Living Luxe: Masonry and stonework is a popular option for the exterior of custom homes, and the trend is only growing. In your experience in the business, why do so many builders of luxury homes opt for stone and what does it do for curb appeal?
Greg Kolodziejczyk: Builders choose stone as exterior cladding on their projects because it’s a more luxurious, costly material compared with wood, brick or stucco. Th ere are also different types of stones to enhance façades — there’s natural stone, which is extracted from the earth, and manmade stone, which is made up of concrete. Natural stone such as limestone is one of the highest-quality natural stones available, so it’s often selected by architects and builders for luxury custom homes. Limestone drastically brings up the value of a home because of the quality of the material and the masonry installation.
Living Luxe: According to the Masonry Council of Ontario, masonry both raises and maintains property values. In fact, studies have shown nearly 90 percent of homeowners prefer homes built with masonry, and these sell for higher prices than others. Does this ring true to you and the experiences you’ve had with your clients?
GK: Th is does ring true, yes. It has to do with cost. Stone is a material that’s more costly to purchase compared with wood, stucco or brick. It’s also more costly to install because of the craftsmanship involved. Th is level of craftsmanship takes decades to learn and master — it’s truly an art. Stone is popular in the building community across the Greater Toronto Area, as many builders and homeowners want an elevated look for the exteriors of their homes.
Living Luxe: What are the benefi ts of stone exteriors and how does it increase the value of a home?
GK: Stone exteriors, such as custom limestone, bring an extraordinary look to the home—there’s an element of beauty that comes with natural stone. It’s also an extremely durable and solid material that can last a lifetime. Th e aesthetic is highly desirable, which is one of the reasons why it boosts property values. In other words, if a homeowner has the budget to use stone on their home, it’s a must. It’s a long-term investment with a consistent return on investment.
Living Luxe: We’ve read homes with stone only cost a small percentage more to build but there are fewer costs when it comes to maintenance and energy bills. Tell us about this.
GK: The determining factor in this would be the type of stone used. Th ere are high-end options such as custom limestone and ledge rock stone, to name a couple. Th ere are also cost-saving options such as Permacon and Arriscraft , which are manmade and provide a savings to the homeowner. Since a stone-enclosed finish is a solid material, it helps bring maintenance costs down, as it lasts a lifetime and can be cleaned by rain or power-washed to keep dust and dirt away. Being a solid structure, it provides additional benefits that play a role when it comes to energy savings.