If you are looking to transform the outside of your home into an old-world, cottage-like stone exterior, you can choose several different methods depending on your budget and your desire for authenticity. But for every option there are pros and cons to be weighed before you make the final choice.

Natural Stone
An ancient style that has gone out of fashion in the 21st century, natural stone siding offers protection and beauty and requires almost no maintenance, but natural stone siding is also "one of the most expensive forms of siding" according to a 2010 article from Servicemagic.com. Natural stone siding also requires some kind of ledge built into the foundation to support the extra weight. If you are looking to install natural stone, you will first need to check that your home has the added foundation. If not, you will need to incorporate the foundations before you even get to the stone. Also, look into local quarries and other methods to cut out the middleman and lower your overall costs for finding and installing natural stone.

Natural Stone Veneer
One of the major drawbacks of natural stone siding is the weight. According to Homeimprovementhelper.com, natural stone is typically six to eight inches thick. Natural stones are very heavy, meaning transportation costs will be higher, laborers will need to expend more time and energy working with natural stone and preparing the exterior of the house to handle the heavy material. Natural stone veneer, however, is typically one inch thick, and offers homeowners the same classic stone appearance without the added cost and labor that comes with installing the entire stone.

Manufactured Stone
Also known as Faux Stone, manufactured stone, which is made from pouring concrete and pigment into molds, is a very popular exterior siding option. Home owner Paul Porko said in a 2006 Journal Gazette article that for a long time manufactured stone "never looked like the real thing." But during the 1990s, manufactured stone began to pass as natural stone. In addition to aesthetic factors, manufactured stone is "half the cost of natural stone, and because it is lighter than natural stone, it's a lot easier to install," according to Brent Spann, vice president of marketing for Eldorado Stone.