Stone Veneer Siding & Installation

What Stone Veneer Does for Your Home

Stone veneer gives you the beauty and prestige of natural stone without the weight, cost, or construction challenges of full-thickness stone. These thin pieces of real or manufactured stone attach directly to your existing exterior walls. The result looks exactly like traditional stonework but installs much faster and costs significantly less.

Think of stone veneer as a complete makeover for your home. It instantly updates dated siding, covers up problem areas, and creates a high-end appearance that stands out in any McAllen, TX neighborhood. You can cover your entire house or use stone veneer as an accent on key areas like the front facade, columns, or lower sections of walls.

Beyond looks, stone veneer adds real value to your property. Studies show that stone exteriors have excellent return on investment when you sell. Buyers see stone and think quality, permanence, and luxury. Your home becomes more memorable in a competitive market. Plus, stone veneer protects your walls from weather damage and requires almost no maintenance compared to wood siding or stucco.

The installation process is straightforward. We attach a weather barrier and metal lath to your existing walls, then mortar each piece of stone in place. The stones interlock and overlap to create a seamless appearance. When done correctly, water drains away from your home and the veneer lasts for decades without cracking, fading, or requiring special care.

Choosing Between Natural and Manufactured Stone

You have two main options when it comes to stone veneer: natural stone cut into thin pieces or manufactured stone made from concrete and pigments. Both have benefits depending on your priorities and budget.

Natural Stone Veneer Benefits

• Each piece is unique with natural variations in color and texture
• Creates an authentic, high-end appearance that ages beautifully
• Extremely durable and resistant to fading or damage
• Increases home value more than manufactured alternatives
• Available in many stone types including limestone, sandstone, and granite

Manufactured stone veneer offers its own advantages. It costs less than natural stone, typically about half the price. It weighs less, making it easier to install and suitable for more applications. You get consistent sizing which can speed up installation. The color options are nearly unlimited because manufacturers can create any shade or combination you want.

Modern manufactured stone has come a long way. High-quality products like Cultured Stone and Eldorado Stone look remarkably realistic. They capture the texture, shape, and color variations of natural stone. Most people cannot tell the difference once it is installed. The choice often comes down to budget and personal preference rather than appearance.

How We Install Stone Veneer

Proper installation makes all the difference between veneer that lasts for decades and veneer that fails in a few years. We follow strict procedures to ensure your stone veneer performs as well as it looks. The wall must be prepared correctly, the weather barrier must be installed properly, and each stone must be mortared with the right technique.

We start by inspecting your existing walls. They need to be structurally sound and capable of supporting the weight. Then we install a water-resistant barrier that protects your walls from any moisture that might get behind the stone. Over that goes a metal lath that gives the mortar something to grip. This layered approach creates a drainage plane that keeps water moving down and away.

The actual stone installation requires skill and an eye for aesthetics. We blend stones from multiple boxes to distribute color variations evenly. We vary the joint widths and patterns to create a natural appearance. Each stone gets a full coating of mortar on the back and proper pointing between pieces. We also install flashing at critical areas like windows and doors to direct water away from openings.

Details matter. Corner pieces need special attention to look right from all angles. The transition between stone and other materials like siding or trim must be clean and weathertight. We also consider how the stone will meet up with other features like outdoor fireplaces or existing brick walls. The goal is a finished project that looks like it was always part of your home.

Popular Styles and Design Ideas

Stone veneer comes in an incredible variety of styles. Ledgestone creates a stacked, horizontal look with long, flat pieces. This style works great for modern and contemporary homes. Fieldstone gives you a more rustic appearance with rounded, irregular stones that look hand-selected from a field or riverbed.

River rock veneer features smooth, rounded stones in various sizes. This creates a casual, natural look perfect for Southwestern or craftsman-style homes. Ashlar stone resembles traditional cut stone with rectangular shapes in organized patterns. It provides a formal, elegant appearance ideal for classic architecture.

Color choices range from warm earth tones to cool grays and everything in between. Neutral colors like gray, tan, and beige work with almost any home style and never go out of fashion. Warmer browns and reds create a cozy, inviting appearance. You can also mix colors for added depth and interest.

Many homeowners use stone veneer strategically rather than covering the entire house. Adding stone to the lower third of your walls creates a solid, grounded look. Covering just the front facade maximizes impact while controlling costs. Stone columns flanking your entrance make a dramatic statement. You can also use stone veneer inside for feature walls, fireplace surrounds, or accent areas.

Frequently Asked Questions