Comparing Stone Veneer, Natural Stone and Brick

Is brick expensive? Is stone more expensive than brick? How does stone veneer stack up to those materials cost-wise? And how versatile are each of these choices for creating stylish and durable indoor or outdoor projects?

If your heart is set on a house with brick or stone siding, veneer options may not have come across your radar. But the stone-cold pros at Casa di Sassi have been working with all three of these materials for decades. Whether you’re looking to increase curb appeal with exterior stone applications or elevate your interiors with the look of brick or stone, comparing these options is a great starting point.

We break down the basics of stone veneer, natural stones and bricks by comparing them in terms of versatility, durability and long-term maintenance. Then we look at how the cost for each compares and what kind of return on investment you can expect from your choice.

Read on for the lowdown on getting the most from your reno dollars on exterior upgrades with natural stone, brick or manufactured stone veneer!

STONE VENEER VS. REAL STONE: COST & OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Adding stone or brick details to your home’s exterior is a great way to increase curb appeal. Whether you’re building your dream house from the foundation up or giving your beloved older home a makeover, different types of stone create varying first impressions.

Aside from the cost, things to consider when choosing stone exteriors include:

COLOR

What hue will complement your home’s trimwork, window casings, roofing and other siding materials? Bricks may be available in red, white or yellow shades. Natural stones are typically neutral colors. Manufactured stone veneer can be made in a variety of colors, including dark gray and multicolor options.

SHAPE

Are you partial to a symmetrical, even look? Or do you want a more varied effect that seems borne of nature? Bricks bring inherent symmetry to any project whereas stones are naturally irregular in shape. You’ll find manufactured stone veneer in both categories, as well as some mashups, like our Blends profile that features unique combinations of size, texture and dimension.

PLACEMENT

Rarely is the entire exterior of a modern house covered with one type of stone. In fact, one of the hottest home design trends for 2023 is to mix materials by pairing a stone accent wall with exposed wooden beams or existing wood shingles. Consider the placement of your stone or brick details to bring out your home’s best features — including outdoor living spaces and exterior stairways.

Stone Veneer

What is stone veneer? It’s a man-made decorative product crafted to deliver the appearance and texture of natural stones without the bulk or weight. Homeowners use interior and exterior stone veneer to create authentic-looking installations that elevate a variety of interior design styles. Made from cement, aggregate materials and mineral oxide for pigment, manufactured stone veneer does not contain fiberglass, foam or other synthetics. Artisans design rubber stone veneer molds that mimic quarried stones or rocks found in nature, pour in the cement mixture and allow it to cure. The finished veneers are inspected for quality, durability and a natural appearance.

Pros and Cons

Pros of stone veneer include:

• Lighter weight than other materials
• Appropriate for indoor and outdoor renovations
• Easier to install than brick or stone
• Wide variety of color palettes and styles
• Lower price tag than stone, brick and other materials
• Durability
• Low maintenance

Cons of stone veneer include:

• Not a structural material – requires a structural substrate

Applications & Other Considerations

• Stone veneer can be applied on virtually any vertical surface, including exterior walls and interior cabinetry
• Even though stone veneer is easier to install than masonry materials, the benefits of professional stone veneer installations include lower risk of problems and higher odds of a flawless look.
• Stone veneers come in a wide array of colors, types, designs and styles to suit every home aesthetic, from clean and contemporary to ruggedly rustic to totally traditional.
• Some stone veneer profiles offer the symmetrical and even look of bricks while others feature irregular shapes for a more natural stone look. 

Natural Stone

Stones are gathered from natural spaces or quarried from deep in the earth. Formed naturally from physical changes in the elements of our planet, natural stones are at once incredibly durable and vulnerable to natural forces, like erosion. They have been used to construct houses and other buildings for centuries and are prized for their solidity, natural variety and weight.

Pros and Cons

Pros of natural stones include:

• Beautifully rugged appearance
• Natural abundance
• Wide variety of colors, sizes and textures
• Good durability
• Low maintenance

Cons of natural stones include:

• Extreme weight
• Difficult manipulation and installation
• Higher price tag than man-made materials

Applications & Other Considerations

• The weight and bulk of natural stones make them impractical for most interior design applications.
• Exterior natural stone applications are typically quite costly due to expensive transport costs and the advanced skill level required to install them.
• The environmental impact of quarrying stones can include irreversible erosion, chemical runoff and toxins entering groundwater.

Brick

You may be surprised to learn that bricks are a type of ceramic. Similar to ceramic plates and cups, bricks are made by combining clay with water and pigments, forming the mixture into a desired shape, then firing the object in a kiln. This high-heat process results in a strong product with excellent hardness but surprising brittleness.

Pros and Cons

Pros of kilned bricks include:

• Classic, timeless appearance
• Wide availability at both specialty and big-box stores
• Uniform dimensions that support symmetrical patterns
• Ability to be painted or glazed in a variety of colors
• Lower price tag than natural stones

Cons of bricks include:

• Lower durability than stones
• Higher maintenance, especially the grout
• Limited design possibilities
• Requirement of skilled installation

Applications & Other Considerations

• Bricks are another heavy building material that can be pricey to transport and install.
• Interior applications are virtually unheard of due to expensive installation costs.
• Exterior brick applications typically require regular maintenance as weather erodes the grout and shifts in building structures cause bricks to become unstable.

Cost Comparison: Stone Veneer vs. Natural Stone vs. Brick

To fully compare the cost of stones, bricks and stone veneers, it’s important to consider three different expenses:

• Cost of materials, including shipping or delivery
• Cost of installation
• Cost of long-term maintenance

Once you assess the total cost of all that, you can begin to calculate the return on investment you’ll get from your choice. Most homeowners understand that the only way to increase ROI on a home remodel is to be certain that prospective buyers will bid higher due to the renovations you’ve made.

So how do these materials measure up in terms of ROI? Kilned bricks are typically less expensive than natural stones thanks to their wide availability. But both bricks and stones incur hefty shipping fees because they’re so heavy. Plus, both of these materials require skilled and experienced masons – who command high rates for their difficult and complex labor – to install them with artistry and care. That means you can expect a staggering price tag for exterior natural stone or brick projects that will be difficult to recoup in a reasonable listing price.

On the other hand, a stone veneer install is typically faster and easier, thanks to the lightweight and user-friendly design of the product. Professionals who install stone veneer siding or other projects don’t have to put in the same amount of back-breaking work as stone or brick masons, so they usually lower their rates accordingly.

The variable in ROI calculations is whether the project will convince potential buyers to bid higher. And this is where we see exterior stone veneer upgrades really outpace other options! 

The Cost vs. Value Report from national housing data-cruncher Zonda puts ROI on exterior stone siding at 153%! That means you’re much more likely to get your initial investment back and then some.

Explore Stone Veneer Profiles From Casa di Sassi

Casa di Sassi’s stone veneer profiles offer amazing authenticity and serious long-term value. Our 50-year warranty even transfers to the next owners of your home, making our products a great investment toward future profits. 

Plus, it’s easy to find a trusted Casa di Sassi distributor in your neighborhood, thanks to our nationwide network. Choose top-quality Casa di Sassi stone veneer for your home upgrade today – and get the most bang for your buck in the long run!