Used often on outdoor installations, faux rock panels can also work to enhance the look of your home’s interior. They add depth, texture and character that you wouldn’t find on other wall treatments such as paint, wall paper and wood panels. However, before you commit to installing faux rock panels find out if they’ll work for you.
What are Faux Rock Panels?
As the name denotes, faux means fake. Manufacturers often use high-density polyurethane to make faux rock panels. They use molds of different shapes and sizes of rocks to simulate the patterns, textures and shapes of real rocks. Faux rock panels look and feel real even at close inspection.
Advantages
One main advantage of using faux rock panels is the cost-they’re cheaper than real rocks. The cost savings don’t only apply to the cost of the materials, but to the labor involved in installing them. If you’re handy, you have a better chance of learning how to install faux rock panels versus doing masonry type of work when installing real rocks. The interlocking features make installing faux rock panels a breeze. Even when you have to make a cut, it’s easier with faux rock panels than chiseling thick, heavy, solid rocks.
Faux rock panels are lighter than real rocks, making them easy to maneuver. In most cases, you don’t need an extra hand in carrying the panels. Installing faux rock panels is not as labor intensive and back-breaking as installing real rocks.
Durability is another advantage when considering faux rock panels for your walls. They’re not easy to dent and scratch. Fire-safe models are available when installing near a source of direct heat or fire, such as near fireplaces, stoves or outdoor barbeque grills.
Faux rock panels are water-resistant due to the closed cell characteristic of polyurethane, making them ideal for installations near bathrooms, sinks, pools or ponds.
Their low-maintenance feature makes faux panels a great choice for outdoor and indoor installations. There’s no need to apply grout because the panels come with the simulated grout in them. Synthetic sealers would do the job in keeping the corners sealed if you’re using faux panels outdoors or near a water source. In dry locations, no need to seal.
Disadvantages
Faux rock panels are more expensive than paint. A can of paint can go a long way when you’re updating a room while you would need several panels to complete a room. With paint, you can easily paint over the old color when you feel like changing the look of your room while it takes more commitment to use faux rock panels. Although you can replace them easier than real rocks, it’s not practical to do as often as you want unlike paint.
Using faux rock panels on the interior walls is not for everyone. Keep this in mind if you’re planning to sell your home in a few years. Some buyers may not like the look of simulated rocks on the walls while others may consider faux rock panels, but not the specific choices you’ve made. For example, a wall covered with faux red brick panels may look unappealing to someone who may prefer the look of faux river rocks or fieldstones.
Ways to Update your Interiors with Faux Rock Panels
Replace your fireplace surround with fire-safe faux rock panels.
Add depth and drama to your living room or dining room by installing faux rock panels on one wall used as a focal wall.
Update your basement by using faux rock panels on the walls. Decorate a man-cave, game room, family room, kitchen, library or home office with faux rock panels for a rustic feel.
For your bedroom, place faux rock panels where your bed’s headboard will lean on to add depth to the room.
Use water-resistant faux rock panels for your bathroom and shower stall for that cave-like feel.
Resources:
http://shetoldme.com/Lifestyle/Fake-Rock-Panels
http://www.google.com/patents?hl=en&lr;=&vid;=USPAT6355193&id;=gRUKAAAAEBAJ&oi;=fnd&dq;=faux+rock+panels&printsec;=abstract#v=onepage&q;=faux%20rock%20panels&f;=false
