Oklahoma Stone Homes

 Choosing the materials for the outside of your house can be one of the most challenging, yet exciting aspects of having your home built, and you can increase your home's value by choosing the right exterior. Stone homes are popular for various reasons; they are sturdy and well built, they can add to the value of your home and they are appealing because of the rather old fashioned and traditional appearance. Some stone buildings look very much like early American architecture or even resemble stone buildings commonly found in Europe; of course stone was often the building material of choice for many castles and fortresses. Stone is also available in a variety of colors and types, and if you are thinking of home construction using stone in Oklahoma, you can be assured that whichever style or look you go for, it will match your immediate surroundings. Stone is widely available in light or dark hues, as well as tan colors and just about everything in between. Using stone also means that you can recreate a variety of popular and well known styles of architecture, including Georgian and Federal and the look of a country residence in the heart of Europe.

Whereas a wooden home is obviously susceptible to damage from insects and rot, a stone home is much more durable and long lasting, and extremes of wind, sun, ice and rain will also not do as much damage. One of the biggest problems with a wooden home is the possibility of damage due to fire; of course, stone homes do not carry this risk.

Stone is also more energy efficient than most other materials that are commonly used for building, and will keep the temperature comfortable in a moderate or extreme climate. During the hottest summer months, a stone home can help to keep you cool, and the material can retain heat and keep you warm during the winter.

Many materials need to be replaced or repaired every few years, such as vinyl siding and wood, and stone has the big benefit of rarely needing to be replaced, an attribute that also helps the environment. A stone home can be kept looking as good as new by power washing it every so often, and stone will not have to be repainted.

Although stone has several benefits, it does cost more, which is probably its main drawback. It takes more labor to quarry and transport stone, and these additional costs are added on to customers, although many homeowners will tell you that stone is worth the extra cost. One way to save money is to buy stone siding that is not made of real stone, although it looks almost as good.

It is no wonder that stone is so popular as a building material. It is versatile, strong enough to withstand time and weather extremes, attractive and can add value to your home with its timeless appeal. Although more expensive than other building materials, if you can afford stone, you will be in good company and it can literally last a lifetime.