Did your custom-built home turn out differently than you originally envisioned? Or is your aging home in need of a thoughtful refresh? Custom stonework can provide your home’s exterior with the flair you want. Custom stonework can be installed pre- or post-construction, providing elegance and sophistication to your home. Beyond your home’s frame, you can spruce up your property with stylish custom brick mailboxes, garden walls, and outdoor fireplaces.
Achieving the aesthetic you want starts with choosing suitable options for custom additions or handling worn and faded areas of existing brickwork. Learning about upgraded masonry materials, such as natural stone, cultured stone, or stone veneer, and their aesthetics should be your first step.
Natural Stone
Natural stone veneer is developed from actual stone from a quarry and can be categorized as either full bed stone veneer or thin stone (or sawn) veneer. Full bed stone veneer uses large stones, often six to eight inches thick, layered atop each other to veneer walls and other vertical surfaces. It can take time to lay and affix this stone precisely to achieve the desired look so that the lower stones appropriately support the higher stones’ weight.
Thin stone veneer consists of natural stone cut into thin pieces to fit a specific project’s specifications. This type is easier to handle than full-bed veneer as it is lighter and more versatile. There are also a variety of styles to choose from, allowing you to mix and match the following stones and the pattern they are installed.
Types of Stone and cut:
- Ashlar
- Fieldstone
- Ledgestone
Installation patterns:
- Mosaic
- Dimensional
- Square + Rectangle
Historically, stone veneer was the primary approach to custom brickwork. Stone veneer provides a natural and rustic appearance. It costs more upfront than synthetic options, like cultured stone. However, stone veneer retains its distinct appearance longer than other custom brickwork options.
Cultured Stone
Cultured stone is an artificially produced type of brick designed to mimic the appearance of natural stone. Manufactured from aggregate materials and concrete, cultured stone is lighter in weight and painted, stained, or sprayed to resemble specific stonework. High-quality cultured stone can be nearly indistinguishable from natural stone to the average person.
Choosing the Right Custom Brickwork For Your Home
Custom brickwork is not a DIY task. So, the next step is talking to a qualified, Next Level Custom Brick professional about what options make the most sense for your vision, home, and budget. Specializing in custom brickwork for Metro Detroit homes, we can help you identify the materials for the installation you want and provide you with the custom brick facade work or addition you dream of.
We’re a family-owned and operated business passionate about making homes in our community beautiful. Whether with a stunning bluestone patio or a natural stone outdoor fireplace, we can give your home the right touches to enhance its appeal and value. We can also help you refresh your existing brickwork with flawless matching options that will make your home look brand new.
Give your home the makeover it needs. Contact us 734-292-5250 for a free estimate today.
