How to Choose the Right Stone Profile

by Rachel Lyon, Editorial Director for Direct from the Designers

If you’re looking to add stone to your home’s exterior or interior, you could be overwhelmed by all the options! There are so many different products to consider, and each imparts its own distinct style. It’s a good idea to settle on a stone profile before you start looking at colors; this aspect defines the overall shape and impression of the stone, including the outlines and texture. All it takes is one look at a stone profile and you should know which way it leans aesthetically, and then you can tailor the final effect with your color choice.

For illustrative purposes, the images below feature a variety of popular stone profiles in the same color blend—Echo Ridge® from Cultured Stone. Due to the diversity of the stones, how they’re installed, and the effect of lighting, you can see how different they all look. This should help you isolate the stone profile and make it easier to choose the best one for your design goals!

Ledgestone

Not sure where to start your search for the perfect stone? Ledgestone profiles are popular for a reason! Boasting a great balance of clean modern lines and natural surface texture, you’ll find ledgestone incorporated into everything from historical renovations to cutting-edge contemporary designs. The neatly shaped pieces are perfect for drystack applications and look great with visible grout, too. You really can’t go wrong with this stone profile!

The Country Ledgestone shown above is a good all-around example of the ledgestone category, but you will find plenty of sleeker and more rustic versions, too. The sharp, precise lines of the Pro-Fit® Ledgestone range are perfect for more contemporary aesthetics, while the varied and irregular shapes of Southern Ledgestone and Del Mare Ledgestone are better for rougher traditional designs. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out for a professional recommendation!

Fieldstone

For rustic designs, you don’t need or sometimes even want a linear stone profile. Irregular stone that appears plucked from the environment creates a more authentic effect for traditional architectural styles, no matter where they hail from. Fieldstone is just that—a naturally occurring stone considered a nuisance in farmers’ fields that was put to use as a construction material. The random shapes and sizes don’t stack neatly, of course, and you’ll often see grout lines between the pieces. You can match the grout to the stone or offset it to tone down or highlight the diversity of the pieces.

If you prefer an irregular stone look, you’ll find plenty of options. The typical fieldstone offers a wide breadth of shapes and sizes with a fairly flat face—you’ll see surface texture, but few shadows unless you’re looking at an overgrouted installation. Compare this to river rocks, which have a smooth, rounded shape that naturally stands out from the wall. You can also create natural highs and lows with narrow, irregular ledgestone that juts out from the surface. Make sure to consider these natural stone profiles in 3D!

Ashlar

By definition, ashlar stone profiles are cut to shape—they may have pieces of different dimensions, but they are all regular. Some profiles have precise edges suited to drystacking while others have textured faces that slightly round the outlines, allowing grout to show through. Many ashlar products have rectangular pieces longer than they are tall, but squarer profiles are also available. It might not seem like much of a difference, but when you’re used to horizontally oriented stone, squares definitely strike a unique tone!

The ashlar category includes everything from traditional limestone, to square cobblestone, to completely uniform, large-format block stones. Whether you’re going for a neat quarried look or something with natural texturing, you will have your choice of historically inspired and contemporary profiles.

Whatever sort of profile speaks to your tastes, explore the gorgeous stone veneer products available from Cultured Stone! Their diverse catalog has something for every aesthetic, and you can tailor the final look with a wide range of color options, too. Try their Stone Visualizer to test the possibilities virtually or find a local dealer to see them in person today!