Fake stone wall finishes

[Angie]

There are a number of UK companies and other (more impressive) USA companies who specialise in exterior wall finishes which make the house look as though it is built of stone (the Americans call them stone veneers). They are not reminiscent of the awful 70s stone cladding and it is really difficult to tell them from the real thing (in fact some are actual stone "slices").  We are having a house constructed in France at the moment where the exterior finish is to be rendered - the only finish our builder can supply.  Does anyone know of a company that can supply and fit such a finish in France? Alternatively, we did once see an effect whereby the finished render was "marked out" to look like stone blocks - any ideas? 

Also, and probably more importantly, will we need to amend our permis if we change the house's exterior finish?

[Ron Avery]

Alternatively, we did once see an effect whereby the finished render was "marked out" to look like stone blocks - any ideas

Yes DON'T[N]  I saw a stone house near Brive that had been rendered and then marked out to resemble a N. Yorkshire stonebuilt  house and it was awful, really awful.  If you want a stone finish then specify a stone finish, its not that stones are hard to get in France.[:)]

[BJSLIV]

Also, and probably more importantly, will we need to amend our permis if we change the house's exterior finish?

Yes you will......Another good reason not to do it!

[derf]

The stone veneers are available here in our part of SW France, in the major Builders merchants like Point P. and they have small houses built built in the yard as an example, using lots of  the different finishes available, and they do look good.

[Bobc]

"There are a number of UK

companies and other (more impressive) USA companies who specialise in

exterior wall finishes which make the house look as though it is built

of stone (the Americans call them stone veneers). They are not

reminiscent of the awful 70s stone cladding and it is really difficult

to tell them from the real thing (in fact some are actual stone

"slices").  We are having a house constructed in France at the

moment where the exterior finish is to be rendered - the only finish

our builder can supply.  Does anyone know of a company that can

supply and fit such a finish in France? Alternatively, we did once see

an effect whereby the finished render was "marked out" to look like

stone blocks - any ideas?

Also, and probably more importantly, will we need to amend our permis if we change the house's exterior finish?"

To answer your questions.

Your builder only offers a rendered finish as this is an easy option.

The majority of his work is probably for French clients who would be

happy with this and would not want to pay for more expensive finishes.

The stone-effect finishes available in France are made from

reconstituted stone and cement. They range from the top of the range

from Orsol (www.orsol.fr) which is manufactured just up the road from

us and the rubbish which is sold in the bricos.

They share in common that they need to be fixed to an existing wall,

either red brick, concrete or render with tile adhesive such as Lanko

524 and then pointed with Orsol Mortier-Joint or similar.

The advantage of the Orsol system is that they have the ‘stone’ angles and lintels for finishing doorways and window openings.

Forget any UK companies offering stone effect finishes in France.

Stone veneer is completely different - This is widely used in the US

and consists of shallow pieces of real stone built onto an existing

block wall using mortar and metal ties - nothing to do with

reconstituted stone facing and very expensive!

As for companies to fit this for you - any decent builder should be

able to do it. If you are on a budget then perhaps you could just have

the cornerstones and window angles with render between.

"Alternatively, we did once see an effect whereby the finished render was "marked out" to look like stone blocks - any ideas

Yes DON'TNo [N]  I saw a stone house near Brive that had been

rendered and then marked out to resemble a N. Yorkshire

stonebuilt  house and it was awful, really awful.  If you

want a stone finish then specify a stone finish, its not that stones

are hard to get in France.Smile [:)]

Ron in the Avey-ron"

A complete no-no - we have lots around us and they look horrendous.

"Also, and probably more importantly, will we need to amend our permis if we change the house's exterior finish?

Yes you will......Another good reason not to do it!"

A simple change via your Mairie and your DDE - unless your property is

in a sensitive area you will have no problem in getting your Permis

changed.

"The stone veneers are available here in our part of SW France, in

the major Builders merchants like Point P. and they have small houses

built built in the yard as an example, using lots of  the

different finishes available, and they do look good.

Les"

These stone facings are made by Orsol in Castillonnès as mentioned

above. In their yards they have hundreds of the the little houses ready

to ship out to builders merchants.

For our small area of SW France we have two successful companies in

this area - Orsol and Pierra who have secured the market in France for

high-quality wall finishes and floor tiles in reconstituted stone.

None of these finishes are inexpensive, particularly by the time that adhesive and joint is costed in.

Regards,

Bob Clarke

http://perso.wanadoo.fr.grindoux

[Angie]

Thank you so much everyone for your advice and assistance.  We will certainly be looking into the Orsol system but Bobc's suggestion about having just the cornerstones and window angles done is a very sensible alternative if the cost proves too high.  Cheers everyone.