8 Tips for Mixing Brick and Stone Exteriors for a Cohesive Look

You've always dreamed of owning a brick Colonial until you stumbled upon a stone cottage. Can you have the best of both worlds? By combining brick and stone, you can incorporate two different styles and end up with a look that’s refined, classic, and easy to maintain, one of the biggest pros of a brick and stone exterior.

But meshing these materials can be difficult design-wise. They each bring color, texture, and shape to the table and can clash when paired incorrectly. Read on for tips to make them complement each other and stand out in a way that will have your neighbors considering a similar design.

1. Go for Contrast

Since brick and stone have different textures, play up their differences instead of trying to make them blend together. Don’t try to match colors. It’ll be obvious they’re not the same material, so trying to match them color-wise will look distracting and forced. 

Instead, choose a brick and a stone in different colors. If your brick is dark, go for a light stone. If your brick is painted white, consider slate or another dark gray or black stone. If one material is multicolored, opt for a solid hue for the other. Although contrast should be the goal to give your facade a cohesive look, you may want to choose two shades within the same tone, like sandstone with light brown bricks.

2. Pick Out a Hue From the Stone or Brick

First, pick the stone or brick that will make up the majority of your exterior (50% or more). Then, assess all the different colors in that material. To do so, hold up paint color swatches next to the brick or stone. Or take a digital photograph, then use a color dropper tool to identify specific hues. 

Use one of the colors you found for the other material. For example, if the stone you select features a specific off-white color, choose that exact color for your brick's paint color.

3. Consider All Mortar Color Options

The stone and brick you install aren’t the only pieces of the facade that will provide color. You can also customize it with different mortar colors. For example, you can use a dark gray mortar on lighter stone to make it pop, and then use a lighter mortar when bricking your house to add even more contrast.

You can also opt to make the exterior a bit more cohesive by using a single mortar color for the bricks and the stone. Just be sure not to match the color of each too closely if you want them to stand out. You could, however, match the mortar color to the brick or stone to put the other natural material on display.

4. Ensure the Roof and Hardscape Coordinate

Once you’ve selected your brick and stone combination, plan your roof and hardscape accordingly. Since you’re already using two different materials on the exterior of the home, minimize additional materials for the hardscape. If you can, use more of the same stone or brick on your property and in your garden beds to tie everything together. The color of your roof should also blend in. Otherwise, it will compete with the brick and stone. 

5. Designate Focal Points

Cover gables, column bases, or arched entryways with bricks or stones. These architectural elements are natural places to transition between different materials, and it will make the contrast look purposeful and neat.

6. Take Inspiration From Architectural Styles

Tudor, Craftsman, French country, and Colonial-style homes can feature a combination of brick and stone. In Craftsman houses, brick and stone often appear on porch columns, paths, and steps. In ranches, they’re found on chimneys, porch pavers and planters, columns, and carports. French country homes pair brick and stone with stucco, while ranches include wood or composite siding.

7. Pay for a Sample

It’s difficult to visualize what your home will look like—and it’s not an easy decision to redo, so you want to get it right. Ask your masonry contractor to build you a 4-foot by 4-foot sample to get an approximation of the look. Since masons charge $70 to $110 per hour for labor, this project may cost a few hundred dollars. Still, paying for a sample can help you feel more confident in how mixing stone and brick exteriors will work, especially if you’re carefully choosing two contrasting materials.

8. Install Stone Over Brick

Let’s say your home aesthetic is entirely made of brick, and you want to add some contrast and drama. Have a professional stonemason install a stone veneer over brick that’s in good condition (they shouldn’t be bulging, cracking, or crumbling). You can ask a masonry company near you if you need repairs before installing the facade. To guard against water damage, the pro should apply a waterproofing membrane before mortaring, grouting, and adding stone.

This is a simple way to add some contrast and intrigue without having to pay for major renovations, although it might not always be possible. You can ask your masonry contractor if it’s an option for your home.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

If you're considering changing the brick and stone on the exterior of your home, it's important to note that this level of masonry work is not intended to be done on a DIY basis. This is especially true if you'll be replacing or updating stonework that's attached to a home's siding. Improperly done work could expose your home's framing to water and moisture which can lead to mold, mildew, and foundational issues. The verdict is to call an experienced local masonry contractor.

While there are many tutorials online for mixing brick and stone exterior and brick repointing that make masonry work look easy, the reality is that you need knowledge of materials and techniques to avoid making big mistakes that could compromise the value and stability of your home. For example, simply knowing which types of bricks and stones have suitable properties for your project is important. Remember that even good tips for masonry from "experts" online may not work in your specific climate.

Additionally, mixing mortar to achieve the correct consistency takes skill and expertise. If the mortar is too dry, it won't actually hold your bricks and stones in place properly. If the mortar is too wet, you are likely to see slumping after your project is complete. Lack of experience can also cause your finished project to have misaligned bricks, sloppy mortar work, and other issues that detract from your home's aesthetic value.