Exterior cladding: stone castles, stone homes and castle stone

April 16, 2015

Yesterday’s stone castles and today’s stone homes have more in common than one might think

Castles, prior to being made of stone, were made of wood or other materials like slate and thatch, in what is referred to as “Motte and Bailey” castle design.  Over time, those wooden and less permanent structures were ultimately replaced with stone for various reasons.

  1. Strength: Medieval stone castles were permanent structures that were primarily built for defensive purposes, thus stone was an obvious building choice, as castles were built to withstand long sieges for the Lords, knights, traders, merchants, builders, and peasants that would have retreated into them at times of peril.
  2. Beauty: Stone was also much more luxuriant, and able to be shaped into magnificent configurations, making it much more suitable for royalty.
    Castle Stone image

    Castle Stone

     

Owners of stone homes and builders of castles have many things in common

While today’s consumer does not consider his or her home as a defensive fortification, stone homes do provide the families that reside in them with shelter and protection.  Today’s homeowners are also concerned with the same things that Kings and castle builders were concerned with centuries ago, such as:

  1. Location: Castle builders looked for strong defensive positioning on high or defendable ground.  Today’s consumer is told that location is one of the most important concerns for home buyers/owners.
  2. Condition/appearance:  Castles were homes for Lords and nobility or “friends” of the king. Today’s consumer understands that home value is impacted by the “curb appeal” of a home.
  3. Improvements:  Castles were originally built of wood or other materials that were not as strong or as lavish as stone.  Some stone castles were built on the same spot as previous “motte and bailey” castles.  Maintaining or improving the appearance of a home certainly impacts the re-sale value of a home that is clad with a beautiful stone veneer.
  4. Resources:While Kings did commission castles, the task of erecting one was not easy. It could cost a king 40% of his wealth to build these magnificent and lavish structures.  It required much money, material, planning and resources to build castles given their size and purpose. Today’s homeowners also allocate a major portion his or her income to their home.
    Castle Stone: Dakota Fog image

    Castle Stone: Dakota Fog

     

“Castle Stone,” a manufactured stone product for cladding exterior stone homes

Stone castles of old have left a legacy that we still behold today with a certain sense of awe and wonderment.  Castle Stone was designed with that legacy in mind.  Castle Stone is patterned from limestone and mimics the enduring and grand style of the castles of medieval Scotland.  Whether dry stacked or grouted in a traditional style, this stone, in a variety of popular colours and with clean lines, certainly makes a bold statement.

Draw inspiration for your next exterior cladding project by viewing some of Europe’s magnificent castles and visiting Canyon Stone Canada

When it comes to exterior cladding for your home, Canyon Stone Canada can help you to achieve a notable and remarkable look for your home’s exterior.  We have a striking and realistic “>Castle Stone” product that is available in an assorted collection of colours that is sure to please even the most selective consumer.

Canyon Stone Canada Inc carries a variety of manufactured stone products that can be grouted or dry stacked, in a variety of prevalent colours, for either exterior or interior wall applications.  Visit one of our dealer showrooms and ask about Castle Stone or other exterior stone product lines. For a free catalogue, or to locate a Canadian dealer near you, contact us.

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