If you are looking to give your home a facelift, a new stone exterior is a great choice. Not only can it completely transform the appearance of your home, you can enhance your curb appeal and better complement the neighborhood. When you are selecting which type and color of exterior stone siding you want, it can be difficult to choose what is best for you because there are so many options. At Dimassi and Son’s, we offer masonry services, including adding stone facing to residential homes like yours. If you are interested in our masonry services, we can provide you with consultation to help you choose the right one for you. In the meantime, read on for some considerations to make when you are looking for the right stone exterior for your home.
Style
First, consider the style you want for your home. There is a cornucopia of options in terms of home styles. Some popular styles include Mediterranean, French Colonial, Tuscan, Old World, and Hill Country. Regardless of which you choose, it’s important to start by considering your style. This will determine which texture and color you choose. Look through photos of these styles and consider what would look best both on your property and in the context of your neighborhood. Even if your home looks beautiful on its own, if it sticks out too much, it will generate the wrong kind of attention.
Texture/Material
Now that you have chosen your style, it’s time to think about texture, meaning what types of materials you will use. When considering what to use, it is important to create balance. Heavier elements should be the base and serve to highlight the most important features. For example, stone is very heavy, while brick is slightly lighter, and stucco/siding are the lightest. If you have never seen a home with stone on top of brick, you may have noticed that it looked as if it was going to tip over or just looked awkward. This is important to consider when choosing which stone to use on your exterior. We can help you determine which would be the best choice for your Coram home.
Colors
Finally, you will need to pinpoint what colors you want to use in your design. When it comes to brick, there are a lot of options when it comes to size, texture, and color. Larger brick is called king, while the smaller size is called queen. Generally, queen brick looks more sophisticated, but is also more expensive. After choosing side, you have several color options.
- Tudor – variety of reds
- Old World – earthy browns and tans
- Country French – warm peaches, oranges, some neutral and gray tones
- Hill Country – Light neutrals with warm accents
If you want to opt for stone, you need a unifying color between the stones, ideally one that is in the major color patterns of the brick. It is necessary for the colors to match so it doesn’t look awkward. For example, orange-speckled stone will not go well with brick that is in cool tones. Unify your brick and stone with a common element so it doesn’t look odd. A general rule with your exterior is that less is more; incorporating too many elements into your exterior makes it look cluttered and clownish.
Many people do not consider the mortar when they are choosing the material for their exterior, but it makes a difference in the appearance of your exterior. Mortar is a material made of cement, sand, and water that binds bricks together. Generally, it comes in gray. Because it can be seen everywhere, it adds an overall gray effect. However, you can get colored mortars made, though it is likely to be rather pricey, as it must be bleached and dyed to do so.
Consider how mortar impacts your brick color before committing to one. Lighter color mortar adds contrast between darker bricks, separating each brick and adding sophistication to your home. Light mortar with light brick looks dated, as this was a popular style in the 1970s. A nude mortar creates an aged feel and khaki mortar looks best with Old World style. Darker mortars look best with darker stones.
If you want to get adventurous with color, consider painting your trim and/or shutters a bold hue. This is a better way to add interest to your exterior than choosing an “out there” brick because it’s just a small amount of paint; it’s easy to change if you find that you don’t like it later.
When you are looking for masonry services in Coram, NY, come to Dimassi and Son’s Landscaping and we will help. Our expert masonry has satisfied many happy customers; check out our Gallery page to see for yourself! Contact us today for a free quote.