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Stone Shows Massive Potential for Homes
Wait, did we say 'massive'? Scratch that. With paper-thin veneers and wide color variety, stone has left the bulk of the past behind
Houzz Contributor. My name is Bud Dietrich and I am an architect located in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I am licensed to practice architecture in Illinois, Florida, New Jersey & Wisconsin and I am a certificate holder from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). Since 1996 I have worked from my home office and provide full architectural services exclusively to the single family residential market. My passion is to transform my clients' houses into their homes. I strive to have the "new" home accommodate my clients' lives without fighting them at every junction. I look to add curb appeal to encourage a beautiful streetscape. And I design any addition to look and feel like it has always been there.
Our projects have won numerous design awards as well as having...
Houzz Contributor. My name is Bud Dietrich and I am an architect located... More »
People have been making homes of stone for millennia. But whereas in the past the stone had to be locally quarried and stacked, today we can get it from near and far, and we can use it as full blocks and thin veneers. The end result: We can select stone that has the color and texture we want for much less cost.
Suitable for any style and any location, stone provides a sense of solidity, permanence and strength. Whether used in blocks or as a veneer, stone can yield a full spectrum of results. Options for which stone you use and how you use it are limitless.
If you are considering stone for your project, the best place to start is by going to a local supplier, such as Illinois Brick & Stone if you live in that area. You'll be able to look at several different stones as well as manufactured versions like Eldorado and Cultured Stone. Once you've narrowed your choices to a few, ask the suppliers for a list of any homes in your area that have used those materials. A field trip to see the stone in place is well worth it.
Consider some of these possibilities for using stone in your next home project.
Suitable for any style and any location, stone provides a sense of solidity, permanence and strength. Whether used in blocks or as a veneer, stone can yield a full spectrum of results. Options for which stone you use and how you use it are limitless.
If you are considering stone for your project, the best place to start is by going to a local supplier, such as Illinois Brick & Stone if you live in that area. You'll be able to look at several different stones as well as manufactured versions like Eldorado and Cultured Stone. Once you've narrowed your choices to a few, ask the suppliers for a list of any homes in your area that have used those materials. A field trip to see the stone in place is well worth it.
Consider some of these possibilities for using stone in your next home project.
| Stone can make a great base. Because of stone's sense of permanence, a stone base can anchor and establish a structure firmly in place. Larger stones in an irregular pattern create a firm base that complements the lightness of the structure above. |
| Stone can work for contemporary homes. Interlocking volumes clad in stone that provides texture can enliven a home's composition. And the rough texture of stone can be a nice counterpoint to the adjoining wood and metal. |
by SHKS Architects
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Stone can be any color. From reds, blues and greens to oranges, yellows and more, stone can vary widely in color. Selecting a stone that has the hue you want, whether to blend in or stand out, has never been easier.
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| Stone can be left raw. Stone in its undressed state is rock, and rocks can be piled on top of one another to establish a connection to the site. As it transforms into stone, it becomes less foundation and more wall. |
by RWA Architects
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Stone can create emphasis. A change in material from stucco to stone and a change in color from light to dark can create a focal point at the entrance or some other architectural feature.
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| Stone can be thin. Whether it's manufactured stone or naturally quarried stone that has been cut into a thin veneer, stone no longer needs to be heavy, massive and thick. Like today's brick, stone can be applied as a paper-thin, two-dimensional decorative element. |
| Stone can form an anchoring wall. As a front facade or an accent wall, stone can provide an anchoring wall that the remainder of the house grows from and connects to. |
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by david phillips
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| Stone can be shaped and arranged. Dressed into irregular shapes and sizes, the stone is then stacked in a carefully planned, yet seemingly random, pattern that shows thought and craftsmanship. |
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| Stone can be old. Weathered and aged stone gives a home the persona of experience and longevity, reinforcing the permanence of what was built. |
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Stone can be inside, too. With thin stone veneers, it's never been easier, nor more cost effective, to bring stone in from the cold.
More:
9 Top Siding Materials
Stacked Stone Inside the Home
12 Ways to Add Beautiful Stone to Your Home
Easy-Care Landscaping With Rocks and Boulders
More:
9 Top Siding Materials
Stacked Stone Inside the Home
12 Ways to Add Beautiful Stone to Your Home
Easy-Care Landscaping With Rocks and Boulders
Comments
lyvia rock on!
14 months ago · Like
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CAROLE MEYER Beautiful homes and I love the stone. We did it the old fashioned way in our second home in San Miguel de Allende. It was really interesting to watch as the stone masons brought in a pile of roundish rocks and sat on the ground and rolled them around looking at them....then, WHACK. They broke them in half leaving one flat side. I ask them how they did that and what they were doing when they were rolling them around looking at them. They told me they were looking for cracks or a weak spot and that is where they hit them to break them in half. It was a very labor heavy process and I had never seen this done. The wall on the back of our casita is beautiful....and thick! Photo below.... 
14 months ago · Like
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K.O.H. Construction Corporation Don't forget to mention that stone is 4-5 times the cost of brick
14 months ago · Like
Northern Stone Supply, Inc. Nice article! We love to see natural stone on homes. Nothing compares to the beauty of real stone with a quality masonry installation. We produce a variety of natural stone products for interior and exterior walls along with custom pieces to finish the job right, like cap stones, hearths, mantels, etc. 
3 weeks ago · Like
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North Star Stone Great article on stone and I appreciate the information about man made stone veneer. These stone veneers have many uses, are light weight and quicker to install than real stone. Don't be afraid to consider a local manufacturer of stone veneer. Think of the local manufacturer as specialty micro brewer, where the needs of the customer are the top priority. At our factory every order is custom made and blended. We also have a color selector on our web site to allow the home owner to get an idea of what the blend will look,like when done. For more pictures to add to your idea books, please look at our web site. In addition to supplying our Chicago market, we can ship our stone.
3 weeks ago · Like
Ideabook updated on March 23, 2012.
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