Stone Veneer, Durability and Climate: Weathering Storms in Style

When you think of something made of stone, durability is likely the first quality that comes to mind. And when you’re sifting through home exterior ideas, a time-tested material like stone or brick probably seems like the best choice — until you realize how costly the transportation and installation of these extremely heavy materials can be, not to mention the devastating ecological effects of large-scale quarrying.

That realization leads many homeowners to consider installing stone veneer on their home’s exterior. The manufactured stone veneer pricing advantage makes even the loftiest dreams of an eye-catching stone home façade a real-world possibility for nearly any budget. And the measures we take in our facilities to conserve energy, limit waste and reduce our overall carbon footprint make the environmental impact of stone veneer align more closely with your Earth-friendly values.

But is stone veneer siding durable? Can it handle the icy cold of the Northeast region, the heavy humidity of the Southeast states, the blistering heat of the Southwest and the relentless rainfall of the Northwest? What about coastal winds and pesky pests like carpenter ants, woodpeckers and mice?

The pros at Casa di Sassi want to help you buy manufactured stone veneer without regret. A big part of achieving that success is taking into account how the climate of your hometown affects the long-term beauty and overall durability of your exterior stone veneer project.

HOW YOUR HOME CLIMATE AFFECTS STONE DURABILITY

You probably chose to live where you do for good reasons — to be close to family, have a better job or enjoy the great outdoors. And while the weather may not be on your mind every day, the overall climate in your region likely impacts many of your big decisions. From the types of clothes you buy to the car you drive to the hobbies you indulge in, your region’s climate influences your life in many ways.

Climate — meaning the atmospheric conditions that prevail over decades, as opposed to the more short-term changes we call weather — is an important factor in determining where to install stone veneer and where to avoid using it. Every project that involves installing stone veneer on exterior surfaces of a house will be affected by climate conditions like moisture, temperature fluctuations and wind. These conditions require careful planning and some technical precautions to support stone veneer’s durability, as do wood siding and other home-cladding materials.

CLIMATE FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN INSTALLING STONE VENEER

At Casa di Sassi, we know that stone veneer siding is both durable and beautiful — and we love any opportunity to share details and answers to questions about manufactured stone veneer with people.

Let’s dig into the three main climate factors that can affect stone durability. Then we’ll walk you through the steps you can take to ensure your gorgeous stone veneer home exterior ideas stay solidly spectacular for the long haul.

1. TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS

When the ambient temperature makes a big change, many building materials become unreliable. Extreme heat can melt the glue on some substrate materials, preventing them from adhering properly. Extreme cold keeps mortar from setting correctly, and mortar is what makes stone veneer stick to your home’s walls. The National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) stresses the importance of taking specific precautions when installing stone veneer in cold weather or hot weather in its resource guide for professional installers. Without these precautions, your stone veneer siding could detach from your house and leave unsightly gaps.

2. HUMIDITY AND RAINFALL

Water is a powerful force — just think of how it created the Grand Canyon! If rain or humidity are allowed to penetrate stone siding, they can cause lots of damage to your house. Not only could trapped water cause mold and mildew to grow on structural elements of your home, but water that sneaks under veneer siding will expand once it freezes, causing the veneer to pop and break. That makes it imperative that you waterproof veneer siding with two separate layers of water-resistant barrier that must be precisely applied during installation.

3. WIND AND PESTS

We’ve all seen the aftermath of tornadoes on the news: roofs and siding of homes torn off like wrapping paper from the unrelenting force of wind. Whether you’re on the Eastern Seaboard or the part of the country affectionately known as “Tornado Alley,” installing stone veneer on your home’s exterior means preparing to withstand a lot of wind — and that means carefully choosing the correct framing, sheathing and fasteners to prevent detachment under stress.

Carpenter ants love cool, rainy regions, making waterproof veneer installations particularly important to keep them out. And if woodpeckers are drilling into your home exterior, it’s likely they’re after bugs that have already infiltrated your home’s siding.

HOW TO MAXIMIZE MANUFACTURED STONE VENEER DURABILITY

Installing stone veneer anywhere is a complex undertaking — and installing stone veneer on exterior surfaces gets even more complicated! But one of the biggest benefits of hiring professional stone veneer installersa> is their in-depth knowledge of how to maximize stone veneer’s durability. These stone-cold pros can help you achieve all your stone home exterior ideas no matter what your home climate rains down on you by taking care of the substrate, flashing and other waterproof veneer details.

Another way to ensure your project’s stone durability is to go for a top-quality product. Sure, those low-priced options on the big-box store shelves are tempting, but the benefits of purchasing quality stone veneer from Casa di Sassi include durable raw materials, careful craftsmanship and a nationwide network of reliable distributors who specialize in the masonry industry.

DURABLE AND QUALITY STONE VENEER FROM CASA DI SASSI

We are so confident that Casa di Sassi manufactured stone veneer comes closer to natural stone durability than any other product that we give you a 50-year warranty against blistering, peeling, flaking, delaminating and cracking — so long as it is installed correctly. And that warranty transfers to the next homeowner, making it an added value if you’re looking to list.

Contact us today to get started elevating your home’s exterior with beautiful, durable manufactured stone veneer from Casa di Sassi!