If your siding has become old and worn, you may want to consider upgrading it. However, with so many materials from which to choose, picking the right choice can be hard. If you are in the market for a unique option, however, stone veneer siding may be a great choice. If you would like to learn more, check out these four benefits of stone veneer siding.
1. It's Lighter Than Solid Stone
Solid stone is heavy, but stone veneer is a lighter option, which provides many benefits. First, a lighter material is easier and less expensive to transport. The main reason for this weight difference is the thickness of the material. Solid stone siding may be as thick as five inches, but stone veneer is often about an inch thick.
Second, it puts less stress on your house. Depending on how your home was built, it may not be durable enough to support heavy stone. For this reason, solid stone siding often requires foundation footing. Veneer, however, is light enough to get support from the exterior wall instead of the footing.
2. It's Cheaper Than Solid Stone
In addition to less weight, stone veneer is also less money. For a 1,000 square foot project with solid stone, you may pay between $10,000 and $30,000 just for materials. The price heavily depends on the type of stone. The same project with stone veneer, however, may only cost $1,500 to $10,000.
In addition, you can more easily install stone veneer siding than solid stone. This means the installers need less time and effort, which translates to less money on labor.
3. It's Durable With Little Maintenance
Many people choose stone veneer because of the durability. Naturally, solid stone often lasts longer at 50+ years, but even stone veneer can last 25 to 40 years, if not more. To compare, some vinyl siding may only last 20 years, stucco may last 15 years or longer, and cedarwood may only come with a 20-year warranty.
The problem with some durable materials is the maintenance necessary. For example, log siding can last over 50 years, but it requires a lot of maintenance to protect against rot and pest infestation. Stone veneer siding requires a little more work than solid stone, but it is still a moderately low-maintenance option.
With any siding that has mortar joints, you need to occasionally replace and repair these joints. Neglecting worn joints increases the risk of moisture getting behind the siding to cause water damage inside the home.
It may also need a protective seal to help prevent stains and to limit the amount of moisture absorbed by the veneer. Finally, as with any siding, you want to clean it as necessary to remove any dirt, dust, or moss.
4. It Can Go Over Many Materials
In many cases, you don't even need to remove your old siding to install stone veneer siding. This material can go over many materials, including metal, wood, brick, and concrete. This further helps you save money on labor costs. As an added benefit, installing stone veneer over old siding can help better insulate the home.
Depending on the type of siding and the condition of the siding, technicians may need to make repairs or remove parts of the old siding. For example, trapping water-damaged materials behind the stone veneer may increase the risk of mold or mildew.
If you are interested in giving your home a unique aesthetic, you may want to consider stone veneer siding. With so many benefits, it could be the perfect choice for you. If you would like to learn more or if you would like a quote, contact us at Harristone today.