How much does cultured stone siding cost?
How much does cultured stone siding cost?
$10 – $35 cost per square foot installed
$10,000 – $35,000 average installation cost (1,000 SF)
Cultured stone siding cost
Cultured stone siding costs $10 to $35 per square foot installed or $10,000 to $35,000 total for a house. Adding cultured stone to part of the front of a house costs $1,000 to $3,500. Cultured stone, also called manufactured stone, is a painted or stained concrete mix that mimics natural stone siding.
| Installation area (square feet) | Average cost installed |
|---|---|
| 200 | $2,000 – $7,000 |
| 500 | $5,000 – $17,500 |
| 750 | $7,500 – $26,250 |
| 1000 | $10,000 – $35,000 |
| 1500 | $15,000 – $52,500 |
| 2000 | $20,000 – $70,000 |
| 2500 | $25,000 – $87,500 |
Cultured stone veneer panels are lighter and cheaper than natural stone. In comparison, natural stone veneer siding costs $15 to $45 per square foot installed.
Average cost of cultured stone siding
The following table shows the average cost to install cultured stone siding.
| National Average Cost | $25,000 |
| Minimum Cost | $2,000 |
| Maximum Cost | $50,000 |
| Average Range | $10,000 to $35,000 |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Cultured stone siding installation cost
Cultured stone siding installation costs depend on if you use the material to cover the full exterior or opt for cheaper alternatives such as adding stone accents to the front of the house or around the garage door or blending stone siding with less costly vinyl.
| Project | Coverage (square feet) | Average cost installed |
|---|---|---|
| Full exterior | 1,000 | $10,000 – $35,000 |
| Front of house | 200 | $2,000 – $7,000 |
| Half stone / half vinyl front of house | 100 per material | $1,400 – $4,700* |
| Foundation (front of house) | 300 | $3,000 – $10,500 |
| Garage door frame | 40 – 80 | $400 – $2,800 |
| Fireplace | 100 – 130 | $1,000 – $4,500 |
| Chimney | 100 – 200 | $1,000 – $7,000 |
*Includes cultured stone and vinyl installation.
Cultured stone full exterior siding cost
Installing cultured stone siding on a home's entire exterior costs $10,000 to $35,000, depending on the home size and layout. Cultured stone veneer is lightweight and easy to install but can cause moisture problems if not installed properly.
Cultured stone partial siding cost
A partial cultured stone siding accent costs $2,000 to $7,000 and is more common than covering the entire home's exterior. Adding cultured stone siding to only the front of the house requires less maintenance over time since the cultured stone is prone to fading.
Another popular trend is to use half stone and half vinyl on the front of the house, which costs $1,400 to $4,700 on average. Using a mixture of both stone and vinyl saves you money, and the sturdy materials look great together.
Cultured stone foundation cost
A cultured stone foundation on the front of a house costs $3,000 to $10,500 and updates the home's curb appeal. Cultured stone veneer panels are often used to cover unsightly cinder block foundations without the high cost of real stone.
Cultured stone fireplace or chimney
Covering an outdated fireplace or chimney with manufactured stone veneer costs $1,000 to $7,000 on average. When adding stone veneer accents to your home's exterior, you'll also need to use matching veneer on the chimney exterior. To carry that design feature inside, add the same stone to your fireplace.
Additional costs for the project may apply:
Sealing and waterproofing a chimney costs $170 to $820.
Chimney repair costs $200 to $700, depending on the repair.
Cultured stone siding cost factors
Manufactured stone veneers (MSV) come as individual pieces called "flats" or as prefabricated panels that are adhered to the wall using mortar. The labor to install MSV costs $6 to $24 per square foot, depending on whether installing flats or panels. Panels are easier and cheaper to install than flats.
Other cost factors for cultured stone siding installation include:
Wall prep – Preparing the walls may involve removing old siding at a cost of $0.70 to $2.00+ per square foot. The stone veneer also requires installing water-resistant barriers, lath, and a mortar scratch coat.
