Stone facades add a prestigious look to your home and go a far way in enhancing its value, regardless of the architectural style. Even limited application of stone can make a huge difference, but siding the entire house with stone is even more majestic. However, the issue of the cost usually influences homeowners’ decision-making where stone accents are concerned.
Among the first major decisions, you must make regarding stone siding is whether to use natural quarried stone or manufactured stone veneer. Nevertheless, unless you are a pro, it might be somewhat difficult for you to tell the difference on sight. Let us look at some of the characteristics of the two options:
Natural stone vs. manufactured stone veneer
Natural stones are 100 percent pure, hard, compact rocks quarried directly from the earth and can be carved to the desired shape, such as blocks for building, sheets for walls, or tiles for flooring.
Natural stone is revered globally as a premier building material due not only to the fact that it is durable, stable, and colourfast but also because it reflects unique character and stateliness.
A manufactured stone veneer, on the other hand, is an engineered stone that is manufactured to look like natural stone. In fact, quality manufactured stone veneer can look so genuine that you may mistake it for the real thing.
Manufactured stone veneer is a slurry of cement, aggregates, and other materials that are finished with pigments to get the desired look. It is less costly than natural stone, though, as a result of, among other things, availability and lighter shipping weight.
Individual pieces vs. panels
If you intend to cover large swaths of your home exterior in stone, panels will be especially helpful. Because they have staggered, interlocking side edges, this helps in achieving a natural look. If your preference is dry-stack applications with less visible or obscured grout, panels are still ideal.
On the flip side, if you prefer a rougher and more rustic look with visible grout, laying individual stones would be a better option. With individual stones, you can freely decide what joint width, style, and colours you wish to use.
In addition, the possibilities for the final look are endless as it matters not the type of stone you like since, with this choice, there is everything from flat-faced, modern ledgestone to smooth, rounded rocks extracted from rivers.
Here are several other factors to take into consideration when choosing your stone:
Decide on your style
Choosing your stone comes down to personal preference, even though architecture often plays a huge role. But once you figure out your style, it will be a lot easier to decide. Bear in mind that you should choose a stone facade that matches the style of your home. Doing so will ensure the stone highlights your home’s design rather than compete against it.
That said, you first have to visualize the general look you want, from shapes to profiles, lines and colours. It is also important to decide whether you are going for simplicity, blending in or matching your surroundings or for something that is more intricate.
Select the right colour combination
Before choosing your stone, it is recommended that you select a colour palette, which takes into account the other colours on your home exterior.
At times, it is difficult to find a perfect match for the various types of exterior finishes, so it is better to select complementary colours to achieve a design that is in harmony with the rest of the building.
Ensure the roof complements the stone
Whether you are constructing a new home or updating an existing one, it is wise to take the colour of the roof into account at the outset. You do not want to have a situation where the roof clashes with your new stone facade after spending copious amounts of time poring over colours, patterns, finishes, and textures to create what you deem to be your perfect stone design.
Are you searching for a stone supplier in Surrey?
If you are ready to get started with a natural stone or manufactured stone construction project and you are searching for a stone supplier in Surrey for your exterior, contact us at Pacific Art Stone.
For nearly 15 years, Pacific Art Stone has been a trusted importer of masonry stone with an unwavering reputation for high-quality products and outstanding customer service. At our store, you will find a range of natural and manufactured stone veneers to choose from, and if you have questions about what type of stone will work best for your home, our friendly team is there to help you make an informed choice.
