Stone is used as a protective and decorative covering for exterior or interior horizontal walls and surfaces. The veneer is typically 1 inch thick and must weigh less than 15 lbs per square foot so that no additional structural supports will be required. Manufactured stone veneer is a decorative building material manufactured to replicate the look of natural stone. The names artificial stones, stacked stone veneer,manufactured stone, and flexible stone veneer are also used for stone veneer.  Stone can be installed in a variety of ways as a wall, around a fire place, or on the outside for both decorative and structural purposes.