Adding natural stone to your home’s exterior is one of the most effective ways to boost curb appeal and resale value, and our builders can help you decide which natural stone finish works best with your style of home.
Natural stone finishes that work well for South Carolina homes include split-face, honed, tumbled, polished, leathered, bush-hammered, and thermal. Each finish produces a different look, with some lending more toward contemporary homes and others suiting farmhouse or cabin styles. Popular natural stone options for homeowners include quartzite, granite, limestone, fieldstone, and river rock.
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Each type of stone finish produces different results, and our builders can help decide which best matches your vision for a new build.
Split-face finishes on natural stone offer an extremely rugged, textured appearance. Each stone or block is unique, so careful installation, sealing, and waterproofing are essential for long-term durability. To achieve a nearly identical look to high-quality natural stone, homeowners may use more affordable CMUs (concrete masonry units) that are chiseled and shaped to mimic the look of natural split-face stone.
A honed natural stone finish creates an ultra-matte surface that is totally flat and non-reflective. Honed natural stone finishes are great for modern and contemporary style homes, as well as Mediterranean and coastal homes. Compared to a split-face finish, honed natural stone is incredibly smooth and uniform. Honed natural stone has many applications and is popular among homeowners for both exteriors and interiors.
Bush-hammered stone is repeatedly struck to create a weathered and textured surface. It is popular not only for exterior cladding but also for outdoor walkways and pool decks because of its anti-slip properties.
If you want a softer, more classic look for your home, a tumbled stone finish may be much more appealing than a heavy split-face and bush-hammered finishes. Tumbling natural stone softens it, producing a timeless, romantic look that pairs extremely well with homes inspired by Mediterranean, modern farmhouse, and French country design styles.
Homeowners looking to build contemporary, modern homes may be drawn to a polished stone finish. Polished stone finishes are glossy, reflective, and smooth, offering a dramatically different look to highly textured split-face, tumbled, and bush-hammered finishes.
A leathered finish makes natural stone matte and dimpled. Leathered finishes on granite and quartzite can make these materials even more durable, and their varied textures help hide wear and tear over the years. Dense, non-porous stone is best for a leathered finish and must be properly sealed to ensure longevity.
Also known as a flamed finish, a thermal finish involves quickly torching natural stone and then immediately cooling it down with water. The resulting thermal shock burns off the stone’s top layer, leaving a textured, rough surface that many homeowners love, especially for exterior wall cladding.
Because of the high heat and humidity of South Carolina during much of the year, certain types of natural stone work better than others for exterior applications.
Quartzite is extremely dense, hard, and durable, making it a popular option for coastal homes in South Carolina that might see intense wind and rain during hurricane season. Quartzite comes in a wide range of colors, and its resistance to UV rays prevents colors from fading.
If you want to incorporate natural stone into the exterior of your new custom build, granite is a reliable choice. It stands up well in high-heat, high-humidity climates like South Carolina and requires minimal maintenance. Modern, industrial-style homes may be better suited to granite exteriors.
Limestone is great for heat deflection, helping keep the interior of homes cool during South Carolina’s hot summers. Limestone’s versatility makes it a great choice for almost any home style.
Fieldstone is another popular natural stone choice for homeowners in South Carolina who value energy efficiency, moisture resistance, low maintenance, and durability.
Homeowners choose river rock for its durability in harsh weather conditions, fire resistance, and natural curb appeal. River rock can be incorporated into many different home styles, from Craftsman to farmhouse.
Natural stone finishes can be extremely durable, often far more durable than other exterior siding options, such as fiber cement, vinyl, or wood.
Natural stone is more expensive than other siding options, but it does produce a far more striking, dramatic effect. Many homeowners limit the use of natural stone to specific areas to stay within budget while still enhancing curb appeal.
The finish on the natural stone can dictate how difficult it is to install. Uneven, porous stone finishes require careful sealing and weatherproofing to prevent mold and mildew buildup.
Applying a natural stone finish to the exterior of your home can significantly increase resale value and add to the overall value of your new home built in South Carolina.
For countertops and similar applications, honed, leathered, and polished natural stone finishes are great options. For flooring, slip-resistant brushed or tumbled finishes are best, especially in bathrooms and mudrooms. For fireplaces and accent walls, a highly textured split-face finish can produce the most dramatic effect.
For house planning and building in South Carolina, reach out to Blythe Custom Homes.
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