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Building a home is an important life milestone to achieve. Many reasons affect the purchase of a home, but the exterior is one of the most important ones.
Different materials are available for constructing the exterior of houses. They include vinyl, wood, or bricks but stone houses are one of the best choices.
They retain heat and cool during the winter and summer, respectively. Apart from their classy outlook, stone homes stand the test of time.
So, if you plan to own a home, a stone home may be just what you have been looking for.
This article will explore all you need to know about building a stone house.
Things To Consider When Building A Stone House
Before embarking on a stone house building project, there are some things you need to consider, such as the type of stones, their availability, type of design, etc.
Type Of Stone
Choosing the type of stone for your building is a very crucial decision. The first decision will be whether you prefer a dry-laid or mortared wall.
It refers to whether your fence will be built entirely of piled stones or using cement.
This decision will influence the forms and dimensions of the stones used in the design of your stone house.
Whichever type of wall you choose in your stone house construction, selecting the type of stone to use is very crucial.
It not only affects its beauty but its functionality as well.
Also, selecting the type of stone your stone house construction will hugely impact its availability, location, and preferences.
There are different types of stone to choose from when deciding the type of stone for building your stone house.
These include sandstone and limestone, which range in color from white to shades of tan and grey. Another one is the granite which is strong and durable.
Then you have the fieldstone and concrete, all good choices depending on your choice and function.
Future Needs
One negative side of a stone house is that it is tough to modify once done. Take the designs one after the other and evaluate them.
Try to predict future needs and make room for the possibility.
You may find it challenging to alter some things should you decide to change some things later on in the future.
So, before you start building your stone house, you must thoroughly consider the type of design you may want to use.
Once the building is started, it may be difficult to effect changes or change the design.
The Cost Of Building A Stone House
Before beginning any project, it is necessary to take a seat and calculate the project’s cost. Building a stone house is no exception.
The whole budget of the building from start to end will be necessary whether or not it is pursued.
When calculating the cost of a stone house, you must consider several elements, including the floor space, elevation, and architecture of your home.
The type and amount of stones needed and other construction materials needed for building a stone house will all be considered before embarking on the project.
One will also need to consider special design features when estimating the cost of building a stone house.
Location And Design
A natural environment can make your home very beautiful if it is in sync with the design of your stone house.
Although stone houses often appear stylish and beautiful, they can be very unappealing to sight if sited incorrectly.
Stone is a natural material, and it is best to design your stone house to fit the surrounding environment.
Processes Involved In Building A Stone House
Building a stone house is not a simple project.
However, if you’re interested in constructing your own stone house from start to finish, sit back and let’s explore the steps involved together.
Building a stone house entails several steps.
Location
The first step is to select a site for your building. Then, choose a stone species that is naturally pleasant to your setting while keeping practicality in mind.
Determine the duration, elevation, and capacity of each wall. Now, estimate how much stone you need to complete your construction and make your order.
If at any point, you are confused, you can request help from a professional stone house builder.
Foundation
Once you have made the necessary calculations and have your materials ready, the building begins by marking out your foundation.
Dig the trenches following the outline you have highlighted. Make the channels roughly a yard deep and ensure the foundation is below the frost line.
You may add the drain trench some distance away from the walls.
Walls
Now, add gravel to your wall trenches for the stone house walls before placing the foundation stones.
Make your stem walls by stacking stones with mortar between them if you use a mortared wall.
Create spaces for your doors and windows and continue stacking until you reach the height you want. The stem wall should be about 18 inches tall.
Roofing
Place the roof beams at the top of your building to roof a stone house. Nail plywood roofing sheets directly to the roof beams.
The plywood roof frame should extend 2 feet over the walls. Ensure to fix the rubber liner into the roof-boat frame.
Attach a downspout to an edge to drain any water away.
Floors
Before you start working on the floors, ensure that every dirt and debris is cleared before placing your subfloor and flooring.
Install your doors and windows after working on your floor before you start work on the interiors.
Materials Needed For Stone House Construction
Now that you know what it takes and the processes involved in building a stone house, the next step is to get your materials ready and get to work.
Essentially, you will need most of the construction materials for building a house and some materials and equipment unique to stone house building.
These materials and equipment include:
- Stone- this is considered the topmost essential material needed in a stone house design. Figure out the total volume you need as the height is twice that of the length, no matter your technique. Remember to consider the fact that you will be using stones of different sizes.
- Something with which to dig your trench.
- A chisel for chiseling out parts of stones that are not needed.
- A wheelbarrow will be needed to convey your stones and mortar if you use mortared walls.
- Crowbars for heavy stones.
- Boots, gloves, and goggles.
- Stakes, strings, line levels, masons levels, and hammers.
- Roof beams, roofing sheets, rubber liner, and downspout.
Risks Involved In Stone House Building
Handling
The stones used are heavy and produce thick walls. It reduces the floor spacing.
Handling these stones can be pretty tricky and can pose some risks while handling them.
Weight
The heavy weight and thickness of the stones can be extra challenging when handling. And this can cause accidents easily.
Extra care, therefore, should be ensured for the safety of the people, materials, and equipment during stone house construction.
Porosity
Working with stones for constructing a stone house requires a very high level of skill in stone handling.
Improper placement of stones may make the house porous to water, heat, and cold.
It could be a big challenge when rain falls as it could easily let water into the house.
Retaining heat and cold may become challenging as it would be difficult to hold heat or cold when needed.
Acidic rainwater must also not be allowed into the house either through reactions with the stone or through openings in the stone.
Therefore, it is only advisable that only professional stone house builders be contracted to handle stone house building.
Reaction With Acid
Some stone compounds may combine with sulfur dioxide to generate calcium sulfate.
These crystals trap pollutants in protected sections of the stone, that is, areas not cleaned by water, causing that part of the stone to turn black or develop a black crust.
It will cause the affected area of your stone house to change from its original color to black, affecting its beauty.
Conclusion
There are many reasons to prefer a stone house, and this natural feeling comes with identifying with Mother Nature.
Now that you have learned about the things required, you can make your dream home a reality.
Not only is a house a vital asset, but the lifetime fulfillment you get from building your own dream home makes it worth your while.
Of course, there are risks in every undertaking; stone house construction is no exception.
It all comes down to your preferences and willingness to overlook the risks and enjoy the reward of a beautiful home like your stone house.
