Stone Veneer & Brickwork: How To Combine Stone and Brick in Traditional Style or Minimalist Design

Combining stone veneer and brickwork gives a home an expressive, “expensive” appeal, but the result depends on thinking the layout through carefully. In the traditional style, stone is often positioned at the base, on the entrance portal or the fireplace mantelpiece, with brick covering the major facade surfaces. Minimalist design has a different logic to it, favoring a calm choice of stone with precise geometry and thin seams, punctuated by occasional brick accents. That way the architectural details look clean and modern.

There are two more essential points to make. First, different materials respond to moisture and temperature differently. A compensation gap and adequate water sealing in the joint between stone veneer and brick are critical for preventing cracks and salt deposits. Second, without appropriate drainage — the drip edges, roof crickets, gutters — water is bound to penetrate behind the facing.

Make exterior facing part of the home design: Decide ahead of time which areas will be decorated with stucco or siding and which with tile. Consider the joints between the materials at corners, around windows and on the terrace. This will ensure the facade looks as an integrated whole and lasts for a long time.