Hazardous materials – Asbestos siding removal costs $7 to $10 per square foot if required. Contractors may elect to install the new stone veneer over the existing asbestos siding.
Repairs – When adding stone accents to your vinyl siding, siding repairs cost $2 to $14 per square foot if any vinyl is damaged during the installation.
Permits – Siding permits cost $100 to $250 with some states not requiring permits for Faux-stone siding.
Cultured stone siding styles
Cultured stone siding comes in shapes that look like natural stones, river rocks, cobblestones, and even cultured brick. Popular shapes and designs include:
Country Ledgestone has a stacked stone rustic look available in an extensive color palette.
Limestone is a hand-split surface mimicking the limestone quarried in the upper Midwest.
Fieldstone has irregular, asymmetrical stone shapes for a rustic, charming cottage feel.
Cobblefield mimics the architecture of rural 19th-century American design.
Castlestone includes medium to large square and rectangular pieces with some irregularity.
River rock has the organic look of deep naturally rounded stones.
Stream stone has rounded rocks in mixed sizes for a natural look.
Cultured brick has the uniform look of old brick structures in a variety of colors and layouts.
Since cultured stone veneer materials are man-made, they come in more shapes and colors than natural stone.
Cultured stone vs. other stone siding types
Cultured stone veneer is a man-made veneer made primarily from cement, natural minerals, and pigment. Other common types of stone veneer are faux stone, which is man-made using polyurethane foam, and natural stone, which is real stone cut from mountains, riverbeds, and stone quarries.
| Material | Material cost per square foot | Total installed cost per square foot |
|---|---|---|
| Cultured / Manufactured stone (concrete-based) | $4 – $20 | $10 – $35 |
| Faux-stone panels (polyurethane foam) | $8 – $19 | $10 – $25 |
| Natural thin stone | $4 – $21 | $15 – $45 |
| Full thickness building stone (Full bed) | $5 – $15 | $20 – $50+ |
Cultured stone siding FAQs
What is cultured stone?
Cultured stone, also called manufactured stone veneer (MSV), is a stone veneer product made by pouring lightweight concrete into painted molds and curing. The artificial stone is attached to the wall in individual pieces or pre-made panels of several stones using mortar.
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Does cultured stone veneer add value to your home?
Adding a cultured stone veneer to your home increases your property value and provides one of the highest rates of return for any home improvement project of 94% or more.
Is cultured stone the same as natural stone veneer?
No, cultured stone is a cement-based product while natural stone is real stone cut from mountains, rivers, and rock quarries. Cultured or manufactured stone is man-made and therefore comes in more colors and styles than natural stone.
Can you put cultured stone over brick?
Yes, you can install manufactured or cultured stone veneer without removing the existing brick. You must first cover the brick with a metal lath and scratch coat of mortar or cement board to create a flat surface.
Can you paint or stain cultured stone?
You can paint or stain your cultured stone veneer if it fades over time. To paint over stone veneer, you must first properly prime the surface with a latex primer. Staining does not require a primer, but will only enhance the original color, not change it.
Getting estimates from siding installers
When hiring a siding installer near you, be sure to select from only certified masonry contractors. Follow these additional recommendations:
Get multiple estimates using the same materials for an accurate cost comparison.
Browse customer reviews from their past siding projects on HomeGuide and Google.
Verify the company licenses, liability insurance, and bond guarantees.
Avoid the cheapest bids that may indicate low-quality materials or labor.
Collect a written estimate, contract, and warranty before hiring a siding installer.
Work out a payment plan with the final payment due upon satisfactory completion.
Questions to ask
How many stone siding jobs have you completed?
Do you specialize in manufactured stone veneer?
Can I see siding samples or previous projects before you start?
What water-resistant barrier do you install?
How long will the siding project take?
Does your quote include removing the old siding?
What type of payment plan do you offer?
What is the warranty?