Stone vs. Concrete: Which is the Best Choice for Your Home?

Prior to recent advances in concrete construction for homes, standard use was to construct the foundation of driveways and slabs and sidewalks. Typically, an even surface was the primary consideration. Concrete was rarely thought of as an aesthetic element; however, it was a practical element of a house. Although, the choices of design for homes were generally made of stone.

In the past few years, the flexibility and possibilities of concrete have become the main focus, particularly with stains, stamping, polishing, etching, and other additions to concrete. Concrete, unlike stones, can be made in many forms, both horizontal and vertical, yet still retaining the stability of a smooth surface when necessary. Concrete can now be molded into a wood-like plank molded to look like stone, stained with many colors that suit your tastes and style, inside or out, and even acid-etched or polished to look like the appearance of marble floors. The possibilities are only limited to your own imagination.

What are the limits of stone?

It is not difficult to see beauty and appeal in the stones used to create outdoor surfaces. But, a lot of the attraction and beauty is in the randomness that the stone exhibits. This same irregularity could become dangerous in time, which can result in slips. In contrast to cement, which can be textured to stop slips, stone surfaces simply become more slippery when they are wet.

Stones are also more difficult to put in, especially when you consider how irregular shapes create it into a gigantic jigsaw. Cost overruns may occur when the work required to put the stone in its correct position takes more time than anticipated. The designs for concrete stone, on the contrary, can be made as interlocking parts, which can be put together at the site of installation.

Another drawback is the inability to match the in-place stone with the existing stone in the structure or with older walkways. Another issue is the disadvantage of stone that has to be used as walls to reclaim. It is important to keep it shorter because gaps between stones can cause issues in drainage. Concrete's ability for interlocking is much superior for walls for retaining.

Are stones more costly than concrete?

In the beginning of this process, you'll discover that stone is usually more costly than concrete because it is a natural product, which must be quarried. Stone costs more in part because of its transport from the quarry into your backyard. Concrete is more easily accessible, and although both require skilled teams of professionals to put in, the concrete's cost structure makes the final result far more affordable.

Is concrete maintenance-free?

The maintenance of concrete walkways and other concrete structures outside is not a problem. Concrete requires sealing only every few years to preserve the appearance and color. In contrast to stone, there are no gaps between concrete stamped installations, which means there are no plants growing on the walkway and no requirement for weed control to keep the look and texture.

Where can concrete be used?

Concrete's versatility allows it to be used in practically every area of your house, both outside and inside. It can be used both for internal or external use in the home, the maintenance requirements are as simple, and applications are numerous. More importantly, concrete can be utilized throughout the course of the life of your home, starting from the construction of a new home to renovating your current home.