Get to Know the Pros and Cons of Popular Exterior House Stones

When designing a beautiful home exterior, one of the most important decisions is choosing the right stone cladding or siding. Natural stone adds elegance, durability, and character to any home. But with so many stone options to pick from, it can be challenging to select the best type for your specific needs.

Granite

Granite is an igneous rock composed of interlocking mineral grains under intense heat and pressure. It's one of the most commonly used stones for home exteriors thanks to its extreme durability and range of colors and patterns.

Overview

Granite forms deep underground and is quarried in large blocks or slabs. It comes in a diverse array of colors like gray, pink, black, and white, with mineral grains forming interesting speckled patterns. Granite can take a polish or have a honed or rough finish. It's used for countertops, floors, walls, and exterior cladding.

Pros

• Extremely hard, dense, and durable - resistant to scratches, stains, and all weather conditions
• Withstands cold, heat, rain, and sun exposure; lasts for generations
• Available in a vast range of colors from bold to neutral
• Polishes to a high sheen or can have a natural, honed look

Cons

• More expensive than most other natural stones
• Challenging to quarry and cut - requires special tools
• Sealing required to prevent potential staining or discoloration
• Limited supply from quarries impacts cost and availability

Marble

Marble forms when limestone undergoes intense heat and pressure, causing it to reform into a metamorphic rock. Prized in construction and sculpture since ancient times, marble makes a luxurious exterior stone.

Overview

True marble comes from natural stone quarries. It's prized for its softness that allows intricate carving along with a vibrant range of colors like white, gray, pink, gold, blue, and green with unique veining patterns. Marble can have a polished or honed finish. It's commonly used for flooring, walls, countertops, and building exteriors.

Pros

• Elegant, luxurious look with unique colors and veining
• Softer composition allows detailed carving and shaping
• Takes high polish for shiny, reflective surface
• Heat and stain resistant if properly sealed

Cons

• Relatively soft - can etch and scratch over time
• Prone to stains and marks if not sealed
• Not as durable outdoors, especially in colder climates
• More porous than granite, requires resealing every 1-2 years

Slate

Slate forms when shale or volcanic ash is subjected to immense pressure, causing it to become a finely layered metamorphic rock. Its natural splitability makes it popular for roofing and tiles, as well as cladding.

Overview

Quarried slate breaks smoothly along its natural foliation planes into thin, flat sheets. Slate comes in shades of grey, black, purple, green, and red. It can have a natural cleft finish or be honed or textured. Slate is used for roofing, floor and wall tiles, and exterior cladding.

Pros

• Extremely durable, weather resistant, and stain proof
• Naturally waterproof and damage resistant
• Can be split into customizable sizes and shapes
• Adds unique layered visual texture to exteriors

Cons

• Limited color range, mostly grey, black, and muted tones
• Can fade overtime when exposed to direct sun
• Difficult to make very thin pieces; requires thicknesses
• Rough surface can make cleaning a challenge

Quartzite

Quartzite forms when quartz sandstone is metamorphosed by heat and pressure, recrystallizing into an extremely hard rock.

Overview

Natural quartzite comes from quarries and is extremely dense and durable due to its quartz composition. It's usually white or grey, sometimes with subtle bands or flecks of color. Quartzite has a natural split finish or can be polished or honed. It's used for kitchen counters, flooring, roofing, and exterior cladding.

Pros

• Extremely hard, durable, and scratch resistant
• Stain, water, and weathering resistant
• Low maintenance and doesn't need frequent sealing
• Adds light, natural color tones to exteriors

Cons

• Expensive compared to other natural stones
• Limited color and style options
• Challenging to cut into customized sizes and shapes
• Pre-sealing edges recommended to prevent moisture ingress

Limestone

Limestone is a widespread sedimentary rock composed of mineral calcite. Its softness makes it easy to carve while offering a smooth, elegant finish.

