Detroit Stone Siding: Simply the Best

When it comes time to choose siding for your home, you'll hear a lot about vinyl siding and fiber-cement siding, along with less popular metal and wood siding. If you're going to start at the top, however, you need to take a look at stone siding, which offers unmatched looks and durability. Of course, as you can imagine, stone siding is also a more expensive siding material. Before you dismiss this material out of hand, though, you should take a look at alternative stone siding and long-term cost effectiveness.

Simulated Stone Siding in Detroit, MI
Simulated stone siding uses a mixture of cement, natural aggregates, and mineral oxides to produce a material also known as manufactured stone, stucco stone, and faux stone that is nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. In fact, only trained professionals can generally tell the difference. Simulated stone is also considerably lighter than real stone, making it relatively easy to install. Much of the expertise needed to install simulated stone involves knowing exactly how to mix and test the composite material and apply the adhesive. Neither project is viable for DIY installation. True stone siding uses mortar and the natural weight of the stone to create its strength. Though true stone siding is a bit stronger, as long as the installation is done properly, both should last for the lifetime of your home, and are all but impervious to wind, rain, sun, and are extremely fire-resistant.

Detroit Stone Siding Repair and Maintenance
The most popular request for stone siding in Detroit is not, in fact, stone siding installation but stone siding repair. This may seem odd, since stone siding is supposed to last virtually forever. While it should and typically does, stone siding is not, unfortunately, maintenance-free. Over time, the mortar between your stone or brick siding may begin to deteriorate requiring a process known as tuck-pointing to properly fix. Tuck-pointing, like stone siding, is not cheap. You may spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand depending on the size of your siding and the condition of the mortar. Don't immediately dismiss stone siding, however, as an implausible project. Tuck-pointing is generally only needed about every 25 to 30 years.

Cost of Detroit Stone Siding
To say stone siding isn't cheap doesn't quite cover it. While the average siding installation in Detroit comes to about $6,000, for stone siding, the number doubles to $12,000. Again, you should keep in mind that stone siding should be the last siding you'll ever by, and will only need maintenance work once every quarter century. Simulated stone siding generally falls right in the middle with savings of about 25 to 35 percent from the real thing. Along with the size of your home, the number of corners that need to be negotiated will determine the overall cost of the project and installation times.

Detroit Masonry Contractors
Another key difference between true and simulated stone siding is the contractor you'll need for the job. True stone siding should only be installed by highly skilled and experienced masonry contractors. Simulated stone can be handled by general contractors and siding contractors who have the prerequisite experience and training with the material. Either way, ServiceMagic can help you find the right local contractor for your project. Each and every contractor in our system is put through a rigorous 10-step screening process that eliminates the more unreliable contractors you may inadvertently contact through the phone book. As soon as you submit your request, you'll begin to hear from our contractors. You can then use our online customer ratings and reviews to find feedback from other Detroit homeowners and make your final hiring decision.

Rate This Article

OVERALL RATING Be first to rate this article!

YOUR RATING

Saving Rating...

Log-in to save your ratings!

Recommend This Article

Digg
Reddit
Del.icio.us

ServiceMagic Articles To-Go