Dress Your Home with the Look of Stone

Nothing looks quite as elegant and timeless as well kept stone walls, whether they surround a garden wall, a towering castle or a 21st century home. Today you can have the look and durability of stone without the weight or the need for heavy equipment to install it.
request a price quote >>

Stone siding is referred to by a variety of names. It could be called rock siding, stone siding, stone veneer, manufactured stone siding, simulated rock, or stone facade, cultured stone, synthetic stone, faux stone, or fake stone, just to name a few.

Stone siding increases the value of your home. If your preference is natural stone, you will probably be using limestone or granite which is cut in different shapes and planed to 3 to 5 inches of thickness. Other natural stone veneers are quartzite sandstone and slate. Natural stone is purchased by the ton. The sandstone and limestone will cover about 30 to 40 square feet per ton, the granite somewhat less. This type of stone is not an option for a "do it yourself" individual.

Most people who want the look of stone don't want the high cost of natural stone. They opt for manufactured or architectural stone which has nearly as many names as it has dealers. Architectural stone has many advantages. It looks just as good as natural stone, but is much easier to install and can be done by the handy homeowner. Since it can be mass produced, it is both less expensive than hand picked natural stone and is also more readily available. It is surprisingly lightweight, designed to arrange easily and to stick permanently in place.

Stacked stone in its natural form is simply rectangular pieces of rock which are "stacked" to create a wall. If the stacked look is what you want, you can get it with simulated stone panels—also called faux stacked stone. The panels are manufactured to look like natural stone, are available in a variety of colors and can be purchased square on the sides or interlocking. They are much lighter weight than the real thing, but provide the same beauty, value, durability and warmth as real stone. The panels are 2 feet by 4 feet and are one inch thick, each panel weighing about 5 pounds. The edges are sealed with caulking, and once it is installed, no one would ever know that it is artificial stone.

Eldorado stone is an architectural stone made in a mold. The stone is made from Portland cement, iron oxide pigments and lightweight aggregates and is manufactured nationwide. The molds are made using natural stone to capture every detail. The resulting cast stone is infused with natural color that will not fade with time and adheres easily to concrete, blocks, brick or walls. The price is about 1/3 to 1/2 as much as natural stone.

Another type of artificial stone is "Advanced Rock." This type is made of polyurethane panels and is said to be suitable for interior or exterior. Because the panels cover several square feet each, they are quick to install.

There are many other kinds of rock or stone sidings and veneers. While the manufactured stone has the advantages of price and ease of installation, the one thing that can be said of the natural stone is that no two buildings sided with natural stone will ever be exactly alike. In the end, it's all a matter of your preference and your cash flow.

Copyright © 2002 - - 1st-Vinyl-Siding.com, All Rights Reserved

Request a
Quote
and receive a
free copy
of "Insiders
Guide to
House Siding"