Four Different Types of Natural Stone Used For Masonry

Words: Noah Dempsey
Natural stone has been a staple in masonry for centuries. Before it was used to transform home and landscape designs on residential properties, it was used for historical buildings and some of the most iconic destinations in the world. The beauty and durability of natural stone are timeless and offer construction and renovation projects a material that will make a lasting impact. These historical projects and backyard upgrades would not be possible without skilled stoneworkers. Today's masons have to be skilled in working with different natural stone types to create these features. This article is going to compare the characteristics, availability, and effectiveness of granite, quartzite, sandstone, and one classic option: fieldstone.

Granite
Characteristics
  • Durability: High density, resistant to wear and tear, scratches, heat, and harsh weather conditions.
  • Color Range: Every piece of natural stone is unique. Granite is often gray, featuring a secondary color like white, pink, yellow, or amber. Granite can also be brown and tan.
  • Fabrication: Granite quarries produce large format slabs that can be fabricated into a wide array of end products, including thin stone veneer, building stone veneer, sawn flagstone, split flagstone, sawn steps, treads, hearths, wall caps, countertops, window sills, and more.
Effectiveness for Home and Landscape Projects
  • The durability and color variations make granite a popular choice for home exteriors, outdoor fireplaces, outdoor fire pits, outdoor kitchens, and a range of stone walls.
  • Also popular for curb appeal projects, including mailbox posts, driveway pillars, stair risers, and covering home foundations.
  • Because of its durability, granite is often used for pool, patio, and walkway projects that prioritize longevity. It requires little to no maintenance over time and can be sealed to provide an extra layer of protection from stains and moisture.

This granite patio features Liberty Hill Sawn Flagstone.

Quartzite
Characteristics
  • Durability: Quartzite is very similar to granite in density and offers the same protection against wear and tear, scratches, heat, and harsh weather conditions.
  • Color Range: Quartzite offers a range of gray, light brown, and other earth tones with unique veining and multi-colored pieces.
  • Fabrication: Much like granite, quartzite can be broken down into the same end products, including different types of veneer and fabricated landscape materials.
Effectiveness for Home and Landscape Projects
  • The durability and color ranges of quartzite make it a great fit for all of the same masonry projects as granite, including stone veneer for outdoor applications like stone walls, outdoor fire features, outdoor kitchens, and home exteriors.
  • For landscape design projects, quartzite can be included as flagstone, steps, pavers, wall caps, and more.

This Quartzite home design used  Sterling Tan Square and Rectangle Veneer.

Sandstone
Characteristics
  • Durability: Unlike its natural stone counterparts granite and quartzite, sandstone is not a highly dense stone. This can make sandstone susceptible to weathering and erosion over time, especially in exterior applications. Sandstone can be sealed to protect against porosity.
  • Color Range: Often found in earth tones like tan, brown, and light grey.
  • Fabrication: The lower density of sandstone makes it easier to cut and shape into architectural applications. Sandstone can be used for exterior building cladding, pavers for patios and walkways, and any interior design feature like fireplaces and countertops.
Effectiveness for Home and Landscape Projects
  • Although the durability of sandstone can be a factor for exterior projects, it can be sealed to protect against harsh weather conditions.
  • Sandstone is a much more reliable option for home cladding, exterior fire features, and curb appeal upgrades than other manufactured building materials like cultured stone.
  • The porous nature of sandstone makes it a less suitable option for pool projects or in regions where there is a constant freeze-thaw cycle.
Bonus: Fieldstone
Before natural stone was quarried out of the Earth and used to transform residential homes, commercial buildings, and landscape spaces, it was harvested from fields for security and used to mark property lines. Now fieldstone is sourced for all the same applications as other types of natural stone. Fieldstone, which was commonly popular for its irregular shapes, can now be fabricated into different types of thin stone veneer, building stone veneer, sawn flagstone, sawn steps, and other architectural products. Fieldstone is formed into granite, sandstone, and limestone, making it as durable as other natural stone options. What sets fieldstone apart from quarried natural stone is the unique character and weathering found in each piece.


This fieldstone veneer-designed garden used Old New England Wall Square and Rectangle.

How These Options Will Impact Masons
  • Every stone has gone through a different formation process, making each quarry unique in color, texture, and stone composition.
  • Natural stone is a heavy building material and can be more cost-effective when sourced from local quarries, but all types of stone are accessible throughout the world.
  • Advancements in technology have helped grow natural stone into a more efficient building material, making it easier to manufacture, ship, and install regardless of stone type.
  • The density of granite, quartzite, and sandstone plays a key factor in the installation and application of the material.
  • Granite and quartzite require a higher level of skill and stronger equipment to break down the material. This includes diamond-tipped blades, high-carbon steel chisels, and other tools.

The wide range of natural stone options, whether it's granite, quartzite, sandstone, fieldstone, or any variation of natural stone, can be fabricated into a wide range of different products to fit the needs of home, commercial, and landscape design projects. The masons who work with natural stone have a unique skill level and can transform a pallet of natural stone into an impactful and lasting feature.


About The Author: Noah Dempsey is the Marketing Coordinator of Delgado Stone Distributors.

About Delgado Stone: Delgado Stone Distributors is a manufacturer and distributor of natural stone. Based in Brookfield, CT, Delgado Stone offers a range of natural stone materials that are used for residential, commercial, landscape, and hardscape projects, both new construction and additions. Since 2011, Delgado Stone’s vision has been creating a “people-first” company culture that drives us to create the highest quality products and provide industry-leading customer service while continuing to be industry innovators. Through our network of Authorized Dealers, we can supply the entire continental United States and parts of Canada.


Dutch Quality StoneTM debuts first brick profile, Handformed Brick™, in three colorways including the new Snowpack™

Westlake Royal Building ProductsTM (“Westlake Royal”), a Westlake company (NYSE:WLK) announces Handformed Brick™, a new, elevated tumbled brick profile from Dutch Quality Stone, available in three colorways including the newest addition, Snowpack™, a sere

By: Sarah Lograsso
Read More
Pinnacle and Tucker Design Awards to Combine in 2025

The Natural Stone Institute is pleased to announce that beginning with the 2025 Call for Entries, the Tucker Design Awards will be partnered with the Pinnacle Awards program. Both awards will be given annually beginning in 2026. This streamlined approach

By: Amy Oakley
Read More
Brick Remains Top Choice Among Architects & Homeowners, Glen-Gery Survey Reveals

In advance of National Architecture Day on November 1, 2024, Glen-Gery, a premier brick manufacturer that is part of Brickworks North America, released “Trends in Design and Renovation: A Comparative Study Among Homeowners and Architects,” a national surv

By: Stacey Bollinger
Read More
Strengthening the Foundation: Recruitment Strategies for Masonry Companies Amid Employee Shortages

In today’s construction landscape, masonry companies are facing an increasingly pressing challenge: the shortage of skilled labor. This shortage is not just a minor inconvenience but a significant hurdle that threatens the industry's growth and sustainabi

By: Tiffany Tillema
About: Featured
Read More
Interested in working with us? Learn about and join the Masonry Alliance Program →