What are the different types of stone cladding?

Stone continues to be one of the most popular materials used not only for building but decorating homes and apartments. And for a good reason too! It’s graceful, highly resistant, long-lasting, and it comes in various finishes and colours. On top of that, you can use it both outdoors and indoors. But what types of stone wall cladding are there, and which will be the best for your project? Let’s find out! 

Of course, there are various methods of classifying stones, but the most widespread one is the type of stone cladding. This index includes only the most popular options but certainly doesn't exhaust the topic. On the list, you will find materials used commonly for external purposes, as well as the ones, which are more suitable for interiors. Before you choose something for yourself, be sure to pay attention to the intended use of the stone, its appearance, size, and price. 

The use of natural stone gives an impression that the whole wall is made out of random rocks, matched nicely together. Natural stone can be installed with wet or dry methods, and both provide excellent results. Most often, we can see this type of stone wall cladding utilised outdoors, and its use makes the viewer believe the entire building is created of stone.

Coursed stone is a very popular type of stone cladding thanks to its neat and uniform look. And that’s all thanks to cutting each piece at the top and bottom. As a result, each segment has the same height and length as other elements. Coursed stone is often glued together, and there is no need to use mortar joints, which creates a highly even and consistent look. However, in some cases, a thin layer of mortar is required. 

To create a ledge stone, various types of irregular stone stripes are stacked on top of each other and placed over a mesh. The key here is the use of a unique blend of natural stones that will give the cladding a rough and rustic look. The rocks shouldn’t have the same size, quite the opposite, but they all need to have a rectangular shape and should be placed horizontally. Ledge stone is usually installed on walls and around fireplaces.

Among different types of stone cladding, we also have limestone, a highly popular material used because of its beauty and high resistance to various damaging factors. It is commonly implemented both indoors and outdoors, and homeowners around the world appreciate it for its flexibility and carving possibilities. It’s a perfect type of stone cladding for covering walls, pavements, stairs, and other parts of buildings. 

Even though random stone cladding may seem like the rocks were placed haphazardly on the wall, all pieces have been cut to make the installation process as easy and quick as possible. The stones have universal sizes, but they still look rustic and rugged. 

Read also: Can you use stone veneer on an outdoor kitchen?