Stacked Stone – All You Need to Know About Stacked Natural Stones

Stacked stones are one of the excellent ways to mingle the natural beauty of natural stones in your spaces. But, do you know what stacked stones are and how to use them to beautify your spaces? Let’s take a brief tour to get familiar with it.

What does Stacked Stone mean in the Medieval Era?

In our ancient days, natural stones were a prime construction material wherever its availability was possible. It used for structural to architectural and paving purposes. Whole stone cubes of different sizes were used as a structural element to create walls, columns, trims, and even beams supported by pillars.

In small to mid-sized medieval homes, small pieces of stones were found. Whereas big-sized building large stone slabs were used and still today, we see those in many historical buildings and public places. To create a wall of small stones with at least two flat surfaces were stacked or piled one on another, hence, that construction design got the name “Stacked Stone Element” in the industry.

What Stacked Stone Mean Today?

Unlike the medieval era, modern buildings are using advanced construction technologies, materials, and designs. Stacking stone cubes as structural elements are now a passé thing, and unable to meet our advanced requirements. Steel and cement-concrete have replaced stones and similar sturdy materials to create modern buildings.

However, our attractions towards natural stone remain intact. So, the modern construction industry has found out beautiful and legitimate ways to address it. We have advanced stone cutting technologies and preservation, as well as stone finishing techniques. It has given birth to Stone Veneer.

How Stacked Stone Veneers Get Shape?

Here, natural stones cut into thin slices and stick on the rough, but already constructed walls like tiles. Of course, grouts are not filled entirely and left to simulate the appearance of the real stacked wall or construction. Similarly, stone veneer pieces are simulating everything, including sizes, shapes, cuts, and corners to the ancient stacked stone constructions.

It means stone suppliers have to create specific stacked stone panels to meet various needs & designs drawn by the architect or engineer.

Stacked Stones Always Are Vertical

Furthermore, one thing is obvious here that stacked stone veneers are for vertical applications only, never for horizontal at all. You cannot think of a stacked stone application for floors, ceilings, or countertops because it is impractical to apply it. Some specific natural stones and designs are available for it.

Your Design Should Play Around Stacked Stone

When you decide to have stacked stone in your design, place it at the center and revolve the entire design around it. In simple words, you think about the floors, ceilings, other walls, splashes, and rests of elements in your design considering stacked stone wall or space in your mind.

You can choose, layout, patterns, and styles of those elements based on the design of the stacked stone. Whether you go to match the entire background or contrast, keep the colors of stacked stones.

Be Smart with Stacked Stone Finish

Fundamentally, stacked stones are pieces of natural stones. Now, natural stones can have different finishes like polished, honed, sandblasted, flamed, and so on. Furthermore, natural stones have different colors and their hues, patterns of veins and grains on the surfaces, shapes, sizes, and styles to create a custom design out of those variations.

It means you have enough room to apply whatever possible with other stone applications. Thereby, your stacked stone wall cladding in a bathroom many differ from the kitchen or living room. The same goes true for exterior spaces. Your façade or porch may not have the same stacked stones that your patio, features, and small walls have.

You must have instincts to select the appropriate finish, colors, and theme of design for each space in particular. If you don’t have it, consult the experts or architect in your vicinity, at the least, your stone supplier can help you.

Create a natural and soothing design with stacked stones instead of odd or boring things. Otherwise, it will ruin the charm of your spaces.

Think about Stacked Stone Maintenance

As discussed earlier, stacked stones are natural stone components, and you have to take care of them accordingly.

Your stacked stone material may be composed of siliceous rocks or calcareous rocks you have to follow maintenance guidelines accordingly.
Cleaning and washing treatments must be based on stone types used in the construction of stacked stone applications.
Staining also can occur on stacked stone elements, and you have to apply staining removal techniques based on stone types.
Replacements wear and tear all should be accomplished as you go with natural stones in other spaces.
You have to learn where to apply vinegar for cleaning or restrict up to washing detergent solution.
You can apply sealants and coating treatments similar to other natural stones.

Where Can You Apply Stacked Stones?

It is a tricky question of where to apply stacked stones and where not. However, one thing is clear that stacked stones are only for vertical applications, and we cannot design the entire space with it.

It is a time consuming and costly affair to design elements like a wall in your patio or chimney front with stacked stones. Therefore, you must select the space or place that can grab the immediate attention of onlookers like your guest when you apply the stacked stone design on it.

Let’s see some practical and real-life applications of stacked stones.

In Backyard

You can see in the picture that stacked stones found on:

Stepping verticals
Fire feature vertical
Storage or outer portion of chimney vertical
A sidewall in the backyard

In Exterior Eating Space

You can see white travertine used on vertical walls of a table or counter to match with the countertop, which also is a slab of travertine. The front-facing wall in the background also is repeating stacked stone design and creating a magic theme in itself.

In Hearth of a Chimney

Here you may have noticed that the hearth and other walls forming a chimney on a patio area made from stacked stones with rustic sandstone material. The same is repeating in the column. Paving of patio with sandstone slabs match the theme and create an alluring synergy in the ambiance when sunlight entered the space.

In Accent Wall

The same rustic sandstones have used in stacked stone design on an accent wall of a home garden. Well, refined corner pieces enhance the elegance further. Colorful plants are augmenting ambiance. The rustic look of the travertine peripheral top of the planter also beautifully matching with accent wall design.

In Outdoor Kitchen

Stacked stone also looks beautiful in sheltered spaces such as the outdoor kitchen. The rustic look of the stacked stone wall of the kitchen counter and grey granite countertop match perfectly to create an appeal in design. Travertine stone paving also adds a flavor to it.

Who Will Guide You for Stacked Stones in Your Next Project?

Stacked stone applications are indeed costly and labor-intensive. Without proper guidance at the initial stage, you may be at a big loss at the end. To avoid the same, you can depend on World of Stones USA for cost-effective and honest guidance.

You can get a variety of stacked stones made from various types of natural stones at World of Stones, Maryland. If you are unable to reach physically, virtual space is ready to serve you enthusiastically. Let’s have a chat.