Cladding or facing is a style of decorating the exterior of your home. Though there many exterior wall cladding materials, people prefer natural stones to give an aesthetic look. Travertine, Basalt, Limestone, Marble, and Granite are some of the most widely used natural stones for wall cladding. Each of these has its own benefits along with many similarities and differences.
Thus, there are many options for natural stone wall cladding, and you can customize it according to your own palette. Here are some of the benefits of using natural stones for wall cladding or facing.
Benefits of Natural Stone External Wall Cladding
As mentioned, there are many benefits of using a natural stone for wall cladding as compared to other alternatives. Here are a few reasons you should opt for stone cladding as a homeowner.
Have A Natural Look and Feel
Stonework always has a wonderfully earthy look to it. It is a material that lasts long and can withstand different climates and temperatures. It won’t wear away as easily, but the great part is that it looks unique.
There is a natural fade of colours, layers, compositions, and textures that makes your exterior stand out from just cemented walls. Some stones offer a cool tone, while some can warm up your house. It makes it look more comfortable and homier.
Many historical architectural sites use natural stone cladding to add a touch of elegance and royalty to structures. You can achieve the same look for your home as well.
Increase the Value of Your Property
If you are wondering whether or not this choice is worth the investment, the simple answer to your question is that yes! It is.
Believe it or not, using natural stones to decorate your walls can actually increase the value of your property. Natural stones give a look that makes the house stand out. In addition, they provide stability, strength, and durability, which also means that it lasts much longer and can withstand different weather conditions.
These stone cladding features can instantly bump up the value of your house in the market. So if, in the long run, you decide to sell your house, your natural stone wall cladding will definitely benefit you.
It Looks A Lot More Aesthetic
Needless to say, a natural stone can really help improve the overall aesthetic of your house.
Some stones like marble can make it look a lot more modern and chicer. Others like Travertine or Sandstone can give it a vintage or rustic finish. You can pick and choose a stone that goes the best with the kind of theme you like.
It is also a great alternative to painted or bricked walls. It not only is durable but can give your house an instant makeover.
You can pick between colours, experiment with different patterns, and even have a bunch of different textures on the main walls, driveway, or patio.
Easy Maintenance
Stones hardly ever break. You can easily clean them with a power wash annually and won’t have to spend large sums on repair and maintenance. They barely ever show water damage and are actually a very resilient material to use for the exterior of your house.
You can also very easily repair certain areas with simple slab replacements without having to re-make entire portions from scratch. In addition, Water can help clean any dirt or stains that might gather over time, and that’s all you need to do to maintain natural stone wall cladding.
In fact, the older it gets, the more natural and rustic the setting becomes. People want their natural stone cladding to settle for some time before showing its real beauty.
Insulation and Weathering
Another great perk of using natural stone for wall cladding is that it acts as a great insulator. Stones are already resistant to many weather conditions; thus, they can withstand extreme heat, cold, and stormy weather.
Apart from that, they are great for keeping the interior of your house at a stable temperature, which can save you a lot in heating and cooling bills.
They are also resistant to frost, and many siliceous rocks are also classified to be acid-resistant. What could be a better investment to remodel the exterior of your home?
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Types of Natural stone on External Wall Cladding
There are a lot of choices when it comes to using natural stones on external wall cladding. Here are some of the popular stone cladding options with their similarities and differences and whether or not they make the best fit for your home.
Travertine Cladding
Travertine is perhaps one of the most popular options when it comes to external wall cladding. Many people experiment with travertine as it produces a brilliant result for houses in many different climatic conditions.
- It’s a earthy-coloured stone with light and dark hues and has a gorgeous natural texture, which makes it a popular option.
- One of the great features of this rock is that it is extremely durable. It helps create an aesthetic finish and lasts you long. So your investment never goes to waste. Old buildings that make use of travertine have lasted hundreds of years without withering away.
- Many professionals will also recommend a travertine wall exterior as it is also easier for the pocket. The Eco-friendly cladding material can withstand moisture and extreme temperatures, all the while enhancing the look of your house.
However, travertine might not be an option for someone who is looking to add a more modern touch to their home.
Limestone Cladding
Limestone is an abundant mineral in the earth. Many people often don’t think of the stone when it comes to decorative purposes.
However, it is a brilliant option for adding a diverse touch to your home. The stone offers many different natural colour choices like white, light browns, beige, and even rocks with hues of blue.
It can look marvellous when done, right! Moreover, limestone has a variety of textures, as well. It can easily be carved for different patterns, and some in both soft and rough finishes.
Marble Cladding
Marble Cladding is a great option to add a contemporary touch to your home and is considered to be a premium material. While it might not be a cost-efficient option, it is definitely one of a kind. Marble gives a finish that no other stone can.
- If you want to decorate your driveway or patio, all the while adding a touch of elegance and luxury, there is no better option.
- Usually, a professional will add thin layers of marble to the structure as required. It is long-lasting, durable, and makes your home look timeless.
- It is also a material that can boost the price of your home if and when you decide to put it on the market.
- Another great feature is that marble comes in a variety of different colours, styles, and combinations. You can pick black, white, greys, golds, beiges, and other even stronger colours like emerald green.
There’s a wide range to pick from, and it can produce a look like no other. Marbles also give your home a creamy and smooth texture, instead of having a textured look, which a unique palate, and it might not fit all kinds of homes.
Granite Cladding
Granite is a common stone, and many of us are also familiar with the name. It is a coarse grain stoned with interlocking crystals that make it perfect for wall cladding.
It is a fine choice stone and an extremely popular option for the exterior wall facing as it is known for its longevity and how well it can withstand extreme weather conditions.
Many people go for granite as it offers them brilliant colors and textures, which is perfect for achieving a vintage or perhaps a rustic look for the home.
Slate Cladding
Slate is another cost-efficient option for natural stone wall cladding. In fact, people don’t just use it on the exterior of the house, but the interior as well.
It adds a homey and comfortable aura to the theme of your house, and you do not have to break the bank for it.
Many professionals recommend slate as an option as it is weather-resistant, durable, and can add both rustic and modern touches to your house, depending on how you design it.
Basalt Cladding
If you are looking for a dark look for wall facing, then basalt is also a great option. It is a blue-grey volcanic rock that can warm up your house instantly.
It is fine-grained but still offers a great texture that gives a subtle look. Many people also go for basalt in extreme weather conditions, as it acts as an excellent insulator.
Many architects like to use it for their rich texture and colour combinations.
Stone Wall Cladding: Final Words
So, now you know a lot about stone cladding, including the benefits and cladding types. Wall cladding is advantageous for many reasons; it enhances the look of a house while making it resistant to harsh elements at the same time, but the stone façade takes all these benefits to a whole new level as natural stones are more durable and low-maintenance as compared to synthetic materials.
