When it comes to remodeling projects that deliver on resale value, you can’t get much better than manufactured stone veneer. According to the 2025 Zonda Cost vs. Value Report, an exterior makeover using manufactured stone veneer can recoup more than twice its investment.
The 38th annual study compares the average cost of remodeling projects against the value they’re expected to retain at resale. Out of 28 projects evaluated, manufactured stone veneer offered the third-best return on investment at a whopping 206%. Only garage door replacement (268% of cost recouped) and steel entry door replacement (216%) offer a higher ROI.
Manufactured Stone’s ROI Climbs Year Over Year
The three projects at the top of the 2025 Cost vs. Value study also were the highest return-getters in the 2024 study, and each saw a dramatic increase in ROI year over year. Manufactured stone veneer’s 206% return in 2025 was 35 percentage points higher than last year’s 153%. This is consistent with MSV’s steady rise since it was added to the study in 2015 with an ROI of 92.2%.
To make its evaluation of manufactured stone veneer, the Cost vs. Value study looked at the perceived ROI for replacing a 300-square-foot continuous band of vinyl siding from the bottom third of a home’s street-facing façade with manufactured stone veneer along with sills, corners, and address block as well as a water resistive barrier. It also includes outlining the entry archway and keystone, with a course of flats on either side.
On a U.S. regional basis, manufactured stone also performed better than its national average in the West South Central region, with a 242.5% return, and the Pacific region at 231.7%. In both regions, MSV offered the second-highest return out of all product categories. Manufactured stone landed in the top three in several other regions, as well: the Mid-Atlantic (200.7% ROI), South Atlantic (197.2%), and East North Central (190.6%).
Exterior Projects Remain a Safe Bet for Resale Value
Including manufactured stone veneer, garage doors, and steel doors, eight of the top 10 projects in the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report were for the home exterior, a trend seen in many past studies.
“This year’s report confirms a consistent truth in the remodeling market over the last two decades: Exterior renovations deliver a higher return on investment (ROI) than discretionary interior remodels,” Zonda reported. “This outcome is partly based on values defined by real-estate professionals, who tend to place high value on a home’s curb appeal when establishing a home’s selling price, and partly on the lower labor costs for exterior replacement projects.”
The publisher also attributes the high returns to today’s economic uncertainties and a challenges facing existing home sales. “The few homes that are moving in today’s market tend to be ones in solid condition with well-appointed exteriors, and they are moving at high prices,” Zonda said. “In this climate, a new garage door or refreshed exterior façade can go a long way toward attracting buyers with the means to buy a house at top dollar.”
Whether preparing the home to sell or simply giving it a fresh look, adding manufactured stone veneer is an easy—and smart—choice.
To learn more about manufactured stone veneer, visit CMHA’s Technical Resources page. Learn more about becoming a CMHA Certified MSV Installer.
(2025 Cost vs. Value Report: © 2025 Zonda. Complete data from the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com.)
Photo credit: Instone