7 Great Options and Ideas for a Stone and Brick Exterior

Have you ever driven by a picturesque home with beautiful stone or brick on its exterior and thought: I would love for my home’s curb appeal to look like that? Brick and stone are beautiful exterior materials, but in their standard forms, they can be time-consuming and expensive to install.

The good news is that technology and modern advancements have made stone and brick siding easier to achieve so that you can take your curb appeal to the next level. So, whether your home is in need of a siding replacement or you simply want to upgrade your exterior, here are some stone and brick siding options you should consider for your home.

Natural, Solid Stone

Solid, natural stone siding is one of the most luxurious sidings available on the market. Stone has a great variety of styles and options, but all stone creates a beautiful and long-lasting home exterior. It looks expensive and is very durable. The only problems are the heaviness of the solid stone and the manpower to install it.

Unlike its counterparts, it can be used as a structural element for your home, bearing weight rather than being applied to an existing structure. Solid stone still remains a siding option if you wish to hire a mason to install it.

Natural Stone Veneer

For homeowners who desire the look of a stone exterior, natural stone veneer has become a popular choice. It is made from real stone, but the stone has been cut by manufacturers to the same width, creating one flat side that is easier to install. It is far more lightweight than solid stone.

Stone veneer is installed in a similar fashion to brick. It is adhered to an existing structure, such as concrete, using a mortar that is also used to fill in the gaps around the stone. This can still be a time-consuming process, but stone veneer is a beautiful siding option.

Manufactured Stone Siding

Many homeowners desire the look of stone but do not want the maintenance or heaviness of stone. The best solution is manufactured stone. This siding is made from a lightweight concrete that is formed in rubber molds made using actual stone. In this way, homeowners get the true texture and design of natural stone but in a material that requires less maintenance.

-Some of the benefits of manufactured stone veneer are that it is:
-Low-maintenance
-Durable
-Sustainable
-Affordable
-Versatile (There are many different styles and options.)

While a typical siding replacement in the Portland area recoups around a 76.7% return on investment, according to the Cost vs Value report of 2018, manufactured stone veneer siding will recoup roughly 97.1%. That’s nearly a 20% difference, making it a great siding option for value and beauty. Manufactured stone can also be customized to nearly any color pallet to fit the look of a home.

Solid Brick

Like natural stone, true brick siding adds durability and unmatched beauty to your home’s exterior. Brick can be a more expensive form of siding to install due to the craftsmanship that goes into laying and mortaring each brick piece. However, brick is extremely durable and its look is timeless. It really makes the investment and time worth it.

Faux Polyurethane Veneers

Polyurethane siding is a lightweight, foam-like material that is set in casts that mimic the designs of true stone or brick. The result is extremely lightweight siding that brings the look and luxury of stone and brick but has many extended benefits. Polyurethane veneers are designed in panels, making them easy and affordable to transport as well as simple to install. With polyurethane sidings, there is no need for a mason to assemble the siding, which also makes it more affordable.

This form of siding provides better insulation than standard stone, brick, and even manufactured stone. It helps increase the R-value of your home and the overall energy-efficiency. On top of this benefit, faux veneer is also:

-Weather resistant
-Pest resistant
-Inexpensive
-Extremely durable
-Lightweight

Faux stone veneer can be made into a variety of styles and colors to help match the existing look of your exterior.

Mix and Match

Choosing a siding that will bring beautiful curb appeal is never limited to just one style. Mixing and matching stone and brick is a popular siding trend. Because both forms of siding are durable, fire resistant, and beautiful, they work well together in creating a picturesque exterior that will last for years.

Opting for two or more forms of siding creates a level of visual interest for your home. Do your research or seek the advice of a professional siding installer to gain ideas on brick and stone options that work well together. Feel free to use these elements to create a contrast on your siding. Your stone and brick do not need to match, but it’s a good idea to keep the colors cohesive.

Accents

You don’t have to adorn the entirety of your house with brick or stone to enjoy the look. Opting for accent areas is a great way to add these elements to your home while incorporating other forms of siding. In fact, utilizing multiple forms of siding can create some of the most visually appealing exteriors.

If you desire to add a pop of interest to your home, great areas to utilize stone or brick as accents are:

-Around the entryway
-On pillars
-The home skirt
-Steps or pathways
-Bay windows
-Around garage doors

Get Luxurious Siding That Lasts

A beautiful stone or brick exterior is a simple choice away. No matter what siding option you desire, our team can help transform your exterior. We can help plan your exterior design and achieve a top-notch installation so you can enjoy your home. Get the curb appeal you’ve always desired. Contact us today to get an estimate on your siding needs.