Building your own home is something a lot of us dream of. When the moment comes, there is a lot of decision to make in order to achieve the home you’ve always wanted. Of course, personal preference plays its role, but you also need to consider factors such as utility. Stone masonry is one of the options you will have. Below, we review some of the advantages and disadvantages of choosing to use stonework for your home.
Advantages of Stone Masonry
- Strength
Stone is one of the strongest materials available, that can withstand enormous pressure – more so than most other building materials – which makes it an excellent material to rely on.
- Weather resistance
Your home will need to protect you from the elements, which means it’s exposed to them daily. Stone has already held off the effects of the weather for millennia, and will continue to do so as part of your home.
- Durability
Stone is incredibly resilient, and won’t bend, warp, dent, or scratch easily. Things that would result in wear on brick or wood won’t leave a mark on the stone.
- Potential
Stone is an aesthetically pleasing building material, with a lot of design potential. It comes in all sorts of sizes, colors, and textures, letting you achieve your desired look.
- Maintenance
Stone masonry is durable and low maintenance, needing neither plastering, painting, or weatherproofing.
Disadvantages of Stone Masonry
- Weight
Stones are heavy and thick. Thick walls reduce floor space, and heavy building materials are difficult to handle.
- Specialized
You’ll need to find skilled stonemasons Edinburgh who are able to work with stone. There is no margin of error with this material, as alterations are not something to undertake lightly.
- Cost
Stone costs more since you need skilled workers and specialized equipment.
- Transportation
Stone needs to be quarried and transported from the quarry, adding to the cost.
- Time
Building with stone takes longer, due to sourcing and transporting the material.
Stone masonry has both advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before you choose it as your construction material. At the end of the day, build a home you will love looking at and spending time in.