners look for stone siding options is how to determine synthetic stone siding durability for the designs that you want to use, according to Build Direct. Although there is no one rating that is industry standard, it is possible to get a feel for how long you can expect synthetic stone to last by looking at the following indicators.
Check the Manufacturer’s Warranty
Most synthetic stone siding comes with a manufacturer’s warranty to indicate that they are confident that it will last a long time. Since there are many variations of what is actually considered synthetic, you can see quite a range of time in terms of how long the product is warrantied for. Some panels may be designed to last for 15 years and carry a 10 year warranty, whereas other panels may come with a 25 year warranty. The durability of the product you buy, with care and a good environment will typically be longer than any warranty offered, but it does give you a pretty good feel for the minimum length of time that a panel or synthetic stone siding piece will last.
Look at the Materials
Natural stone siding can last for hundreds of years. Synthetic stone siding can theoretically match it in performance if the structure it is attached to is solid and if you take proper care of what you have chosen to buy. Of course, when buying synthetic stone, because there are so many different brands on the market, it is helpful to understand the categories that they are separated into by the materials used. Natural stone is one category. Synthetic stone cladding made from Portland cement is another category that is similar to natural stone veneer affixed to panels for attachment to the wall. Syntethic stone siding is typically siding that has been pre-shaped to match one of the above categories with a layer of synthetics and sealant applied afterward to give it a realistic look.
So when you are looking at materials to determine how long they will last, you can compare natural stone veneer to synthetic stone veneer by comparing the thickness of the stone as it is applied to the panel. The thicker, the better. You can also look at how well they are affixed to the panels. Most dealers will let you have a sample board of each type of material. If you explore trying to pry the stone away from the panel using each material, you will at least know for that manufacturer how much effort it takes and how well designed each panel is. If there is a coating over a pre-molded panel and you would like to compare it to another manufacturer with the same process, cut into the coating and see how thick it is compared to the other panel.
The Water Test
Another way to determine which manufacturer has given your synthetic stone siding the best opportunity to remain on your house for the rest of your life is to give your sample panels a good hosing down with a spray nozzle on your garden hose. If any material ends up falling off the panel when you hose it down, you might want to get another sample panel or start looking at a different supplier. Similarly, for durability purposes, when you install panels on your home, moisture will be your worst enemy when it comes to durability.
Related Resource: Repairing Stone Siding
Overall, synthetic stone siding can be a beautiful addition to your home. By checking out the product of each manufacturer that you are considering, in advance, you will have a pretty good feel for synthetic stone siding durability before you install it on your home.
