Choosing exterior finishes can be stressful for many homeowners. With just a 3X3 sample to look at, it can be hard to imagine what a stone will look like on the larger scale of your home’s exterior. However, there are a number of ways to ensure you choose a stone that you love for your home’s exterior.
- Find inspiration
If you don’t know where to start in the process, find inspiration from homes you already find beautiful! A short drive around town can help you snap pictures of homes you love – and even some that you hate. Pay particular attention to homes that have a similar layout or design to your own; this can help you envision what a stone design will look like on your home. Having real-life examples of what you like and don’t like can serve as a starting point for your architect or designer.
- Choose the right color combination
Choosing a color palette before you choose the type of stone can help guide the decision-making process. Take into account other colors on your home’s exterior; will there be other siding or brick along with the stone? In most cases, it is impossible to find a perfect match between different types of exterior finishes. Instead, opt for complementary colors to create a cohesive design.
- Pick a stone that matches the style of your home
Pick a stone that matches the style of your home. A European-style chateau, for example, would not work well with contemporary stacked stone. This helps the stone highlight your home’s design rather than compete against it.
- Mix and match textures
When picking more than one exterior finish, mix and match textures to create visual interest. Smooth vinyl siding, for example, can be paired with a rough, patterned stone. Neat, stacked stone can be used to complement wooden shingles. While too much texture can overwhelm a home, balancing stone with other siding can create beautiful results.
- Don’t forget to match the roof
You spent hours agonizing over colors, patterns, finishes, and textures to create the perfect stone design – only to find that it clashes with your roof color. If you are updating an existing home, take the color of the roof into account at the beginning of the design process to avoid the roof clashing with the new stone. For new construction, choose a roof color that highlights or complement that stone design.
