Stone veneer siding mimics the look of natural stone at a fraction of the cost, giving your home an upscale look at a budget-friendly price. It’s durable, flexible, low-maintenance, and easier to install than a real stone wall.
Stone veneer siding costs $13–$22 per square foot for professional installation or about $11–$18 per square foot for just the siding if you’re planning to go down the DIY route. Read more about the different types of stone veneer, how it compares to natural stone, and the complexity of installation below.
Cost data in this article was sourced from Angi and HomeAdvisor.
On average, you can expect to pay $2–$4 per square foot for siding repairs.
Vinyl siding installation costs range from $2.15–$5.25 per square foot.
Typically, exterior painting costs anywhere from $1–$4 per square foot.
Installing 1,000 square feet of stone veneer siding costs about $13,000–$22,000, which breaks down to $11–$18 per square foot for materials and $2–$4 per square foot for labor. The following factors can change your project costs.
Coverage area will likely be the most significant factor in your project’s total cost, as larger areas require more material and hours of labor. The angles and architectural features of your home may play a role if they require intricate detailing or pattern variations.
Remember that you don’t have to cover your home’s entire exterior with a single type of siding. Many homeowners install stone veneer along the bottom third of their home or on a single accent wall. Others may choose an elegant stone veneer for the front of the house and a cheaper vinyl siding option for less visible walls.
| Square Footage | Material Cost | Installed |
|---|---|---|
|
250 |
$2,750–$4,500 |
$3,250–$5,500 |
|
500 |
$5,500–$9,000 |
$6,500–$11,000 |
|
750 |
$8,250–$13,500 |
$9,750–$16,500 |
|
1,000 |
$11,000–$18,000 |
$13,000–$22,000 |
|
1,250 |
$13,750–$22,500 |
$16,250–$27,500 |
|
1,500 |
$16,500–$27,000 |
$19,500–$33,000 |
|
2,000 |
$22,000–$36,000 |
$26,000–$44,000 |
Labor costs vary by location, siding type, project size, and contractor experience. Expect to pay between $2–$4 per square foot for professional installation.
The complexity of your project also affects labor costs. Installing stone veneer on a two-story house involves more work and safety considerations than completing a 36-inch strip around the bottom of the home.
Veneers made from real stone are on the higher end of the cost spectrum because of their durability and the labor involved in extracting them from natural sources. Manmade options, made from a mixture of cement, natural lightweight aggregates, and iron-oxide pigments, are lighter and less expensive. Other faux stone veneers are made from nontraditional materials, such as polymer, vinyl, or foam.
| Siding Material | Cost per sq. ft. |
|---|---|
|
Basalt |
$7–$11 |
|
Granite |
$15–$30 |
|
Limestone |
$20–$28 |
|
Slate |
$4.50–$10 |
|
Stone-look vinyl |
$5–$10 |
|
Faux stone |
$6–$9 |
|
Manufactured stone |
$5–$8 |
Stone veneer siding is a budget-friendly and visually appealing choice for exterior walls. Installing a band of stone veneer siding cost an average of $10,925 in 2023 and increased home value by $11,177, according to Remodeling JLC. This is more than a 100% return on investment. Like any type of home siding, it comes with its own set of pros and cons to consider.
If you’re considering stone veneer siding for your home, you have four main options: natural thin stone veneer, full-bed stone veneer, manufactured stone veneer, or faux stone veneer. Each has its own pros and cons.
Stone veneer siding is a thin layer of real stone applied directly to the structure’s exterior, often as panels with fiberglass, polymer, fabric, or metal backing.
Installing stone veneers made from full-bed natural stone is like building a stone wall: You stack blocks on top of each other rather than simply sticking them onto an existing structure.
Full-bed natural stone is thicker than stone veneer siding, offering superior durability and insulation. It’s heavier, though, which makes the installation process more challenging.
Manufactured stone siding is made from cement that has been molded and tinted to mimic natural stone. The cement contains small pieces of lightweight aggregates, such as pumice, instead of the heavier rocks you might find in regular concrete.
Manufactured stone veneers are lighter and typically less expensive than siding that uses real stone. The veneers can be made to resemble nearly any type of stone and affixed to nearly any type of substructure.
Manufactured stone is technically a type of faux stone siding, but the term “faux” is typically used to refer to siding made from materials other than cement, such as vinyl, resin, polyurethane, and high-density foam.
Faux stone siding is one of the cheapest and lightest options if you want a stone look, but it’s also the least realistic. It won’t typically feel like real stone and may only look like stone from a distance.
Choosing between a DIY approach and hiring a professional for stone veneer siding installation comes down to your project scope and skill level. Before deciding, carefully weigh the advantages, challenges, and cost implications of each option.
Installing stone veneer siding requires time and precision. The task may involve significant prep work, such as removing the old siding, adding a layer of protective sheathing, and installing a moisture barrier. You may also need to do some mortar and grouting work.
If you have experience with this type of project and all of the tools required, DIY installation could save you several hundred dollars. However, if you need to rent a truck or purchase new tools, those expenses could offset most of the savings.
You should also consider the time and risks involved with a stone veneer siding installation project. Covering an entire wall with stone veneer siding will be more difficult than installing a 3-foot-high band, and mistakes could lead to water damage and a shorter lifespan for the siding.
If you hire a siding contractor, they will handle everything from assessing and preparing the surface to the final installation and cleanup. Here are a few benefits that could make professional installation worth the cost:
Homeowners who want to install stone veneer siding on a budget have several opportunities to save money:
The cost of stone veneer siding depends largely on the materials, labor, and coverage area, but other factors may come into play.
The underlayment is a protective layer placed between the siding and the structural wall that provides protection from the elements and extends the lifespan of the siding. If the existing underlayment is damaged, deteriorating, or otherwise unsuitable for stone veneer siding, it will need to be replaced. A full replacement could cost $9,900–$17,900.
Installing stone veneer siding typically requires the removal of any existing siding. Removing faux stone panels could cost as little as $1,000–$2,000, but you may end up paying an extra $3–$4 per square foot for removal if your current siding includes laths or anchors You may also have to pay a fee to dispose of the old siding, depending on local regulations.
A moisture barrier is a protective layer designed to prevent water from penetrating the walls of your home. If any moisture gets behind the stone veneer siding, this barrier ensures that the water can escape or evaporate without causing water damage or mold growth.
You can expect a moisture barrier to cost about $2–$4 per square foot, though some professional contractors may wrap this cost into their estimate.
One way to save money on siding installation is to bundle it with other home improvement projects. You might consider tackling one or more of the following projects at the same time:
If you decide to hire a professional, start by asking friends and family if they have any contractors they’d recommend. Browse online reviews and ratings on sites such as Yelp and Trustpilot. Narrow your choices down to three or four reputable contractors, then request a quote from each.
Once you have a handful of quotes, compare the cost estimates and contract terms. Ask about the estimated timeline, permits, payment options, warranties, and potential additional costs. Verify that each contractor is professional, properly licensed, and insured in your state, and use all the information you have collected to determine which option is the best deal.
Stone veneer siding is an elegant way to enhance your home’s curb appeal, and budget-friendly options are available. A professional contractor will be able to walk you through the various options, recommend the best product for your situation, and ensure a high-quality installation that lasts for years to come.
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