Painting Faux Stone Walls

If you have stone walls in your home, then you know just how beautiful they can be. Chances are you also know just how much of a drain on your pocket book they can be as well. Stone walls have a tendency to conduct heat very effectively, which means that they get really cold during the winter, though they are quite comfortable during the summer months. However, if you are looking to create the look of stone walls, without actually installing any, then you need to consider going faux. Painting faux stone walls is possible, if you simply know what to do.

• Paint it on. One method that you could use to create a faux stone wall is to paint it on. Simply stated, this method would require that you paint your walls until they look like they are stone. This is done by first painting the wall a neutral shade, and then drawing out your "stones" in pencil. Where you have the lines at, place some painters tape so that you can create the "grout" lines. Apply your paint with a sea sponge, working only one stone at a time. This is a simple method for creating a stone look. Experiment with your colors until you have some that achieve the realism that you desire.
• Fake it with a facade. Another method that you can use to create a faux stone wall is to actually purchase a facade and install it over your existing walls. Take your time as you are installing it, since the more care you take to install it, then the more realistic it will look.
• Use stucco. Perhaps the simplest method that you can use to create a faux stone wall yourself is to use stucco. Stucco is a finish that is often used on the exterior of a home that is made of cement, sand, or lime and put on when it is wet. In essence, stucco is stone that you can "paint" onto your walls. Experiment a little with the type and colors of your stucco until you get the coloring that you want.
• Hire a professional. The single easiest, and expensive, method for getting a faux stone wall. While it is expensive, you can usually be certain of the end results, and you can usually get a good idea of what the work will look like before it is finished. Most professionals that do this kind of work will have a "portfolio" that you can look at. Take time to look through this, so that you are not surprised by the end result.