Whether you’re looking to sell your house or just want to make a smart update that’s worth your time and money, consider a design trend that is both attractive and proven to add value to your home: manufactured stone.

“Manufactured stone is exploding in popularity, in both exteriors and interiors,” says Phil Wengerd, vice president of Market Strategies for ProVia, a leading manufacturer of home building products.

The numbers agree. Manufactured stone veneer projects offer a 92.9 percent cost recovery, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, a detailed comparison of the average cost of remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale in 100 US markets.

If you’re looking to make a home upgrade using manufactured stone, Wengerd says to consider the following trends:

• Popular style: While homeowners once attempted to emulate materials available in the local natural environment, the elegant look of dry stack stone now dominates nationwide. The material features the look of smaller stones, providing an elegant natural look that’s versatile in both exterior and interior applications.

• Exotic colors: Color blends continue to feature earth shades, however, more reds, purples and burgundies are being mixed in to complement colors in carpet, walls or window treatments. To respond to the demand, brands like ProVia`s manufactured stone are adding new stone color options.

• Versatile project ideas: As technology has made manufactured stone more accessible to the masses, today it’s showing up on more than just a home’s exterior. In interior applications, stone adds a dramatic frame for kitchen stoves and islands, and is used around bathtubs to create a spa-like retreat. It’s also a popular choice for masonry surface application in finished basements or for stone fireplaces. Exterior stone accents, like an outdoor kitchen, deliver plenty of wow-factor without the wallet cringe that a traditional stone-laying job would entail.

For style and color inspiration, as well as free resources, such as a visualizer design tool and videos on installing manufactured stone veneer, visit provia.com/stone.

Recapture home equity by seeking out projects and upgrades like manufactured stone, with a proven ability to add value.