11 Types of Natural Stone for House Exterior

Are you looking to give your home in Cincinnati or Columbus a unique, timeless look? Natural stone is a perfect choice to turn your exterior into a work of art! 

From natural stone for house exteriors and garden pathways to custom-built facades and accent pieces, the Stone Center offers an incredible selection of different types of natural stone to bring your creativity to life. 

Here are 11 of them.

Natural Stones Exterior for Houses: Factors to Consider

When considering natural stone for your house exterior, there are a few factors to keep in mind. From cost and durability to climate resistance, understanding these elements will help you make an informed decision when choosing the right stone type(s) for your home.

• Cost: The natural stone for house exterior cost is one of the most important factors to consider when shopping around. While natural stones may be more expensive than wood or vinyl options, they often offer greater aesthetic value, durability, and a longer life expectancy. Plus, with access to some of the best natural wall stones from Stone Center’s large selection of 11 different types of stone, it is easy to find something that fits within your budget.
• Durability: The last thing anyone wants is for their house exterior siding to succumb easily to wear and tear. Natural stones are renowned for their toughness and ability to resist weather conditions better than other materials like wood and vinyl.
• Ability to Withstand Strong Climate: Depending on where you live in Cincinnati or Columbus, the climate can have big effects on some materials used as exterior building materials. In regions with strong winds or heavy rainfalls throughout the year, it might not be wise to use products such as wood siding that tend to be less resistant than natural stones.
• Stone Type: Finally, it's important not to overlook how certain types of stone might fit into your architectural plans better than others. Natural stones can come in many shapes, sizes, and colors.

The Main Types of Natural Stone Siding

When it comes to choosing a type of natural stone siding for your house exterior, there are several options available. From natural stone cladding and solid stone siding to engineered or faux stone siding and polyurethane foam panel stone siding – here is an overview of the main types of natural stone you can choose from:

• Natural Stone Cladding: Natural stone cladding is one of the most popular choices when it comes to house exterior design. This option involves using large pieces of cut stone – such as limestone blocks – fixed on walls with weather-resistant mortar or pads. It provides exceptional aesthetic value and durability, making it an ideal choice for those looking for something that will last beyond the lifespan of other materials.

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• Solid Stone Siding: Solid stone siding is exactly what its name implies: made up of solid stones that are usually slit or broken into flat surfaces to make them easy to handle when building. This type of installation may require less maintenance than others due to its sturdiness and could be used in both interior and exterior designs if strong weather resistance isn't your top priority. Having rock on the exterior of your house can bring a rustic appeal that could instantly upgrade its overall look.

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• Natural Stone Veneer Panel Siding: If you’re looking for a way to add texture, color variations, and subtle movement without losing the appeal associated with solid stones, then a natural stone veneer panel might just be your perfect option! These split rubber veneer panels offer the same characteristics as solid stones but without having to deal with their heavier weight or cost premium.

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• Engineered or Faux Stone Siding: Engineered or faux stone siding is great if you prefer the look and feel of natural stones but cannot fit manufactured stone units into your budget. This decorative stone chips option utilizes modern construction methods such as lightweight concrete casting that helps create accurate replicas while keeping costs in check!

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• Polyurethane Foam Panel Stone Siding: Polyurethane foam panel stone siding is one of the cheapest insulation solutions compared to other options on this list. It works by combining two layers: the first being an evenly distributed foam layer that offers insulation while the second layer is composed entirely of natural stones mixed together creating a strong surface perfect for natural stone exterior house application.

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Common Types of Natural Stone for Exterior of House

In this section, we will explore some of the most common types of natural stone available for exterior siding and discuss their individual features.

#1: Limestone

Limestone is a sedimentary rock that can be used in the exterior siding of homes. Its texture and color variations provide an attractive appearance and durability, making it a popular choice for exterior natural stone for houses. The presence of calcite makes limestone highly resistant to weather conditions, ensuring it's a long-lasting material that requires minimal maintenance over time.

