NCP Industries ADORN Stone Shadowledge Series Pillar Stone

Worth it if you need porch pillars that actually look like stone without hiring a mason. The mortarless installation with screw-on panels installs 3x faster than traditional stone, and creates an 18”x18” finished pillar from just a 14”x14” frame. The CaptureCrete technology captures 1.5 lbs of CO2 per square foot and avoids 1 lb of CO2 per 21 square feet versus traditional concrete — measurable environmental benefits that qualify for LEED points.

Skip it if you’re just wrapping existing posts. The system requires building that specific 14”x14” frame first. For basic post covers, standard vinyl or composite wraps cost less and install quicker.

The Pillar Construction System

Each box contains 4 pieces covering 2 square feet total, with individual pieces measuring 6”H x 18”W x 1.75”D. The magic happens in the sizing — you build a 14”x14” frame using 2x2s or 2x4s with OSB or plywood, then the 18” wide panels create an 18”x18” finished pillar. That 4-inch overhang on all sides creates proper shadow lines without complex framing.

Specification	Value
Height per piece	6 inches
Width per piece	18 inches
Depth	1.75 to 1.8 inches
Pieces per box	4
Coverage per box	2 square feet
Frame requirement	14” x 14” outside dimension
Finished pillar size	18” x 18” outside dimension

The installation beats traditional stone veneer hands down. No mortar mess, no drying time, no mason needed. You frame it, wrap it with ice and water shield (15 lb felt recommended as backup), then screw the panels directly to the substrate. Fasteners need to be corrosion-resistant exterior screws or nails with minimum 3/8” heads, 1/8” shanks, and 1.5” to 1.75” length that penetrate studs by at least 1 inch.

Weight and Environmental Performance

Like most manufactured stone veneer, the system weighs less than 15 pounds per square foot — light enough that you’re not engineering special footings or beefing up deck structures. The panelized format with mechanical fasteners beats adhesive-based systems for security. No worrying about bond failure in freeze-thaw cycles.

The environmental angle sets this apart from every other pillar system on the market. CaptureCrete technology actively captures approximately 1.5 lbs of CO2 per square foot of product. The manufacturing process avoids about 1 lb of CO2 per 21 square feet compared to traditional concrete. These measurable reductions qualify for LEED points and potential carbon credits.

Montana Installation Considerations

The screw-on system handles Montana’s freeze-thaw cycles better than mortar-based veneer. No moisture trapped between stone and substrate means less spalling and delamination. The weather-resistant design matters when you’re dealing with 100+ freeze-thaw events annually.

Available colors include Colorado Gray (Limestone), Sandstone, Slate, and Northern Gray — earth tones that blend with Montana landscapes. The Shadowledge series emphasizes deep shadow lines for that stacked stone appearance.

For contractors tired of scheduling masons or dealing with mortar cleanup, this system makes sense. Frame your pillars when you frame the porch, then install the stone veneer when you’re ready. No coordinating wet trades. No temperature restrictions for mortar curing. The 3x faster installation compared to traditional stone translates to real labor savings on multi-pillar projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size frame is needed for standard porch pillars? Build a 14”x14” outside dimension frame using 2x2s or 2x4s with OSB or plywood sheathing. The 18” wide panels create an 18”x18” finished pillar.

Can this install over existing posts? No. The system requires building a specific 14”x14” frame. It’s designed for new construction or complete pillar rebuilds, not retrofitting existing posts.

What fasteners work with this system? Use corrosion-resistant exterior screws or nails with minimum 3/8” head diameter, 1/8” shank diameter, and 1.5” to 1.75” length. Fasteners must penetrate the studs by at least 1 inch.

How much CO2 does this actually capture? Each square foot captures approximately 1.5 lbs of CO2 through the CaptureCrete technology, and the manufacturing avoids about 1 lb of CO2 per 21 square feet versus traditional concrete.

What’s included with purchase? Each box contains 4 Pillar Stone pieces covering 2 square feet total. Fasteners, weather barrier, and framing materials sold separately.