While luxury watches and handbags have been counterfeited by unscrupulous individuals looking to fool buyers, the latest knockoff craze involves building materials. In some cases this faux marble or wood can be indistinguishable from authentic products thanks in part to modern technological advancements such as 3D printing.
Materials like antique barn wood, cedar siding, porcelain tile and granite countertops can be faked these days. The Wall Street Journal reported that the forged materials can be up to 70 percent less expensive than authentic products and can be more durable and easier to care for.
In fact, some of the fake materials can increase the value of a home. Imitation slate is one example of this. It requires less maintenance and can be easier to install. Meanwhile fake woodwork and plants are environmentally advantageous because they don’t involve harvested trees or need watering. They are also safer since they are fireproof.
Home appraisers told the newspaper that it is important not to go overboard on the fake materials, especially in luxury homes. The key is finding the right balance so the materials look and feel high-end especially when compared with other luxury homes.
Susan Pizzi recently oversaw the construction of a Tuscan-style house as well as a large addition to the property in an affluent New Jersey community. She told the newspaper that while she normally prefers real materials, she did utilise some faux materials when it was advantageous.
Authentic materials including limestone and terra cotta flooring as well as stucco for the exterior we used at the project. However, she used scagliola, a technique popular in the 17th and 18th centuries in which plaster and silk are cast and styled to look like marble, for the fireplace. The piece took two months to finish and installation required another ten days. However, not only does the fireplace look like the real deal, but it was significantly cheaper to do than using traditional materials and methods.
