Natural stone is a beautiful and durable building material. Whether you use it inside or outside your home, renovations including natural stone can help increase your home’s value. While many homeowners believe natural stone to be out of their price range, it is surprisingly affordable. Likewise, stone finishes often add far more value to your home than the cost of the building materials. The following are six of the best ways to use natural stone around your home.
- Curb appeal
Natural stone can be used in a variety of ways on your home’s exterior to increase curb appeal – and add value. Add stone veneer to existing siding for a quick and easy way to upgrade your home’s exterior with little to no demolition. Stone can also be used in more decorative ways such as pillars, trims, steps, and pergolas.
- Backyards and gardens
There are a number of ways natural stone can be used in backyards, gardens, and other outdoor living spaces. Use natural stone as the sides for raised beds and planters; low walls and fence posts can also be made using natural stone. Siliceous stone like sandstone, granite, and slate are ideal building materials for everything from driveways and sidewalks to patios, decks, and stepping stones.
- Interior flooring
Natural stone can be used as flooring inside your home, too. Marble, travertine, limestone, and granite are durable and beautiful stones that can be used as flooring throughout the home.
- Bathrooms
Travertine, marble, and granite can be used on almost every surface in the bathroom. From walls and floors to backsplashes and shower tile, natural stone can be used in a variety of ways. When using natural stone in the bathroom, make sure to choose coarse or non-slip finishes for floors and shower tile to avoid falls. Not interested in a complete bathroom renovation? Consider changing out the backsplash or adding a tile overlay to the front of an existing bathtub.
- Kitchens
When used in kitchens, natural stone marries style and function. Because it is extremely durable, stone is an ideal choice for kitchen counters and floors. Make sure to learn about proper care and maintenance before installing stone countertops; some stone needs regular sealing or treatment in order to remain stain and scratch free.
- Fireplaces
Change the look of an entire room by simply redoing the fireplace front! Natural stone is an ideal building material for interior fireplaces finishes. For a more contemporary look, choose sleek, glossy tiles or a solid marble slab. Looking for a more traditional fireplace feel? Stacked, rough cut stone can create a rustic fireplace front no matter where your home is located.
