Art imitates stone

Where it is going: “Because manufactured stone is such a versatile product, is lighter weight, more cost effective and easier to install than real stone, we anticipate continued usage in commercial and residential applications. Beyond the exterior façade, we’ve also seen a trend of manufactured stone being incorporated into both interior and outdoor space applications such as kitchen backsplashes and fireplaces,” Blais says. “We’re continuing to see more applications in residential new construction, mixed with other exterior cladding products such as vinyl siding, shingle siding and architecturally styled windows.”