Find a Contractor Buyer's Guide
MCAA Logo
Member Login JOIN
NEWS
Join Us For The 75th Anniversary Midyear Meeting Sep 7-11 ↗

Waterford Stone™ Saves Texas Development Time and Money

Words: Hector KarrmasonryWright’s Landing is an 85-acre community development in Spring, Texas, near the Grand Parkway and the Exxon Mobil headquarters in north Houston. Named after architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Wright’s Landing showcases architecturally detailed home designs, with Craftsman, bungalow and prairie-style elevations creating a diverse, charming streetscape. One of the unique features of home designs is the stone wainscoting, which is a nod to Mr. Wright’s penchant for incorporating stone into his architectural works.

The homebuilder and community developer, Gracepoint Homes, constructed the original model homes using Echelon-supplied natural stone on the wainscoting. When the time arrived to begin construction on additional homes, the project faced a four- to six-week delay due to lack of product availability at the stone quarry. However, Echelon offered a solution with its immediately available Waterford StoneTM veneer. Waterford Stone offers a hand-chiseled texture reminiscent of natural stone. However, unlike natural stone, which can vary in hue, Waterford provides integrated color throughout the entire unit. The product repels water and resists mold, and ultimately performs better than natural stone. While other manufactured stones on the market tend to delaminate or fade over time, Waterford does not. In addition, the modular full-bed depth system and modular format means less cutting and waste, which virtually reduces installation time by half. Waterford is also easy for a traditional brick mason to install because it does not require a specialized stone mason crew to sort, chip and pre-size the product prior to wall installation.

After Gracepoint Homes’ decision to switch to Waterford Stone, Echelon was able to deliver the product for the neighborhood community center, monument signs and homes under construction without delay. This immediate availability, as well as the reduction in installation, led to the completion of these project phases in four weeks instead of the budgeted six and a half for natural stone. In addition, not only did the materials feature a more consistent blend of colors, but also a 30% reduction in cost for a total materials savings of nearly $7,500. With the savings Gracepoint Homes realized by using Waterford, they were able to invest in paver installation on all the homes’ patios to upgrade the outdoor living appeal. The pavers were supplied by Belgard, which like Echelon is manufactured by Oldcastle Architectural.

Product: Waterford StoneTM 12x24, typical

Contractor: Gracepoint Homes

Installer: Ross Masonry

For more information visit www.echelonmasonry.com.
 0
From Bikes to Buildings: The Importance of Embracing Rainscreen Wall Designs and the New Building Codes.
July 2025

Have you ever been asked to do a project over the course of your lifetime? For example, when my kids were little, my wife asked me to assemble their bicycles. So, I opened the box, dumped out the contents, and cast aside whatever I thought was unnecessary

Keith Lolley
MAP Partner
Read More
Laying the Foundation for Growth: Concrete Masonry Checkoff Unveils Five-Year Vision for Industry
July 2025

The Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC) put the finishing touches on an ambitious five-year vision for the industry, targeting a 20% increase in market share, driven by increased demand for concrete masonry products. “This is about building exquisite, enduri

Industry News
Read More
Proudly American-Made: EZG Manufacturing’s Commitment to Quality, Innovation, and the U.S. Workforce
July 2025

As supply chain disruptions and tariff concerns continue to impact industries worldwide, EZG Manufacturing remains steadfast in its commitment to providing high-quality, innovative masonry equipment—proudly built in the U.S.A. For 25 years, our Malta, Ohi

Abigail Spung
Read More
Five of the Seven Chimneys Have Been Saved: Project Chimney Update
July 2025

In the wake of the devastating January wildfires that swept through Los Angeles's Pacific Palisades, a remarkable preservation effort is underway, spearheaded by Project Chimney, an initiative led by Evan Hall, founding director of the non-profit House Mu

Justin Stengel
Industry News
Read More