Stone siding comes in two basic styles: stone veneer that is made of real stone, and; faux stone (artificial stone). Stone veneers are comprised of natural stone, but they are much thinner than structural stones and are intended only to beautify a home. Faux stone is not made of stone, but has the look of natural stone.
Stone siding can provide one of the most dramatic improvements in the beauty of a home. Natural stone siding is extremely durable and can certainly outlast many other components of the house. While it is easy to maintain, natural stone itself doesn’t provide much insulation. In addition, natural stone is perhaps the most costly of all sidings, not only because the materials themselves (granite, slate, etc.) are expensive, but the installation costs are also high. Faux stone is much lighter than natural stone, and is much lighter and easier to install, so it costs far less than natural stone siding.