Stone: Choosing stone veneer or stone cladding for your home

April 16, 2015

When consumers determine that it is time to update their home’s façade, they may not immediately know what types of stone cladding they can choose from, particularly given the rise in the availability of manufactured stone cladding styles

When choosing exterior stone for your home, it is a good rule to look at several options before making your final choice. The consumer can always observe what types of stone structures, styles, textures and façades are in use in their own locality, particularly if they want to be in conformity with the neighbourhood.

Country Ledge / Tuscan Fieldstone Mix: Chestnut image

Country Ledge / Tuscan Fieldstone Mix: Chestnut

Beyond the above general advice, however, using the STACK formula outlined  below will provide some useful tips to choose the right stone for your project.

Stone veneer is produced in a variety of styles, shapes and colours to give consumers a wide array of choices, but consumers still have decisions to make after they choose the right stone:

S: Size, Shape, Style

Select the stone that works best with the size of your project. The rule is: larger stones work well in larger spaces – smaller stones in smaller spaces. Large stones used on smaller homes make them look smaller while small stones used on large homes create complicated patterns and sometimes look out of proportion.

  • Low or wide houses look better with longer stones.
  • Tall houses look better with larger, random shaped stones.
  • Rounded stones look more casual.
  • Stones with strong lines create a more formal space and are perceived as structural and load bearing.

 T: Texture

  • Decorative stone is all about texture.
  • Texture draws attention to the stone itself, creating contrast with brick, stucco or siding.
  • Contrast creates interest.
  • Texture highlights colour combinations and the shape of stones.

 A: Amount

  •  When choosing stone for your project the biggest design mistake is the temptation to use too much stone.
  • In some cases, moderation is the key to a successful design.
  • Unless the entire façade will be stone, the stone should enhance – not dominate property architecture.

C: Colour

  • Look at the colour of existing elements like siding, roof, walls and doors. Your stone choice must work with these elements.
  • If you have light coloured roof shingles it is not advisable to go with dark stones. Stones should unify the facade of your home. Each stone colour is a natural blend of various colours.
  • Similar colours tend to unify and blend-in, when stronger colours draw attention.
  • Colour affects how heavy your wall appears – darker colours appear heavier while warm colours create a lighter appearance.
  • When selecting your colour combination, start by eliminating colours and styles you really don’t like. Work with the ones that are left. Keep eliminating colours until you are left with what you like and make this your final selection.
  • Remember, natural and artificial light affects colour so view your sample outdoors before making your final selection.
  • Classic Cut: Sandy Buff image

    Classic Cut: Sandy Buff

     K: Keep it natural

  • Stones by nature appear to be heavy, providing a mass to the project.
  • Vertical joints should not line-up. This is a sign of poor installation.
  • Mix the sizes of the stone distributing small and large stones over the area.
  • Take advantage of random shapes and sizes of stone to create an interesting and compelling composition.
  • Don’t be afraid to mix different styles and colours. Be patient, it is time consuming but can be very rewarding.

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

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