#2: Travertine

Travertine is a type of sedimentary rock with versatile uses within construction projects. It has excellent technical characteristics such as extremely low water absorption and high resistance to abrasion which make it an ideal option for rock exterior siding. Furthermore, its unique color variations allow homeowners to create stunning visual effects on their home exteriors when using natural stone home exterior panels or tiles.

#3: Sandstone

Sandstone is formed from cemented sand grains that come together naturally over time. Because of its high porosity, it is best used in areas with little to no rainfall due to its lack of water resistance properties. If installed correctly though, sandstone can provide a beautiful and unique aesthetic when used as part of your natural stone facade for homes - perfect if you’re looking for something different!

#4: Granite

Granite is one of the most popular choices when it comes to choosing exterior wall cladding materials because of its hardness and superior physical properties - making it an extremely reliable option. In addition, granite offers plenty of design options with its array of colors so you can easily find something that fits your needs without compromising on quality – perfect for creating gorgeous natural stone for exterior walls​ designs!

#5: Quartzite

Quartzite is a metamorphic rock with outstanding structural properties and an incredibly low absorption rate that makes it perfect for use in exterior natural stone cladding. Its unique crystal structure ensures it stands up to harsh weather conditions, making it a great option for outdoor projects. In addition, the presence of quartz in the material guarantees a luxurious look that can be further enhanced by its wide range of colors – perfect for elevating your home's exterior aesthetic to the next level!

#6: Flint

Flint is a sedimentary rock made from silica-rich fossils, offering homeowners flexible design options. It's known for its rugged texture and distinctive color variations that provide unique visual effects when used in rock facade siding. Additionally, flint has superior durability properties and is moisture resistant - making it an ideal choice for any outdoor project looking to stay intact throughout even the roughest weather conditions.

#7: Marble

Marble is a classic type of metamorphosed limestone with a smooth and elegant appearance that never goes out of style. It has excellent water resistance characteristics which make it an excellent option for use on exteriors such as floors and walls due to its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions. Furthermore, marble’s timeless beauty makes it an ideal choice if you want to add elegance and sophistication to your home’s exterior natural stone facade​!

#8: Slate

Slate is another popular type of sedimentary rock that can be used for modern-day construction projects due to its attractive graining and attractive color variations. Its extremely low water absorption rate makes it a great choice for creating durable exterior designs while its beautiful veining allows homeowners to create stunning visuals when used in natural stone home exteriors.

#9: Onyx

Onyx is a sedimentary rock formed from calcite layers. Its unique color variations provide homeowners with design options that can easily add an elegant touch to any outdoor project such as natural stone for exterior walls or flooring. In addition, onyx’s low water absorption rate makes it perfect for use in wet environments – perfect if you’re looking to make your home stand out!

#10: Gneiss

Gneiss is a metamorphic rock composed of alternating dark and light bands of minerals. It is extremely resistant to weather conditions and has superior durability properties which make it ideal for creating strong and long-lasting designs outdoors. In addition, its unique texture provides a beautiful visual effect when used in rock exterior siding or other architectural projects - perfect if you’re looking for something special!

#11: Steatite

Steatite is a soft metamorphic rock with superior water resistance characteristics that make it suitable for outdoor areas where rainfall is frequent. It has superb physical properties, making it highly durable and reliable when used in the natural stone facade for homes and other architectural projects. Furthermore, it provides attractive veining patterns and color variations which can create stunning combinations when combined with other materials – great if you're looking to add some flair to your home's exterior​!

Where to Buy Stone for House Exterior?

The best place to buy stone for house exterior projects is from a reputable retailer like Stone Center. We provide a wide selection of natural stones from around the world for all kinds of projects, including stone cladding for house exteriors and other exterior designs. 

We offer quality materials at competitive prices to ensure that you get the best value for your money. Our knowledgeable staff can help guide you in selecting the right type of stone and assist with installations so that your project looks its best.

No matter the type of natural stone you choose for your house exterior, you can find more options at reliable suppliers like those in Cincinnati and Columbus – check out our exterior natural stone catalogs today!