By most accounts, the city of Boston was founded in 1630 by Puritan colonists. That makes for close to 400 years of history in Beantown, and justifies nicknames such as "The Cradle of Liberty," and "The Puritan City." With that kind of track record, it also means that homes in Boston and the Greater Boston Area ought to be built to last. Considering Boston's brutal climate, there's no option out there better suited to longevity than stone siding in Boston.
Your Choices for Boston Stone Siding
If you're looking for the best of the best, protect your home with chunks of stone. In the history of the world, there isn't a more proven, or longer-lasting siding material on the books (ask archaeologists if you have any doubts on this front). Unfortunately, while adding a several inch thick solid rock exterior to your home is probably the best siding you could ever install on your home, few Bostonians can afford the cost that comes with materials and masonry work associated with a true Boston stone siding job. That being the case, if you like the look of stone but are concerned about your budget, there are other options out there. Stone veneers and synthetic stone veneers are both available to homeowners in the Greater Boston Area if you're looking for the timeless look, and in most cases, the protective qualities of stone, without incurring an incredibly high price tag.
Stone Veneer and Boston Stone Siding
If you don't have the means, or the patience, to have actual rocks stacked and mortared around your new home in Boston, but still want the real thing, then it's time to look into Boston stone siding of the veneer variety. Companies that specialize in these stone veneer sidings cut stones to a measurement of a few inches thick, drastically reducing the price of the materials and the cost of labor associated with installation. From an aesthetics standpoint, you won't be able to tell a difference. Stone veneer is cut so that there's a rough, natural stone surface facing out on every piece. If you're dead set on natural stone for your siding material, but are still worried about the cost of stone siding in Boston, this is the way to go. And from a performance standpoint, there really isn't much difference. As a surface material, 1 or 2 inch slabs of stone perform just as well when it comes to protecting your home as any other pile of rocks.
Artificial Boston Stone Siding is the Cost-Effective Alternative
The cost of real stone veneer can still be prohibitive for many Boston homeowners. If budget is guiding your Boston stone siding search, you might want to look into simulated stone siding in Boston as well. Technological advances in manufacturing and molding polyurethane and concrete have resulted in imitation stone siding that is every bit as durable, yet much cheaper, than the real deal. Your neighbors and guests won't be able to tell the difference if you choose this style of Boston stone siding for your siding needs, and to be honest, your home won't either. You'll get the timeless look, including variations in texture and color, without the high costs commonplace with natural stone siding in all its forms.
Is Boston Stone Siding Right for your Home?
On just about every front, you can't go wrong with stone siding in Boston. Whether you choose natural stone siding, stone veneer, or simulated stone veneer, these products are water resistant, aren't phased by impacts, are impervious to insects, and you can expect them to last for decades, if not lifetimes, depending on the product you choose. Make sure, however, your home's architecture is well-suited to this siding material and the cost of the investment. A simple ranch house in the suburbs will stand out, in a bad way, if you choose to go this route. If you're looking to install siding on one of Boston's new builds or historic homes, however, Boston stone siding, in all its forms, is the perfect siding material in a city that's been around longer than just about any other city in the nation. 
Matt Goering, formerly a carpenter and house painter, is a freelance writer for the home improvement industry who has published over 600 articles.