1. QUARTZITE
Quartzite is one of the hardest natural stones and is known as a cleaved stone and offers a rustic type characteristic to the stone. It has a similar look and durability to marble but is different in many ways. One of quartzite’s greatest qualities is the sparkle that it illuminates at its surface. It’s unique in its look and extremely durable so that you can count on it being as beautiful and in as great condition years down the road, as it was when it was first constructed.
2. FLINT
Flint has been a popular stone used in the construction of stone walls and other buildings, including homes, due to its ability to be cut and arranged in a wide variety of ways. England is one specific country known for its use of flint in the construction of churches, farmhouses, and many other types of construction projects. Flint is not only used for its durability, but it’s easy to work with. It can be stacked and arranged into patterns that give a structure a unique look just by the patterns formulated with the flint. Flint can be found in a variety of solid hues, primarily, black, grey, tan, and blue.
3. TRAVERTINE
Travertine falls into the sedimentary rock category. It’s a type of limestone that develops and is shaped primarily in natural hot springs. Travertine is known for its small cavities that form naturally, and it is these cavities that help to create this stone’s natural cream-colored tones with little flower-type patterns throughout. When travertine is used for construction purposes, such as on the exterior of homes, builders will often fill these little cavities with grout to help increase the stone’s durability, however, the cavities do make the stone susceptible to stains which may be a concern for some homeowners. Even so, travertine is one of the most beautiful stones used in home construction, not only on the outside exterior and walkways but on the inside of homes as well. You’ll often see travertine tiled floors, counters, and more on the inside of homes. One reason travertine is favored for homes is the options it offers in colors. Travertine comes in a variety of hues, such as pink, orange, and gray. One thing to consider with this stone for the exterior is its inability to resist heat, making it a poor choice for cold climates.
4. LIMESTONE
Limestone is a great natural stone for using as an exterior stone for your home for many reasons. Limestone is a stone that will weather naturally over the years to give your home a beautifully unique look. Builders like using limestone for the exterior of homes due to its even texture and its ability to sculpt and tailor it easily to fit the look they want it to. As far as durability, Limestone will maintain its integrity for years and years. Despite its durability for the exterior of your home, one place you may want to avoid using it is in your kitchen. Limestone is not a stone to use where it will be put to use in a functional situation, like a kitchen counter. It is a porous stone, meaning it can scratch and stain easily.
5. GRANITE
Granite is one of the hardest natural stones ever found. The only stones known to be harder and more durable are diamonds and sapphires. Granite has the unmistakable flecked mineral colors with a swirled and spattered grainy appearance. It is often used on the exterior of buildings and homes due to its durability and ability to withstand time and age. It is about 20% quartz and can be made into large or small slabs, and can be left in its natural state or polished to a perfect, sleek look. For the exterior of a home, granite can be a smart natural stone to choose if you love the look of a speckled, natural-looking stone. The most popular colors of granite include brown, pink, and black.
6. MARBLE
Marble is one of the most luxurious and most beautiful natural stones known to man. It is also one of the most popular stones used in construction, for both the inside and outside of homes. Marble is commonly seen in homes as flooring, in the kitchen as countertops, and it is also used on the exterior portion of homes as well. When used on the outside of a home, you instantly think of a classy and expensive home. Marble’s smooth and polished texture requires special care when being laid for the exterior of a home, but the beauty and durability that it provides are unsurpassable. Marble is available in a wide array of colors and patterns, from brown to pink, purple, gray, brown, and it’s even found in marbled patterns of mixed hues.
7. SANDSTONE
Sandstone is a rock that develops from sand turning to a stone material hard enough to be used as a building material. The natural rock is a pleasure for builders to work with because of its ease to chisel and cut into just about any shape or size desired. It’s often used when a type of pattern in the exterior surface is desired. One of the most popular traits of this type of stone is its reflective nature. As the sun moves, it causes the surface of the stone to change colors which can create a beautiful look to your home’s exterior. Whatever color you’re looking for for your home’s exterior, you are sure to find it when you choose sandstone as your home’s exterior. Choose from white, pink, orange, yellow, and even purple hues.