Stone wall cladding has become a popular way to spice up both interior and exterior parts of a home. It adds texture and gives an area a completely different look.
Why stone wall cladding is so popular
Here are some of the benefits, and why stone can be a great addition to your home.
Look: As mentioned, the look it adds to a space is the main factor in popularity. Stone adds authenticity, depth, texture and even a naturalistic element. It further helps a building connect to its surroundings. It’s available in different colors, making it easy to match with a house’s architecture and design.
Durability: Overall, stone is a very durable material. It will last for many years with very little maintenance if installed correctly. Depending on the type used, it can even be fire resistant making it a great choice for areas prone to fires.
Installation: Although possible to install piece by piece, most stone wall cladding options come pre-assembled in tiles with set sizes, dramatically decreasing installation time and labor costs.
What to consider before buying
Installation challenges: Keep in mind as with any form of construction, the area you choose to add stone cladding too, needs to be structurally sound and able to hold the weight of the stone. General, the cladding can be heavy and may lead to a wall having to be reinforced depending on the type of build or house.
Complexity of installation: Yes, it can be relatively easy to install but needs to be done correctly. If not properly sealed, and especially in areas where there are lots of rain or even snow, water can seep into cracks ending up damaging the walls.
Not fully maintenance free: Over time moss or some weather-related discoloration may occur on exterior cladding surfaces. It might need additional cleaning, but this depends on the type of stone used and weather conditions. Generally indoor stone cladding requires much less maintenance.
It’s long term: If you are a homeowner that likes to update the look of your home every few years, take note that removing stone cladding will cost you. It’s not a quick and easy job.
Also, see our article on all the different types of cladding available here.
Exterior ideas
People loving covering entire outer wall areas with it to add texture and create a feature. It’s also great on a wall near or behind a swimming pool. Even more so if a water feature is added having water move over it.
In the Instagram post below, the designers created an outdoor living area nook by adding a beige natural colored stone wall with matching couches and flooring.
In the post below, The Pool Tile Company, created an exterior water feature with stone, elevating it above the swimming pool and even adding some plants for additional color.
Interior ideas
Interior ideas range from using stone near a fireplace, as a feature wall in an entrance hallway an in a bathroom. I especially like stone wall cladding in an entrance hallway as it leads to a dramatic effect, especially if a darker stone is used.
With bathrooms, interior designers often like to cover one wall in stone, to create stand out feature. The wall at the back of the shower is often a great example, as shown in the image below. Alternatively, instead of covering the wall in bathroom tiles, they cover it in stone wall cladding, adding a touch of luxury and style.
Here’s also an example of stone cladding we added to the Kelmscott double storey home.