8 most popular types of stone for house exteriors

Benefit of Using Stone for Exterior House

Stone is a popular choice of building material for many homeowners when it comes to their exterior house. It’s easy to see why: stone can offer many benefits in terms of durability, beauty, and versatility.

• As an exterior material, stone can last decades with minimal upkeep and maintenance. This makes it ideal for those looking to maintain their home without much effort.
• Stone has the benefit of being aesthetically pleasing. Its variety of colors, textures, sizes, and shapes make it highly customizable. Homeowners can find a look that best suits their taste.
• Stones offer great versatility; not only is it suitable for walls or other outdoor structures like pathways or patios, but also interior applications such as kitchen counters or fireplace surrounds.

All these qualities combined make stone one of the most sought-after materials for outdoor masonry projects.

Types of Stones

There are two main categories of stone: Natural Stone and Manufactured Stone. We will discuss all the types that come in these two categories.

Limestone

Limestone is one of the most popular types of natural stone in the world. It is a sedimentary rock that has a clastic texture, meaning it is composed of grains or fragments of other rocks. It can range in color from light gray to dark gray.

Limestone is an exceptionally weather-resistant material, renowned for its durability and strength. While limestone does corrode over time, this corrosion is superficial and won’t affect the structure of the stone. This resistance to erosion makes it an ideal choice for a range of applications, particularly in areas exposed to harsh weather conditions, such as walkways or patios.

Limestone is a low-maintenance building material. It is long-lasting and one of the most cost-effective options available today. It requires minimal upkeep, so you don’t have to worry about costly repairs or replacements. Its natural beauty also makes it ideal for hardscaping and landscaping projects, such as patios and walkways where a permanent durable look is needed.

Granite

Granite is a type of natural stone that has been used for centuries in home and commercial construction projects. It is one of the hardest stones available and is incredibly strong and durable, making it an ideal choice for many applications. Granite is also unique compared to other natural stones, as it comes in a variety of colors and patterns. The color options for this stone type are often more vibrant or dynamic, allowing homeowners to get creative with their design choices.

Granite can be cut into any shape or size required for a project, adding to its versatility. This makes it possible to use granite for interior projects such as countertops, flooring, and stairs. It is also a good choice for outdoor walls or hardscapes such as patios or walkways.

Slate

Slate is a type of foliated metamorphic rock that is commonly found in areas with volcanic activity. It has been used for centuries as a material for roofing and flooring due to its hard, weather-resistant nature. It is an attractive option due to its ability to be cut easily into thin sheets while maintaining strength and durability.

Slate can come in many different colors, ranging from shades of green, red, black, and brown depending on the region it was formed in. Its high versatility makes it an ideal choice for home renovations or construction projects. Additionally, slate can also be used outdoors as pathways or stairs because it’s strong enough to withstand extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions.

Sandstone

Sandstone is a type of clastic sedimentary rock composed of sand-sized particles. It is commonly found in marine and desert environments. It can vary greatly in color, texture, and composition depending on the environment it originated from. Sandstone typically has a light hue, ranging from bright whites to yellow, pink, tan, or orange colors due to its quartz-rich makeup.

It is formed over time when grains of sand are cemented together by natural minerals such as iron oxide or silica. The minerals act as a glue that binds the grains together. Sandstone has been prized for centuries by masonry contractors for its beauty and durability. It is relatively easy to cut and shape into blocks suitable for construction projects both large and small.

Travertine

Travertine is a tough stone that’s perfect for patios, interior and exterior walls, and counters. It’s very durable and easy to install. It comes in different colors, from light ivory to deep reds and browns, making it perfect for creating unique designs.

The beauty of travertine lies in its variation. Each piece is uniquely patterned, with large holes, ridges, and veins that give the stone a distinctive look. It can be cut into almost any shape or size, making it very versatile when it comes to designing outdoor spaces or interior walls. Travertine is not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly resistant to weathering, making it safe to use outside without fear of deterioration over time.

Quartzite

Quartzite is a natural stone made up of metamorphic rock and is known for its toughness. It comes in shades of white or off-white, making it well-suited to many different types of home decorating.

Quartzite is perfect for flooring, walls, stairs, fireplaces, and more. It’s naturally hard, so it can withstand heavy use without showing any signs of wear. Quartzite has impressive heat resistance, making it great for kitchen countertops or other areas exposed to high temperatures. The unique veining often found in quartzite also adds interest and texture to any design project.

Marble

Marble, a natural stone that has been used for centuries, is an ideal choice for interior and exterior applications. From flooring to wall cladding, marble provides a timelessly elegant look to any space. This type of building material is popular because it resists scratches and staining and has unique color variation.

The unique veining that runs through marble can come in many different colors such as grey, pink, green, and blue. These naturally occurring veins give each piece of marble a unique look, while also providing a uniformed aesthetic when put together with other pieces.

Manufactured Stone

Manufactured stone is a type of man-made stone used to give a wall or outdoor area a natural look. It is often referred to as stone veneer and can be used for both interior and exterior walls and fireplaces. It is lighter than traditional cut stone but still provides the desired effect homeowners are looking for when it comes to achieving an aesthetically pleasing, rustic look.

This stone type takes all the beauty of natural cut stones without the weight or cost associated with them. For those looking to add something special to their home with minimal effort, manufactured stone could be just what they’re looking for. Not only does it have a wide range of colors and styles available, but installation is relatively simple and doesn’t require any additional support like traditional cut stones do.

Which Type of Stone is Best for Outdoor Masonry?

If you are in the process of completing a construction project, deciding what type of stone to use for outdoor masonry can be a difficult decision. However, with the help of Atlantic Brick and Stone, finding the perfect stone for your outdoor masonry is easy. We offer the best stone installation services in Fredericton that can assist you through each step of the process. Contact us for all types of residential masonry services.

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