Overview

Limestone forms from marine organisms like coral and shells over millions of years. It comes in white, cream, grey, and tan shades with grainy or smooth textures. Limestone can be polished, honed, or kept in its natural split state. It's used for flooring, walls, sculptures, and building exteriors.

Pros

• Less expensive than many natural stones
• Easy to cut, carve, and install
• Adds simple elegance and versatility
• Available in range of neutral colors

Cons

• Fairly soft - etches and scratches easily
• Absorbent - requires sealing to prevent stains
• Prone to erosion and weathering long-term
• Acidic cleaners can damage the surface

Travertine

Travertine is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, giving it a distinctive porous, pitted texture.

Overview

Natural travertine comes from quarries near hot spring deposits and features small holes and cavities throughout its surface. It comes in earthy beige, rust, gold, and brown shades. Travertine can be polished, honed, or kept in its natural pitted state. It's popular for patios, floors, and exterior cladding.

Pros

• Offered at a lower cost than many natural stones
• Unique porous, textured appearance
• Available in warm, neutral earth tones
• Creates old-world, Tuscan look

Cons

• Prone to cracking - should be installed properly
• Porousness requires frequent sealing
• Holes can collect dirt and grow algae if not maintained
• Relatively soft - etching and staining possible

Factors to Consider

When selecting exterior house stone, there are several important factors to weigh:

• Climate/Weather: The type of weather, temperature range, and amount of sun/rain exposure impacts durability.
• Maintenance: Consider how often sealing or cleaning will need to be performed based on stone porosity.
• Color/Style: Determine whether bold colors or neutral earth tones fit your aesthetic vision best.
• Texture: Think about whether you want a mirror polish or more natural cleft or split texture.
• Budget: Natural stone cladding ranges widely in price. Focus on the most cost-effective options.

Natural stone accentuates the beauty and value of any home exterior. Choosing the ideal stone involves carefully weighing visual appeal, performance, and cost. Be sure to view stone samples in person when making this key design decision. And select a trusted contractor experienced in proper installation of your stone cladding to ensure it looks beautiful and lasts for decades.

Your home deserves the very best! With so many gorgeous stone varieties to explore, you can achieve the exterior look of your dreams.

1. Limestone is a popular choice for exterior stone siding due to its durability and versatility. It can be carved into a variety of shapes and sizes, making it a great option for both traditional and modern home designs. Limestone comes in shades of white, cream, tan, and grey, adding simple elegance to any home.

2. Slate stone is known for its sleek and smooth texture, making it a great choice for contemporary homes. It comes in hues of grey, black, green, purple and red. Slate is extremely durable and waterproof, able to withstand harsh weather conditions in any climate. Its natural beauty and longevity make it a prized home exterior stone.

3. Sandstone is a softer and more porous type of stone, making it a great choice for homes in areas with mild weather. It comes in a diverse range of natural tan, brown, grey, and red hues with distinct textures. Sandstone can be cut into smooth blocks or kept in its natural rough, textured state. It brings warmth and rustic charm to home exteriors.

4. Travertine is a type of limestone that's highly porous, making it a great choice for homes in warmer climates where it can absorb moisture and prevent water damage. Travertine comes in earthy neutral tones and features characteristic small holes and ridges throughout its surface. This natural texture provides an inviting, Old World feel.

5. Basalt is a volcanic rock that's highly durable and long-lasting. It comes in shades of black, brown, and grey, often with natural etchings for added dimension. Basalt stone maintains its luxurious finish without extensive upkeep. It brings unique depth and timeless quality to home exteriors. With proper installation, basalt stone siding virtually lasts forever.

Choosing the right stone can elevate a home's curb appeal while providing protection from the elements. Evaluate the characteristics and benefits of each type of natural stone to determine the ideal match for your home exterior design vision, location, and style. With an inspiring palette of options, you can achieve looks ranging from refined elegance to organic warmth using stone siding or cladding.