How Much Does Stone Siding Cost?
Last Updated: January 25, 2022
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If price were no object, then stone siding would almost surely hold a larger market share. After all, natural stone is attractive, lasts for the lifetime of a home, and is available in a huge range of colors and textures. Due to its high cost, however, stone is not a reasonable home siding choice for many homeowners. Still, thanks to simulated stone siding, the look and feel of real stone is available on any budget. Whether you're looking to splurge on real stone or install lower-cost alternatives, you'll find useful information in this buying guide, including how much stone siding installation costs.
Reasons to Install Stone Siding #
Stone siding for homes is commonly made from sandstone, limestone, and granite, although virtually any type of rock that can be dug out of a quarry is usable as a siding material. While each type of stone used in exterior siding has slightly different characteristics, you can feel good about choosing siding made from any type of stone for the following reasons:
- Durability: Stone has been used throughout history as a building material and many stone structures, such as the Pyramids in Egypt, are still standing, serving as testaments to the durability of stone. While your exterior stone siding may not last as long as the Pyramid of Giza, it should be expected to endure a lifetime or more with very little maintenance. If any work is required, it will probably be to the mortar, not the stone itself.
- Performance: Stone siding looks great, but it offers far more than just curb appeal. From the standpoint of functionality, few siding materials can compare to stone, as it offers excellent protection against fire and water and is also an excellent insulator that will help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
- Options: Natural variations in quarried stone means that no two homes will have identical stone siding. And due to the different types of stone that can be used for siding, you have a great amount of choice when it comes to color and texture. Further customization is possible by choosing to keep stone rough cut and natural or more refined. Finally, if real stone is cost-prohibitive, you can opt for stone veneer siding, made from thinner pieces of real stone, or faux stone siding, made from Portland cement.
- Value: When you consider the low-maintenance durability of stone, the ability of the material to protect your home from damage and regulate its temperature, and the boost in home value that comes with stone's classic beauty, the high cost of stone siding represents a valuable investment.
Stone Siding Average Costs #
The actual cost of stone siding may vary depending on your location, the materials, the complexity of the installation, and other factors.
- Natural stone siding costs $15 to $30 per square foot. For a home with 1,500 exterior square feet, the total cost might be $22,500 to $45,000.
- Stone veneer siding costs $10 to $15 per square foot ($15,000 to $22,500).
- Engineered stone siding costs $7.50 to $15 per square foot ($11,250 to $22,500).
- Removing and disposing of existing siding, if not included in the initial estimate, might cost an additional $1 to $3 per square foot ($1,500 to $4,500).
